Imports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) in Zambia

Zambia: Imports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) was 40.4 in 2027. ▲ Rising

Latest (2027)
40.4
Change on year
up 1.1%
World rank
14th
of 45 countries
All-time high
48.86
in 2025
All-time low
24.68
in 2006
Years of data
28
2000–2027

Imports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) in Zambia, 2000–2027

010203040502000201320272000: 36.12001: 41.52002: 37.32003: 36.62004: 34.72005: 30.92006: 24.72007: 31.62008: 30.12009: 26.62010: 27.62011: 32.22012: 36.32013: 39.32014: 37.72015: 40.52016: 36.62017: 33.72018: 38.72019: 34.62020: 32.32021: 34.82022: 34.42023: 39.52024: 47.72025: 48.92026: 402027: 40.4

Source: International Monetary Fund.

Analysis

In 2027, imports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) in Zambia stood at 40.4.

The figure is up 1.1% on the previous year and up 19.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, imports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) in Zambia peaked at 48.86 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 24.68, in 2006.

That places Zambia 14th out of 45 countries with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 28 years of available data.

Imports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) in Zambia, year by year

Annual values for Imports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)) in Zambia, 2000 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2000 36.12
2001 41.46 +14.8%
2002 37.3 -10.0%
2003 36.56 -2.0%
2004 34.71 -5.1%
2005 30.89 -11.0%
2006 24.68 -20.1%
2007 31.62 +28.1%
2008 30.08 -4.9%
2009 26.65 -11.4%
2010 27.63 +3.7%
2011 32.18 +16.5%
2012 36.31 +12.8%
2013 39.27 +8.1%
2014 37.72 -3.9%
2015 40.52 +7.4%
2016 36.58 -9.7%
2017 33.74 -7.8%
2018 38.74 +14.8%
2019 34.65 -10.6%
2020 32.34 -6.7%
2021 34.81 +7.6%
2022 34.37 -1.3%
2023 39.45 +14.8%
2024 47.65 +20.8%
2025 48.86 +2.5%
2026 39.96 -18.2%
2027 40.4 +1.1%

Zambia compared with similar countries

  • Zambia's 40.4 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 31.7, 1.3× the median. (45 countries reporting)
  • Zambia's 40.4 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 29.77, 1.4× the median. (19 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 33.01 24.68 41.46 10
2010s 35.73 27.63 40.52 10
2020s 39.73 32.34 48.86 8

Countries ranked near Zambia

  1. 11 Senegal 42.58 compare
  2. 12 Guinea 42.37 compare
  3. 13 Rwanda 41.47 compare
  4. 15 Botswana 38.74 compare
  5. 16 Congo 38.25 compare
  6. 17 Gabon 36.63 compare

See the full ranking of 64 places →

More trade data for Zambia

All data for Zambia →

Frequently asked questions

What is imports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) in Zambia?
Imports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) in Zambia was 40.4 in 2027, according to International Monetary Fund.
What is the highest imports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) recorded in Zambia?
The highest recorded value was 48.86 in 2025.
What is the lowest imports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) recorded in Zambia?
The lowest recorded value was 24.68 in 2006.
How does Zambia rank for imports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments)?
Zambia ranks 14th out of 45 countries with data for 2027.
Is imports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) rising or falling in Zambia?
Over the last ten years it is up 19.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Zambia data come from?
The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Imports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Imports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) in Zambia. Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://trade.statizoid.com/stat/imports-of-goods-and-services-percent-of-gdp-balance-of-payments-and-international/zambia/

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About this data

Indicator
Imports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6))
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
64 places, 1,763 data points, 2000–2027
Last refreshed

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook (REO) provides information on recent economic developments and prospects for countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Data for the REO for sub-Saharan Africa are prepared in conjunction with the semi-annual World Economic Outlook (WEO) exercises, spring and fall.