Updated
Overview
Angola has about 80% more people than Zambia: 39.04 million against 21.91 million (2025).
Angola's economy is 4.2 times the size of Zambia's, at $122.17B versus $28.88B.
Per person, Angola is the wealthier of the two: $3,129 against $1,318 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Angola | Zambia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $122.17B | $28.88B | 2025 | $80.40B / $26.33B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $3,129 | $1,318 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.1% | Higher: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 20.2% | Lower: 13.9% | 2025 | 28.2% / 15.0% |
| Unemployment | 14.1% | Lower: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 35 | 30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $129 | Higher: $170 | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $80 | $50 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 39.04 million | 21.91 million | 2025 | 38.98 million / 22.02 million |
| Population growth | 3.0% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 16.6 yrs | 17.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.95 | 3.97 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 64.8 yrs | Higher: 66.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 71% | 46% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 41% | 17% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,246,700 km² | 752,612 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 31.3/km² | 29.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 22 Mt | Lower: 12 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.6 t | Lower: 0.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $922.05M | $349.67M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 117,000 | 16,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Zambia is growing faster: 3.8% annual GDP growth versus 3.1%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Angola at 20.2%, while the other economy sits at 13.9%.
Average monthly earnings favour Zambia: $170 against $129 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 16.6 (Angola) and 17.9 (Zambia).
Life expectancy is 1.7 years longer in Zambia (66.5 vs 64.8).
Angola is considerably more urbanized: 71% of people live in cities, against 46%.
Internet adoption is higher in Angola (41% vs 17% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Angola is 66% larger than Zambia: 1,246,700 km² versus 752,612 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Angola spends 2.6 times as much on defence as Zambia: $922.05M versus $349.67M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Angola fields the larger armed forces: 117,000 personnel against 16,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Angola bigger than Zambia?
- Angola is larger by land area. Angola covers 1,246,700 km² while Zambia covers 752,612 km², so Angola is 66% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Angola or Zambia?
- Angola has the larger population: 39.04 million versus 21.91 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Angola richer than Zambia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Angola is richer: $3,129 against $1,318. Total GDP tells the same story: $122.17B for Angola versus $28.88B for Zambia.
- Who spends more on their military, Angola or Zambia?
- Angola spends more: $922.05M versus $349.67M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).