Updated
Overview
Zambia has 7.1 times the population of Namibia: 21.91 million people against 3.09 million (2025).
Zambia's economy is about 90% larger than Namibia's, at $28.88B versus $15.08B.
Per person, Namibia is the wealthier of the two: $4,876 against $1,318 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Zambia | Namibia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $28.88B | $15.08B | 2025 | $26.33B / $13.37B |
| GDP per capita | $1,318 | Higher: $4,876 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.8% | 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 13.9% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | 15.0% / 4.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.9% | 19.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 30 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $170 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $50 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 21.91 million | 3.09 million | 2025 | 22.02 million / 2.85 million |
| Population growth | 2.8% | 2.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 17.9 yrs | 21.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.97 | 3.17 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.5 yrs | Higher: 67.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 46% | 51% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 17% | Higher: 65% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 752,612 km² | 825,615 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 29.1/km² | 3.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12 Mt | Lower: 3.47 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 1.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $349.67M | $362.39M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 16,000 | 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 1.7%.
Zambia runs the hotter price environment: 13.9% inflation versus 3.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Zambia: a price level of 30 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Zambia is the younger society: median age 17.9 versus 21.3 years.
Internet adoption is higher in Namibia (65% vs 17% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Zambia is 9% smaller than Namibia: 752,612 km² versus 825,615 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Zambia is far more densely settled: 29 people per km² against 4.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $349.67M (Zambia) and $362.39M (Namibia).
Relative to its economy, Namibia carries the heavier military burden: 2.7% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Zambia fields the larger armed forces: 16,000 personnel against 16,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Zambia bigger than Namibia?
- Namibia is larger by land area. Zambia covers 752,612 km² while Namibia covers 825,615 km², so Namibia is 10% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Zambia or Namibia?
- Zambia has the larger population: 21.91 million versus 3.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Zambia richer than Namibia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Namibia is richer: $4,876 against $1,318. Total GDP tells a different story: $28.88B for Zambia versus $15.08B for Namibia.
- Who spends more on their military, Zambia or Namibia?
- Namibia spends more: $362.39M versus $349.67M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).