Updated
Overview
Zambia has 29% more people than Zimbabwe: 21.91 million against 16.95 million (2025).
Zimbabwe's economy is about 75% larger than Zambia's, at $51.22B versus $28.88B.
Per person, Zimbabwe is the wealthier of the two: $3,021 against $1,318 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Zambia | Zimbabwe | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $28.88B | Higher: $51.22B | 2025 | $26.33B / $44.19B |
| GDP per capita | $1,318 | Higher: $3,021 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.8% | Higher: 8.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 13.9% | 104.7% | 2025 / 2022 | 15.0% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.9% | 9.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 30 | 56 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $170 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $50 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 21.91 million | 16.95 million | 2025 | 22.02 million / 17.47 million |
| Population growth | 2.8% | 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 17.9 yrs | 18.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.97 | 3.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 66.5 yrs | 63.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 46% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 17% | Higher: 42% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 752,612 km² | 390,757 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 29.1/km² | 43.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 12 Mt | 14 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 0.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $349.67M | $98.39M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 0.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 16,000 | 51,000 | 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
Zimbabwe is growing much faster: 8.1% annual GDP growth versus 3.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Zimbabwe at 104.7%, while the other economy sits at 13.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Zambia: a price level of 30 versus 56 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 17.9 (Zambia) and 18.1 (Zimbabwe).
Life expectancy is 3.5 years longer in Zambia (66.5 vs 63.1).
Internet adoption is higher in Zimbabwe (42% vs 17% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Zambia is 93% larger than Zimbabwe: 752,612 km² versus 390,757 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Zambia spends 3.6 times as much on defence as Zimbabwe: $349.67M versus $98.39M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Zambia carries the heavier military burden: 1.3% of GDP versus 0.4%.
Zimbabwe fields the larger armed forces: 51,000 personnel against 16,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Zambia bigger than Zimbabwe?
- Zambia is larger by land area. Zambia covers 752,612 km² while Zimbabwe covers 390,757 km², so Zambia is 93% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Zambia or Zimbabwe?
- Zambia has the larger population: 21.91 million versus 16.95 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Zambia richer than Zimbabwe?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Zimbabwe is richer: $3,021 against $1,318. Total GDP tells the same story: $28.88B for Zambia versus $51.22B for Zimbabwe.
- Who spends more on their military, Zambia or Zimbabwe?
- Zambia spends more: $349.67M versus $98.39M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).