Tax revenue in Zambia: 18.8% (Tax revenue, 2024 · 50th of 120). Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Zambia: 18.8% in 2024, ranking 50th of 120 countries. In 2010 it was 12.8%.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2024
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks tax revenue (% of GDP) in Zambia for each year from 2010 to 2024, 15 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in % of gdp. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2024 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2024, Zambia's tax revenue rose from 12.8% to 18.8%, a rise of 6.0 percentage points.
- The highest value in this period was 18.8% in 2024; the lowest was 12.8% in 2010.
- Recently, the figure has risen in each of the last two years (2023: 17.3%; 2024: 18.8%).
- That is 5.0 percentage points above the world figure of 13.8%.
- Zambia has the 50th-highest value of 120 countries with recent data.
- In Eastern Africa, Zambia has the 3rd-highest value of 12 countries with recent data; the highest is Mozambique (21.8%), and the typical (median) value is 12.9%.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 14.5% in 2010 to 2014, 15.2% in 2015 to 2019 and 17.2% in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 10 of the 14 year-to-year steps and down in 4. The biggest one-year rise came in 2011 (+1.9 percentage points). The biggest one-year fall came in 2015 (−1.4 percentage points). Year to year, the figure typically varied by about 1.6 percentage points around its average of 15.7%, a moderately variable pattern.
What it means
For businesses and investors, the figure is most useful alongside related measures for the same country, such as growth, inflation, population and incomes, and compared with similar countries. Compared with its neighbours in Eastern Africa, where the typical value is 12.9%, Zambia is 5.9 percentage points higher.
Related figures
- Tax revenue (% of GDP) by country, 2024: 35.4% (highest: Lesotho). Taxes collected by central government, as a share of GDP.
- Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Burundi, 2010–2021: 12.7% (Tax revenue, 2021). Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Burundi: 12.7% in 2021.
- Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Ethiopia, 2010–2024: 3.4% (Tax revenue, 2024 · 118th of 120). Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Ethiopia: 3.4% in 2024, ranking 118th of 120 countries.
About this statistic
Taxes collected by central government, as a share of GDP. Regional and local taxes are usually not included. A broad sign of the overall tax burden, though the taxes a given business pays depend on local rules.
How easy it is to register and run a company, and how many new firms appear, is a direct signal of entrepreneurial activity and competition. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the tax revenue (% of GDP) in Zambia?
18.8% (Tax revenue, 2024 · 50th of 120). Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Zambia: 18.8% in 2024, ranking 50th of 120 countries. In 2010 it was 12.8%.
How has tax revenue in Zambia changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2024, Zambia's tax revenue rose from 12.8% to 18.8%, a rise of 6.0 percentage points. The highest value in this period was 18.8% in 2024; the lowest was 12.8% in 2010.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2024. Taxes collected by central government, as a share of GDP. Regional and local taxes are usually not included. A broad sign of the overall tax burden, though the taxes a given business pays depend on local rules.
Data
| Year | Tax revenue (% of GDP) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 12.8% |
| 2011 | 14.7% |
| 2012 | 14.9% |
| 2013 | 14.3% |
| 2014 | 15.8% |
| 2015 | 14.4% |
| 2016 | 13.4% |
| 2017 | 15.2% |
| 2018 | 16.6% |
| 2019 | 16.7% |
| 2020 | 16.4% |
| 2021 | 16.8% |
| 2022 | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 18.8% |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2024. Coverage: Zambia.
Taxes collected by central government, as a share of GDP. Regional and local taxes are usually not included. A broad sign of the overall tax burden, though the taxes a given business pays depend on local rules.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Tax revenue (% of GDP) by country, 2024
- Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Burundi, 2010–2021
- Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Ethiopia, 2010–2024
- Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Kenya, 2014–2023
- Tax revenue (% of GDP) in Madagascar, 2010–2024
- GDP of Zambia, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Zambia, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Zambia, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Zambia, 2010–2024
All Zambia data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
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