Current Account Balance: Zambia
Zambia's current account balance is currently 2.7 % of GDP as of 2026. # Zambia Current Account Balance Zambia's current account balance stands at 2.
Current (2026)
2.7 % of GDP
+107.7% y/y
Peak (2021)
11.9 % of GDP
Low (1981)
-19.8 % of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Current Account Balance — Zambia
1980 — 2026
Current Account Balance — Zambia
Analysis# Zambia Current Account Balance
Zambia's current account balance stands at 2.7% of GDP in 2026, representing a modest recovery from recent deficits. The country achieved its all-time peak of 11.9% in 2021, driven by elevated commodity prices and export demand. Since 1980, the metric has improved by 119.4 percentage points from its lowest point of -19.8% in 1981, reflecting significant structural changes in the economy over four decades.
The past six years reveal sharp volatility. A dramatic spike occurred in 2020–2021, when the current account reached double digits before collapsing to 3.7% in 2022. Subsequent years brought deficits in 2023 and 2024, followed by stabilization and return to modest surpluses. The projected 2.7% for 2026 suggests Zambia is moving toward equilibrium after copper price fluctuations and external shocks destabilized the account through the mid-2020s.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 3.3 % of GDP | -2.94% |
| 2029 | 3.4 % of GDP | -10.53% |
| 2028 | 3.8 % of GDP | +2.70% |
| 2027 | 3.7 % of GDP | +37.04% |
| 2026 | 2.7 % of GDP | +107.69% |
| 2025 | 1.3 % of GDP | +150.00% |
| 2024 | -2.6 % of GDP | +13.33% |
| 2023 | -3 % of GDP | -181.08% |
| 2022 | 3.7 % of GDP | -68.91% |
| 2021 | 11.9 % of GDP | +0.85% |
| 2020 | 11.8 % of GDP | +2260.00% |
| 2019 | 0.5 % of GDP | +138.46% |
| 2018 | -1.3 % of GDP | +23.53% |
| 2017 | -1.7 % of GDP | +48.48% |
| 2016 | -3.3 % of GDP | -22.22% |
| 2015 | -2.7 % of GDP | -228.57% |
| 2014 | 2.1 % of GDP | +362.50% |
| 2013 | -0.8 % of GDP | -116.33% |
| 2012 | 4.9 % of GDP | +4.26% |
| 2011 | 4.7 % of GDP | -37.33% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 7.5 % of GDP | +25.00% |
| 2009 | 6 % of GDP | +281.82% |
| 2008 | -3.3 % of GDP | -175.00% |
| 2007 | -1.2 % of GDP | -126.09% |
| 2006 | 4.6 % of GDP | +264.29% |
| 2005 | -2.8 % of GDP | +6.67% |
| 2004 | -3 % of GDP | +70.87% |
| 2003 | -10.3 % of GDP | +14.88% |
| 2002 | -12.1 % of GDP | +30.46% |
| 2001 | -17.4 % of GDP | -42.62% |
| 2000 | -12.2 % of GDP | -7.96% |
| 1999 | -11.3 % of GDP | +29.81% |
| 1998 | -16.1 % of GDP | -283.33% |
| 1997 | -4.2 % of GDP | -23.53% |
| 1996 | -3.4 % of GDP | +10.53% |
| 1995 | -3.8 % of GDP | -392.31% |
| 1994 | 1.3 % of GDP | +152.00% |
| 1993 | -2.5 % of GDP | +24.24% |
| 1992 | -3.3 % of GDP | -1750.00% |
| 1991 | 0.2 % of GDP | +108.70% |
| 1990 | -2.3 % of GDP | +34.29% |
| 1989 | -3.5 % of GDP | -975.00% |
| 1988 | 0.4 % of GDP | +109.30% |
| 1987 | -4.3 % of GDP | +70.55% |
| 1986 | -14.6 % of GDP | -18.70% |
| 1985 | -12.3 % of GDP | -10.81% |
| 1984 | -11.1 % of GDP | -23.33% |
| 1983 | -9 % of GDP | +48.57% |
| 1982 | -17.5 % of GDP | +11.62% |
| 1981 | -19.8 % of GDP | -42.45% |
| 1980 | -13.9 % of GDP | — |
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