External debt stocks, total in Zambia
Zambia: External debt stocks, total was 28.12 billion DOD, current US$ in 2024. ◆ Volatile
External debt stocks, total in Zambia, 1970–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in DOD, current US$.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 28.12 billion DOD, current US$ for external debt stocks, total in 2024.
The figure is down 3.3% on the previous year and up 191.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external debt stocks, total in Zambia peaked at 29.53 billion DOD, current US$ in 2020 and was at its lowest, 813.52 million DOD, current US$, in 1970.
That places Zambia 42nd out of 121 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.64 billion DOD, current US$ | 813.52 million DOD, current US$ | 3.04 billion DOD, current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.79 billion DOD, current US$ | 3.25 billion DOD, current US$ | 6.69 billion DOD, current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.74 billion DOD, current US$ | 5.95 billion DOD, current US$ | 7.06 billion DOD, current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.01 billion DOD, current US$ | 2.25 billion DOD, current US$ | 7.55 billion DOD, current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 13.78 billion DOD, current US$ | 4.32 billion DOD, current US$ | 29.40 billion DOD, current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 28.42 billion DOD, current US$ | 26.94 billion DOD, current US$ | 29.53 billion DOD, current US$ | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 39 Tanzania 36.34 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 40 Belarus 34.22 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 41 Paraguay 29.96 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 43 Guatemala 27.06 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 44 Georgia 25.16 billion DOD, current US$ compare
- 45 El Salvador 24.96 billion DOD, current US$ compare
More economy & growth data for Zambia
- Exports of goods and services 8.85 billion current US$ (2024)
- Final consumption expenditure 15.36 billion current US$ (2024)
- Final consumption expenditure 401.95 billion current LCU (2024)
- Final consumption expenditure 60.7% (2024)
- Gross national expenditure 21.38 billion current US$ (2024)
- Gross national expenditure 559.46 billion current LCU (2024)
- Gross national expenditure 84.5% (2024)
- Gross fixed capital formation 5.47 billion current US$ (2024)
- Exports of goods and services 35.0% (2024)
- Industry (including construction), value added 5.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external debt stocks, total in Zambia?
- External debt stocks, total in Zambia was 28.12 billion DOD, current US$ in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest external debt stocks, total recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 29.53 billion DOD, current US$ in 2020.
- What is the lowest external debt stocks, total recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 813.52 million DOD, current US$ in 1970.
- How does Zambia rank for external debt stocks, total?
- Zambia ranks 42nd out of 121 countries with data for 2024.
- Is external debt stocks, total rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 191.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of External debt stocks, total (DOD, current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total external debt is debt owed to nonresidents repayable in currency, goods, or services. Total external debt is the sum of public, publicly guaranteed, and private nonguaranteed long-term debt, use of IMF credit, and short-term debt. Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. Data are in current U.S. dollars.