Military expenditure (current USD) in Zambia
Zambia: Military expenditure was 349.67 million current USD in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
349.67 million current USD
Change on year
down 7.3%
World rank
118th
of 168 countries
All-time high
443.61 million current USD
in 2014
All-time low
37.84 million current USD
in 1996
Years of data
36
1984–2024
Military expenditure in Zambia, 1984–2024
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current USD.
Analysis
In 2024, military expenditure in Zambia stood at 349.67 million current USD.
That represents a change of down 7.3% on the previous year and down 21.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in Zambia peaked at 443.61 million current USD in 2014 and was at its lowest, 37.84 million current USD, in 1996.
That places Zambia 118th out of 168 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.
Military expenditure in Zambia, year by year
| Year | current USD | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 81.62 million current USD | — |
| 1985 | 53.19 million current USD | -34.8% |
| 1986 | 61.63 million current USD | +15.9% |
| 1987 | 66.92 million current USD | +8.6% |
| 1988 | 86.74 million current USD | +29.6% |
| 1989 | 167.59 million current USD | +93.2% |
| 1990 | 139.32 million current USD | -16.9% |
| 1991 | 86.25 million current USD | -38.1% |
| 1992 | 97.76 million current USD | +13.3% |
| 1993 | 51.13 million current USD | -47.7% |
| 1994 | 62.87 million current USD | +23.0% |
| 1995 | 55.27 million current USD | -12.1% |
| 1996 | 37.84 million current USD | -31.5% |
| 1997 | 43.36 million current USD | +14.6% |
| 1999 | 56.11 million current USD | +29.4% |
| 2004 | 98.35 million current USD | +75.3% |
| 2005 | 139.51 million current USD | +41.9% |
| 2006 | 205.85 million current USD | +47.6% |
| 2007 | 232.28 million current USD | +12.8% |
| 2008 | 278.06 million current USD | +19.7% |
| 2009 | 220.96 million current USD | -20.5% |
| 2010 | 280.19 million current USD | +26.8% |
| 2011 | 309.11 million current USD | +10.3% |
| 2012 | 346.30 million current USD | +12.0% |
| 2013 | 381.35 million current USD | +10.1% |
| 2014 | 443.61 million current USD | +16.3% |
| 2015 | 372.45 million current USD | -16.0% |
| 2016 | 299.50 million current USD | -19.6% |
| 2017 | 339.67 million current USD | +13.4% |
| 2018 | 378.02 million current USD | +11.3% |
| 2019 | 292.07 million current USD | -22.7% |
| 2020 | 212.14 million current USD | -27.4% |
| 2021 | 217.58 million current USD | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 326.08 million current USD | +49.9% |
| 2023 | 377.17 million current USD | +15.7% |
| 2024 | 349.67 million current USD | -7.3% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 349.67 million current USD is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 493.99 million current USD, 71% of the median. (40 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 349.67 million current USD is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 293.92 million current USD, 1.2× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 86.28 million current USD | 53.19 million current USD | 167.59 million current USD | 6 |
| 1990s | 69.99 million current USD | 37.84 million current USD | 139.32 million current USD | 9 |
| 2000s | 195.83 million current USD | 98.35 million current USD | 278.06 million current USD | 6 |
| 2010s | 344.23 million current USD | 280.19 million current USD | 443.61 million current USD | 10 |
| 2020s | 296.53 million current USD | 212.14 million current USD | 377.17 million current USD | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More public sector data for Zambia
- Democracy, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Democracy 6 (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 1 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in Zambia?
- Military expenditure in Zambia was 349.67 million current USD in 2024, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 443.61 million current USD in 2014.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 37.84 million current USD in 1996.
- How does Zambia rank for military expenditure?
- Zambia ranks 118th out of 168 countries with data for 2024.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published as part of Military expenditure (current USD). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Military spending USD, in current prices (converted at the exchange rate for the given year)