Zambia Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
Zambia's interest payments to revenue was 27.35% in 2021, ranked 123rd globally. This represents a 29.5% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2021.
Overview
Zambia's interest payments to revenue stood at 27.35% in 2021, a decline of +11.44pp from 2020. Zambia ranked 123rd globally.
Zambia’s interest payments to revenue have risen sharply over the 27‑year record span, climbing from 7.13 % in 1990 to a peak of 44.45 % in 2019 before easing to 27.35 % in 2021, placing the country 123rd globally. The trough of 4.43 % in 2011 marked a brief period of fiscal relief, but the subsequent surge reflects expanding external debt and higher borrowing costs, a pattern echoed in peer economies such as Brazil, whose ratio stood at 27.10 % in the same year. Compared with Ghana’s 47.82 % and Sri Lanka’s 71.62 %, Zambia’s burden remains moderate but still high relative to regional averages, underscoring vulnerability to interest‑rate fluctuations and debt‑service pressures. If fiscal consolidation measures succeed and the government secures lower‑cost financing, the upward trajectory could be halted; otherwise, rising global rates may push the ratio back toward historic highs.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27.35% | −11.44pp | #123 |
| 2020 | 38.79% | −5.66pp | #132 |
| 2019 | 44.45% | +11.25pp | #133 |
| 2018 | 33.21% | +9.06pp | #130 |
| 2017 | 24.15% | −0.69pp | #135 |
| 2016 | 24.84% | +5.08pp | #134 |
| 2015 | 19.76% | +4.31pp | #132 |
| 2014 | 15.45% | +6.44pp | #125 |
| 2013 | 9.02% | +1.41pp | #95 |
| 2012 | 7.61% | +3.18pp | #85 |
| 2011 | 4.43% | −5.06pp | #56 |
| 2010 | 9.49% | +1.23pp | #92 |
| 2009 | 8.26% | −0.89pp | #78 |
| 2008 | 9.15% | +4.48pp | #86 |
| 2007 | 4.67% | −2.99pp | #51 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw interest payments to revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's interest payments to revenue was 27.35% in 2021. Ranked 123rd globally. This represents a 29.5% decrease from the previous year.
Zambia's interest payments to revenue peaked at 44.45% in 2019.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in Zambia was 4.43% in 2011.
Zambia ranks 123rd globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The interest payments to revenue of Zambia in 2021 was 27.35%. This ranks 123rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_interest-to-revenue,
title = {Zambia Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}