Zambia Non-Performing Loans
Bank nonperforming loans as % of total gross loans FB.AST.NPER.ZS
Zambia's non-performing loans was 0.95% in 2025, ranked 102nd globally. This represents a 81.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2007–2025.
Overview
Zambia's non-performing loans stood at 0.95% in 2025, a decline of +4.04pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.95% by 2025. Zambia ranked 102nd globally.
Zambia’s non‑performing loan ratio has fallen dramatically over the 17‑year span from 8.29 % in 2007 to a trough of 0.95 % in 2025, the lowest level recorded and ranking the country 102nd globally. The sharpest deterioration occurred in 2009 when the ratio peaked at 27.20 %, reflecting the severe credit stress of the global financial crisis and domestic fiscal tightening. Since that apex, successive reforms in banking supervision, tighter loan‑loss provisioning and a modest expansion of collateral requirements have steadily reduced problem assets. By 2025 Zambia’s ratio of 0.95 % is comparable to peers such as the United Kingdom at 0.93 % and only slightly above Czechia’s 1.02 %, indicating convergence with more advanced financial systems. Continued improvement will depend on maintaining prudent credit‑risk management, deepening capital markets and avoiding external shocks that could revive delinquency pressures.
Data & projection
| Year | Non-Performing Loans | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 0.95% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.95% | −4.04pp | #102 |
| 2022 | 4.98% | −0.84pp | #88 |
| 2021 | 5.82% | −5.81pp | #91 |
| 2020 | 11.63% | +2.72pp | #118 |
| 2019 | 8.91% | −2.04pp | #114 |
| 2018 | 10.95% | −1.03pp | #118 |
| 2017 | 11.98% | +2.32pp | #113 |
| 2016 | 9.66% | +2.39pp | #105 |
| 2015 | 7.28% | +1.17pp | #88 |
| 2014 | 6.10% | −0.85pp | #77 |
| 2013 | 6.96% | −1.15pp | #84 |
| 2012 | 8.11% | −2.27pp | #90 |
| 2011 | 10.38% | −4.45pp | #94 |
| 2010 | 14.82% | −12.37pp | #103 |
| 2009 | 27.20% | +21.04pp | #81 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw non-performing loans improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's non-performing loans was 0.95% in 2025. Ranked 102nd globally. This represents a 81.0% decrease from the previous year.
Zambia's non-performing loans peaked at 27.20% in 2009.
The lowest non-performing loans in Zambia was 0.95% in 2025.
Zambia ranks 102nd globally in non-performing loans as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FB.AST.NPER.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's non-performing loans is projected to reach 0.95% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The non-performing loans of Zambia in 2025 was 0.95%. This ranks 102nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_non-performing-loans,
title = {Zambia Non-Performing Loans},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/non-performing-loans/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}