Zambia Tax Revenue
Tax revenue as % of GDP GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
Zambia's tax revenue was 16.78% in 2021, ranked 67th globally. This represents a 2.2% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2021.
Overview
Zambia's tax revenue stood at 16.78% in 2021, a rise of +0.36% from 2020. Zambia ranked 67th globally.
Zambia’s tax revenue as a share of GDP fell from an all‑time peak of 19.48 percent in 1990 to a trough of 11.69 percent in 2009, before rising modestly to 16.78 percent in 2021, placing the country 67th globally. The 31‑year series shows a long‑term downward bias, interrupted only by a brief post‑2009 recovery that has not yet restored the early‑1990s level. By comparison, peer economies such as Ireland (16.62 percent) and Mongolia (16.91 percent) recorded slightly lower but more stable ratios in the same year, suggesting that Zambia’s fiscal capacity remains below that of similarly ranked peers. The recent uptick reflects higher compliance and broadened tax bases, yet the gap to the 1990 peak indicates structural constraints, including a narrow formal sector and reliance on commodity exports. Continued diversification of the tax base and improvements in administration could sustain the upward trajectory and narrow the disparity with its peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Tax Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16.78% | +0.36% | #67 |
| 2020 | 16.42% | −0.26% | #75 |
| 2019 | 16.68% | +0.09% | #69 |
| 2018 | 16.59% | +1.40% | #70 |
| 2017 | 15.18% | +1.83% | #66 |
| 2016 | 13.35% | −1.04% | #47 |
| 2015 | 14.39% | −1.37% | #59 |
| 2014 | 15.76% | +1.41% | #68 |
| 2013 | 14.35% | −0.55% | #53 |
| 2012 | 14.89% | +0.18% | #56 |
| 2011 | 14.72% | +1.88% | #51 |
| 2010 | 12.83% | +1.15% | #38 |
| 2009 | 11.69% | −1.57% | #31 |
| 2008 | 13.26% | −0.82% | #34 |
| 2007 | 14.08% | +0.37% | #31 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tax revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's tax revenue was 16.78% in 2021. Ranked 67th globally. This represents a 2.2% increase from the previous year.
Zambia's tax revenue peaked at 19.48% in 1990.
The lowest tax revenue in Zambia was 11.69% in 2009.
Zambia ranks 67th globally in tax revenue as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The tax revenue of Zambia in 2021 was 16.78%. This ranks 67th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_tax-revenue,
title = {Zambia Tax Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/tax-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}