Zambia Terms of Trade

Net barter terms of trade index (2015 = 100).

Terms of Trade in Zambia increased to 126.40 points in 2024 from 116.40 points in 2023.

126.4
▲ +10.02024 · previous 116.4Annual · index points · Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators

Zambia Terms of Trade — History

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Zambia Terms of Trade — analysis in simple words

Latest reading

Terms of Trade in Zambia increased to 126.40 points in 2024 from 116.40 points in 2023.

Over the last three years it rose once and fell twice.

Recent trend

A year earlier (2023) it was 116.4, so the latest figure is 10.0 higher.

Over the past five years the average was 118.6, with a range from 105.2 to 128.2. The latest value is above that five-year average.

Historical context

This data series starts in 2005 and has 20 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 90% of all of them.

The highest value on record is 128.2 (2021) and the lowest is 85.4 (2005). The long-run average is 110.8.

Compared with other countries

Among 205 economies with recent data, Zambia ranks 30th from the top. The median across all these economies is 101.2, so Zambia is above the typical country.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa (47 economies with data) it ranks 14th; the regional median is 114.1.

Statistics

Latest
126.42024
Previous
116.4
5-year average
118.6
Long-run average
110.8since 2005
All-time high
128.22021
All-time low
85.42005
Observations
20Annual

Recent Data

PeriodValueChange
2024126.4▲ +10.0
2023116.4▼ −0.5
2022116.9▼ −11.3
2021128.2▲ +23.0
2020105.2▲ +4.4
2019100.8▼ −4.2
2018105.0▼ −1.6
2017106.6▲ +10.4
201696.2▼ −3.8
2015100.0▼ −6.9
2014106.9▼ −3.4
2013110.3▼ −4.7
2012115.0▼ −10.3
2011125.3▲ +3.3
2010122.0▲ +24.5
200997.5▼ −10.6
2008108.1▼ −12.7
2007120.8▼ −2.4
2006123.2▲ +37.8
200585.4

Terms of Trade — Zambia vs Peers

Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). Zambia highlighted.

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More Zambia indicators

Understanding Terms of Trade — a simple guide

What it measures

The ratio of export prices to import prices, indexed to 2015 = 100.

How it is calculated

Export price index ÷ import price index × 100 (2015 = 100).

Simple example

If export prices rise faster than import prices, the index goes above 100.

▲ When it is high or rising

An improving index raises national income.

▼ When it is low or falling

A falling index means imports became relatively more expensive.

Why it matters for the economy and markets

An improving terms of trade raises national income without any change in volumes.

How to read it

Commodity exporters see large swings as commodity prices move.

Data source

World Bank — World Development Indicators (series TT.PRI.MRCH.XD.WD), annual data from 2005 to 2024. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.

How to use the chart

Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current terms of trade of Zambia?
Zambia terms of trade was 126.4 in 2024, compared with 116.4 in the previous period, according to World Bank — World Development Indicators.
What is the highest and lowest terms of trade of Zambia?
Since 2005, the highest reading was 128.2 (2021) and the lowest was 85.4 (2005).
What does terms of trade measure?
The ratio of export prices to import prices, indexed to 2015 = 100.

Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.