Where Does Zambia’s National Budget Go? Here’s How Government Plans to Spend Your Money

Have you ever wondered where the money Government collects through taxes actually goes?

A new analysis by Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) reveals how Zambia’s national budget allocations have changed between 2022 and 2027, showing a gradual shift towards economic development, education, healthcare and social protection.

According to the analysis, General Public Services will receive the largest share of the 2027 budget at 31.8%, down from 49.9% in 2022.

This category includes government administration, debt-related expenditure and other public services.

Meanwhile, Economic Affairs, covering sectors such as agriculture, transport, energy and infrastructure, will receive 26.7%, up from 19.5% in 2022.

Education will account for 13.4% of the budget, compared with 10.4% in 2022, while Health will receive 10.6%, up from 8%.

Social Protection, which supports vulnerable households through programmes such as Social Cash Transfers, will receive 5.7%, compared with 3.6% five years earlier.

These figures indicate that a greater proportion of the national budget is being directed towards these sectors, although larger allocations do not automatically guarantee better services.

The bigger question is whether ordinary Zambians are seeing the benefits of these spending priorities. Are hospitals better equipped?

Are schools receiving enough resources? Are jobs being created, and are vulnerable families getting the support they need?

As Government prepares to implement the 2027 budget, which sector do you think deserves a bigger share of Zambia’s money?