Skip to content

Economy of Barbados vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 157/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Barbados vs DR Congo GDP by year

Barbados
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados DR Congo
2024 $7,498,050,000 $70,962,185,791
2023 $7,223,250,000 $69,843,655,425
2022 $6,884,900,000 $70,422,346,142
2021 $5,947,550,000 $59,067,289,574
2020 $5,407,050,000 $46,691,989,749
2019 $6,161,850,000 $46,845,900,350
2018 $6,001,950,000 $46,659,954,092
2017 $5,683,150,000 $37,537,521,566
2016 $5,674,600,000 $38,600,224,214
2015 $5,698,150,000 $40,179,574,490
2014 $5,620,600,000 $38,352,980,553
2013 $5,667,200,000 $34,891,189,160
2012 $5,761,450,000 $30,029,369,929
2011 $5,663,100,000 $26,392,379,642
2010 $5,672,900,000 $24,161,641,931
2009 $4,466,809,600 $18,607,259,481
2008 $4,790,410,400 $22,723,488,723
2007 $4,675,767,950 $18,374,807,773
2006 $4,217,323,400 $15,484,044,535
2005 $3,819,500,000 $12,609,728,573
2004 $3,444,500,000 $10,297,483,481
2003 $3,209,500,000 $8,937,567,060
2002 $3,106,500,000 $8,728,038,525
2001 $3,054,500,000 $7,438,189,100
2000 $3,059,500,000 $19,088,046,306
1999 $2,951,822,205 $4,711,259,427
1998 $2,817,083,478 $6,217,805,821
1997 $2,498,384,130 $6,090,838,693
1996 $2,363,645,403 $5,771,456,952
1995 $2,216,974,096 $5,643,439,376
1994 $2,151,344,901 $5,820,382,248
1993 $2,063,342,117 $10,706,259,937
1992 $1,957,000,000 $8,227,343,907
1991 $2,020,583,702 $9,625,436,873
1990 $2,012,131,457 $9,349,764,580
1989 $2,006,165,167 $9,021,862,775
1988 $1,812,757,918 $8,861,299,977
1987 $1,704,370,308 $7,661,625,473
1986 $1,547,755,183 $8,095,367,168
1985 $1,409,536,121 $7,195,042,616
1984 $1,346,890,071 $7,857,729,193
1983 $1,236,016,507 $11,006,712,650
1982 $1,163,923,830 $13,651,667,371
1981 $1,114,204,743 $12,537,821,038
1980 $1,012,280,615 $14,394,927,495
1979 $670,362,452 $15,068,422,236
1978 $552,883,707 $15,372,608,002
1977 $495,097,668 $12,344,424,764
1976 $435,911,269 $9,648,583,225
1975 $402,178,605 $10,237,343,174
1974 $311,804,630 $9,596,960,180
1973 $260,767,828 $7,870,239,461
1972 $213,725,217 $6,173,712,814
1971 $186,826,503 $5,594,770,359
1970 $166,210,203 $4,877,684,910
1969 $141,393,142 $5,032,434,970
1968 $125,733,669 $3,909,780,539
1967 $125,554,009 $3,384,063,372
1966 $113,195,123 $4,532,660,182
1965 $105,021,997 $4,043,901,818
1964 $99,252,731 $2,881,545,273
1963 $99,893,761 $6,213,185,743
1962 $88,782,583 $3,779,841,429
1961 $85,363,759 $3,086,746,857
1960 $80,021,847 $3,359,404,118

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dr-congo | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs DR Congo by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $649 $1,821
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $660 $1,731
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $688 $1,590
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $596 $1,402
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $486 $1,089
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $504 $1,056
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $518 $1,049
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $431 $991
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $460 $950
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $496 $910
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $489 $859
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $460 $761
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $410 $648
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $373 $644
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $352 $606
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $280.2 $573
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $353 $584
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $294.1 $550
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $255.4 $508
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $214.5 $484
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $180.7 $456
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $161.5 $428
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $162.4 $410
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $142.7 $404
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $378 $417
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $96.3 $452
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $131.5 $481
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $132.3 $497
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $127.4 $526
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $127 $532
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $136.5 $540
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $263.3 $576
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $209.7 $674
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $253.8 $762
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $254.9 $832
1989 $7,773 - $254.2 -
1988 $7,033 - $257.7 -
1987 $6,625 - $230.1 -
1986 $6,031 - $250.9 -
1985 $5,510 - $230.1 -
1984 $5,284 - $259.8 -
1983 $4,866 - $376 -
1982 $4,599 - $482 -
1981 $4,417 - $456 -
1980 $4,025 - $539 -
1979 $2,668 - $582 -
1978 $2,198 - $615 -
1977 $1,968 - $509 -
1976 $1,734 - $408 -
1975 $1,601 - $445 -
1974 $1,243 - $428 -
1973 $1,042 - $361 -
1972 $856 - $290.5 -
1971 $750 - $270.3 -
1970 $666 - $242.2 -
1969 $567 - $257.1 -
1968 $506 - $205.6 -
1967 $508 - $183.3 -
1966 $462 - $252.8 -
1965 $433 - $232 -
1964 $414 - $169.9 -
1963 $421 - $376 -
1962 $377 - $235.1 -
1961 $366 - $197.1 -
1960 $347 - $220.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dr-congo | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Barbados DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$71B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
87/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$1,693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
1.47%
2020
Population
282798
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 16.5% 27%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 14% 19.4%
2018 26.9% 115% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 14.3% 33%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 16% 25.5%
2014 29% 122% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 29.7% 96% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 27.8% 69% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 7.59% 112%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 31% 66.1% 4.17% 136%
2001 22% 62.6% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 2.49% 135%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 2.15% -
1998 19% 50.5% 2.78% -
1997 21.5% 56.9% 2.51% -
1996 20.5% 56.1% 2.17% -
1995 18.6% 55.9% - -
1994 17% 55% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 18/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados DR Congo
2024 -0.89% -1.48%
2023 -1.71% -1.65%
2022 -1.96% -1.01%
2021 -4.65% -1.68%
2020 -4.16% -3.17%
2019 3.08% -3.17%
2018 -0.34% -1.34%
2017 -3.89% -0.05%
2016 -4.88% -0.93%
2015 -8.16% -1.35%
2014 -6.57% 3.73%
2013 -8.98% 3.28%
2012 -7.07% 1.71%
2011 -3.63% -0.94%
2010 -7.55% -0.95%
2009 -6.56% 0.92%
2008 -4.1% -0.41%
2007 -4.34% 1.12%
2006 -3.41% 1.97%
2005 -3.03% 1.3%
2004 -2.97% -0.17%
2003 -3.08% -3.92%
2002 -5.28% 0.89%
2001 4.07% -1.13%
2000 4.94% -1.85%
1999 5.39% -1.35%
1998 6.03% -1.55%
1997 5.64% -1.06%
1996 3.76% -0.56%
1995 6.22% -
1994 6.72% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.8M, equivalent to 0.89% of GDP. This compares to the DR Congo's deficit of $1.05B, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados DR Congo
2024 -0.44% -
2023 9.79% -
2022 - -
2021 - -
2020 - -
2019 4.1% -
2018 3.67% -
2017 4.66% -
2016 1.28% 2.89%
2015 -1.11% 0.74%
2014 1.77% 1.24%
2013 1.81% 0.81%
2012 4.53% 9.72%
2011 9.43% 15.3%
2010 5.82% 7.1%
2009 3.64% 2.8%
2008 8.11% 17.3%
2007 4.03% 16.9%
2006 7.31% 13.1%
2005 6.08% 21.3%
2004 1.39% 3.99%
2003 1.62% 12.9%
2002 0.13% 31.5%
2001 2.58% 360%
2000 2.44% 514%
1999 1.56% 284.9%
1998 -1.27% 29.1%
1997 7.71% 198.5%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dr-congo | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.44%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Balance of trade

Barbados DR Congo
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
48.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Barbados DR Congo
Economic freedom 70.4 47
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 176/197
Property rights 76.4 15.4
Government integrity 71.3 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 11.7
Tax burden 83.2 73.8
Government spending 74.5 91.2
Fiscal health 76.5 95.9
Business freedom 72.3 32.3
Labor freedom 54.3 54.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 58.6
Trade freedom 48.2 68.2
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados DR Congo
2026 70.4 47
2025 68.9 47.3
2024 66.8 47.6
2023 69.8 47.9
2022 71.3 47.6
2021 65 49
2020 61.4 49.5
2019 64.7 50.3
2018 57 52.1
2017 54.5 56.4
2016 68.3 46.4
2015 67.9 45
2014 68.3 40.6
2013 69.3 39.6
2012 69 41.1
2011 68.5 40.7
2010 68.3 41.4
2009 71.5 42.8
2008 71.3 -
2007 70 -
2006 71.9 -
2005 70.1 -
2004 69.4 -
2003 71.3 -
2002 73.6 -
2001 71.5 -
2000 69.5 34.8
1999 66.7 34
1998 67.9 40.6
1997 64.5 39.5
1996 62.3 39.5
1995 - 41.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dr-congo | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 47 for the DR Congo, ranking 176/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
32.5%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dr-congo | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.