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Economy of Belize vs Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.2B compared to $15.7B for the Congo, ranking 168/197 and 141/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.1B in government debt (65.4% of GDP), compared to $15.4B (98% of GDP) in the Congo.

Belize vs Congo GDP by year

Belize
Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belize Congo
2024 $3,203,631,800 $15,719,986,077
2023 $3,052,362,650 $15,321,055,823
2022 $2,846,604,350 $15,817,030,155
2021 $2,428,606,250 $14,825,690,211
2020 $2,047,284,600 $11,468,687,464
2019 $2,381,187,850 $13,976,637,780
2018 $2,285,915,050 $14,773,900,289
2017 $2,266,028,250 $11,834,473,039
2016 $2,239,604,950 $10,931,328,151
2015 $2,193,095,150 $12,434,793,867
2014 $2,138,242,200 $17,919,321,078
2013 $2,035,191,450 $17,958,720,699
2012 $1,917,083,500 $17,692,911,296
2011 $1,831,576,700 $15,655,383,577
2010 $1,748,988,400 $13,148,396,212
2009 $1,688,012,750 $9,723,299,915
2008 $1,738,453,600 $11,649,857,673
2007 $1,706,190,450 $8,782,703,437
2006 $1,590,463,100 $8,072,305,029
2005 $1,474,298,400 $6,650,001,680
2004 $1,400,202,000 $4,656,974,940
2003 $1,308,280,250 $3,503,723,088
2002 $1,243,912,050 $3,034,250,924
2001 $1,172,045,150 $2,796,704,604
2000 $1,138,138,100 $3,227,927,698
1999 $999,713,050 $2,354,772,960
1998 $929,047,000 $1,949,481,379
1997 $872,916,050 $2,322,719,103
1996 $850,339,100 $2,540,697,539
1995 $818,590,250 $2,116,003,868
1994 $771,838,000 $1,769,365,438
1993 $752,255,150 $2,684,323,623
1992 $695,741,150 $2,933,222,703
1991 $596,682,100 $2,724,853,506
1990 $546,750,912 $2,798,746,050
1989 $491,100,000 $2,389,593,026
1988 $421,450,000 $2,212,536,312
1987 $371,100,000 $2,297,753,652
1986 $311,500,000 $1,849,268,212
1985 $287,300,000 $2,160,872,540
1984 $290,350,000 $2,193,581,365
1983 $262,150,000 $2,097,274,290
1982 $248,550,000 $2,160,640,565
1981 $260,750,000 $1,993,512,323
1980 $257,400,000 $1,705,796,853
1979 $151,800,000 $1,198,749,667
1978 $136,300,000 $878,771,772
1977 $117,650,000 $765,224,029
1976 $97,094,227 $754,549,601
1975 $118,194,026 $767,102,680
1974 $103,160,450 $585,364,634
1973 $78,214,768 $541,973,363
1972 $65,998,069 $410,669,264
1971 $59,074,687 $322,128,019
1970 $53,339,893 $274,960,700
1969 $47,399,905 $265,040,036
1968 $44,999,910 $251,247,458
1967 $47,431,256 $237,397,428
1966 $44,450,044 $220,613,582
1965 $40,110,040 $198,318,064
1964 $36,194,586 $185,693,725
1963 $33,750,114 $172,233,431
1962 $31,857,592 $166,521,240
1961 $29,965,000 $151,675,739
1960 $28,072,478 $131,731,863

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/congo | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belize vs Congo by year

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belize Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,681 $14,347 $2,482 $7,026
2023 $7,425 $13,730 $2,478 $6,850
2022 $7,068 $13,461 $2,621 $6,647
2021 $6,143 $11,716 $2,516 $6,263
2020 $5,239 $9,639 $1,994 $4,771
2019 $6,172 $10,500 $2,488 $5,720
2018 $6,012 $9,497 $2,694 $5,593
2017 $6,072 $9,121 $2,212 $4,445
2016 $6,141 $9,399 $2,093 $4,016
2015 $6,155 $9,538 $2,439 $4,715
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $3,601 $5,733
2013 $5,957 $9,526 $3,697 $5,834
2012 $5,733 $9,303 $3,732 $6,058
2011 $5,596 $9,722 $3,396 $5,175
2010 $5,461 $9,748 $2,947 $5,125
2009 $5,400 $9,728 $2,271 $4,801
2008 $5,712 $9,975 $2,832 $4,448
2007 $5,762 $10,226 $2,206 $4,243
2006 $5,525 $9,910 $2,104 $4,588
2005 $5,270 $9,466 $1,799 $4,279
2004 $5,154 $9,245 $1,306 $3,992
2003 $4,960 $8,850 $1,017 $3,887
2002 $4,859 $8,154 $906 $3,888
2001 $4,719 $7,852 $855 $3,748
2000 $4,727 $7,544 $1,024 $3,667
1999 $4,290 $6,790 $776 $3,464
1998 $4,126 $6,333 $660 $3,602
1997 $4,014 $6,243 $804 $3,510
1996 $4,043 $6,087 $899 $3,547
1995 $4,010 $6,091 $770 $3,434
1994 $3,877 $6,073 $662 $3,327
1993 $3,860 $6,075 $1,034 $3,550
1992 $3,643 $5,706 $1,164 $3,608
1991 $3,190 $5,053 $1,113 $3,536
1990 $2,986 $4,467 $1,176 $3,437
1989 $2,742 - $1,033 -
1988 $2,406 - $984 -
1987 $2,166 - $1,052 -
1986 $1,859 - $872 -
1985 $1,754 - $1,049 -
1984 $1,814 - $1,097 -
1983 $1,677 - $1,075 -
1982 $1,629 - $1,131 -
1981 $1,753 - $1,066 -
1980 $1,774 - $933 -
1979 $1,071 - $670 -
1978 $983 - $503 -
1977 $866 - $448 -
1976 $729 - $453 -
1975 $906 - $471 -
1974 $805 - $370 -
1973 $619 - $353 -
1972 $529 - $276.3 -
1971 $481 - $223.5 -
1970 $442 - $196.7 -
1969 $402 - $195.4 -
1968 $392 - $190.8 -
1967 $426 - $185.7 -
1966 $412 - $177.6 -
1965 $383 - $164.2 -
1964 $356 - $158.1 -
1963 $342 - $150.7 -
1962 $332 - $149.6 -
1961 $320 - $139.9 -
1960 $307 - $124.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/congo | CC BY

Belize's GDP per capita is $7,681, ranking 98/197, compared to $2,482 in the Congo, ranking 149/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 117th at $14,347, while the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026.

Economic indicators

Belize Congo
Gross domestic product
$3.2B
2024
$15.7B
2024
GDP rank
168/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP growth
3.5%
2023-2024
2.58%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$2,482
2024
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2024
149/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$7,026
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
117/197
2024
148/197
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$15.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
98%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$2,433
2024
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2024
112/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$2,153
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
37.9%
2011
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
1.6%
2011
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
21.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
3.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
10%
2012
Population
430409
6681829

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belize
Spending

Debt
Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belize Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 65.4% 21.7% 98%
2023 25.8% 67.5% 20.7% 102.9%
2022 23.4% 66.8% 22.8% 93.5%
2021 25.7% 82.2% 20.9% 97.8%
2020 33.2% 103% 21.1% 102.5%
2019 27.5% 78.6% 20.2% 77.6%
2018 26.9% 79% 17.8% 71.2%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 26.6% 88.5%
2016 27.7% 70.5% 38.8% 84.6%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 41.3% 74.2%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 48.6% 42.3%
2013 23.8% 62.8% 42.4% 33.9%
2012 22.1% 63.1% 30.7% 30.2%
2011 23.5% 66.2% 27.9% 34.4%
2010 23.3% 68.4% 23% 43.5%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 24.4% 83.8%
2008 21.8% 64.7% 24.2% 69.6%
2007 22.1% 66.4% 28.6% 93.8%
2006 21.2% 71.4% 26.6% 94.7%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 22.1% 99.8%
2004 21.7% 70.7% 24.4% 122.6%
2003 24.6% 67.2% 27% 185.3%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 32.1% 163.5%
2001 25.9% 49.5% 29.1% 180.1%
2000 23.2% 79% 22.6% 145%
1999 23.6% 41.5% 28.8% 0%
1998 20.9% 38.7% 25.1% 0%
1997 19.9% 39.4% 22.2% 0%
1996 19.9% 38.4% 15.7% 0%
1995 - - 27.6% 0%
1994 - - 30.7% 0%
1993 - - 32.8% 0%
1992 - - 32.8% 0%
1991 - - 34.1% 0%
1990 - - 30.4% 0%
1989 - - 20.3% 151.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/congo | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $842M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while the Congo spent $3.4B, or 21.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.4% in Belize and 98% in the Congo, ranking 67/185 and 25/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belize

Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize Congo
2024 -1.23% 3.62%
2023 -2.42% 5.81%
2022 -1.04% 8.94%
2021 -3.29% 1.63%
2020 -8.57% -1.1%
2019 -2.9% 4.3%
2018 -1.37% 5.22%
2017 -3.48% -5.57%
2016 -4.47% -14.5%
2015 -5.14% -17.8%
2014 -1.72% -10.7%
2013 -1.21% -2.85%
2012 -0.22% 7.24%
2011 -1.06% 16.1%
2010 -1.9% 15.5%
2009 -2.46% 4.76%
2008 1.25% 23.9%
2007 -0.19% 8.99%
2006 -2.27% 16%
2005 -3.7% 13.4%
2004 -4.52% 3.33%
2003 -8.41% 0.37%
2002 -5.41% -7.34%
2001 -7.23% -0.71%
2000 -6.68% 1.05%
1999 -6.51% -4.75%
1998 -2.69% -5.16%
1997 -1.81% 3.67%
1996 -1.76% 9.2%
1995 - -6.38%
1994 - -10.6%
1993 - -11.3%
1992 - -12.7%
1991 - -11.2%
1990 - -4.1%
1989 - 0.78%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/congo | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.4M, equivalent to 1.23% of GDP. This compares to the Congo's surplus of $568M, or 3.62% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while the Congo ran a deficit in 10 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.84% of GDP for the Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belize

Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belize Congo
2024 3.3% 3.1%
2023 4.4% 4.3%
2022 6.3% 3%
2021 3.2% 2%
2020 0.1% 1.4%
2019 0.2% 0.4%
2018 0.3% 1.2%
2017 1.1% 0.4%
2016 0.7% 3.2%
2015 -0.9% 3.2%
2014 1.2% 0.9%
2013 0.5% 4.6%
2012 1.2% 5%
2011 1.7% 1.8%
2010 0.9% 0.4%
2009 -1.1% 4.3%
2008 6.4% 6%
2007 2.3% 2.6%
2006 4.2% 4.7%
2005 3.7% 2.5%
2004 3.1% 3.7%
2003 2.6% 1.7%
2002 2.2% 3%
2001 1.1% 0.8%
2000 0.6% 0.5%
1999 -1.2% 3%
1998 -0.8% 2.2%
1997 1% 12.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/congo | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 2.95% in the Congo. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Belize and 3.1% in the Congo.

Balance of trade

Belize Congo
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
$1.72B
2021
Current account balance ranking
84/190
2024
48/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.61%
2024
+11.6%
2021
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$2.78B
2021
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$7.51B
2021
Service imports
$362M
2024
$1.71B
2021
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$240M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
40.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.2%
2024
52.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belize Congo
Economic freedom 64.7 48.6
Economic freedom ranking 71/197 169/197
Property rights 46.3 28.7
Government integrity 46.2 13.9
Judicial effectiveness 73.9 15.4
Tax burden 81.8 73.7
Government spending 81 85.8
Fiscal health 87.5 80.8
Business freedom 67.2 35.8
Labor freedom 57.6 52.4
Monetary freedom 72.6 78.4
Trade freedom 57.8 52.8
Investment freedom 55 35
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belize
Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belize Congo
2026 64.7 48.6
2025 64.2 48.6
2024 61.2 47.8
2023 59.8 48.1
2022 56.6 48.5
2021 57.5 50.7
2020 57.4 41.8
2019 55.4 39.7
2018 57.1 38.9
2017 58.6 40
2016 57.4 42.8
2015 56.8 42.7
2014 56.7 43.7
2013 57.3 43.5
2012 61.9 43.8
2011 63.8 43.6
2010 61.5 43.2
2009 63 45.4
2008 63 45.3
2007 63.3 44.4
2006 64.7 43.8
2005 64.5 46.2
2004 62.8 45.9
2003 63.5 47.7
2002 65.6 45.3
2001 65.9 44.3
2000 63.3 40.6
1999 60.7 41.6
1998 59.1 33.8
1997 64.3 42.2
1996 61.6 40.3
1995 62.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/belize/congo | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.7, ranking 71/197, compared to 48.6 for the Congo, ranking 169/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belize Congo
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
40.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.95%
2024
9.44%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$14.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,760
2024
$6,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$715M
2023
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
148/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
$330M
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
$604M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
$25.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.15%
2024
7.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
40.9%
2011
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
2024
26.8%
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/belize/congo | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.