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Economy of Bhutan vs Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $15.7B for the Congo, ranking 170/197 and 141/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $15.4B (98% of GDP) in the Congo.

Bhutan vs Congo GDP by year

Bhutan
Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Congo
2024 - $15,719,986,077
2023 $3,012,896,789 $15,321,055,823
2022 $2,898,227,744 $15,817,030,155
2021 $2,768,802,960 $14,825,690,211
2020 $2,457,604,334 $11,468,687,464
2019 $2,735,683,570 $13,976,637,780
2018 $2,583,335,722 $14,773,900,289
2017 $2,591,358,009 $11,834,473,039
2016 $2,357,504,761 $10,931,328,151
2015 $2,187,815,803 $12,434,793,867
2014 $2,089,079,571 $17,919,321,078
2013 $1,943,696,952 $17,958,720,699
2012 $1,973,387,228 $17,692,911,296
2011 $1,977,728,659 $15,655,383,577
2010 $1,708,880,730 $13,148,396,212
2009 $1,331,343,798 $9,723,299,915
2008 $1,317,517,835 $11,649,857,673
2007 $1,255,767,964 $8,782,703,437
2006 $942,879,879 $8,072,305,029
2005 $860,391,000 $6,650,001,680
2004 $735,348,490 $4,656,974,940
2003 $651,935,430 $3,503,723,088
2002 $559,345,264 $3,034,250,924
2001 $496,110,226 $2,796,704,604
2000 $460,733,418 $3,227,927,698
1999 $399,311,200 $2,354,772,960
1998 $363,458,381 $1,949,481,379
1997 $352,229,077 $2,322,719,103
1996 $303,408,346 $2,540,697,539
1995 $290,490,984 $2,116,003,868
1994 $258,954,708 $1,769,365,438
1993 $225,973,693 $2,684,323,623
1992 $240,233,531 $2,933,222,703
1991 $240,294,286 $2,724,853,506
1990 $287,765,007 $2,798,746,050
1989 $264,798,626 $2,389,593,026
1988 $272,298,067 $2,212,536,312
1987 $242,742,766 $2,297,753,652
1986 $191,218,115 $1,849,268,212
1985 $163,288,815 $2,160,872,540
1984 $160,423,494 $2,193,581,365
1983 $156,704,290 $2,097,274,290
1982 $141,439,317 $2,160,640,565
1981 $139,174,178 $1,993,512,323
1980 $128,669,201 $1,705,796,853
1979 $105,377,995 $1,198,749,667
1978 $94,086,228 $878,771,772
1977 $97,884,434 $765,224,029
1976 $88,461,263 $754,549,601
1975 $86,820,762 $767,102,680
1974 $92,901,784 $585,364,634
1973 $78,900,289 $541,973,363
1972 $70,139,867 $410,669,264
1971 $66,289,450 $322,128,019
1970 $61,812,113 $274,960,700
1969 - $265,040,036
1968 - $251,247,458
1967 - $237,397,428
1966 - $220,613,582
1965 - $198,318,064
1964 - $185,693,725
1963 - $172,233,431
1962 - $166,521,240
1961 - $151,675,739
1960 - $131,731,863

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

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Congo by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $2,482 $7,026
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $2,478 $6,850
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $2,621 $6,647
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $2,516 $6,263
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $1,994 $4,771
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $2,488 $5,720
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $2,694 $5,593
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $2,212 $4,445
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $2,093 $4,016
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $2,439 $4,715
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $3,601 $5,733
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $3,697 $5,834
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $3,732 $6,058
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $3,396 $5,175
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $2,947 $5,125
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $2,271 $4,801
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $2,832 $4,448
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $2,206 $4,243
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $2,104 $4,588
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $1,799 $4,279
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $1,306 $3,992
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $1,017 $3,887
2002 $896 $3,663 $906 $3,888
2001 $812 $3,338 $855 $3,748
2000 $772 $3,113 $1,024 $3,667
1999 $685 $3,017 $776 $3,464
1998 $638 $2,819 $660 $3,602
1997 $630 $2,683 $804 $3,510
1996 $553 $2,548 $899 $3,547
1995 $530 $2,374 $770 $3,434
1994 $467 $2,146 $662 $3,327
1993 $407 $2,001 $1,034 $3,550
1992 $416 $1,840 $1,164 $3,608
1991 $401 $1,657 $1,113 $3,536
1990 $488 $1,638 $1,176 $3,437
1989 $462 - $1,033 -
1988 $489 - $984 -
1987 $449 - $1,052 -
1986 $365 - $872 -
1985 $321 - $1,049 -
1984 $326 - $1,097 -
1983 $328 - $1,075 -
1982 $306 - $1,131 -
1981 $311 - $1,066 -
1980 $296.9 - $933 -
1979 $251.4 - $670 -
1978 $232.2 - $503 -
1977 $249.9 - $448 -
1976 $233.7 - $453 -
1975 $237.4 - $471 -
1974 $262.8 - $370 -
1973 $230.9 - $353 -
1972 $212.4 - $276.3 -
1971 $207.7 - $223.5 -
1970 $200.3 - $196.7 -
1969 - - $195.4 -
1968 - - $190.8 -
1967 - - $185.7 -
1966 - - $177.6 -
1965 - - $164.2 -
1964 - - $158.1 -
1963 - - $150.7 -
1962 - - $149.6 -
1961 - - $139.9 -
1960 - - $124.7 -

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

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $2,482 in the Congo, ranking 149/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Congo
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$15.7B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
141/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
2.58%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$2,482
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
149/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$7,026
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
148/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$15.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
98%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$2,433
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
112/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$2,153
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
37.9%
2011
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
1.6%
2011
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
21.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
3.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
10%
2012
Population
803385
6681829

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 21.7% 98%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 20.7% 102.9%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 22.8% 93.5%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 20.9% 97.8%
2020 30.9% 116% 21.1% 102.5%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 20.2% 77.6%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 17.8% 71.2%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 26.6% 88.5%
2016 30.5% 103% 38.8% 84.6%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 41.3% 74.2%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 48.6% 42.3%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 42.4% 33.9%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 30.7% 30.2%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 27.9% 34.4%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 23% 43.5%
2009 39.3% 61% 24.4% 83.8%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 24.2% 69.6%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 28.6% 93.8%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 26.6% 94.7%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 22.1% 99.8%
2004 31% 76% 24.4% 122.6%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 27% 185.3%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 32.1% 163.5%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 29.1% 180.1%
2000 43% 44% 22.6% 145%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 28.8% 0%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 25.1% 0%
1997 37.8% 33% 22.2% 0%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 15.7% 0%
1995 38.6% 38.7% 27.6% 0%
1994 37.9% 53.2% 30.7% 0%
1993 35.2% 60.2% 32.8% 0%
1992 34.5% 35.6% 32.8% 0%
1991 30.8% 33.5% 34.1% 0%
1990 35.8% 27.4% 30.4% 0%
1989 46.8% 26.4% 20.3% 151.7%
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while the Congo spent $3.4B, or 21.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 98% in the Congo, ranking 17/185 and 25/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Congo
2024 -0.17% 3.62%
2023 -4.73% 5.81%
2022 -6.95% 8.94%
2021 -5.76% 1.63%
2020 -1.81% -1.1%
2019 -1.49% 4.3%
2018 -1.52% 5.22%
2017 -4.49% -5.57%
2016 -2.31% -14.5%
2015 -0.49% -17.8%
2014 2.46% -10.7%
2013 -4.55% -2.85%
2012 -2.1% 7.24%
2011 -3.02% 16.1%
2010 1.92% 15.5%
2009 -0.8% 4.76%
2008 -2.57% 23.9%
2007 0.79% 8.99%
2006 -0.07% 16%
2005 -6.96% 13.4%
2004 1.8% 3.33%
2003 -10.2% 0.37%
2002 -4.33% -7.34%
2001 -12.2% -0.71%
2000 -3.39% 1.05%
1999 -1.28% -4.75%
1998 1.28% -5.16%
1997 -1.92% 3.67%
1996 2.55% 9.2%
1995 -0.88% -6.38%
1994 -0.13% -10.6%
1993 4.71% -11.3%
1992 -3.47% -12.7%
1991 -0.48% -11.2%
1990 -7.21% -4.1%
1989 -10.1% 0.78%
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to the Congo's surplus of $889M, or 5.81% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while the Congo ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.56% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.66% of GDP for the Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Congo
2024 4.3% 3.1%
2023 4.5% 4.3%
2022 5.9% 3%
2021 8.2% 2%
2020 3% 1.4%
2019 2.8% 0.4%
2018 3.6% 1.2%
2017 4.3% 0.4%
2016 3.3% 3.2%
2015 6.7% 3.2%
2014 9.6% 0.9%
2013 8.1% 4.6%
2012 10.1% 5%
2011 8.6% 1.8%
2010 4.8% 0.4%
2009 7.1% 4.3%
2008 6.3% 6%
2007 5.2% 2.6%
2006 4.9% 4.7%
2005 4.8% 2.5%
2004 3.3% 3.7%
2003 2.5% 1.7%
2002 2.9% 3%
2001 3.7% 0.8%
2000 7.2% 0.5%
1999 9.1% 3%
1998 7.6% 2.2%
1997 8.6% 12.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 2.95% in the Congo. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 3.1% in the Congo.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Congo
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
$1.72B
2021
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
48/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
+11.6%
2021
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.78B
2021
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$7.51B
2021
Service imports
$228M
2024
$1.71B
2021
Service exports
$288M
2024
$240M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
40.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
52.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Congo
Economic freedom 57.5 48.6
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 169/197
Property rights 69.2 28.7
Government integrity 72.2 13.9
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 15.4
Tax burden 83.4 73.7
Government spending 74.1 85.8
Fiscal health 25.8 80.8
Business freedom 67.8 35.8
Labor freedom 60.1 52.4
Monetary freedom 71.6 78.4
Trade freedom 63.4 52.8
Investment freedom 20 35
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Congo
2026 57.5 48.6
2025 57.5 48.6
2024 55.4 47.8
2023 59 48.1
2022 59.3 48.5
2021 58.3 50.7
2020 62.1 41.8
2019 62.9 39.7
2018 61.8 38.9
2017 58.4 40
2016 59.5 42.8
2015 57.4 42.7
2014 56.7 43.7
2013 55 43.5
2012 56.6 43.8
2011 57.6 43.6
2010 57 43.2
2009 57.7 45.4
2008 - 45.3
2007 - 44.4
2006 - 43.8
2005 - 46.2
2004 - 45.9
2003 - 47.7
2002 - 45.3
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 40.6
1999 - 41.6
1998 - 33.8
1997 - 42.2
1996 - 40.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, 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

Bhutan Congo
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
40.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
9.44%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$14.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$6,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$715M
2023
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
148/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
$330M
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$604M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$25.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
7.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
40.9%
2011
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
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/bhutan/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 (1996–2026, 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 (1987–1992, 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.