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Economy of Bhutan vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 170/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Bhutan vs DR Congo GDP by year

Bhutan
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan DR Congo
2024 - $70,962,185,791
2023 $3,012,896,789 $69,843,655,425
2022 $2,898,227,744 $70,422,346,142
2021 $2,768,802,960 $59,067,289,574
2020 $2,457,604,334 $46,691,989,749
2019 $2,735,683,570 $46,845,900,350
2018 $2,583,335,722 $46,659,954,092
2017 $2,591,358,009 $37,537,521,566
2016 $2,357,504,761 $38,600,224,214
2015 $2,187,815,803 $40,179,574,490
2014 $2,089,079,571 $38,352,980,553
2013 $1,943,696,952 $34,891,189,160
2012 $1,973,387,228 $30,029,369,929
2011 $1,977,728,659 $26,392,379,642
2010 $1,708,880,730 $24,161,641,931
2009 $1,331,343,798 $18,607,259,481
2008 $1,317,517,835 $22,723,488,723
2007 $1,255,767,964 $18,374,807,773
2006 $942,879,879 $15,484,044,535
2005 $860,391,000 $12,609,728,573
2004 $735,348,490 $10,297,483,481
2003 $651,935,430 $8,937,567,060
2002 $559,345,264 $8,728,038,525
2001 $496,110,226 $7,438,189,100
2000 $460,733,418 $19,088,046,306
1999 $399,311,200 $4,711,259,427
1998 $363,458,381 $6,217,805,821
1997 $352,229,077 $6,090,838,693
1996 $303,408,346 $5,771,456,952
1995 $290,490,984 $5,643,439,376
1994 $258,954,708 $5,820,382,248
1993 $225,973,693 $10,706,259,937
1992 $240,233,531 $8,227,343,907
1991 $240,294,286 $9,625,436,873
1990 $287,765,007 $9,349,764,580
1989 $264,798,626 $9,021,862,775
1988 $272,298,067 $8,861,299,977
1987 $242,742,766 $7,661,625,473
1986 $191,218,115 $8,095,367,168
1985 $163,288,815 $7,195,042,616
1984 $160,423,494 $7,857,729,193
1983 $156,704,290 $11,006,712,650
1982 $141,439,317 $13,651,667,371
1981 $139,174,178 $12,537,821,038
1980 $128,669,201 $14,394,927,495
1979 $105,377,995 $15,068,422,236
1978 $94,086,228 $15,372,608,002
1977 $97,884,434 $12,344,424,764
1976 $88,461,263 $9,648,583,225
1975 $86,820,762 $10,237,343,174
1974 $92,901,784 $9,596,960,180
1973 $78,900,289 $7,870,239,461
1972 $70,139,867 $6,173,712,814
1971 $66,289,450 $5,594,770,359
1970 $61,812,113 $4,877,684,910
1969 - $5,032,434,970
1968 - $3,909,780,539
1967 - $3,384,063,372
1966 - $4,532,660,182
1965 - $4,043,901,818
1964 - $2,881,545,273
1963 - $6,213,185,743
1962 - $3,779,841,429
1961 - $3,086,746,857
1960 - $3,359,404,118

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

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs DR Congo by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $649 $1,821
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $660 $1,731
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $688 $1,590
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $596 $1,402
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $486 $1,089
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $504 $1,056
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $518 $1,049
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $431 $991
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $460 $950
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $496 $910
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $489 $859
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $460 $761
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $410 $648
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $373 $644
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $352 $606
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $280.2 $573
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $353 $584
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $294.1 $550
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $255.4 $508
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $214.5 $484
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $180.7 $456
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $161.5 $428
2002 $896 $3,663 $162.4 $410
2001 $812 $3,338 $142.7 $404
2000 $772 $3,113 $378 $417
1999 $685 $3,017 $96.3 $452
1998 $638 $2,819 $131.5 $481
1997 $630 $2,683 $132.3 $497
1996 $553 $2,548 $127.4 $526
1995 $530 $2,374 $127 $532
1994 $467 $2,146 $136.5 $540
1993 $407 $2,001 $263.3 $576
1992 $416 $1,840 $209.7 $674
1991 $401 $1,657 $253.8 $762
1990 $488 $1,638 $254.9 $832
1989 $462 - $254.2 -
1988 $489 - $257.7 -
1987 $449 - $230.1 -
1986 $365 - $250.9 -
1985 $321 - $230.1 -
1984 $326 - $259.8 -
1983 $328 - $376 -
1982 $306 - $482 -
1981 $311 - $456 -
1980 $296.9 - $539 -
1979 $251.4 - $582 -
1978 $232.2 - $615 -
1977 $249.9 - $509 -
1976 $233.7 - $408 -
1975 $237.4 - $445 -
1974 $262.8 - $428 -
1973 $230.9 - $361 -
1972 $212.4 - $290.5 -
1971 $207.7 - $270.3 -
1970 $200.3 - $242.2 -
1969 - - $257.1 -
1968 - - $205.6 -
1967 - - $183.3 -
1966 - - $252.8 -
1965 - - $232 -
1964 - - $169.9 -
1963 - - $376 -
1962 - - $235.1 -
1961 - - $197.1 -
1960 - - $220.1 -

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

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Bhutan DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$71B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
87/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
190/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$1,693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate n/a
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
1.47%
2020
Population
803385
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 16.5% 27%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 30.9% 116% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 14% 19.4%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 30.5% 103% 14.3% 33%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 16% 25.5%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 39.3% 61% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 7.59% 112%
2004 31% 76% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 4.17% 136%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 43% 44% 2.49% 135%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 2.15% -
1998 31.1% 36.4% 2.78% -
1997 37.8% 33% 2.51% -
1996 37.9% 36.8% 2.17% -
1995 38.6% 38.7% - -
1994 37.9% 53.2% - -
1993 35.2% 60.2% - -
1992 34.5% 35.6% - -
1991 30.8% 33.5% - -
1990 35.8% 27.4% - -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
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/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 17/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan DR Congo
2024 -0.17% -1.48%
2023 -4.73% -1.65%
2022 -6.95% -1.01%
2021 -5.76% -1.68%
2020 -1.81% -3.17%
2019 -1.49% -3.17%
2018 -1.52% -1.34%
2017 -4.49% -0.05%
2016 -2.31% -0.93%
2015 -0.49% -1.35%
2014 2.46% 3.73%
2013 -4.55% 3.28%
2012 -2.1% 1.71%
2011 -3.02% -0.94%
2010 1.92% -0.95%
2009 -0.8% 0.92%
2008 -2.57% -0.41%
2007 0.79% 1.12%
2006 -0.07% 1.97%
2005 -6.96% 1.3%
2004 1.8% -0.17%
2003 -10.2% -3.92%
2002 -4.33% 0.89%
2001 -12.2% -1.13%
2000 -3.39% -1.85%
1999 -1.28% -1.35%
1998 1.28% -1.55%
1997 -1.92% -1.06%
1996 2.55% -0.56%
1995 -0.88% -
1994 -0.13% -
1993 4.71% -
1992 -3.47% -
1991 -0.48% -
1990 -7.21% -
1989 -10.1% -
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/dr-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 DR Congo's deficit of $1.16B, or 1.65% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.48% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan DR Congo
2024 4.3% -
2023 4.5% -
2022 5.9% -
2021 8.2% -
2020 3% -
2019 2.8% -
2018 3.6% -
2017 4.3% -
2016 3.3% 2.89%
2015 6.7% 0.74%
2014 9.6% 1.24%
2013 8.1% 0.81%
2012 10.1% 9.72%
2011 8.6% 15.3%
2010 4.8% 7.1%
2009 7.1% 2.8%
2008 6.3% 17.3%
2007 5.2% 16.9%
2006 4.9% 13.1%
2005 4.8% 21.3%
2004 3.3% 3.99%
2003 2.5% 12.9%
2002 2.9% 31.5%
2001 3.7% 360%
2000 7.2% 514%
1999 9.1% 284.9%
1998 7.6% 29.1%
1997 8.6% 198.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 20 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.22%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Balance of trade

Bhutan DR Congo
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
48.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan DR Congo
Economic freedom 57.5 47
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 176/197
Property rights 69.2 15.4
Government integrity 72.2 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 11.7
Tax burden 83.4 73.8
Government spending 74.1 91.2
Fiscal health 25.8 95.9
Business freedom 67.8 32.3
Labor freedom 60.1 54.2
Monetary freedom 71.6 58.6
Trade freedom 63.4 68.2
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan DR Congo
2026 57.5 47
2025 57.5 47.3
2024 55.4 47.6
2023 59 47.9
2022 59.3 47.6
2021 58.3 49
2020 62.1 49.5
2019 62.9 50.3
2018 61.8 52.1
2017 58.4 56.4
2016 59.5 46.4
2015 57.4 45
2014 56.7 40.6
2013 55 39.6
2012 56.6 41.1
2011 57.6 40.7
2010 57 41.4
2009 57.7 42.8
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 - 34.8
1999 - 34
1998 - 40.6
1997 - 39.5
1996 - 39.5
1995 - 41.4

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

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

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

Bhutan DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
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/bhutan/dr-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 (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.