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Economy of Bulgaria vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 67/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Bulgaria vs DR Congo GDP by year

Bulgaria
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria DR Congo
2024 $113,343,355,780 $70,962,185,791
2023 $102,199,231,385 $69,843,655,425
2022 $90,506,153,294 $70,422,346,142
2021 $84,374,613,233 $59,067,289,574
2020 $70,486,877,546 $46,691,989,749
2019 $68,507,731,354 $46,845,900,350
2018 $66,097,226,262 $46,659,954,092
2017 $59,167,647,388 $37,537,521,566
2016 $53,929,397,039 $38,600,224,214
2015 $50,765,918,159 $40,179,574,490
2014 $57,080,897,012 $38,352,980,553
2013 $55,819,262,375 $34,891,189,160
2012 $54,297,052,002 $30,029,369,929
2011 $57,681,293,007 $26,392,379,642
2010 $50,689,051,382 $24,161,641,931
2009 $52,023,801,230 $18,607,259,481
2008 $54,480,684,188 $22,723,488,723
2007 $44,431,257,129 $18,374,807,773
2006 $34,380,536,496 $15,484,044,535
2005 $29,868,657,858 $12,609,728,573
2004 $26,157,743,369 $10,297,483,481
2003 $21,144,957,990 $8,937,567,060
2002 $16,403,043,850 $8,728,038,525
2001 $14,183,446,026 $7,438,189,100
2000 $13,245,990,274 $19,088,046,306
1999 $13,637,098,579 $4,711,259,427
1998 $15,031,055,047 $6,217,805,821
1997 $11,316,127,379 $6,090,838,693
1996 $12,294,964,838 $5,771,456,952
1995 $18,991,484,420 $5,643,439,376
1994 $9,709,240,034 $5,820,382,248
1993 $10,832,064,942 $10,706,259,937
1992 $8,602,887,623 $8,227,343,907
1991 $7,628,738,475 $9,625,436,873
1990 $20,632,090,909 $9,349,764,580
1989 $21,988,444,444 $9,021,862,775
1988 $22,555,941,176 $8,861,299,977
1987 $28,101,000,000 $7,661,625,473
1986 $20,249,294,118 $8,095,367,168
1985 $17,155,421,053 $7,195,042,616
1984 $17,594,944,444 $7,857,729,193
1983 $16,563,666,667 $11,006,712,650
1982 $19,342,000,000 $13,651,667,371
1981 $19,870,000,000 $12,537,821,038
1980 $19,839,230,769 $14,394,927,495
1979 - $15,068,422,236
1978 - $15,372,608,002
1977 - $12,344,424,764
1976 - $9,648,583,225
1975 - $10,237,343,174
1974 - $9,596,960,180
1973 - $7,870,239,461
1972 - $6,173,712,814
1971 - $5,594,770,359
1970 - $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/bulgaria/dr-congo | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs DR Congo by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $649 $1,821
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $660 $1,731
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $688 $1,590
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $596 $1,402
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $486 $1,089
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $504 $1,056
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $518 $1,049
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $431 $991
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $460 $950
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $496 $910
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $489 $859
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $460 $761
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $410 $648
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $373 $644
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $352 $606
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $280.2 $573
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $353 $584
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $294.1 $550
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $255.4 $508
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $214.5 $484
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $180.7 $456
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $161.5 $428
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $162.4 $410
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $142.7 $404
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $378 $417
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $96.3 $452
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $131.5 $481
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $132.3 $497
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $127.4 $526
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $127 $532
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $136.5 $540
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $263.3 $576
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $209.7 $674
1991 $884 $7,215 $253.8 $762
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $254.9 $832
1989 $2,477 - $254.2 -
1988 $2,511 - $257.7 -
1987 $3,132 - $230.1 -
1986 $2,260 - $250.9 -
1985 $1,915 - $230.1 -
1984 $1,964 - $259.8 -
1983 $1,853 - $376 -
1982 $2,169 - $482 -
1981 $2,235 - $456 -
1980 $2,239 - $539 -
1979 - - $582 -
1978 - - $615 -
1977 - - $509 -
1976 - - $408 -
1975 - - $445 -
1974 - - $428 -
1973 - - $361 -
1972 - - $290.5 -
1971 - - $270.3 -
1970 - - $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/bulgaria/dr-congo | CC BY

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$71B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
87/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$1,693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
1.47%
2020
Population
6359449
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 16.5% 27%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 36% 18.4% 14% 19.4%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 32% 22.9% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 32.7% 27% 14.3% 33%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 16% 25.5%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 32% 14.3% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 34% 28.5% 7.59% 112%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 4.17% 136%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 2.49% 135%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 2.15% -
1998 30.6% 67.3% 2.78% -
1997 32.9% 88.4% 2.51% -
1996 44% 113.8% 2.17% -
1995 45.4% 72% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 169/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria DR Congo
2024 -3.04% -1.48%
2023 -3.03% -1.65%
2022 -0.8% -1.01%
2021 -2.8% -1.68%
2020 -2.92% -3.17%
2019 -0.96% -3.17%
2018 0.12% -1.34%
2017 0.82% -0.05%
2016 1.54% -0.93%
2015 -2.77% -1.35%
2014 -3.65% 3.73%
2013 -1.75% 3.28%
2012 -0.43% 1.71%
2011 -1.83% -0.94%
2010 -3.77% -0.95%
2009 -0.86% 0.92%
2008 2.73% -0.41%
2007 3.09% 1.12%
2006 3.22% 1.97%
2005 2.19% 1.3%
2004 1.59% -0.17%
2003 0.003% -3.92%
2002 -0.61% 0.89%
2001 -0.58% -1.13%
2000 -0.6% -1.85%
1999 0.15% -1.35%
1998 1.08% -1.55%
1997 0.83% -1.06%
1996 -10.1% -0.56%
1995 -7.98% -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 -0.3% -
1941 3.96% -
1940 0.75% -
1939 0.72% -
1938 1% -
1937 1.41% -
1936 1.17% -
1935 1.34% -
1934 -0.12% -
1933 -0.56% -
1932 -2.14% -
1931 -3.07% -
1930 -5.48% -
1929 -6.67% -
1928 -1.09% -
1927 -0.02% -
1926 -0.25% -
1925 -0.97% -
1924 1.26% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.44B, equivalent to 3.04% of GDP. This compares to the DR Congo's deficit of $1.05B, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria DR Congo
2024 2.6% -
2023 8.6% -
2022 13% -
2021 2.8% -
2020 1.2% -
2019 2.5% -
2018 2.6% -
2017 1.2% -
2016 -1.3% 2.89%
2015 -1.1% 0.74%
2014 -1.6% 1.24%
2013 0.4% 0.81%
2012 2.4% 9.72%
2011 3.4% 15.3%
2010 3% 7.1%
2009 2.5% 2.8%
2008 12% 17.3%
2007 7.6% 16.9%
2006 7.4% 13.1%
2005 6% 21.3%
2004 6.1% 3.99%
2003 2.3% 12.9%
2002 5.8% 31.5%
2001 7.4% 360%
2000 10.3% 514%
1999 2.6% 284.9%
1998 18.7% 29.1%
1997 1,061% 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/bulgaria/dr-congo | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 57.8%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $3.23M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $490K
Chemicals & pharma $389K
Machinery & equipment $385K
Metals $269K
Textiles & consumer goods $232K
Animal & marine products $34K
Raw agricultural goods $17K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
DR Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $118K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria DR Congo
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
48.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria DR Congo
Economic freedom 68.9 47
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 176/197
Property rights 75.8 15.4
Government integrity 48.4 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 11.7
Tax burden 89.1 73.8
Government spending 58.4 91.2
Fiscal health 90.4 95.9
Business freedom 78.2 32.3
Labor freedom 62.4 54.2
Monetary freedom 75.8 58.6
Trade freedom 79.4 68.2
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria DR Congo
2026 68.9 47
2025 68.8 47.3
2024 68.5 47.6
2023 69.3 47.9
2022 71 47.6
2021 70.4 49
2020 70.2 49.5
2019 69 50.3
2018 68.3 52.1
2017 67.9 56.4
2016 65.9 46.4
2015 66.8 45
2014 65.7 40.6
2013 65 39.6
2012 64.7 41.1
2011 64.9 40.7
2010 62.3 41.4
2009 64.6 42.8
2008 63.7 -
2007 62.7 -
2006 64.1 -
2005 62.3 -
2004 59.2 -
2003 57 -
2002 57.1 -
2001 51.9 -
2000 47.3 34.8
1999 46.2 34
1998 45.7 40.6
1997 47.6 39.5
1996 48.6 39.5
1995 50 41.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, 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

Bulgaria DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
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/bulgaria/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 (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.