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Economy of Cameroon vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cameroon has a GDP of $58.9B compared to $91B for the DR Congo, ranking 92/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $23.8B in government debt (40.4% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (20.2% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Cameroon vs DR Congo GDP by year

Cameroon
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon DR Congo
2025 $58,933,453,924 $91,030,531,317
2024 $53,296,694,320 $75,716,176,105
2023 $48,814,501,547 $69,843,655,425
2022 $44,347,206,073 $70,422,346,142
2021 $45,011,937,347 $59,067,289,574
2020 $40,773,241,177 $46,691,989,749
2019 $39,667,757,528 $46,845,900,350
2018 $39,955,552,190 $46,659,954,092
2017 $36,098,547,033 $37,537,521,566
2016 $33,814,337,044 $38,600,224,214
2015 $32,210,233,020 $40,179,574,490
2014 $36,386,544,706 $38,352,980,553
2013 $33,728,621,180 $34,891,189,160
2012 $30,155,062,329 $30,029,369,929
2011 $30,630,910,495 $26,392,379,642
2010 $27,507,501,821 $24,161,641,931
2009 $27,932,970,317 $18,607,259,481
2008 $27,715,142,033 $22,723,488,723
2007 $23,928,250,433 $18,374,807,773
2006 $20,910,512,975 $15,484,044,535
2005 $19,509,852,207 $12,609,728,573
2004 $18,826,214,136 $10,297,483,481
2003 $15,970,315,035 $8,937,567,060
2002 $12,417,251,350 $8,728,038,525
2001 $10,953,485,349 $7,438,189,100
2000 $10,566,579,295 $19,088,046,306
1999 $11,565,826,465 $4,711,259,427
1998 $11,298,144,990 $6,217,805,821
1997 $10,789,458,433 $6,090,838,693
1996 $11,093,538,846 $5,771,456,952
1995 $10,864,772,471 $5,643,439,376
1994 $8,902,446,252 $5,820,382,248
1993 $16,181,814,713 $10,706,259,937
1992 $12,071,775,335 $8,227,343,907
1991 $11,840,192,296 $9,625,436,873
1990 $12,314,482,628 $9,349,764,580
1989 $11,012,566,195 $9,021,862,775
1988 $12,236,057,362 $8,861,299,977
1987 $13,049,659,981 $7,661,625,473
1986 $11,857,056,199 $8,095,367,168
1985 $8,544,810,498 $7,195,042,616
1984 $7,311,938,026 $7,857,729,193
1983 $6,870,200,010 $11,006,712,650
1982 $6,611,255,964 $13,651,667,371
1981 $6,610,938,617 $12,537,821,038
1980 $6,674,569,047 $14,394,927,495
1979 $5,919,002,983 $15,068,422,236
1978 $4,662,852,583 $15,372,608,002
1977 $3,394,664,024 $12,344,424,764
1976 $2,898,090,002 $9,648,583,225
1975 $2,857,037,371 $10,237,343,174
1974 $2,157,415,533 $9,596,960,180
1973 $1,901,393,361 $7,870,239,461
1972 $1,498,251,890 $6,173,712,814
1971 $1,236,941,394 $5,594,770,359
1970 $1,151,216,993 $4,877,684,910
1969 $1,100,551,489 $5,032,434,970
1968 $1,046,191,218 $3,909,780,539
1967 $936,175,260 $3,384,063,372
1966 $851,112,535 $4,532,660,182
1965 $814,083,266 $4,043,901,818
1964 $776,650,177 $2,881,545,273
1963 $718,320,845 $6,213,185,743
1962 $694,247,864 $3,779,841,429
1961 $652,777,608 $3,086,746,857
1960 $614,206,068 $3,359,404,118

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs DR Congo by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,972 - $807 -
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $693 $1,821
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $660 $1,731
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $688 $1,590
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $596 $1,402
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $486 $1,089
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $504 $1,056
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $518 $1,049
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $431 $991
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $460 $950
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $496 $910
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $489 $859
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $460 $761
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $410 $648
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $373 $644
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $352 $606
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $280.2 $573
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $353 $584
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $294.1 $550
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $255.4 $508
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $214.5 $484
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $180.7 $456
2003 $988 $2,368 $161.5 $428
2002 $790 $2,263 $162.4 $410
2001 $715 $2,191 $142.7 $404
2000 $709 $2,108 $378 $417
1999 $796 $2,039 $96.3 $452
1998 $799 $1,975 $131.5 $481
1997 $783 $1,915 $132.3 $497
1996 $827 $1,850 $127.4 $526
1995 $832 $1,790 $127 $532
1994 $701 $1,752 $136.5 $540
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $263.3 $576
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $209.7 $674
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $253.8 $762
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $254.9 $832
1989 $1,001 - $254.2 -
1988 $1,145 - $257.7 -
1987 $1,258 - $230.1 -
1986 $1,179 - $250.9 -
1985 $875 - $230.1 -
1984 $772 - $259.8 -
1983 $746 - $376 -
1982 $732 - $482 -
1981 $750 - $456 -
1980 $784 - $539 -
1979 $718 - $582 -
1978 $582 - $615 -
1977 $435 - $509 -
1976 $381 - $408 -
1975 $386 - $445 -
1974 $299.9 - $428 -
1973 $271.8 - $361 -
1972 $220.1 - $290.5 -
1971 $186.7 - $270.3 -
1970 $178.5 - $242.2 -
1969 $175.2 - $257.1 -
1968 $170.8 - $205.6 -
1967 $156.6 - $183.3 -
1966 $145.8 - $252.8 -
1965 $142.7 - $232 -
1964 $139.2 - $169.9 -
1963 $131.6 - $376 -
1962 $130 - $235.1 -
1961 $124.6 - $197.1 -
1960 $119.1 - $220.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,972, ranking 159/197, compared to $807 in the DR Congo, ranking 187/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Cameroon DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$58.9B
2025
$91B
2025
GDP rank
92/197
2025
81/197
2025
GDP growth
3.2%
2024-2025
5.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,972
2025
$807
2025
GDP per capita rank
159/197
2025
187/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$23.8B
2025
$18.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.4%
2025
20.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$796
2025
$163
2025
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2025
183/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,941
2026
$2,203
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
17.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2024-2025
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate n/a
13.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
1.47%
2020
Population
31045453
118386491

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.3% 40.4% 17.2% 20.2%
2024 17.1% 43.4% 16.5% 15.8%
2023 17.3% 43.6% 15.9% 15.7%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 17.1% 14.7%
2021 17% 47.2% 13.5% 14%
2020 16.8% 44.9% 13.4% 11.6%
2019 19.1% 41.6% 15.2% 9.72%
2018 17.8% 38.3% 12.2% 9.19%
2017 18.2% 36.5% 11.2% 8.42%
2016 20.1% 32.1% 14.3% 10.6%
2015 17.9% 31.6% 15.9% 10.2%
2014 19.5% 20.7% 13.5% 8.74%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 11.7% 8.26%
2012 17% 14.9% 13.2% 7.58%
2011 17.1% 15.9% 13.5% 7.81%
2010 14.8% 14% 15.2% 31.8%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 12.3% 91.6%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 9.94% 80.3%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 7.98% 85.1%
2006 12% 18.4% 7.35% 107.5%
2005 11.4% 43.8% 7.5% 112%
2004 10.7% 51.7% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 10.6% 51.5% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 14% 56.6% 4.17% 136%
2001 14.4% 62.2% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 14.4% 75.9% 2.49% 135%
1999 - 68.4% 2.15% -
1998 - 67.8% 2.78% -
1997 - - 2.51% -
1996 - - 2.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cameroon's government spending was $9.58B, accounting for 16.3% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $15.6B, or 17.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.4% in Cameroon and 20.2% in the DR Congo, ranking 133/185 and 173/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon DR Congo
2025 -2.01% -2.75%
2024 -1.51% -1.66%
2023 -0.64% -1.59%
2022 -1.11% -0.87%
2021 -2.88% -1.58%
2020 -3.52% -3.49%
2019 -3.65% -3.41%
2018 -2.3% -1.35%
2017 -3.68% -0.01%
2016 -5.79% -0.91%
2015 -2.86% -1.2%
2014 -3.36% 3.87%
2013 -3.54% 3.5%
2012 -1.22% 1.93%
2011 -1.55% -0.71%
2010 -0.57% -0.8%
2009 -0.05% 1.04%
2008 1.94% -0.28%
2007 3.66% 1.21%
2006 6.34% 2.09%
2005 3.43% 1.38%
2004 2.07% -0.17%
2003 3.51% -3.92%
2002 1.59% 0.89%
2001 1.2% -1.13%
2000 2.06% -1.85%
1999 - -1.35%
1998 - -1.55%
1997 - -1.06%
1996 - -0.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cameroon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.18B, equivalent to 2.01% of GDP. This compares to the DR Congo's deficit of $2.51B, or 2.75% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.45% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon DR Congo
2025 3.4% -
2024 4.53% -
2023 7.38% -
2022 6.25% -
2021 2.27% -
2020 2.44% -
2019 2.45% -
2018 1.07% -
2017 0.64% -
2016 0.87% 2.89%
2015 2.68% 0.74%
2014 1.85% 1.24%
2013 2.05% 0.81%
2012 2.74% 9.72%
2011 2.94% 15.3%
2010 1.28% 7.1%
2009 3.04% 2.8%
2008 5.34% 17.3%
2007 0.92% 16.9%
2006 5.12% 13.1%
2005 2.01% 21.3%
2004 0.23% 3.99%
2003 0.62% 12.9%
2002 2.83% 31.5%
2001 4.42% 360%
2000 1.23% 514%
1999 1.87% 284.9%
1998 3.17% 29.1%
1997 4.79% 198.5%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 20 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.5%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was 3.4% in Cameroon and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.41M
Machinery & equipment $3.86M
Chemicals & pharma $1.63M
Wood & paper products $1.4M
Raw agricultural goods $646K
Textiles & consumer goods $538K
Metals $121K
Raw materials & minerals $81K
Miscellaneous $1K
DR Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.83M
Metals $890K
Textiles & consumer goods $780K
Animal & marine products $337K
Raw materials & minerals $184K
Chemicals & pharma $75K
Wood & paper products $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K

Balance of trade

Cameroon DR Congo
Current account balance
-$1.75B
2024
-$3.94B
2025
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
157/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.28%
2024
-4.33%
2025
Goods imports
$7.77B
2024
$33B
2025
Goods exports
$6.79B
2024
$35.9B
2025
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$5.02B
2025
Service exports
$1.81B
2024
$548M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
43.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.1%
2025
43.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon DR Congo
Economic freedom 52 47
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 176/197
Property rights 28.1 15.4
Government integrity 21 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 11.7
Tax burden 72.2 73.8
Government spending 91.4 91.2
Fiscal health 94.5 95.9
Business freedom 48.6 32.3
Labor freedom 45.6 54.2
Monetary freedom 75.3 58.6
Trade freedom 57.2 68.2
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon DR Congo
2026 52 47
2025 52.1 47.3
2024 53.6 47.6
2023 51.9 47.9
2022 52.9 47.6
2021 53.4 49
2020 53.6 49.5
2019 52.4 50.3
2018 51.9 52.1
2017 51.8 56.4
2016 54.2 46.4
2015 51.9 45
2014 52.6 40.6
2013 52.3 39.6
2012 51.8 41.1
2011 51.8 40.7
2010 52.3 41.4
2009 53 42.8
2008 54.3 -
2007 55.6 -
2006 54.6 -
2005 53 -
2004 52.3 -
2003 52.7 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 53.3 -
2000 49.9 34.8
1999 50.3 34
1998 48 40.6
1997 44.6 39.5
1996 45.7 39.5
1995 51.3 41.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, 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

Cameroon DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
50.4%
2025
48%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
39.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
8.93%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.4B
2025
$81.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,700
2025
$1,850
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.06B
2024
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
102/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$825M
2024
-$1.87B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.21%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
31.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.