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Economy of Chad vs Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Chad has a GDP of $19.5B compared to $15.7B for the Congo, ranking 132/197 and 141/197 by economy size, respectively.

Chad has $6.37B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $15.4B (98% of GDP) in the Congo.

Chad vs Congo GDP by year

Chad
Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Chad Congo
2024 $19,518,819,751 $15,719,986,077
2023 $18,340,233,749 $15,321,055,823
2022 $17,828,508,290 $15,817,030,155
2021 $16,871,937,698 $14,825,690,211
2020 $14,932,897,821 $11,468,687,464
2019 $14,905,517,743 $13,976,637,780
2018 $15,327,000,249 $14,773,900,289
2017 $13,349,041,409 $11,834,473,039
2016 $13,026,289,836 $10,931,328,151
2015 $14,559,599,500 $12,434,793,867
2014 $18,144,336,904 $17,919,321,078
2013 $17,865,316,886 $17,958,720,699
2012 $17,892,228,570 $17,692,911,296
2011 $16,685,349,674 $15,655,383,577
2010 $14,058,506,664 $13,148,396,212
2009 $12,317,614,054 $9,723,299,915
2008 $13,385,593,990 $11,649,857,673
2007 $10,865,385,132 $8,782,703,437
2006 $9,709,626,596 $8,072,305,029
2005 $8,655,892,393 $6,650,001,680
2004 $4,422,855,661 $4,656,974,940
2003 $2,742,815,072 $3,503,723,088
2002 $1,997,005,709 $3,034,250,924
2001 $1,710,843,377 $2,796,704,604
2000 $1,388,506,772 $3,227,927,698
1999 $1,534,673,583 $2,354,772,960
1998 $1,744,794,531 $1,949,481,379
1997 $1,544,689,577 $2,322,719,103
1996 $1,607,345,356 $2,540,697,539
1995 $1,445,919,895 $2,116,003,868
1994 $1,179,837,963 $1,769,365,438
1993 $1,463,251,164 $2,684,323,623
1992 $1,881,847,670 $2,933,222,703
1991 $1,877,137,982 $2,724,853,506
1990 $1,738,605,558 $2,798,746,050
1989 $1,433,686,312 $2,389,593,026
1988 $1,482,597,298 $2,212,536,312
1987 $1,163,426,852 $2,297,753,652
1986 $1,067,828,246 $1,849,268,212
1985 $1,033,069,709 $2,160,872,540
1984 $919,103,735 $2,193,581,365
1983 $832,415,806 $2,097,274,290
1982 $834,369,860 $2,160,640,565
1981 $876,937,558 $1,993,512,323
1980 $1,033,002,404 $1,705,796,853
1979 $1,004,316,496 $1,198,749,667
1978 $1,113,920,124 $878,771,772
1977 $935,360,465 $765,224,029
1976 $866,044,962 $754,549,601
1975 $864,602,105 $767,102,680
1974 $652,532,795 $585,364,634
1973 $647,199,483 $541,973,363
1972 $585,427,547 $410,669,264
1971 $501,866,730 $322,128,019
1970 $469,266,737 $274,960,700
1969 $471,635,622 $265,040,036
1968 $453,980,096 $251,247,458
1967 $449,826,323 $237,397,428
1966 $432,794,922 $220,613,582
1965 $416,926,303 $198,318,064
1964 $392,247,518 $185,693,725
1963 $371,767,002 $172,233,431
1962 $357,635,713 $166,521,240
1961 $333,975,336 $151,675,739
1960 $313,582,728 $131,731,863

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

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

GDP per capita in Chad vs Congo by year

Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Chad Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $962 $2,743 $2,482 $7,026
2023 $949 $2,700 $2,478 $6,850
2022 $966 $2,624 $2,621 $6,647
2021 $946 $2,435 $2,516 $6,263
2020 $867 $2,186 $1,994 $4,771
2019 $893 $2,352 $2,488 $5,720
2018 $949 $2,228 $2,694 $5,593
2017 $854 $2,097 $2,212 $4,445
2016 $862 $2,120 $2,093 $4,016
2015 $994 $2,378 $2,439 $4,715
2014 $1,279 $2,133 $3,601 $5,733
2013 $1,305 $2,110 $3,697 $5,834
2012 $1,354 $2,435 $3,732 $6,058
2011 $1,308 $2,388 $3,396 $5,175
2010 $1,142 $2,320 $2,947 $5,125
2009 $1,036 $2,087 $2,271 $4,801
2008 $1,166 $2,181 $2,832 $4,448
2007 $980 $2,149 $2,206 $4,243
2006 $907 $2,079 $2,104 $4,588
2005 $838 $2,102 $1,799 $4,279
2004 $446 $1,808 $1,306 $3,992
2003 $289.1 $1,378 $1,017 $3,887
2002 $219.1 $1,226 $906 $3,888
2001 $194.3 $1,152 $855 $3,748
2000 $163.1 $1,044 $1,024 $3,667
1999 $186.6 $1,066 $776 $3,464
1998 $219.8 $1,096 $660 $3,602
1997 $201.4 $1,049 $804 $3,510
1996 $216.9 $1,010 $899 $3,547
1995 $204 $1,014 $770 $3,434
1994 $173.9 $1,026 $662 $3,327
1993 $220.7 $933 $1,034 $3,550
1992 $290.6 $1,107 $1,164 $3,608
1991 $302 $1,046 $1,113 $3,536
1990 $290.6 $967 $1,176 $3,437
1989 $246.4 - $1,033 -
1988 $263.5 - $984 -
1987 $213.9 - $1,052 -
1986 $203.4 - $872 -
1985 $202.7 - $1,049 -
1984 $182.2 - $1,097 -
1983 $167.2 - $1,075 -
1982 $176.1 - $1,131 -
1981 $194 - $1,066 -
1980 $228.8 - $933 -
1979 $222.9 - $670 -
1978 $252.5 - $503 -
1977 $215.9 - $448 -
1976 $203.7 - $453 -
1975 $207.5 - $471 -
1974 $160 - $370 -
1973 $162.4 - $353 -
1972 $150.4 - $276.3 -
1971 $131.8 - $223.5 -
1970 $125.9 - $196.7 -
1969 $129.2 - $195.4 -
1968 $126.9 - $190.8 -
1967 $128.2 - $185.7 -
1966 $125.8 - $177.6 -
1965 $123.6 - $164.2 -
1964 $118.6 - $158.1 -
1963 $114.7 - $150.7 -
1962 $112.6 - $149.6 -
1961 $107.3 - $139.9 -
1960 $102.8 - $124.7 -

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

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

Chad's GDP per capita is $962, ranking 182/197, compared to $2,482 in the Congo, ranking 149/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743, while the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026.

Economic indicators

Chad Congo
Gross domestic product
$19.5B
2024
$15.7B
2024
GDP rank
132/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP growth
4.2%
2023-2024
2.58%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$962
2024
$2,482
2024
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2024
149/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,743
2024
$7,026
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
182/197
2024
148/197
2024
Government debt
$6.37B
2024
$15.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
98%
2024
Government debt per person
$314
2024
$2,433
2024
Government debt per person rank
177/185
2024
112/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,276
2026
$2,153
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2022
37.9%
2011
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
1.6%
2011
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
21.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
3.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.14%
2018
10%
2012
Population
21893857
6681829

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Chad
Spending

Debt
Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Chad Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.8% 32.7% 21.7% 98%
2023 17.1% 32.2% 20.7% 102.9%
2022 12.6% 32.1% 22.8% 93.5%
2021 13% 41.6% 20.9% 97.8%
2020 14.1% 41.7% 21.1% 102.5%
2019 10.6% 38.4% 20.2% 77.6%
2018 9.73% 33.8% 17.8% 71.2%
2017 11.3% 39.2% 26.6% 88.5%
2016 11.2% 40.1% 38.8% 84.6%
2015 13.8% 31.3% 41.3% 74.2%
2014 16.9% 29.4% 48.6% 42.3%
2013 16.6% 22.3% 42.4% 33.9%
2012 16.6% 20% 30.7% 30.2%
2011 16.3% 22.3% 27.9% 34.4%
2010 18.5% 22.9% 23% 43.5%
2009 19.8% 23.9% 24.4% 83.8%
2008 14.6% 15.7% 24.2% 69.6%
2007 13.6% 17.6% 28.6% 93.8%
2006 10.7% 20.1% 26.6% 94.7%
2005 8.87% 22% 22.1% 99.8%
2004 9.84% 25.2% 24.4% 122.6%
2003 14.9% 34.4% 27% 185.3%
2002 13.8% 42% 32.1% 163.5%
2001 12% 43.5% 29.1% 180.1%
2000 14% 52.4% 22.6% 145%
1999 12.9% 44.7% 28.8% 0%
1998 10.1% 34.7% 25.1% 0%
1997 12% 41.3% 22.2% 0%
1996 12% 40.5% 15.7% 0%
1995 12.3% 41.1% 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 (1989–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Chad's government spending was $3.67B, accounting for 18.8% of its GDP, while the Congo spent $3.4B, or 21.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Chad and 98% in the Congo, ranking 151/185 and 25/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Chad

Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Chad Congo
2024 -2.11% 3.62%
2023 -1.26% 5.81%
2022 3.79% 8.94%
2021 -1.29% 1.63%
2020 1.24% -1.1%
2019 -0.11% 4.3%
2018 1.39% 5.22%
2017 -0.18% -5.57%
2016 -1.51% -14.5%
2015 -3.29% -17.8%
2014 -3.22% -10.7%
2013 -1.5% -2.85%
2012 0.33% 7.24%
2011 1.75% 16.1%
2010 -3.16% 15.5%
2009 -8.44% 4.76%
2008 2.82% 23.9%
2007 2.02% 8.99%
2006 1.7% 16%
2005 -0.05% 13.4%
2004 -1.84% 3.33%
2003 -4.32% 0.37%
2002 -4.08% -7.34%
2001 -3.53% -0.71%
2000 -4.68% 1.05%
1999 -4.07% -4.75%
1998 -1.73% -5.16%
1997 -2.58% 3.67%
1996 -2.86% 9.2%
1995 -3.12% -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/chad/congo | CC BY

In 2024, Chad's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $412M, equivalent to 2.11% of GDP. This compares to the Congo's surplus of $568M, or 3.62% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Chad recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the Congo ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Chad posted an annual deficit equal to 1.46% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.53% of GDP for the Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Chad

Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Chad Congo
2024 5.1% 3.1%
2023 2.3% 4.3%
2022 5.8% 3%
2021 -0.8% 2%
2020 4.5% 1.4%
2019 -1% 0.4%
2018 4% 1.2%
2017 -0.9% 0.4%
2016 -1.6% 3.2%
2015 4.8% 3.2%
2014 -5.5% 0.9%
2013 0.2% 4.6%
2012 7.5% 5%
2011 2% 1.8%
2010 -2.1% 0.4%
2009 10.1% 4.3%
2008 8.3% 6%
2007 -7.4% 2.6%
2006 9.6% 4.7%
2005 4.4% 2.5%
2004 -4.8% 3.7%
2003 -1.8% 1.7%
2002 5.2% 3%
2001 12.4% 0.8%
2000 3.8% 0.5%
1999 -8.4% 3%
1998 4.3% 2.2%
1997 5.6% 12.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Chad has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.34%, compared with 2.95% in the Congo. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Chad and 3.1% in the Congo.

Top exports between countries

Chad
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $115K
Machinery & equipment $27K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8K
Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $365K
Raw materials & minerals $69K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $53K
Miscellaneous $40K
Textiles & consumer goods $25K
Chemicals & pharma $11K

Balance of trade

Chad Congo
Current account balance
-$37.7M
1994
$1.72B
2021
Current account balance ranking
82/190
1994
48/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.2%
1994
+11.6%
2021
Goods imports
$212M
1994
$2.78B
2021
Goods exports
$135M
1994
$7.51B
2021
Service imports
$199M
1994
$1.71B
2021
Service exports
$54.8M
1994
$240M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
40.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.8%
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.

Chad Congo
Economic freedom 51.2 48.6
Economic freedom ranking 154/197 169/197
Property rights 17.2 28.7
Government integrity 15.2 13.9
Judicial effectiveness 15 15.4
Tax burden 77.9 73.7
Government spending 92.2 85.8
Fiscal health 97.9 80.8
Business freedom 27.4 35.8
Labor freedom 53.7 52.4
Monetary freedom 71.6 78.4
Trade freedom 46.4 52.8
Investment freedom 60 35
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Chad
Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Chad Congo
2026 51.2 48.6
2025 52.2 48.6
2024 51.4 47.8
2023 52 48.1
2022 49.8 48.5
2021 50.4 50.7
2020 50.2 41.8
2019 49.9 39.7
2018 49.3 38.9
2017 49 40
2016 46.3 42.8
2015 45.9 42.7
2014 44.5 43.7
2013 45.2 43.5
2012 44.8 43.8
2011 45.3 43.6
2010 47.5 43.2
2009 47.5 45.4
2008 47.8 45.3
2007 50.1 44.4
2006 50 43.8
2005 52.1 46.2
2004 53.1 45.9
2003 52.6 47.7
2002 49.2 45.3
2001 46.4 44.3
2000 46.8 40.6
1999 47.2 41.6
1998 46.6 33.8
1997 45.1 42.2
1996 - 40.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Chad is 51.2, ranking 154/197, 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

Chad Congo
Services, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
40.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
9.44%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.1B
2024
$14.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,710
2024
$6,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.05B
2023
$715M
2023
Total reserves ranking
140/177
2023
148/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$26.5M
1994
$330M
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.02B
2024
$604M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$25.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
7.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
44.8%
2022
40.9%
2011
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
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/chad/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. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.