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Economy of China vs Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $15.7B for the Congo, ranking 2/197 and 141/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $15.4B (98% of GDP) in the Congo.

China vs Congo GDP by year

China
Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Congo
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $15,719,986,077
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $15,321,055,823
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $15,817,030,155
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $14,825,690,211
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $11,468,687,464
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $13,976,637,780
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $14,773,900,289
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $11,834,473,039
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $10,931,328,151
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $12,434,793,867
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $17,919,321,078
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $17,958,720,699
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $17,692,911,296
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $15,655,383,577
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $13,148,396,212
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $9,723,299,915
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $11,649,857,673
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $8,782,703,437
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $8,072,305,029
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $6,650,001,680
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $4,656,974,940
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $3,503,723,088
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $3,034,250,924
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $2,796,704,604
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $3,227,927,698
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $2,354,772,960
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $1,949,481,379
1997 $967,753,570,435 $2,322,719,103
1996 $868,523,936,530 $2,540,697,539
1995 $738,190,896,228 $2,116,003,868
1994 $566,929,539,493 $1,769,365,438
1993 $446,557,291,212 $2,684,323,623
1992 $428,502,354,788 $2,933,222,703
1991 $384,510,452,962 $2,724,853,506
1990 $361,560,229,446 $2,798,746,050
1989 $348,380,566,802 $2,389,593,026
1988 $312,888,888,889 $2,212,536,312
1987 $273,455,156,951 $2,297,753,652
1986 $301,310,144,928 $1,849,268,212
1985 $310,064,625,850 $2,160,872,540
1984 $260,442,857,143 $2,193,581,365
1983 $231,130,268,199 $2,097,274,290
1982 $205,480,916,031 $2,160,640,565
1981 $196,218,253,968 $1,993,512,323
1980 $191,487,500,000 $1,705,796,853
1979 $178,573,913,043 $1,198,749,667
1978 $149,788,617,886 $878,771,772
1977 $175,226,595,860 $765,224,029
1976 $154,196,810,059 $754,549,601
1975 $163,687,619,736 $767,102,680
1974 $144,418,433,058 $585,364,634
1973 $138,764,340,892 $541,973,363
1972 $113,871,930,714 $410,669,264
1971 $99,959,013,880 $322,128,019
1970 $92,752,930,873 $274,960,700
1969 $79,847,786,729 $265,040,036
1968 $70,980,323,819 $251,247,458
1967 $73,011,350,596 $237,397,428
1966 $76,854,053,259 $220,613,582
1965 $70,565,994,356 $198,318,064
1964 $59,821,862,703 $185,693,725
1963 $50,812,227,919 $172,233,431
1962 $47,310,737,754 $166,521,240
1961 $50,162,299,350 $151,675,739
1960 $59,846,235,025 $131,731,863

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Congo by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $2,482 $7,026
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $2,478 $6,850
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $2,621 $6,647
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $2,516 $6,263
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $1,994 $4,771
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $2,488 $5,720
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $2,694 $5,593
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $2,212 $4,445
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $2,093 $4,016
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $2,439 $4,715
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $3,601 $5,733
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $3,697 $5,834
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $3,732 $6,058
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $3,396 $5,175
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $2,947 $5,125
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $2,271 $4,801
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $2,832 $4,448
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $2,206 $4,243
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $2,104 $4,588
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $1,799 $4,279
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $1,306 $3,992
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $1,017 $3,887
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $906 $3,888
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $855 $3,748
2000 $969 $2,964 $1,024 $3,667
1999 $881 $2,690 $776 $3,464
1998 $835 $2,483 $660 $3,602
1997 $787 $2,297 $804 $3,510
1996 $713 $2,088 $899 $3,547
1995 $613 $1,884 $770 $3,434
1994 $476 $1,680 $662 $3,327
1993 $379 $1,471 $1,034 $3,550
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,164 $3,608
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,113 $3,536
1990 $319 $991 $1,176 $3,437
1989 $311 - $1,033 -
1988 $284 - $984 -
1987 $252.3 - $1,052 -
1986 $282.4 - $872 -
1985 $295 - $1,049 -
1984 $251.2 - $1,097 -
1983 $225.9 - $1,075 -
1982 $203.7 - $1,131 -
1981 $197.4 - $1,066 -
1980 $195.1 - $933 -
1979 $184.3 - $670 -
1978 $156.7 - $503 -
1977 $185.7 - $448 -
1976 $165.7 - $453 -
1975 $178.6 - $471 -
1974 $160.4 - $370 -
1973 $157.3 - $353 -
1972 $132.1 - $276.3 -
1971 $118.8 - $223.5 -
1970 $113.3 - $196.7 -
1969 $100.3 - $195.4 -
1968 $91.6 - $190.8 -
1967 $96.8 - $185.7 -
1966 $104.5 - $177.6 -
1965 $98.7 - $164.2 -
1964 $85.7 - $158.1 -
1963 $74.5 - $150.7 -
1962 $71.1 - $149.6 -
1961 $76 - $139.9 -
1960 $89.7 - $124.7 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $2,482 in the Congo, ranking 149/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026.

Economic indicators

China Congo
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$15.7B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
2.58%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$2,482
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
149/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$7,026
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
148/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$15.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
98%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$2,433
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
112/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$2,153
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
37.9%
2011
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.6%
2011
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
21.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
3.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
10%
2012
Population
1402578808
6681829

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 21.7% 98%
2023 32.7% 82% 20.7% 102.9%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 22.8% 93.5%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 20.9% 97.8%
2020 34.8% 69% 21.1% 102.5%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 20.2% 77.6%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 17.8% 71.2%
2017 32% 53.9% 26.6% 88.5%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 38.8% 84.6%
2015 31% 40.8% 41.3% 74.2%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 48.6% 42.3%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 42.4% 33.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 30.7% 30.2%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 27.9% 34.4%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 23% 43.5%
2009 25.2% 34% 24.4% 83.8%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 24.2% 69.6%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 28.6% 93.8%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 26.6% 94.7%
2005 18% 25.9% 22.1% 99.8%
2004 17.6% 26% 24.4% 122.6%
2003 18% 26.4% 27% 185.3%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 32.1% 163.5%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 29.1% 180.1%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 22.6% 145%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 28.8% 0%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 25.1% 0%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 22.2% 0%
1996 11% 21.2% 15.7% 0%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 27.6% 0%
1994 12.4% - 30.7% 0%
1993 13.4% - 32.8% 0%
1992 14.6% - 32.8% 0%
1991 16.5% - 34.1% 0%
1990 18.2% - 30.4% 0%
1989 18.6% - 20.3% 151.7%
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while the Congo spent $3.4B, or 21.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 98% in the Congo, ranking 34/185 and 25/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Congo
2024 -7.34% 3.62%
2023 -6.71% 5.81%
2022 -7.32% 8.94%
2021 -5.9% 1.63%
2020 -9.56% -1.1%
2019 -6% 4.3%
2018 -4.2% 5.22%
2017 -3.34% -5.57%
2016 -3.33% -14.5%
2015 -2.5% -17.8%
2014 -0.67% -10.7%
2013 -0.82% -2.85%
2012 -0.3% 7.24%
2011 -0.1% 16.1%
2010 -0.36% 15.5%
2009 -1.72% 4.76%
2008 -0.02% 23.9%
2007 0.06% 8.99%
2006 -1.13% 16%
2005 -1.38% 13.4%
2004 -1.49% 3.33%
2003 -2.36% 0.37%
2002 -2.84% -7.34%
2001 -2.56% -0.71%
2000 -2.81% 1.05%
1999 -2.3% -4.75%
1998 -1.08% -5.16%
1997 -0.73% 3.67%
1996 -0.73% 9.2%
1995 -0.94% -6.38%
1994 -1.68% -10.6%
1993 -0.89% -11.3%
1992 -1.22% -12.7%
1991 -1.04% -11.2%
1990 -0.72% -4.1%
1989 -0.91% 0.78%
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to the Congo's surplus of $568M, or 3.62% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while the Congo ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.41% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.75% of GDP for the Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Congo
2024 0.2% 3.1%
2023 0.2% 4.3%
2022 2% 3%
2021 0.9% 2%
2020 2.5% 1.4%
2019 2.9% 0.4%
2018 2.1% 1.2%
2017 1.6% 0.4%
2016 2% 3.2%
2015 1.5% 3.2%
2014 2% 0.9%
2013 2.7% 4.6%
2012 2.6% 5%
2011 5.4% 1.8%
2010 3.3% 0.4%
2009 -0.7% 4.3%
2008 5.9% 6%
2007 4.7% 2.6%
2006 1.5% 4.7%
2005 1.8% 2.5%
2004 3.9% 3.7%
2003 1.1% 1.7%
2002 -0.8% 3%
2001 0.7% 0.8%
2000 0.4% 0.5%
1999 -1.4% 3%
1998 -0.8% 2.2%
1997 2.8% 12.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 2.95% in the Congo. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 3.1% in the Congo.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $657M
Textiles & consumer goods $418M
Metals $206M
Chemicals & pharma $110M
Raw materials & minerals $46.1M
Raw agricultural goods $20.7M
Wood & paper products $18.3M
Miscellaneous $13.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.04M
Animal & marine products $6.54M
Congo
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $5.03B
Wood & paper products $104M
Metals $10.5M
Animal & marine products $3.38M
Machinery & equipment $3.16M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $354K
Raw agricultural goods $43K
Chemicals & pharma $38K
Textiles & consumer goods $31K

Balance of trade

China Congo
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$1.72B
2021
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
48/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+11.6%
2021
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$2.78B
2021
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$7.51B
2021
Service imports
$613B
2024
$1.71B
2021
Service exports
$384B
2024
$240M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
40.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
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.

China Congo
Economic freedom 48.3 48.6
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 169/197
Property rights 40.9 28.7
Government integrity 42.3 13.9
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 15.4
Tax burden 69.3 73.7
Government spending 67.8 85.8
Fiscal health 4.4 80.8
Business freedom 68.7 35.8
Labor freedom 57.9 52.4
Monetary freedom 76.1 78.4
Trade freedom 73.4 52.8
Investment freedom 20 35
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Congo
2026 48.3 48.6
2025 49 48.6
2024 48.5 47.8
2023 48.3 48.1
2022 48 48.5
2021 58.4 50.7
2020 59.5 41.8
2019 58.4 39.7
2018 57.8 38.9
2017 57.4 40
2016 52 42.8
2015 52.7 42.7
2014 52.5 43.7
2013 51.9 43.5
2012 51.2 43.8
2011 52 43.6
2010 51 43.2
2009 53.2 45.4
2008 53.1 45.3
2007 52 44.4
2006 53.6 43.8
2005 53.7 46.2
2004 52.5 45.9
2003 52.6 47.7
2002 52.8 45.3
2001 52.6 44.3
2000 56.4 40.6
1999 54.8 41.6
1998 53.1 33.8
1997 51.7 42.2
1996 51.3 40.3
1995 52 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Congo
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
40.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
9.44%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$14.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$6,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$715M
2023
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
148/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
$330M
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$604M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$25.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
7.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
40.9%
2011
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
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/china/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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.