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Economy of China vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 2/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

China vs DR Congo GDP by year

China
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
China DR Congo
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $70,962,185,791
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $69,843,655,425
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $70,422,346,142
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $59,067,289,574
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $46,691,989,749
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $46,845,900,350
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $46,659,954,092
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $37,537,521,566
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $38,600,224,214
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $40,179,574,490
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $38,352,980,553
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $34,891,189,160
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $30,029,369,929
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $26,392,379,642
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $24,161,641,931
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $18,607,259,481
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $22,723,488,723
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $18,374,807,773
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $15,484,044,535
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $12,609,728,573
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $10,297,483,481
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $8,937,567,060
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $8,728,038,525
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $7,438,189,100
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $19,088,046,306
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $4,711,259,427
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $6,217,805,821
1997 $967,753,570,435 $6,090,838,693
1996 $868,523,936,530 $5,771,456,952
1995 $738,190,896,228 $5,643,439,376
1994 $566,929,539,493 $5,820,382,248
1993 $446,557,291,212 $10,706,259,937
1992 $428,502,354,788 $8,227,343,907
1991 $384,510,452,962 $9,625,436,873
1990 $361,560,229,446 $9,349,764,580
1989 $348,380,566,802 $9,021,862,775
1988 $312,888,888,889 $8,861,299,977
1987 $273,455,156,951 $7,661,625,473
1986 $301,310,144,928 $8,095,367,168
1985 $310,064,625,850 $7,195,042,616
1984 $260,442,857,143 $7,857,729,193
1983 $231,130,268,199 $11,006,712,650
1982 $205,480,916,031 $13,651,667,371
1981 $196,218,253,968 $12,537,821,038
1980 $191,487,500,000 $14,394,927,495
1979 $178,573,913,043 $15,068,422,236
1978 $149,788,617,886 $15,372,608,002
1977 $175,226,595,860 $12,344,424,764
1976 $154,196,810,059 $9,648,583,225
1975 $163,687,619,736 $10,237,343,174
1974 $144,418,433,058 $9,596,960,180
1973 $138,764,340,892 $7,870,239,461
1972 $113,871,930,714 $6,173,712,814
1971 $99,959,013,880 $5,594,770,359
1970 $92,752,930,873 $4,877,684,910
1969 $79,847,786,729 $5,032,434,970
1968 $70,980,323,819 $3,909,780,539
1967 $73,011,350,596 $3,384,063,372
1966 $76,854,053,259 $4,532,660,182
1965 $70,565,994,356 $4,043,901,818
1964 $59,821,862,703 $2,881,545,273
1963 $50,812,227,919 $6,213,185,743
1962 $47,310,737,754 $3,779,841,429
1961 $50,162,299,350 $3,086,746,857
1960 $59,846,235,025 $3,359,404,118

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs DR Congo by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $649 $1,821
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $660 $1,731
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $688 $1,590
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $596 $1,402
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $486 $1,089
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $504 $1,056
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $518 $1,049
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $431 $991
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $460 $950
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $496 $910
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $489 $859
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $460 $761
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $410 $648
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $373 $644
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $352 $606
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $280.2 $573
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $353 $584
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $294.1 $550
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $255.4 $508
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $214.5 $484
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $180.7 $456
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $161.5 $428
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $162.4 $410
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $142.7 $404
2000 $969 $2,964 $378 $417
1999 $881 $2,690 $96.3 $452
1998 $835 $2,483 $131.5 $481
1997 $787 $2,297 $132.3 $497
1996 $713 $2,088 $127.4 $526
1995 $613 $1,884 $127 $532
1994 $476 $1,680 $136.5 $540
1993 $379 $1,471 $263.3 $576
1992 $368 $1,276 $209.7 $674
1991 $334 $1,105 $253.8 $762
1990 $319 $991 $254.9 $832
1989 $311 - $254.2 -
1988 $284 - $257.7 -
1987 $252.3 - $230.1 -
1986 $282.4 - $250.9 -
1985 $295 - $230.1 -
1984 $251.2 - $259.8 -
1983 $225.9 - $376 -
1982 $203.7 - $482 -
1981 $197.4 - $456 -
1980 $195.1 - $539 -
1979 $184.3 - $582 -
1978 $156.7 - $615 -
1977 $185.7 - $509 -
1976 $165.7 - $408 -
1975 $178.6 - $445 -
1974 $160.4 - $428 -
1973 $157.3 - $361 -
1972 $132.1 - $290.5 -
1971 $118.8 - $270.3 -
1970 $113.3 - $242.2 -
1969 $100.3 - $257.1 -
1968 $91.6 - $205.6 -
1967 $96.8 - $183.3 -
1966 $104.5 - $252.8 -
1965 $98.7 - $232 -
1964 $85.7 - $169.9 -
1963 $74.5 - $376 -
1962 $71.1 - $235.1 -
1961 $76 - $197.1 -
1960 $89.7 - $220.1 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

China DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$71B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
87/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$1,693
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
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
1.47%
2020
Population
1402578808
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 32.7% 82% 16.5% 27%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 34.8% 69% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 14% 19.4%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 32% 53.9% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 14.3% 33%
2015 31% 40.8% 16% 25.5%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 25.2% 34% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 18% 25.9% 7.59% 112%
2004 17.6% 26% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 18% 26.4% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 4.17% 136%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 2.49% 135%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 2.15% -
1998 12.6% 20.4% 2.78% -
1997 11.5% 20.4% 2.51% -
1996 11% 21.2% 2.17% -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
1989 18.6% - - -
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/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 34/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China DR Congo
2024 -7.34% -1.48%
2023 -6.71% -1.65%
2022 -7.32% -1.01%
2021 -5.9% -1.68%
2020 -9.56% -3.17%
2019 -6% -3.17%
2018 -4.2% -1.34%
2017 -3.34% -0.05%
2016 -3.33% -0.93%
2015 -2.5% -1.35%
2014 -0.67% 3.73%
2013 -0.82% 3.28%
2012 -0.3% 1.71%
2011 -0.1% -0.94%
2010 -0.36% -0.95%
2009 -1.72% 0.92%
2008 -0.02% -0.41%
2007 0.06% 1.12%
2006 -1.13% 1.97%
2005 -1.38% 1.3%
2004 -1.49% -0.17%
2003 -2.36% -3.92%
2002 -2.84% 0.89%
2001 -2.56% -1.13%
2000 -2.81% -1.85%
1999 -2.3% -1.35%
1998 -1.08% -1.55%
1997 -0.73% -1.06%
1996 -0.73% -0.56%
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
1989 -0.91% -
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/dr-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 DR Congo's deficit of $1.05B, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.74% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China DR Congo
2024 0.2% -
2023 0.2% -
2022 2% -
2021 0.9% -
2020 2.5% -
2019 2.9% -
2018 2.1% -
2017 1.6% -
2016 2% 2.89%
2015 1.5% 0.74%
2014 2% 1.24%
2013 2.7% 0.81%
2012 2.6% 9.72%
2011 5.4% 15.3%
2010 3.3% 7.1%
2009 -0.7% 2.8%
2008 5.9% 17.3%
2007 4.7% 16.9%
2006 1.5% 13.1%
2005 1.8% 21.3%
2004 3.9% 3.99%
2003 1.1% 12.9%
2002 -0.8% 31.5%
2001 0.7% 360%
2000 0.4% 514%
1999 -1.4% 284.9%
1998 -0.8% 29.1%
1997 2.8% 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/china/dr-congo | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.93%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was 0.2% in China and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.36B
Textiles & consumer goods $689M
Metals $475M
Chemicals & pharma $391M
Raw materials & minerals $253M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49.5M
Raw agricultural goods $40.2M
Wood & paper products $34.7M
Miscellaneous $34.4M
Animal & marine products $14M
DR Congo
Export category Export value
Metals $11.5B
Raw materials & minerals $4.94B
Wood & paper products $26.3M
Chemicals & pharma $2.87M
Precious metals & jewellery $415K
Raw agricultural goods $343K
Textiles & consumer goods $137K
Machinery & equipment $86K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K
Animal & marine products $2K

Balance of trade

China DR Congo
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
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.

China DR Congo
Economic freedom 48.3 47
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 176/197
Property rights 40.9 15.4
Government integrity 42.3 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 11.7
Tax burden 69.3 73.8
Government spending 67.8 91.2
Fiscal health 4.4 95.9
Business freedom 68.7 32.3
Labor freedom 57.9 54.2
Monetary freedom 76.1 58.6
Trade freedom 73.4 68.2
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China DR Congo
2026 48.3 47
2025 49 47.3
2024 48.5 47.6
2023 48.3 47.9
2022 48 47.6
2021 58.4 49
2020 59.5 49.5
2019 58.4 50.3
2018 57.8 52.1
2017 57.4 56.4
2016 52 46.4
2015 52.7 45
2014 52.5 40.6
2013 51.9 39.6
2012 51.2 41.1
2011 52 40.7
2010 51 41.4
2009 53.2 42.8
2008 53.1 -
2007 52 -
2006 53.6 -
2005 53.7 -
2004 52.5 -
2003 52.6 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 52.6 -
2000 56.4 34.8
1999 54.8 34
1998 53.1 40.6
1997 51.7 39.5
1996 51.3 39.5
1995 52 41.4

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

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

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

China DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
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/china/dr-congo | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (2023–2024, 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.