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Economy of Congo vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $95.4B for Costa Rica, ranking 141/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $57B (59.8% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Congo vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Congo
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Costa Rica
2024 $15,719,986,077 $95,350,423,177
2023 $15,321,055,823 $86,497,941,439
2022 $15,817,030,155 $69,243,626,029
2021 $14,825,690,211 $64,960,725,734
2020 $11,468,687,464 $62,395,610,760
2019 $13,976,637,780 $64,417,670,521
2018 $14,773,900,289 $62,420,164,992
2017 $11,834,473,039 $60,516,044,657
2016 $10,931,328,151 $58,847,019,610
2015 $12,434,793,867 $56,441,920,821
2014 $17,919,321,078 $52,016,408,854
2013 $17,958,720,699 $50,949,668,842
2012 $17,692,911,296 $47,231,655,432
2011 $15,655,383,577 $42,762,613,699
2010 $13,148,396,212 $37,658,616,952
2009 $9,723,299,915 $30,745,714,313
2008 $11,649,857,673 $30,801,745,700
2007 $8,782,703,437 $26,884,700,709
2006 $8,072,305,029 $22,715,540,324
2005 $6,650,001,680 $20,040,642,477
2004 $4,656,974,940 $18,610,594,846
2003 $3,503,723,088 $17,271,760,507
2002 $3,034,250,924 $16,578,820,687
2001 $2,796,704,604 $15,976,174,337
2000 $3,227,927,698 $15,013,629,662
1999 $2,354,772,960 $14,254,866,285
1998 $1,949,481,379 $13,684,255,947
1997 $2,322,719,103 $12,614,602,382
1996 $2,540,697,539 $11,678,424,507
1995 $2,116,003,868 $11,578,594,260
1994 $1,769,365,438 $10,489,903,725
1993 $2,684,323,623 $9,564,815,975
1992 $2,933,222,703 $8,579,754,758
1991 $2,724,853,506 $7,215,725,487
1990 $2,798,746,050 $5,711,687,787
1989 $2,389,593,026 $5,251,025,767
1988 $2,212,536,312 $4,614,629,898
1987 $2,297,753,652 $4,532,952,047
1986 $1,849,268,212 $4,418,983,871
1985 $2,160,872,540 $3,919,203,960
1984 $2,193,581,365 $3,660,477,856
1983 $2,097,274,290 $3,146,772,631
1982 $2,160,640,565 $2,606,623,555
1981 $1,993,512,323 $2,623,803,096
1980 $1,705,796,853 $4,831,447,001
1979 $1,198,749,667 $4,035,519,323
1978 $878,771,772 $3,523,208,810
1977 $765,224,029 $3,072,427,013
1976 $754,549,601 $2,412,555,426
1975 $767,102,680 $1,960,863,466
1974 $585,364,634 $1,666,544,754
1973 $541,973,363 $1,528,925,846
1972 $410,669,264 $1,238,251,696
1971 $322,128,019 $1,077,147,538
1970 $274,960,700 $984,830,158
1969 $265,040,036 $853,630,204
1968 $251,247,458 $773,841,494
1967 $237,397,428 $699,456,619
1966 $220,613,582 $647,305,630
1965 $198,318,064 $592,981,162
1964 $185,693,725 $542,578,367
1963 $172,233,431 $511,902,137
1962 $166,521,240 $479,180,824
1961 $151,675,739 $490,325,182
1960 $131,731,863 $507,513,830

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/costa-rica | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Costa Rica by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Costa Rica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $18,587 $31,107
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $16,942 $28,909
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $13,626 $26,226
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $12,838 $23,853
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $12,394 $22,100
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $12,885 $23,340
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $12,590 $21,498
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $12,091 $19,202
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $11,715 $17,525
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $10,911 $16,394
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $10,803 $15,232
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $10,127 $14,464
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $9,276 $13,614
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $8,266 $12,928
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $6,937 $12,472
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $6,138 $11,842
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $5,257 $10,800
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $4,703 $9,899
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $4,431 $9,365
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $4,173 $8,863
2002 $906 $3,888 $4,068 $8,461
2001 $855 $3,748 $3,985 $8,190
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $3,813 $7,879
1999 $776 $3,464 $3,691 $7,563
1998 $660 $3,602 $3,617 $7,306
1997 $804 $3,510 $3,408 $6,890
1996 $899 $3,547 $3,227 $6,568
1995 $770 $3,434 $3,275 $6,515
1994 $662 $3,327 $3,040 $6,276
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $2,840 $6,025
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $2,612 $5,635
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $2,253 $5,175
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $1,830 $5,021
1989 $1,033 - $1,725 -
1988 $984 - $1,555 -
1987 $1,052 - $1,567 -
1986 $872 - $1,569 -
1985 $1,049 - $1,429 -
1984 $1,097 - $1,372 -
1983 $1,075 - $1,213 -
1982 $1,131 - $1,032 -
1981 $1,066 - $1,068 -
1980 $933 - $2,021 -
1979 $670 - $1,735 -
1978 $503 - $1,556 -
1977 $448 - $1,393 -
1976 $453 - $1,123 -
1975 $471 - $937 -
1974 $370 - $817 -
1973 $353 - $769 -
1972 $276.3 - $639 -
1971 $223.5 - $570 -
1970 $196.7 - $536 -
1969 $195.4 - $477 -
1968 $190.8 - $445 -
1967 $185.7 - $414 -
1966 $177.6 - $395 -
1965 $164.2 - $374 -
1964 $158.1 - $354 -
1963 $150.7 - $346 -
1962 $149.6 - $335 -
1961 $139.9 - $356 -
1960 $124.7 - $382 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/costa-rica | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $18,587 in Costa Rica, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107.

Economic indicators

Congo Costa Rica
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$95.4B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$18,587
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$57B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
59.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$11,106
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
50/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$12,150
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.23B
2022
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
34.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
18.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
-0.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
6.94%
2024
Population
6681829
5181862

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Costa Rica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 18.9% 59.8%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 18.5% 61.1%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 19.2% 63%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 20.8% 67.6%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 22.3% 66.9%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 21.7% 56.4%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 18.9% 51.8%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 23% 43.5% 18% 28.1%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 16.7% 26%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 15.2% 24%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 14.6% 27%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 15.2% 33%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 17% 41%
2003 27% 185.3% 17.6% 40.6%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 18.6% 41.4%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 17.3% 39.6%
2000 22.6% 145% 16.9% 38.9%
1999 28.8% 0% 16.7% 39%
1998 25.1% 0% 16% 40.7%
1997 22.2% 0% 16.3% 30.6%
1996 15.7% 0% 17.3% 33.7%
1995 27.6% 0% 16.4% 29.1%
1994 30.7% 0% 17.4% 27%
1993 32.8% 0% 13.8% 24.4%
1992 32.8% 0% 13.7% 23.3%
1991 34.1% 0% 14% 28.4%
1990 30.4% 0% 18.9% 18.5%
1989 20.3% 151.7% 26.1% 19.3%
1988 - - 24.5% 18.2%
1987 - - 27.2% 21.2%
1986 - - 26.4% 26.1%
1985 - - 21.8% 22.8%
1984 - - 22.8% 25.2%
1983 - - 23.6% 29.8%
1982 - - 18.4% 31.8%
1981 - - 21% 32.3%
1980 - - 25% 37.7%
1979 - - 24.9% 39.5%
1978 - - 23.2% 41.7%
1977 - - 19.3% 27.8%
1976 - - 20.1% 29.5%
1975 - - 19.1% 26.1%
1974 - - 18.3% 30.3%
1973 - - 18.4% 32.8%
1972 - - 17.2% 31.8%
1971 - - 17.5% 30.4%
1970 - - 14.9% 28.6%
1969 - - 14.5% 26.1%
1968 - - 13.8% 27.7%
1967 - - 14.7% 26.7%
1966 - - 14.3% 24.8%
1965 - - 13.8% 24.1%
1964 - - 13.5% 22.7%
1963 - - 13.3% 21.8%
1962 - - 14% 19.7%
1961 - - 13.2% 20.3%
1960 - - 12.5% 16.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18B, or 18.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 59.8% in Costa Rica, ranking 25/185 and 79/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Costa Rica
2024 3.62% -3.78%
2023 5.81% -3.25%
2022 8.94% -2.81%
2021 1.63% -5.09%
2020 -1.1% -8.38%
2019 4.3% -6.68%
2018 5.22% -5.66%
2017 -5.57% -5.88%
2016 -14.5% -5.09%
2015 -17.8% -5.52%
2014 -10.7% -5.45%
2013 -2.85% -5.25%
2012 7.24% -4.22%
2011 16.1% -3.91%
2010 15.5% -4.96%
2009 4.76% -3.25%
2008 23.9% 0.18%
2007 8.99% 0.56%
2006 16% -1.04%
2005 13.4% -2.09%
2004 3.33% -3.42%
2003 0.37% -3.43%
2002 -7.34% -4.99%
2001 -0.71% -3.47%
2000 1.05% -3.68%
1999 -4.75% -2.88%
1998 -5.16% -2.96%
1997 3.67% -3.39%
1996 9.2% -4.32%
1995 -6.38% -3.68%
1994 -10.6% -5.46%
1993 -11.3% -1.52%
1992 -12.7% -1.51%
1991 -11.2% -2.41%
1990 -4.1% -4.4%
1989 0.78% -1.55%
1988 - 0.57%
1987 - -2.57%
1986 - -4.26%
1985 - -1.06%
1984 - -0.5%
1983 - -1.84%
1982 - -0.94%
1981 - -3.14%
1980 - -7.24%
1979 - -6.6%
1978 - -4.12%
1977 - -2.63%
1976 - -2.42%
1975 - -1.13%
1974 - 0.26%
1973 - -2.41%
1972 - -4.54%
1971 - -4.72%
1970 - -1.41%
1969 - -1.61%
1968 - -1.72%
1967 - -3.03%
1966 - -2.12%
1965 - -1.71%
1964 - -1.51%
1963 - -2.01%
1962 - -1.99%
1961 - -0.71%
1960 - -0.19%
1959 - 0.49%
1958 - 0%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - 0.05%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $568M, equivalent to 3.62% of GDP. This compares to Costa Rica's deficit of $3.61B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.74% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Costa Rica
2024 3.1% -0.41%
2023 4.3% 0.53%
2022 3% 8.27%
2021 2% 1.73%
2020 1.4% 0.72%
2019 0.4% 2.1%
2018 1.2% 2.22%
2017 0.4% 1.63%
2016 3.2% -0.02%
2015 3.2% 0.8%
2014 0.9% 4.52%
2013 4.6% 5.23%
2012 5% 4.5%
2011 1.8% 4.88%
2010 0.4% 5.66%
2009 4.3% 7.84%
2008 6% 13.4%
2007 2.6% 9.36%
2006 4.7% 11.5%
2005 2.5% 13.8%
2004 3.7% 12.3%
2003 1.7% 9.45%
2002 3% 9.17%
2001 0.8% 11.3%
2000 0.5% 11%
1999 3% 10%
1998 2.2% 11.7%
1997 12.7% 13.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/costa-rica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 6.66% in Costa Rica. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and -0.41% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $33K

Balance of trade

Congo Costa Rica
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$1.25B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
129/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$23.1B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$20.6B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$7.58B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$16.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
32.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
38.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Costa Rica
Economic freedom 48.6 69.1
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 43/197
Property rights 28.7 66
Government integrity 13.9 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 76.9
Tax burden 73.7 78.6
Government spending 85.8 89.3
Fiscal health 80.8 75.6
Business freedom 35.8 79.9
Labor freedom 52.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 78.4 78.2
Trade freedom 52.8 75
Investment freedom 35 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Costa Rica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Costa Rica
2026 48.6 69.1
2025 48.6 68.6
2024 47.8 67.7
2023 48.1 66.5
2022 48.5 65.4
2021 50.7 64.2
2020 41.8 65.8
2019 39.7 65.3
2018 38.9 65.6
2017 40 65
2016 42.8 67.4
2015 42.7 67.2
2014 43.7 66.9
2013 43.5 67
2012 43.8 68
2011 43.6 67.3
2010 43.2 65.9
2009 45.4 66.4
2008 45.3 64.2
2007 44.4 64
2006 43.8 65.9
2005 46.2 66.1
2004 45.9 66.4
2003 47.7 67
2002 45.3 67.5
2001 44.3 67.6
2000 40.6 68.4
1999 41.6 67.4
1998 33.8 65.6
1997 42.2 65.6
1996 40.3 66.4
1995 - 68

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/costa-rica | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 69.1 for Costa Rica, ranking 43/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Costa Rica
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
68.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
19.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
3.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$28,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$14.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
70/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$4.96B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$5.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
15.7%
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/congo/costa-rica | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.