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Economy of Congo vs El Salvador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $35.4B for El Salvador, ranking 141/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $30.9B (87.5% of GDP) in El Salvador.

Congo vs El Salvador GDP by year

Congo
El Salvador
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo El Salvador
2024 $15,719,986,077 $35,364,960,000
2023 $15,321,055,823 $33,853,940,000
2022 $15,817,030,155 $31,870,120,000
2021 $14,825,690,211 $29,043,140,000
2020 $11,468,687,464 $24,921,190,000
2019 $13,976,637,780 $26,881,140,000
2018 $14,773,900,289 $26,020,850,000
2017 $11,834,473,039 $24,979,190,000
2016 $10,931,328,151 $24,191,430,000
2015 $12,434,793,867 $23,438,240,000
2014 $17,919,321,078 $22,593,470,000
2013 $17,958,720,699 $21,990,960,000
2012 $17,692,911,296 $21,386,150,000
2011 $15,655,383,577 $20,283,780,000
2010 $13,148,396,212 $18,447,920,000
2009 $9,723,299,915 $17,601,620,000
2008 $11,649,857,673 $17,986,890,000
2007 $8,782,703,437 $17,011,750,000
2006 $8,072,305,029 $15,999,890,000
2005 $6,650,001,680 $14,698,000,000
2004 $4,656,974,940 $13,724,810,900
2003 $3,503,723,088 $13,243,892,200
2002 $3,034,250,924 $12,664,190,300
2001 $2,796,704,604 $12,282,533,600
2000 $3,227,927,698 $11,784,927,700
1999 $2,354,772,960 $11,284,197,000
1998 $1,949,481,379 $10,936,669,900
1997 $2,322,719,103 $10,221,705,900
1996 $2,540,697,539 $9,586,327,800
1995 $2,116,003,868 $8,921,947,100
1994 $1,769,365,438 $7,679,384,000
1993 $2,684,323,623 $6,680,269,200
1992 $2,933,222,703 $5,813,399,300
1991 $2,724,853,506 $5,252,342,400
1990 $2,798,746,050 $4,817,542,204
1989 $2,389,593,026 $4,372,215,300
1988 $2,212,536,312 $4,189,880,000
1987 $2,297,753,652 $3,958,045,800
1986 $1,849,268,212 $3,771,663,200
1985 $2,160,872,540 $3,800,368,600
1984 $2,193,581,365 $3,661,683,400
1983 $2,097,274,290 $3,506,347,800
1982 $2,160,640,565 $3,399,189,100
1981 $1,993,512,323 $3,437,200,200
1980 $1,705,796,853 $3,573,959,900
1979 $1,198,749,667 $3,463,639,900
1978 $878,771,772 $3,127,960,000
1977 $765,224,029 $2,941,640,100
1976 $754,549,601 $2,328,280,100
1975 $767,102,680 $1,884,120,100
1974 $585,364,634 $1,665,880,000
1973 $541,973,363 $1,442,320,000
1972 $410,669,264 $1,263,720,000
1971 $322,128,019 $1,186,120,000
1970 $274,960,700 $1,132,920,000
1969 $265,040,036 $1,049,400,000
1968 $251,247,458 $1,009,760,100
1967 $237,397,428 $976,200,000
1966 $220,613,582 $929,520,000
1965 $198,318,064 $877,720,000
1964 $185,693,725 -
1963 $172,233,431 -
1962 $166,521,240 -
1961 $151,675,739 -
1960 $131,731,863 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/el-salvador | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs El Salvador by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo El Salvador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $5,580 $13,264
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $5,365 $12,680
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $5,075 $11,876
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $4,643 $10,810
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $3,997 $9,393
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $4,320 $9,757
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $4,184 $9,204
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $4,020 $8,965
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $3,901 $8,456
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $3,790 $7,934
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $3,666 $7,504
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $3,582 $7,093
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $3,498 $6,708
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $3,331 $6,594
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $3,040 $6,248
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $2,910 $6,063
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $2,983 $6,175
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $2,831 $5,949
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $2,666 $5,695
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $2,447 $5,292
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $2,286 $4,998
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $2,208 $4,829
2002 $906 $3,888 $2,115 $4,672
2001 $855 $3,748 $2,058 $4,543
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $1,983 $4,422
1999 $776 $3,464 $1,908 $4,298
1998 $660 $3,602 $1,860 $4,171
1997 $804 $3,510 $1,749 $4,043
1996 $899 $3,547 $1,651 $3,880
1995 $770 $3,434 $1,548 $3,808
1994 $662 $3,327 $1,344 $3,591
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $1,180 $3,390
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $1,041 $3,171
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $956 $2,945
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $892 $2,856
1989 $1,033 - $825 -
1988 $984 - $806 -
1987 $1,052 - $777 -
1986 $872 - $755 -
1985 $1,049 - $776 -
1984 $1,097 - $763 -
1983 $1,075 - $745 -
1982 $1,131 - $735 -
1981 $1,066 - $752 -
1980 $933 - $787 -
1979 $670 - $773 -
1978 $503 - $712 -
1977 $448 - $684 -
1976 $453 - $553 -
1975 $471 - $457 -
1974 $370 - $413 -
1973 $353 - $366 -
1972 $276.3 - $329 -
1971 $223.5 - $316 -
1970 $196.7 - $309 -
1969 $195.4 - $293.4 -
1968 $190.8 - $290.1 -
1967 $185.7 - $288.4 -
1966 $177.6 - $282.4 -
1965 $164.2 - $274.3 -
1964 $158.1 - - -
1963 $150.7 - - -
1962 $149.6 - - -
1961 $139.9 - - -
1960 $124.7 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/el-salvador | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $5,580 in El Salvador, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264.

Economic indicators

Congo El Salvador
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$35.4B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
105/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$5,580
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$13,264
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
120/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$30.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
87.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$4,883
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
81/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$4,768
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
29.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
1.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
31.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
0.85%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
2.71%
2024
Population
6681829
6399793

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
El Salvador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo El Salvador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 31.4% 87.5%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 30.5% 85.1%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 28.7% 83.7%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 31.1% 88%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 32.7% 95.4%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 27.8% 77.9%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 27.6% 77%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 28.1% 77.1%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 27.5% 75.2%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 27.1% 73.5%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 27.6% 71.8%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 28.5% 69.7%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 27.4% 70%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 25.3% 65.6%
2010 23% 43.5% 25.6% 66.8%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 26% 65.8%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 24.5% 54.2%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 22.8% 52.2%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 23.4% 52.6%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 22.4% 46.3%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 21.5% 46.8%
2003 27% 185.3% 22.6% 46%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 22.5% 43.8%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 21.7% 37.8%
2000 22.6% 145% 21% 29.6%
1999 28.8% 0% 19.7% 28%
1998 25.1% 0% 19.3% 25.7%
1997 22.2% 0% 18.6% 27.8%
1996 15.7% 0% 21% 28.5%
1995 27.6% 0% 18.6% 28%
1994 30.7% 0% 18.9% 30.5%
1993 32.8% 0% 18.5% 31.9%
1992 32.8% 0% 20.8% 36.4%
1991 34.1% 0% 18.5% 43.3%
1990 30.4% 0% 15.9% -
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, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/el-salvador | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while El Salvador spent $11.1B, or 31.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 87.5% in El Salvador, ranking 25/185 and 36/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

El Salvador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo El Salvador
2024 3.62% -4.55%
2023 5.81% -4.69%
2022 8.94% -2.68%
2021 1.63% -5.53%
2020 -1.1% -8.18%
2019 4.3% -3.07%
2018 5.22% -2.71%
2017 -5.57% -2.53%
2016 -14.5% -3.1%
2015 -17.8% -3.63%
2014 -10.7% -4.02%
2013 -2.85% -4.46%
2012 7.24% -3.81%
2011 16.1% -4.47%
2010 15.5% -4.97%
2009 4.76% -6.65%
2008 23.9% -3.8%
2007 8.99% -2.32%
2006 16% -3.42%
2005 13.4% -3.47%
2004 3.33% -2.76%
2003 0.37% -4.23%
2002 -7.34% -5.5%
2001 -0.71% -4.95%
2000 1.05% -3.45%
1999 -4.75% -3.08%
1998 -5.16% -2.94%
1997 3.67% -1.97%
1996 9.2% -2.7%
1995 -6.38% -0.18%
1994 -10.6% -0.94%
1993 -11.3% -1.42%
1992 -12.7% -4.29%
1991 -11.2% -2.3%
1990 -4.1% -0.61%
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/congo/el-salvador | 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 El Salvador's deficit of $1.61B, or 4.55% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while El Salvador ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.52% of GDP for El Salvador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

El Salvador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo El Salvador
2024 3.1% 0.85%
2023 4.3% 4.05%
2022 3% 7.2%
2021 2% 3.47%
2020 1.4% -0.37%
2019 0.4% 0.08%
2018 1.2% 1.09%
2017 0.4% 1.01%
2016 3.2% 0.6%
2015 3.2% -0.73%
2014 0.9% 1.14%
2013 4.6% 0.76%
2012 5% 1.73%
2011 1.8% 5.13%
2010 0.4% 1.18%
2009 4.3% 1.06%
2008 6% 6.71%
2007 2.6% 4.58%
2006 4.7% 4.04%
2005 2.5% 4.69%
2004 3.7% 4.45%
2003 1.7% 2.12%
2002 3% 1.87%
2001 0.8% 3.75%
2000 0.5% 2.27%
1999 3% 0.51%
1998 2.2% 2.55%
1997 12.7% 4.49%

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/el-salvador | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 2.51% in El Salvador. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 0.85% in El Salvador.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
El Salvador
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

Congo El Salvador
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-1.79%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$15.1B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$5.59B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$3.26B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
51.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
32.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo El Salvador
Economic freedom 48.6 57.7
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 114/197
Property rights 28.7 42.7
Government integrity 13.9 31.5
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 15.3
Tax burden 73.7 76.8
Government spending 85.8 72.7
Fiscal health 80.8 59.4
Business freedom 35.8 65.7
Labor freedom 52.4 51.6
Monetary freedom 78.4 70.6
Trade freedom 52.8 76.4
Investment freedom 35 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
El Salvador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo El Salvador
2026 48.6 57.7
2025 48.6 56.6
2024 47.8 54.4
2023 48.1 56
2022 48.5 59.6
2021 50.7 61
2020 41.8 61.6
2019 39.7 61.8
2018 38.9 63.2
2017 40 64.1
2016 42.8 65.1
2015 42.7 65.7
2014 43.7 66.2
2013 43.5 66.7
2012 43.8 68.7
2011 43.6 68.8
2010 43.2 69.9
2009 45.4 69.8
2008 45.3 68.5
2007 44.4 68.9
2006 43.8 69.6
2005 46.2 71.5
2004 45.9 71.2
2003 47.7 71.5
2002 45.3 73
2001 44.3 73
2000 40.6 76.3
1999 41.6 75.1
1998 33.8 70.2
1997 42.2 70.5
1996 40.3 70.1
1995 - 69.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/el-salvador | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 57.7 for El Salvador, ranking 114/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo El Salvador
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
61%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
22.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
4.38%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$32.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$12,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$3.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
110/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$636M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$924M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$288M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
27.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
20.3%
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/el-salvador | 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 (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2020, 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.