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Economy of Congo vs Equatorial Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $12.8B for Equatorial Guinea, ranking 141/197 and 148/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $4.65B (36.4% of GDP) in Equatorial Guinea.

Congo vs Equatorial Guinea GDP by year

Congo
Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Equatorial Guinea
2024 $15,719,986,077 $12,765,777,677
2023 $15,321,055,823 $12,337,550,584
2022 $15,817,030,155 $13,687,643,436
2021 $14,825,690,211 $12,215,878,033
2020 $11,468,687,464 $9,893,816,008
2019 $13,976,637,780 $11,364,133,550
2018 $14,773,900,289 $13,097,012,134
2017 $11,834,473,039 $12,200,913,879
2016 $10,931,328,151 $11,240,808,848
2015 $12,434,793,867 $13,185,496,881
2014 $17,919,321,078 $21,765,453,082
2013 $17,958,720,699 $21,948,834,284
2012 $17,692,911,296 $22,388,344,144
2011 $15,655,383,577 $21,357,343,669
2010 $13,148,396,212 $16,314,443,436
2009 $9,723,299,915 $15,027,795,173
2008 $11,649,857,673 $19,749,893,536
2007 $8,782,703,437 $13,071,718,759
2006 $8,072,305,029 $10,086,528,699
2005 $6,650,001,680 $8,217,369,093
2004 $4,656,974,940 $4,410,764,339
2003 $3,503,723,088 $2,484,745,935
2002 $3,034,250,924 $1,806,742,742
2001 $2,796,704,604 $1,461,139,022
2000 $3,227,927,698 $1,045,998,496
1999 $2,354,772,960 $621,117,886
1998 $1,949,481,379 $370,687,634
1997 $2,322,719,103 $442,337,871
1996 $2,540,697,539 $232,463,023
1995 $2,116,003,868 $141,853,361
1994 $1,769,365,438 $100,807,003
1993 $2,684,323,623 $136,047,906
1992 $2,933,222,703 $134,707,184
1991 $2,724,853,506 $110,906,029
1990 $2,798,746,050 $112,119,411
1989 $2,389,593,026 $88,265,975
1988 $2,212,536,312 $100,534,657
1987 $2,297,753,652 $93,345,860
1986 $1,849,268,212 $76,407,396
1985 $2,160,872,540 $62,118,570
1984 $2,193,581,365 $50,320,914
1983 $2,097,274,290 $44,442,457
1982 $2,160,640,565 $44,294,648
1981 $1,993,512,323 $36,731,423
1980 $1,705,796,853 $50,642,881
1979 $1,198,749,667 -
1978 $878,771,772 -
1977 $765,224,029 $103,987,520
1976 $754,549,601 $103,653,050
1975 $767,102,680 $104,295,643
1974 $585,364,634 $94,159,863
1973 $541,973,363 $81,203,227
1972 $410,669,264 $65,429,198
1971 $322,128,019 $64,946,955
1970 $274,960,700 $66,331,429
1969 $265,040,036 $67,225,714
1968 $251,247,458 $67,514,286
1967 $237,397,428 $72,317,447
1966 $220,613,582 $69,110,000
1965 $198,318,064 $64,748,333
1964 $185,693,725 $51,915,000
1963 $172,233,431 $44,266,667
1962 $166,521,240 $37,253,333
1961 $151,675,739 -
1960 $131,731,863 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Equatorial Guinea by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $6,745 $17,567
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $6,678 $17,412
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $7,589 $18,140
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $6,946 $16,821
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $5,764 $13,677
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $6,804 $16,451
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $8,102 $18,413
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $7,809 $18,435
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $7,453 $16,649
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $9,069 $19,479
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $15,549 $27,177
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $16,304 $27,910
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $17,309 $30,012
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $17,198 $27,242
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $13,720 $26,168
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $13,233 $29,722
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $18,211 $30,523
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $12,617 $26,611
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $10,185 $23,511
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $8,674 $22,137
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $4,901 $19,354
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $2,931 $14,496
2002 $906 $3,888 $2,264 $13,255
2001 $855 $3,748 $1,949 $11,627
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $1,487 $7,420
1999 $776 $3,464 $931 $6,470
1998 $660 $3,602 $578 $5,280
1997 $804 $3,510 $717 $4,387
1996 $899 $3,547 $392 $1,793
1995 $770 $3,434 $248.3 $1,098
1994 $662 $3,327 $183.2 $951
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $256.7 $828
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $263.7 $756
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $225.3 $569
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $236.4 $577
1989 $1,033 - $193.2 -
1988 $984 - $228.7 -
1987 $1,052 - $220.9 -
1986 $872 - $188.8 -
1985 $1,049 - $161.1 -
1984 $1,097 - $137.9 -
1983 $1,075 - $129.4 -
1982 $1,131 - $137.5 -
1981 $1,066 - $121.1 -
1980 $933 - $175.5 -
1979 $670 - - -
1978 $503 - - -
1977 $448 - $376 -
1976 $453 - $369 -
1975 $471 - $362 -
1974 $370 - $319 -
1973 $353 - $268.6 -
1972 $276.3 - $211.4 -
1971 $223.5 - $205.6 -
1970 $196.7 - $206.8 -
1969 $195.4 - $208.4 -
1968 $190.8 - $211.7 -
1967 $185.7 - $231.9 -
1966 $177.6 - $226.7 -
1965 $164.2 - $217.1 -
1964 $158.1 - $177.8 -
1963 $150.7 - $154.8 -
1962 $149.6 - $132.9 -
1961 $139.9 - - -
1960 $124.7 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $6,745 in Equatorial Guinea, ranking 106/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567.

Economic indicators

Congo Equatorial Guinea
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
0.91%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$6,745
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
106/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$17,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
106/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$4.65B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
36.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$2,458
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
110/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$5,042
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
29.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
18.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
3.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
8.6%
2014
Population
6681829
1998075

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Equatorial Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 18.5% 36.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 19.2% 39.1%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 14.8% 29.8%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 12.7% 42.3%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 16.2% 49.4%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 16.8% 43.2%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 19.1% 40.6%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 20.1% 36.2%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 27.8% 41.1%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 41.6% 31.7%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 31.6% 12.6%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 29.3% 6.27%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 35.2% 7.1%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 27.5% 7.17%
2010 23% 43.5% 31.2% 7.89%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 39.8% 4.34%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 19.9% 0.49%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 19.7% 0.75%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 18.1% 1.22%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 14.1% 2.85%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 15.5% 4.54%
2003 27% 185.3% 11.8% 6.77%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 11.3% 19.4%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 13.5% 25.5%
2000 22.6% 145% 22.6% 36.6%
1999 28.8% 0% 18.7% 60.5%
1998 25.1% 0% 35.1% 59.2%
1997 22.2% 0% 14.8% 46.3%
1996 15.7% 0% 22.9% 91.2%
1995 27.6% 0% 141.5% 136.9%
1994 30.7% 0% 510% 216%
1993 32.8% 0% 256.3% 152.6%
1992 32.8% 0% 595% 136.9%
1991 34.1% 0% 284.5% 169.5%
1990 30.4% 0% 212.9% 157%
1989 20.3% 151.7% 116.8% 187%
1988 - - 227.9% 154.5%
1987 - - 183% 141.3%
1986 - - 119% 152.5%
1985 - - 115.4% 183.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Equatorial Guinea spent $2.36B, or 18.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea, ranking 25/185 and 143/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Equatorial Guinea
2024 3.62% -0.55%
2023 5.81% 2.39%
2022 8.94% 11.7%
2021 1.63% 2.65%
2020 -1.1% -1.77%
2019 4.3% 1.82%
2018 5.22% 0.52%
2017 -5.57% -2.59%
2016 -14.5% -10.9%
2015 -17.8% -15.1%
2014 -10.7% -7.54%
2013 -2.85% -4.4%
2012 7.24% -7.24%
2011 16.1% 0.83%
2010 15.5% -4.53%
2009 4.76% -6.47%
2008 23.9% 14.6%
2007 8.99% 17.2%
2006 16% 21.8%
2005 13.4% 18.5%
2004 3.33% 9.22%
2003 0.37% 9.99%
2002 -7.34% 17.6%
2001 -0.71% 14.9%
2000 1.05% -2.67%
1999 -4.75% -0.19%
1998 -5.16% -7.65%
1997 3.67% 3.21%
1996 9.2% -6.36%
1995 -6.38% -123.4%
1994 -10.6% -487%
1993 -11.3% -217.9%
1992 -12.7% -557%
1991 -11.2% -236%
1990 -4.1% -160.2%
1989 0.78% -76.2%
1988 - -208.5%
1987 - -158%
1986 - -97.3%
1985 - -89.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/equatorial-guinea | 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 Equatorial Guinea's deficit of $70.8M, or 0.55% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Equatorial Guinea ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 49.7% of GDP for Equatorial Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Equatorial Guinea
2024 3.1% 3.4%
2023 4.3% 2.4%
2022 3% 4.9%
2021 2% -0.1%
2020 1.4% 4.8%
2019 0.4% 1.2%
2018 1.2% 1.3%
2017 0.4% 0.7%
2016 3.2% 1.4%
2015 3.2% 1.7%
2014 0.9% 4.3%
2013 4.6% 3.2%
2012 5% 3.4%
2011 1.8% 4.8%
2010 0.4% 5.3%
2009 4.3% 5.7%
2008 6% 4.7%
2007 2.6% 2.8%
2006 4.7% 4.5%
2005 2.5% 5.6%
2004 3.7% 4.2%
2003 1.7% 7.3%
2002 3% 7.6%
2001 0.8% 8.7%
2000 0.5% 4.8%
1999 3% 0.4%
1998 2.2% 7.9%
1997 12.7% 3%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 3.93% in Equatorial Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $10.4M
Raw materials & minerals $134K
Textiles & consumer goods $60K
Metals $21K
Miscellaneous $8K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Wood & paper products $1K
Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9.58M
Metals $200K
Raw materials & minerals $90K
Miscellaneous $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Congo Equatorial Guinea
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$344M
1996
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
101/190
1996
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-148%
1996
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$292M
1996
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$175M
1996
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$185M
1996
Service exports
$240M
2021
$4.88M
1996
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
25.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
35.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Equatorial Guinea
Economic freedom 48.6 47.4
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 175/197
Property rights 28.7 16.9
Government integrity 13.9 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 7.2
Tax burden 73.7 81
Government spending 85.8 90.8
Fiscal health 80.8 97.3
Business freedom 35.8 35.9
Labor freedom 52.4 45.2
Monetary freedom 78.4 73.5
Trade freedom 52.8 43.6
Investment freedom 35 40
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Equatorial Guinea
2026 48.6 47.4
2025 48.6 47.7
2024 47.8 47.7
2023 48.1 48.3
2022 48.5 47.2
2021 50.7 49.2
2020 41.8 48.3
2019 39.7 41
2018 38.9 42
2017 40 45
2016 42.8 43.7
2015 42.7 40.4
2014 43.7 44.4
2013 43.5 42.3
2012 43.8 42.8
2011 43.6 47.5
2010 43.2 48.6
2009 45.4 51.3
2008 45.3 51.6
2007 44.4 53.2
2006 43.8 51.5
2005 46.2 53.3
2004 45.9 53.3
2003 47.7 53.1
2002 45.3 46.4
2001 44.3 47.9
2000 40.6 45.6
1999 41.6 45.1
1998 33.8 -
1997 42.2 -
1996 40.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 47.4 for Equatorial Guinea, ranking 175/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Equatorial Guinea
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
51.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
45.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
3.15%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$8.96B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$12,330
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$1.54B
2023
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
134/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$376M
1996
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$188M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$154M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
50.7%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
8.96%
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/equatorial-guinea | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.