Skip to content

Economy of Congo vs Eritrea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $2.07B for Eritrea, ranking 141/197 and 179/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (260.4% of GDP) in Eritrea.

Congo vs Eritrea GDP by year

Congo
Eritrea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Eritrea
2024 $15,719,986,077 -
2023 $15,321,055,823 -
2022 $15,817,030,155 -
2021 $14,825,690,211 -
2020 $11,468,687,464 -
2019 $13,976,637,780 -
2018 $14,773,900,289 -
2017 $11,834,473,039 -
2016 $10,931,328,151 -
2015 $12,434,793,867 -
2014 $17,919,321,078 -
2013 $17,958,720,699 -
2012 $17,692,911,296 -
2011 $15,655,383,577 $2,065,001,626
2010 $13,148,396,212 $1,589,515,447
2009 $9,723,299,915 $1,856,695,551
2008 $11,649,857,673 $1,380,188,800
2007 $8,782,703,437 $1,317,974,491
2006 $8,072,305,029 $1,211,161,880
2005 $6,650,001,680 $1,098,424,686
2004 $4,656,974,940 $1,109,054,005
2003 $3,503,723,088 $870,248,268
2002 $3,034,250,924 $729,321,680
2001 $2,796,704,604 $752,371,689
2000 $3,227,927,698 $706,370,816
1999 $2,354,772,960 $688,918,537
1998 $1,949,481,379 $745,523,117
1997 $2,322,719,103 $686,490,090
1996 $2,540,697,539 $693,535,954
1995 $2,116,003,868 $578,015,625
1994 $1,769,365,438 $531,688,312
1993 $2,684,323,623 $467,872,715
1992 $2,933,222,703 $477,101,652
1991 $2,724,853,506 -
1990 $2,798,746,050 -
1989 $2,389,593,026 -
1988 $2,212,536,312 -
1987 $2,297,753,652 -
1986 $1,849,268,212 -
1985 $2,160,872,540 -
1984 $2,193,581,365 -
1983 $2,097,274,290 -
1982 $2,160,640,565 -
1981 $1,993,512,323 -
1980 $1,705,796,853 -
1979 $1,198,749,667 -
1978 $878,771,772 -
1977 $765,224,029 -
1976 $754,549,601 -
1975 $767,102,680 -
1974 $585,364,634 -
1973 $541,973,363 -
1972 $410,669,264 -
1971 $322,128,019 -
1970 $274,960,700 -
1969 $265,040,036 -
1968 $251,247,458 -
1967 $237,397,428 -
1966 $220,613,582 -
1965 $198,318,064 -
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/eritrea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Eritrea by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Eritrea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 - -
2023 $2,478 $6,850 - -
2022 $2,621 $6,647 - -
2021 $2,516 $6,263 - -
2020 $1,994 $4,771 - -
2019 $2,488 $5,720 - -
2018 $2,694 $5,593 - -
2017 $2,212 $4,445 - -
2016 $2,093 $4,016 - -
2015 $2,439 $4,715 - -
2014 $3,601 $5,733 - -
2013 $3,697 $5,834 - -
2012 $3,732 $6,058 - -
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $689 $1,742
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $540 $1,599
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $643 $1,577
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $490 $1,547
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $480 $1,727
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $448 $1,682
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $413 $1,674
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $427 $1,621
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $349 $1,621
2002 $906 $3,888 $305 $1,702
2001 $855 $3,748 $325 $1,684
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $314 $1,558
1999 $776 $3,464 $311 $1,597
1998 $660 $3,602 $342 $1,598
1997 $804 $3,510 $319 $1,573
1996 $899 $3,547 $326 $1,449
1995 $770 $3,434 $285.4 $1,369
1994 $662 $3,327 $277.8 $1,379
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $252.1 $1,149
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $265.2 $1,021
1991 $1,113 $3,536 - -
1990 $1,176 $3,437 - -
1989 $1,033 - - -
1988 $984 - - -
1987 $1,052 - - -
1986 $872 - - -
1985 $1,049 - - -
1984 $1,097 - - -
1983 $1,075 - - -
1982 $1,131 - - -
1981 $1,066 - - -
1980 $933 - - -
1979 $670 - - -
1978 $503 - - -
1977 $448 - - -
1976 $453 - - -
1975 $471 - - -
1974 $370 - - -
1973 $353 - - -
1972 $276.3 - - -
1971 $223.5 - - -
1970 $196.7 - - -
1969 $195.4 - - -
1968 $190.8 - - -
1967 $185.7 - - -
1966 $177.6 - - -
1965 $164.2 - - -
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/eritrea | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $689 in Eritrea, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742.

Economic indicators

Congo Eritrea
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$2.07B
2011
GDP rank
141/197
2024
179/197
2011
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
8.68%
2010-2011
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$689
2011
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
188/197
2011
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$1,742
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
191/197
2011
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$3.54B
2011
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
260.4%
2019
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$1,182
2011
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
136/185
2011
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$1,129
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
31.3%
2019
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
1.3%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
5.8%
2017
Population
6681829
3700586

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Eritrea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Eritrea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% - -
2023 20.7% 102.9% - -
2022 22.8% 93.5% - -
2021 20.9% 97.8% - -
2020 21.1% 102.5% - -
2019 20.2% 77.6% 31.3% 260.4%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 26.4% 267.1%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 42.5% 290.4%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 30.9% 251.2%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 31.1% 271.4%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 21.6% 204.5%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 32.7% 232.4%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 33.3% 171.6%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 32.3% 171.6%
2010 23% 43.5% 42.4% 201.8%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 44.9% 207.1%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 69.4% 259.7%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 51.2% 201.3%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 50.5% 199%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 76.6% 205.4%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 57.1% 193.5%
2003 27% 185.3% 58.1% 264%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 60.1% 243.4%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 59.5% 238.6%
2000 22.6% 145% 84.7% 219.1%
1999 28.8% 0% 106.1% -
1998 25.1% 0% 88% -
1997 22.2% 0% 60.1% -
1996 15.7% 0% 68.6% -
1995 27.6% 0% 81.2% -
1994 30.7% 0% 50.4% -
1993 32.8% 0% 67.2% -
1992 32.8% 0% 32.7% -
1991 34.1% 0% - -
1990 30.4% 0% - -
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/eritrea | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Eritrea spent $666M, or 31.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 260.4% in Eritrea, ranking 25/185 and 2/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Eritrea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Eritrea
2024 3.62% -
2023 5.81% -
2022 8.94% -
2021 1.63% -
2020 -1.1% -
2019 4.3% 2.72%
2018 5.22% 5.22%
2017 -5.57% -5.74%
2016 -14.5% -1.44%
2015 -17.8% -2.77%
2014 -10.7% -0.12%
2013 -2.85% -7.62%
2012 7.24% -5.21%
2011 16.1% -5.5%
2010 15.5% -16.5%
2009 4.76% -22.2%
2008 23.9% -38%
2007 8.99% -19.8%
2006 16% -15.5%
2005 13.4% -31%
2004 3.33% -7.65%
2003 0.37% 6.23%
2002 -7.34% -13.3%
2001 -0.71% -9.62%
2000 1.05% -25.4%
1999 -4.75% -59.7%
1998 -5.16% -40.3%
1997 3.67% -5.65%
1996 9.2% -18.4%
1995 -6.38% -22.9%
1994 -10.6% 8.69%
1993 -11.3% 4.22%
1992 -12.7% 6.85%
1991 -11.2% -
1990 -4.1% -
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/eritrea | CC BY

In 2011, the Congo's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.52B, equivalent to 16.1% of GDP. This compares to Eritrea's deficit of $114M, or 5.5% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Eritrea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 2.86% of GDP, compared to deficit of 16.3% of GDP for Eritrea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Eritrea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Eritrea
2024 3.1% -
2023 4.3% -
2022 3% -
2021 2% -
2020 1.4% -
2019 0.4% 1.3%
2018 1.2% -14.4%
2017 0.4% -13.3%
2016 3.2% -5.6%
2015 3.2% 28.5%
2014 0.9% 8.4%
2013 4.6% 6.3%
2012 5% 6%
2011 1.8% 5.9%
2010 0.4% 10.3%
2009 4.3% 33.9%
2008 6% 22.2%
2007 2.6% 9.4%
2006 4.7% 7.7%
2005 2.5% 12.5%
2004 3.7% 25.1%
2003 1.7% 22.7%
2002 3% 16.9%
2001 0.8% 14.6%
2000 0.5% 19.9%
1999 3% 8.4%
1998 2.2% 9.5%
1997 12.7% 3.7%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.99%, compared with 10.4% in Eritrea. In 2019, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 1.3% in Eritrea.

Balance of trade

Congo Eritrea
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$105M
2000
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
89/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-14.8%
2000
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$471M
2000
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$36.8M
2000
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$28.5M
2000
Service exports
$240M
2021
$60.9M
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
29.2%
2011
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
18.2%
2011

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Eritrea
Economic freedom 48.6 39.6
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 188/197
Property rights 28.7 4.8
Government integrity 13.9 10.9
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 5.5
Tax burden 73.7 80.3
Government spending 85.8 62.3
Fiscal health 80.8 69
Business freedom 35.8 30.7
Labor freedom 52.4 43.4
Monetary freedom 78.4 80
Trade freedom 52.8 68.4
Investment freedom 35 0
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Eritrea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Eritrea
2026 48.6 39.6
2025 48.6 38.6
2024 47.8 39.5
2023 48.1 39.5
2022 48.5 39.7
2021 50.7 42.3
2020 41.8 38.5
2019 39.7 38.9
2018 38.9 41.7
2017 40 42.2
2016 42.8 42.7
2015 42.7 38.9
2014 43.7 38.5
2013 43.5 36.3
2012 43.8 36.2
2011 43.6 36.7
2010 43.2 35.3
2009 45.4 38.5
2008 45.3 -
2007 44.4 -
2006 43.8 -
2005 46.2 -
2004 45.9 -
2003 47.7 -
2002 45.3 -
2001 44.3 -
2000 40.6 -
1999 41.6 -
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/eritrea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 39.6 for Eritrea, ranking 188/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Eritrea
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
21.8%
2009
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
14.1%
2009
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$1.94B
2011
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$1,720
2011
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$192M
2019
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
170/177
2019
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$27.9M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
-$27.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
1.07%
2011
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
50%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
12.6%
2011

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/eritrea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.