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Economy of Congo vs Estonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $43.1B for Estonia, ranking 141/197 and 100/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $10.1B (23.4% of GDP) in Estonia.

Congo vs Estonia GDP by year

Congo
Estonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Estonia
2024 $15,719,986,077 $43,130,419,829
2023 $15,321,055,823 $41,470,344,395
2022 $15,817,030,155 $38,226,641,740
2021 $14,825,690,211 $37,201,101,171
2020 $11,468,687,464 $31,820,771,494
2019 $13,976,637,780 $31,873,748,770
2018 $14,773,900,289 $31,222,632,741
2017 $11,834,473,039 $27,469,461,919
2016 $10,931,328,151 $24,561,027,788
2015 $12,434,793,867 $23,311,847,751
2014 $17,919,321,078 $27,055,689,003
2013 $17,958,720,699 $25,451,032,781
2012 $17,692,911,296 $23,237,406,116
2011 $15,655,383,577 $23,303,915,795
2010 $13,148,396,212 $19,524,355,419
2009 $9,723,299,915 $19,633,984,440
2008 $11,649,857,673 $24,342,935,404
2007 $8,782,703,437 $22,450,264,166
2006 $8,072,305,029 $17,025,671,810
2005 $6,650,001,680 $14,109,491,357
2004 $4,656,974,940 $12,148,595,031
2003 $3,503,723,088 $9,876,595,528
2002 $3,034,250,924 $7,370,119,619
2001 $2,796,704,604 $6,250,218,423
2000 $3,227,927,698 $5,686,579,748
1999 $2,354,772,960 $5,756,912,266
1998 $1,949,481,379 $5,674,080,543
1997 $2,322,719,103 $5,154,420,649
1996 $2,540,697,539 $4,786,018,988
1995 $2,116,003,868 $4,502,970,889
1994 $1,769,365,438 $4,123,011,420
1993 $2,684,323,623 $4,013,091,682
1992 $2,933,222,703 -
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/estonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Estonia by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Estonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $31,428 $49,969
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $30,264 $48,637
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $28,340 $48,218
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $27,951 $44,252
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $23,934 $40,672
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $24,021 $40,586
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $23,618 $37,121
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $20,852 $34,507
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $18,666 $31,948
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $17,722 $29,713
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $20,582 $29,404
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $19,310 $27,831
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $17,568 $26,243
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $17,556 $24,652
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $14,664 $21,614
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $14,712 $20,489
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $18,206 $22,804
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $16,745 $22,201
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $12,641 $19,344
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $10,415 $16,638
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $8,916 $14,538
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $7,205 $13,135
2002 $906 $3,888 $5,343 $11,667
2001 $855 $3,748 $4,503 $10,309
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $4,071 $9,425
1999 $776 $3,464 $4,141 $8,412
1998 $660 $3,602 $4,093 $8,451
1997 $804 $3,510 $3,683 $7,980
1996 $899 $3,547 $3,381 $6,892
1995 $770 $3,434 $3,134 $6,480
1994 $662 $3,327 $2,819 $5,967
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $2,686 $5,814
1992 $1,164 $3,608 - $5,872
1991 $1,113 $3,536 - $7,151
1990 $1,176 $3,437 - $7,481
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/estonia | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $31,428 in Estonia, ranking 40/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969.

Economic indicators

Congo Estonia
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$43.1B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
-0.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$31,428
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$49,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
45/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
23.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$7,356
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
65/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$23,740
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
23.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
43.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
3.52%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
7.5%
2024
Population
6681829
1339590

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Estonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Estonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 43.6% 23.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 43.5% 20.1%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 40.1% 19.2%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 42.1% 18.4%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 44.7% 19.1%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 39.1% 9.05%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 38.8% 8.51%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 38.9% 9.43%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 38.9% 10.2%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 39.3% 10.8%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 37.6% 11.6%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 38.3% 11.4%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 39.4% 11.1%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 37.6% 7.6%
2010 23% 43.5% 40.7% 7.99%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 46.1% 7.98%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 39.5% 4.67%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 33.8% 3.91%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 33.5% 4.72%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 33.7% 4.73%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 34.1% 5.16%
2003 27% 185.3% 35% 5.6%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 35.9% 5.66%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 35.3% 4.93%
2000 22.6% 145% 36.4% 5.11%
1999 28.8% 0% 40.7% 5.93%
1998 25.1% 0% 38.9% 5.4%
1997 22.2% 0% 35.8% 6.03%
1996 15.7% 0% 38.6% 7.3%
1995 27.6% 0% 39.5% 8.66%
1994 30.7% 0% - -
1993 32.8% 0% - -
1992 32.8% 0% - -
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/estonia | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Estonia spent $18.8B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 23.4% in Estonia, ranking 25/185 and 171/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Estonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Estonia
2024 3.62% -1.51%
2023 5.81% -3.13%
2022 8.94% -1.08%
2021 1.63% -2.57%
2020 -1.1% -5.42%
2019 4.3% -0.11%
2018 5.22% -1.15%
2017 -5.57% -1.07%
2016 -14.5% -0.62%
2015 -17.8% -0.24%
2014 -10.7% 0.42%
2013 -2.85% -0.66%
2012 7.24% -0.86%
2011 16.1% 0.09%
2010 15.5% -1.09%
2009 4.76% -3.43%
2008 23.9% -2.92%
2007 8.99% 2.5%
2006 16% 2.71%
2005 13.4% 1.07%
2004 3.33% 2.29%
2003 0.37% 1.67%
2002 -7.34% 0.29%
2001 -0.71% 0.4%
2000 1.05% -0.11%
1999 -4.75% -3.42%
1998 -5.16% 0.65%
1997 3.67% 2.98%
1996 9.2% -0.93%
1995 -6.38% -0.26%
1994 -10.6% -
1993 -11.3% -
1992 -12.7% -
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/estonia | 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 Estonia's deficit of $651M, or 1.51% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Estonia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 2.53% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.52% of GDP for Estonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Estonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Estonia
2024 3.1% 3.52%
2023 4.3% 9.16%
2022 3% 19.4%
2021 2% 4.65%
2020 1.4% -0.44%
2019 0.4% 2.28%
2018 1.2% 3.44%
2017 0.4% 3.42%
2016 3.2% 0.15%
2015 3.2% -0.49%
2014 0.9% -0.11%
2013 4.6% 2.78%
2012 5% 3.93%
2011 1.8% 4.98%
2010 0.4% 2.97%
2009 4.3% -0.08%
2008 6% 10.4%
2007 2.6% 6.6%
2006 4.7% 4.44%
2005 2.5% 4.08%
2004 3.7% 3.05%
2003 1.7% 1.33%
2002 3% 3.57%
2001 0.8% 5.75%
2000 0.5% 4.02%
1999 3% 3.3%
1998 2.2% 8.21%
1997 12.7% 10.6%

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/estonia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 4.46% in Estonia. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 3.52% in Estonia.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Estonia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.14M
Machinery & equipment $461K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $427K
Animal & marine products $255K
Chemicals & pharma $58K
Wood & paper products $14K
Metals $5K
Raw materials & minerals $4K

Balance of trade

Congo Estonia
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$543M
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
107/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-1.26%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$22.1B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$19B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$10.4B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$13.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
75.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
75.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Estonia
Economic freedom 48.6 78.7
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 10/197
Property rights 28.7 93.6
Government integrity 13.9 86.3
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 92.4
Tax burden 73.7 77.9
Government spending 85.8 46
Fiscal health 80.8 93.1
Business freedom 35.8 82.8
Labor freedom 52.4 59
Monetary freedom 78.4 73.9
Trade freedom 52.8 79.4
Investment freedom 35 90
Financial freedom 30 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Estonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Estonia
2026 48.6 78.7
2025 48.6 78.9
2024 47.8 77.8
2023 48.1 78.6
2022 48.5 80
2021 50.7 78.2
2020 41.8 77.7
2019 39.7 76.6
2018 38.9 78.8
2017 40 79.1
2016 42.8 77.2
2015 42.7 76.8
2014 43.7 75.9
2013 43.5 75.3
2012 43.8 73.2
2011 43.6 75.2
2010 43.2 74.7
2009 45.4 76.4
2008 45.3 77.9
2007 44.4 78
2006 43.8 74.9
2005 46.2 75.2
2004 45.9 77.4
2003 47.7 77.7
2002 45.3 77.6
2001 44.3 76.1
2000 40.6 69.9
1999 41.6 73.8
1998 33.8 72.5
1997 42.2 69.1
1996 40.3 65.4
1995 - 65.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 78.7 for Estonia, ranking 10/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Estonia
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
65.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
1.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$39.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$48,880
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$2.07B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
125/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$285M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
-$3.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
-$3.72B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
24.6%
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/estonia | 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. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, 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.