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Economy of Congo vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Congo has a GDP of $16.3B compared to $126B for Ethiopia, ranking 143/197 and 66/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.8B in government debt (96.8% of GDP), compared to $54.4B (43.1% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

Congo vs Ethiopia GDP by year

Congo
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Ethiopia
2025 $16,306,633,779 $126,358,758,448
2024 $15,719,986,077 $149,740,297,952
2023 $15,321,055,823 $135,874,093,203
2022 $15,817,030,155 $123,140,304,665
2021 $14,825,690,211 $109,070,960,371
2020 $11,468,687,464 $98,676,811,062
2019 $13,976,637,780 $91,834,517,114
2018 $14,773,900,289 $83,337,901,072
2017 $11,834,473,039 $76,366,081,767
2016 $10,931,328,151 $68,475,871,210
2015 $12,434,793,867 $62,103,418,182
2014 $17,919,321,078 $55,612,228,234
2013 $17,958,720,699 $47,648,276,605
2012 $17,692,911,296 $43,310,721,414
2011 $15,655,383,577 $31,952,763,089
2010 $13,148,396,212 $29,933,790,334
2009 $9,723,299,915 $32,437,389,116
2008 $11,649,857,673 $27,066,912,635
2007 $8,782,703,437 $19,707,616,773
2006 $8,072,305,029 $15,280,861,835
2005 $6,650,001,680 $12,401,139,454
2004 $4,656,974,940 $10,131,187,261
2003 $3,503,723,088 $8,623,691,300
2002 $3,034,250,924 $7,850,809,498
2001 $2,796,704,604 $8,231,326,016
2000 $3,227,927,698 $8,242,349,618
1999 $2,354,772,960 $7,892,973,532
1998 $1,949,481,379 $8,013,274,132
1997 $2,322,719,103 $8,803,539,988
1996 $2,540,697,539 $8,761,215,548
1995 $2,116,003,868 $7,855,205,207
1994 $1,769,365,438 $7,100,806,754
1993 $2,684,323,623 $9,051,043,870
1992 $2,933,222,703 $10,754,799,037
1991 $2,724,853,506 $13,799,799,324
1990 $2,798,746,050 $12,478,943,895
1989 $2,389,593,026 $11,762,932,007
1988 $2,212,536,312 $11,181,119,718
1987 $2,297,753,652 $10,790,001,558
1986 $1,849,268,212 $10,094,328,898
1985 $2,160,872,540 $9,717,392,687
1984 $2,193,581,365 $8,298,309,581
1983 $2,097,274,290 $8,781,664,427
1982 $2,160,640,565 $7,899,988,841
1981 $1,993,512,323 $7,507,663,567
1980 $1,705,796,853 $7,012,585,454
1979 $1,198,749,667 $6,586,048,398
1978 $878,771,772 $6,014,961,435
1977 $765,224,029 $5,651,840,585
1976 $754,549,601 $4,943,806,093
1975 $767,102,680 $4,577,047,854
1974 $585,364,634 $4,577,209,966
1973 $541,973,363 $4,070,570,550
1972 $410,669,264 $3,520,252,938
1971 $322,128,019 $3,224,280,835
1970 $274,960,700 $3,045,354,455
1969 $265,040,036 $2,768,987,372
1968 $251,247,458 $2,619,948,865
1967 $237,397,428 $2,461,762,003
1966 $220,613,582 $2,324,466,416
1965 $198,318,064 $2,159,998,591
1964 $185,693,725 $1,984,129,186
1963 $172,233,431 $1,825,058,828
1962 $166,521,240 $1,747,566,307
1961 $151,675,739 $1,680,859,514
1960 $131,731,863 $1,610,511,694

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Ethiopia by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,515 - $933 -
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $982 $2,845
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $893 $2,588
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $830 $2,407
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $793 $2,242
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $740 $2,095
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $696 $2,005
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $642 $1,858
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $598 $1,633
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $550 $1,485
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $484 $1,253
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $452 $1,179
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $343 $1,098
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $331 $996
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $369 $899
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $316 $845
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $237.1 $770
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $189.3 $693
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $158.2 $625
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $133.2 $558
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $116.8 $493
2002 $906 $3,888 $109.6 $509
2001 $855 $3,748 $118.5 $509
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $122.3 $474
1999 $776 $3,464 $120.7 $450
1998 $660 $3,602 $126.5 $436
1997 $804 $3,510 $143.4 $461
1996 $899 $3,547 $147.3 $453
1995 $770 $3,434 $136.5 $409
1994 $662 $3,327 $127.7 $391
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $168.5 $384
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $207.4 $343
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $277.6 $383
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $262.1 $417
1989 $1,033 - $256.4 -
1988 $984 - $253.2 -
1987 $1,052 - $254.1 -
1986 $872 - $246 -
1985 $1,049 - $243.9 -
1984 $1,097 - $214.2 -
1983 $1,075 - $232.7 -
1982 $1,131 - $215.3 -
1981 $1,066 - $212.7 -
1980 $933 - $203.7 -
1979 $670 - $192.4 -
1978 $503 - $178.3 -
1977 $448 - $170.4 -
1976 $453 - $152 -
1975 $471 - $144.3 -
1974 $370 - $147.9 -
1973 $353 - $134.9 -
1972 $276.3 - $119.8 -
1971 $223.5 - $112.7 -
1970 $196.7 - $109.4 -
1969 $195.4 - $102.3 -
1968 $190.8 - $99.5 -
1967 $185.7 - $96.1 -
1966 $177.6 - $93.2 -
1965 $164.2 - $88.9 -
1964 $158.1 - $83.8 -
1963 $150.7 - $79.2 -
1962 $149.6 - $77.8 -
1961 $139.9 - $76.7 -
1960 $124.7 - $75.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,515, ranking 153/197, compared to $933 in Ethiopia, ranking 182/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

Congo Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$16.3B
2025
$126B
2025
GDP rank
143/197
2025
66/197
2025
GDP growth
3.08%
2024-2025
9.77%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,515
2025
$933
2025
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2025
182/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
175/197
2024
Government debt
$15.8B
2025
$54.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
96.8%
2025
43.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,435
2025
$402
2025
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2025
172/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,494
2026
$2,030
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
12%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
13.2%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
3.94%
2021
Population
6718789
140722974

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 96.8% 12% 43.1%
2024 21.7% 98% 9.54% 33.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 14.5% 53.2%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 18% 55.3%
2016 38.8% 84.5% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 23% 43.5% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 17.1% 30%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 27% 185.3% 27% 103.7%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 22.4% 97.3%
2000 22.6% 145% 25.6% 93.6%
1999 28.8% 0% 26.8% 97.8%
1998 25.1% 0% 21.1% 89.3%
1997 22.2% 0% 17.9% 80.3%
1996 15.7% 0% 18.8% 132.8%
1995 27.6% 0% 17.4% 146.6%
1994 30.7% 0% 17.6% 155.2%
1993 32.8% 0% 13.8% 141%
1992 32.8% 0% 14.2% 87.9%
1991 34.1% 0% 17.3% 89.3%
1990 30.4% 0% 20.9% 91.6%
1989 20.3% 151.7% 24% 84.7%
1988 - - 21.6% 84.3%
1987 - - 18.4% 82.3%
1986 - - 19.8% 75.7%
1985 - - 19.7% 67.7%
1984 - - 18.8% 65.4%
1983 - - 21.3% 55.2%
1982 - - 16.4% 48.8%
1981 - - 14.2% 30.6%
1980 - - 13.5% 18.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Congo's government spending was $3.9B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $15.2B, or 12% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 96.8% in the Congo and 43.1% in Ethiopia, ranking 27/185 and 122/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Ethiopia
2025 0.28% -1.19%
2024 3.62% -1.99%
2023 5.81% -2.6%
2022 8.94% -4.16%
2021 1.63% -2.77%
2020 -1.1% -2.76%
2019 4.3% -2.53%
2018 5.22% -3.03%
2017 -5.57% -3.24%
2016 -14.5% -2.3%
2015 -17.8% -1.95%
2014 -10.7% -2.58%
2013 -2.85% -1.93%
2012 7.24% -1.17%
2011 16.1% -1.61%
2010 15.5% -1.32%
2009 4.76% -0.93%
2008 23.9% -2.88%
2007 8.99% -3.57%
2006 16% -3.79%
2005 13.4% -4.12%
2004 3.33% -2.65%
2003 0.37% -5.59%
2002 -7.34% -5.76%
2001 -0.71% -3.76%
2000 1.05% -8.88%
1999 -4.75% -8.54%
1998 -5.16% -3.65%
1997 3.67% -1.76%
1996 9.2% -3.93%
1995 -6.38% -2.76%
1994 -10.6% -5.39%
1993 -11.3% -4.12%
1992 -12.7% -4.92%
1991 -11.2% -6%
1990 -4.1% -6.86%
1989 0.78% -4.33%
1988 - -3.48%
1987 - -3.54%
1986 - -3.98%
1985 - -4.71%
1984 - -3.69%
1983 - -7.59%
1982 - -3.6%
1981 - -2.19%
1980 - -2.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Congo's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $45.6M, equivalent to 0.28% of GDP. This compares to Ethiopia's deficit of $1.5B, or 1.19% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 37 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Ethiopia
2025 2.6% 13.2%
2024 3.1% 21%
2023 4.3% 30.2%
2022 3% 33.9%
2021 2% 26.8%
2020 1.4% 20.4%
2019 0.4% 15.8%
2018 1.2% 13.8%
2017 0.4% 10.7%
2016 3.2% 6.63%
2015 3.2% 9.57%
2014 0.9% 6.89%
2013 4.6% 7.46%
2012 5% 23.6%
2011 1.8% 33.2%
2010 0.4% 8.15%
2009 4.3% 8.48%
2008 6% 44.4%
2007 2.6% 17.2%
2006 4.7% 12.3%
2005 2.5% 9.97%
2004 3.7% 3.33%
2003 1.7% 13.7%
2002 3% 0.68%
2001 0.8% -8.24%
2000 0.5% 0.66%
1999 3% 7.94%
1998 2.2% 0.89%
1997 12.7% 2.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 13.6% in Ethiopia. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in the Congo and 13.2% in Ethiopia.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Metals $101K
Raw agricultural goods $35K
Textiles & consumer goods $34K
Machinery & equipment $24K
Chemicals & pharma $14K
Animal & marine products $4K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Congo Ethiopia
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2021
154/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
20.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
13.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Ethiopia
Economic freedom 48.6 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 171/197
Property rights 28.7 22.1
Government integrity 13.9 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 19.1
Tax burden 73.7 78.6
Government spending 85.8 96.4
Fiscal health 80.8 84.3
Business freedom 35.8 44.5
Labor freedom 52.4 37.8
Monetary freedom 78.4 53.7
Trade freedom 52.8 57.4
Investment freedom 35 30
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Ethiopia
2026 48.6 48.1
2025 48.6 48.1
2024 47.8 47.9
2023 48.1 48.3
2022 48.5 49.6
2021 50.7 51.7
2020 41.8 53.6
2019 39.7 53.6
2018 38.9 52.8
2017 40 52.7
2016 42.8 51.5
2015 42.7 51.5
2014 43.7 50
2013 43.5 49.4
2012 43.8 52
2011 43.6 50.5
2010 43.2 51.2
2009 45.4 53
2008 45.3 52.5
2007 44.4 53.6
2006 43.8 50.9
2005 46.2 51.1
2004 45.9 54.5
2003 47.7 48.8
2002 45.3 49.8
2001 44.3 48.9
2000 40.6 50.2
1999 41.6 46.7
1998 33.8 49.2
1997 42.2 48.1
1996 40.3 45.9
1995 - 42.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 48.1 for Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
27.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
32.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2025
$151B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,490
2025
$3,620
2025
Total reserves including gold
$759M
2024
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
113/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
20.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.