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Economy of Congo vs Ghana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $82.3B for Ghana, ranking 141/197 and 80/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $57.9B (70.3% of GDP) in Ghana.

Congo vs Ghana GDP by year

Congo
Ghana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Ghana
2024 $15,719,986,077 $82,308,110,386
2023 $15,321,055,823 $80,547,146,878
2022 $15,817,030,155 $73,919,003,210
2021 $14,825,690,211 $79,514,204,730
2020 $11,468,687,464 $70,008,243,860
2019 $13,976,637,780 $68,352,629,246
2018 $14,773,900,289 $67,259,353,966
2017 $11,834,473,039 $60,385,409,435
2016 $10,931,328,151 $56,144,179,398
2015 $12,434,793,867 $49,436,806,230
2014 $17,919,321,078 $54,678,533,806
2013 $17,958,720,699 $62,845,721,960
2012 $17,692,911,296 $41,271,701,061
2011 $15,655,383,577 $39,336,668,081
2010 $13,148,396,212 $32,197,655,567
2009 $9,723,299,915 $26,048,720,006
2008 $11,649,857,673 $28,679,383,241
2007 $8,782,703,437 $24,827,339,138
2006 $8,072,305,029 $20,885,037,597
2005 $6,650,001,680 $10,744,568,381
2004 $4,656,974,940 $8,881,417,907
2003 $3,503,723,088 $7,632,723,556
2002 $3,034,250,924 $6,166,197,848
2001 $2,796,704,604 $5,314,872,854
2000 $3,227,927,698 $4,982,850,662
1999 $2,354,772,960 $7,718,109,982
1998 $1,949,481,379 $7,482,069,162
1997 $2,322,719,103 $6,891,443,192
1996 $2,540,697,539 $6,932,991,739
1995 $2,116,003,868 $6,464,382,808
1994 $1,769,365,438 $5,446,383,727
1993 $2,684,323,623 $5,968,922,939
1992 $2,933,222,703 $6,416,103,926
1991 $2,724,853,506 $6,603,185,268
1990 $2,798,746,050 $5,889,106,573
1989 $2,389,593,026 $5,251,858,440
1988 $2,212,536,312 $5,197,765,032
1987 $2,297,753,652 $5,074,829,932
1986 $1,849,268,212 $5,735,677,434
1985 $2,160,872,540 $4,504,306,723
1984 $2,193,581,365 $4,412,279,843
1983 $2,097,274,290 $4,057,275,132
1982 $2,160,640,565 $4,035,994,398
1981 $1,993,512,323 $4,222,441,860
1980 $1,705,796,853 $4,445,228,216
1979 $1,198,749,667 $4,020,227,920
1978 $878,771,772 $3,662,478,185
1977 $765,224,029 $3,189,428,571
1976 $754,549,601 $2,765,254,237
1975 $767,102,680 $2,810,106,383
1974 $585,364,634 $2,894,409,938
1973 $541,973,363 $3,006,766,758
1972 $410,669,264 $2,112,293,280
1971 $322,128,019 $2,417,108,578
1970 $274,960,700 $2,215,028,588
1969 $265,040,036 $1,962,050,556
1968 $251,247,458 $1,666,909,518
1967 $237,397,428 $1,747,187,645
1966 $220,613,582 $2,126,300,672
1965 $198,318,064 $2,053,462,968
1964 $185,693,725 $1,731,296,200
1963 $172,233,431 $1,540,797,589
1962 $166,521,240 $1,382,515,654
1961 $151,675,739 $1,302,674,325
1960 $131,731,863 $1,217,230,095

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Ghana by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Ghana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $2,391 $8,020
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $2,384 $7,556
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $2,230 $7,208
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $2,445 $6,608
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $2,195 $6,047
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $2,187 $6,003
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $2,195 $5,536
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $2,012 $5,171
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $1,912 $5,011
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $1,723 $5,191
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $1,950 $5,517
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $2,295 $5,215
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $1,544 $4,934
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $1,507 $4,381
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $1,264 $3,855
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $1,048 $3,617
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $1,183 $3,516
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $1,050 $3,241
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $906 $3,103
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $479 $2,904
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $406 $2,729
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $358 $2,584
2002 $906 $3,888 $297.5 $2,475
2001 $855 $3,748 $263.5 $2,397
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $253.7 $2,315
1999 $776 $3,464 $403 $2,239
1998 $660 $3,602 $400 $2,167
1997 $804 $3,510 $378 $2,097
1996 $899 $3,547 $389 $2,026
1995 $770 $3,434 $372 $1,947
1994 $662 $3,327 $321 $1,875
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $360 $1,821
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $396 $1,739
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $418 $1,678
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $383 $1,581
1989 $1,033 - $350 -
1988 $984 - $355 -
1987 $1,052 - $355 -
1986 $872 - $411 -
1985 $1,049 - $330 -
1984 $1,097 - $330 -
1983 $1,075 - $311 -
1982 $1,131 - $319 -
1981 $1,066 - $344 -
1980 $933 - $372 -
1979 $670 - $347 -
1978 $503 - $326 -
1977 $448 - $292.3 -
1976 $453 - $261 -
1975 $471 - $273 -
1974 $370 - $289.4 -
1973 $353 - $310 -
1972 $276.3 - $223.8 -
1971 $223.5 - $263.4 -
1970 $196.7 - $248.2 -
1969 $195.4 - $225.8 -
1968 $190.8 - $196.7 -
1967 $185.7 - $211.2 -
1966 $177.6 - $263.3 -
1965 $164.2 - $260.5 -
1964 $158.1 - $225 -
1963 $150.7 - $205 -
1962 $149.6 - $188.4 -
1961 $139.9 - $181.9 -
1960 $124.7 - $174.9 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $2,391 in Ghana, ranking 151/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020.

Economic indicators

Congo Ghana
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$82.3B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
80/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
5.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$2,391
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$8,020
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
140/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$57.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
70.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$1,682
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
123/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$2,110
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.58B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
32.2%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
1.6%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
23.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
22.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
25%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
2.87%
2022
Population
6681829
35885254

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Ghana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Ghana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 23.2% 70.3%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 18.5% 79.1%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 27.5% 92.7%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 27.2% 86.9%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 31.5% 79.1%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 22.5% 62.9%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 20.9% 62%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 17.6% 57%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 19.9% 55.9%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 18.6% 53.9%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 21% 50.1%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 21.6% 42.9%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 22.1% 35.5%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 19.5% 31.2%
2010 23% 43.5% 19% 32.9%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 16.6% 25.4%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 16.6% 23.2%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 16.8% 21.1%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 14.4% 17.3%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 12.9% 31.7%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 13.7% 38.4%
2003 27% 185.3% 12.1% 49.3%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 10.7% 54.1%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 13.8% 57.8%
2000 22.6% 145% 12% 74.5%
1999 28.8% 0% 11.1% 51.7%
1998 25.1% 0% 11.8% 37.6%
1997 22.2% 0% 12% 45.2%
1996 15.7% 0% 12.4% 42.9%
1995 27.6% 0% 13% 47.6%
1994 30.7% 0% 12.7% 50.6%
1993 32.8% 0% 12.1% 34.1%
1992 32.8% 0% 9.2% 21.3%
1991 34.1% 0% 7.09% 17.3%
1990 30.4% 0% 6.59% 17.8%
1989 20.3% 151.7% 7.24% 23%
1988 - - 7.23% 23.5%
1987 - - 7.32% 26.8%
1986 - - 7.29% 18.2%
1985 - - 6.08% 14.4%
1984 - - 4.64% 13%
1983 - - 3.49% 9.21%
1982 - - 4.73% 8.51%
1981 - - 5.74% 8.77%
1980 - - 7.51% 9.75%
1979 - - 9.14% 11.5%
1978 - - 6.54% 11.4%
1977 - - 10.5% 20.7%
1976 - - 12.8% 26%
1975 - - 13.2% 21.8%
1974 - - 9.52% 21.8%
1973 - - 9.35% 25.4%
1972 - - 11.4% 29.8%
1971 - - 11.7% 29.5%
1970 - - 12.2% 31.9%
1969 - - 11.2% 31.4%
1968 - - 12.3% 34.5%
1967 - - 11.5% 33.9%
1966 - - 9.12% 29.8%
1965 - - 14.2% 30.2%
1964 - - 15.8% 30.8%
1963 - - 15.3% 30.5%
1962 - - 12.5% 11.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Ghana spent $19.1B, or 23.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 70.3% in Ghana, ranking 25/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Ghana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Ghana
2024 3.62% -7.31%
2023 5.81% -3.37%
2022 8.94% -11.8%
2021 1.63% -12%
2020 -1.1% -17.4%
2019 4.3% -7.52%
2018 5.22% -6.79%
2017 -5.57% -3.97%
2016 -14.5% -6.75%
2015 -17.8% -4.01%
2014 -10.7% -7.81%
2013 -2.85% -9.12%
2012 7.24% -8.36%
2011 16.1% -5.47%
2010 15.5% -7.13%
2009 4.76% -5.05%
2008 23.9% -5.56%
2007 8.99% -4.91%
2006 16% -3.11%
2005 13.4% -1.87%
2004 3.33% -2.02%
2003 0.37% -1.99%
2002 -7.34% -2.73%
2001 -0.71% -3.64%
2000 1.05% -3.98%
1999 -4.75% -5.64%
1998 -5.16% -5.27%
1997 3.67% -6.14%
1996 9.2% -5.61%
1995 -6.38% -4.52%
1994 -10.6% -4.99%
1993 -11.3% -5.39%
1992 -12.7% -4.5%
1991 -11.2% -1.47%
1990 -4.1% -1.93%
1989 0.78% -0.81%
1988 - -1.08%
1987 - -0.92%
1986 - -1.26%
1985 - -1.19%
1984 - -0.98%
1983 - -1.13%
1982 - -2.03%
1981 - -3.8%
1980 - -4.73%
1979 - -3.61%
1978 - -1.21%
1977 - -4.68%
1976 - -5.53%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -2.06%
1973 - -2.64%
1972 - -2.19%
1971 - 0.13%
1970 - -2.35%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -2.32%
1966 - -1.29%
1965 - -3.29%
1964 - -3.72%
1963 - -5.66%
1962 - -5.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/ghana | 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 Ghana's deficit of $6.02B, or 7.31% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Ghana ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.55% of GDP for Ghana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Ghana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Ghana
2024 3.1% 22.8%
2023 4.3% 38.1%
2022 3% 31.3%
2021 2% 9.97%
2020 1.4% 9.89%
2019 0.4% 7.14%
2018 1.2% 7.81%
2017 0.4% 12.4%
2016 3.2% 17.5%
2015 3.2% 17.1%
2014 0.9% 15.5%
2013 4.6% 11.7%
2012 5% 11.2%
2011 1.8% 8.73%
2010 0.4% 10.7%
2009 4.3% 19.2%
2008 6% 16.5%
2007 2.6% 10.7%
2006 4.7% 11.7%
2005 2.5% 15.4%
2004 3.7% 18%
2003 1.7% 29.8%
2002 3% 9.36%
2001 0.8% 41.5%
2000 0.5% 40.2%
1999 3% 4.87%
1998 2.2% 14.6%
1997 12.7% 27.9%

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/ghana | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 17.6% in Ghana. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 22.8% in Ghana.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.1M
Raw materials & minerals $210K
Textiles & consumer goods $151K
Metals $48K
Chemicals & pharma $27K
Miscellaneous $13K
Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.15M
Raw agricultural goods $590K
Chemicals & pharma $477K
Machinery & equipment $325K
Wood & paper products $275K
Textiles & consumer goods $191K
Metals $20K
Miscellaneous $4K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Congo Ghana
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+2.04%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$15.4B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$19.2B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$11.5B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$9.27B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
34.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
35.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Ghana
Economic freedom 48.6 57.3
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 118/197
Property rights 28.7 50.2
Government integrity 13.9 45.4
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 57.5
Tax burden 73.7 79.4
Government spending 85.8 84
Fiscal health 80.8 10.1
Business freedom 35.8 64.5
Labor freedom 52.4 54.9
Monetary freedom 78.4 56.7
Trade freedom 52.8 65.2
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Ghana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Ghana
2026 48.6 57.3
2025 48.6 56
2024 47.8 55.8
2023 48.1 58
2022 48.5 59.8
2021 50.7 59.2
2020 41.8 59.4
2019 39.7 57.5
2018 38.9 56
2017 40 56.2
2016 42.8 63
2015 42.7 63
2014 43.7 64.2
2013 43.5 61.3
2012 43.8 60.7
2011 43.6 59.4
2010 43.2 60.2
2009 45.4 58.1
2008 45.3 57
2007 44.4 57.6
2006 43.8 55.6
2005 46.2 56.5
2004 45.9 59.1
2003 47.7 58.2
2002 45.3 57.2
2001 44.3 58
2000 40.6 58.1
1999 41.6 57.9
1998 33.8 57
1997 42.2 56.7
1996 40.3 57.7
1995 - 55.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 57.3 for Ghana, ranking 118/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Ghana
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
40.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
31.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
20.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$79.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$7,720
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$3.62B
2023
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
112/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$1.76B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$1.77B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$5.37M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
3.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
23.4%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
10%
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/ghana | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.