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Economy of Congo vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 141/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Congo vs Iceland GDP by year

Congo
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Iceland
2024 $15,719,986,077 $33,255,181,469
2023 $15,321,055,823 $31,677,891,897
2022 $15,817,030,155 $29,166,102,877
2021 $14,825,690,211 $26,234,872,402
2020 $11,468,687,464 $22,034,665,041
2019 $13,976,637,780 $24,985,687,022
2018 $14,773,900,289 $26,677,652,544
2017 $11,834,473,039 $25,060,086,488
2016 $10,931,328,151 $21,083,713,310
2015 $12,434,793,867 $17,700,486,957
2014 $17,919,321,078 $18,052,183,515
2013 $17,958,720,699 $16,244,319,959
2012 $17,692,911,296 $14,943,757,823
2011 $15,655,383,577 $15,394,005,872
2010 $13,148,396,212 $13,922,711,577
2009 $9,723,299,915 $13,212,543,838
2008 $11,649,857,673 $18,247,921,360
2007 $8,782,703,437 $21,960,110,030
2006 $8,072,305,029 $17,671,649,843
2005 $6,650,001,680 $17,146,410,561
2004 $4,656,974,940 $13,963,943,244
2003 $3,503,723,088 $11,564,687,742
2002 $3,034,250,924 $9,416,199,700
2001 $2,796,704,604 $8,323,401,820
2000 $3,227,927,698 $9,140,168,922
1999 $2,354,772,960 $9,107,644,691
1998 $1,949,481,379 $8,637,732,542
1997 $2,322,719,103 $7,716,781,803
1996 $2,540,697,539 $7,686,566,105
1995 $2,116,003,868 $7,372,640,169
1994 $1,769,365,438 $6,612,804,056
1993 $2,684,323,623 $6,435,952,174
1992 $2,933,222,703 $7,328,497,599
1991 $2,724,853,506 $7,151,260,062
1990 $2,798,746,050 $6,694,851,159
1989 $2,389,593,026 $5,870,854,233
1988 $2,212,536,312 $6,320,093,411
1987 $2,297,753,652 $5,713,281,235
1986 $1,849,268,212 $4,129,080,094
1985 $2,160,872,540 $3,088,359,967
1984 $2,193,581,365 $2,964,568,006
1983 $2,097,274,290 $2,862,634,164
1982 $2,160,640,565 $3,318,714,326
1981 $1,993,512,323 $3,615,094,820
1980 $1,705,796,853 $3,499,616,683
1979 $1,198,749,667 $2,953,176,971
1978 $878,771,772 $2,599,627,089
1977 $765,224,029 $2,285,707,749
1976 $754,549,601 $1,727,845,419
1975 $767,102,680 $1,456,052,700
1974 $585,364,634 $1,568,154,077
1973 $541,973,363 $1,194,794,186
1972 $410,669,264 $869,002,946
1971 $322,128,019 $693,679,545
1970 $274,960,700 $545,115,909
1969 $265,040,036 $435,659,610
1968 $251,247,458 $498,365,200
1967 $237,397,428 $652,609,076
1966 $220,613,582 $660,663,763
1965 $198,318,064 $550,150,988
1964 $185,693,725 $456,206,299
1963 $172,233,431 $357,240,896
1962 $166,521,240 $299,309,938
1961 $151,675,739 $266,711,460
1960 $131,731,863 $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Iceland by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $906 $3,888 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $855 $3,748 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $776 $3,464 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $660 $3,602 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $804 $3,510 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $899 $3,547 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $770 $3,434 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $662 $3,327 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $1,033 - $23,219 -
1988 $984 - $25,307 -
1987 $1,052 - $23,238 -
1986 $872 - $16,980 -
1985 $1,049 - $12,793 -
1984 $1,097 - $12,378 -
1983 $1,075 - $12,080 -
1982 $1,131 - $14,191 -
1981 $1,066 - $15,666 -
1980 $933 - $15,340 -
1979 $670 - $13,082 -
1978 $503 - $11,630 -
1977 $448 - $10,305 -
1976 $453 - $7,848 -
1975 $471 - $6,680 -
1974 $370 - $7,287 -
1973 $353 - $5,627 -
1972 $276.3 - $4,155 -
1971 $223.5 - $3,366 -
1970 $196.7 - $2,666 -
1969 $195.4 - $2,142 -
1968 $190.8 - $2,473 -
1967 $185.7 - $3,284 -
1966 $177.6 - $3,378 -
1965 $164.2 - $2,861 -
1964 $158.1 - $2,414 -
1963 $150.7 - $1,924 -
1962 $149.6 - $1,641 -
1961 $139.9 - $1,490 -
1960 $124.7 - $1,486 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Congo Iceland
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
3.56%
2024
Population
6681829
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 45% 61.5%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 43% 65.7%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 43% 96.3%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 50% 136.6%
2010 23% 43.5% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 27% 185.3% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 45% 81.3%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 22.6% 145% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 28.8% 0% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 25.1% 0% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 22.2% 0% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 15.7% 0% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 27.6% 0% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 30.7% 0% 45% 54.8%
1993 32.8% 0% 45.1% 52.3%
1992 32.8% 0% 44.7% 45.4%
1991 34.1% 0% 42.8% 37.6%
1990 30.4% 0% 42.6% 35.5%
1989 20.3% 151.7% 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 25/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Iceland
2024 3.62% -3.51%
2023 5.81% -2.28%
2022 8.94% -3.93%
2021 1.63% -8.33%
2020 -1.1% -8.73%
2019 4.3% -1.57%
2018 5.22% 0.94%
2017 -5.57% 0.97%
2016 -14.5% 12.4%
2015 -17.8% -0.39%
2014 -10.7% 0.29%
2013 -2.85% -1.24%
2012 7.24% -2.59%
2011 16.1% -6.46%
2010 15.5% -6.58%
2009 4.76% -8.54%
2008 23.9% -12%
2007 8.99% 5.52%
2006 16% 6.37%
2005 13.4% 4.92%
2004 3.33% 0.28%
2003 0.37% -2.3%
2002 -7.34% -2.25%
2001 -0.71% -0.28%
2000 1.05% 1.43%
1999 -4.75% 1.3%
1998 -5.16% -0.56%
1997 3.67% 0.04%
1996 9.2% -1.52%
1995 -6.38% -2.87%
1994 -10.6% -4.59%
1993 -11.3% -4.36%
1992 -12.7% -1.86%
1991 -11.2% -0.66%
1990 -4.1% -3.16%
1989 0.78% -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.68% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Iceland
2024 3.1% 5.86%
2023 4.3% 8.74%
2022 3% 8.31%
2021 2% 4.44%
2020 1.4% 2.85%
2019 0.4% 3.01%
2018 1.2% 2.68%
2017 0.4% 1.76%
2016 3.2% 1.7%
2015 3.2% 1.63%
2014 0.9% 2.04%
2013 4.6% 3.87%
2012 5% 5.19%
2011 1.8% 4%
2010 0.4% 5.4%
2009 4.3% 12%
2008 6% 12.7%
2007 2.6% 5.05%
2006 4.7% 6.69%
2005 2.5% 3.99%
2004 3.7% 3.16%
2003 1.7% 2.06%
2002 3% 5.2%
2001 0.8% 6.41%
2000 0.5% 5.14%
1999 3% 3.23%
1998 2.2% 1.66%
1997 12.7% 1.82%

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/iceland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $31.6M
Iceland
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $74K

Balance of trade

Congo Iceland
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Iceland
Economic freedom 48.6 75
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 19/197
Property rights 28.7 94.9
Government integrity 13.9 85
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 95.2
Tax burden 73.7 72.2
Government spending 85.8 37
Fiscal health 80.8 76.2
Business freedom 35.8 86.8
Labor freedom 52.4 59.3
Monetary freedom 78.4 73.5
Trade freedom 52.8 79.8
Investment freedom 35 70
Financial freedom 30 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Iceland
2026 48.6 75
2025 48.6 72.8
2024 47.8 70.5
2023 48.1 72.2
2022 48.5 77
2021 50.7 77.4
2020 41.8 77.1
2019 39.7 77.1
2018 38.9 77
2017 40 74.4
2016 42.8 73.3
2015 42.7 72
2014 43.7 72.4
2013 43.5 72.1
2012 43.8 70.9
2011 43.6 68.2
2010 43.2 73.7
2009 45.4 75.9
2008 45.3 75.8
2007 44.4 76
2006 43.8 75.8
2005 46.2 76.6
2004 45.9 72.1
2003 47.7 73.5
2002 45.3 73.1
2001 44.3 73.4
2000 40.6 74
1999 41.6 71.4
1998 33.8 71.2
1997 42.2 70.5
1996 40.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Iceland
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
26.1%
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/iceland | 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 (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.