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Economy of Congo vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $280B for Iraq, ranking 141/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $130B (46.5% of GDP) in Iraq.

Congo vs Iraq GDP by year

Congo
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Iraq
2024 $15,719,986,077 $279,641,257,615
2023 $15,321,055,823 $268,881,051,644
2022 $15,817,030,155 $287,372,232,138
2021 $14,825,690,211 $209,691,945,713
2020 $11,468,687,464 $180,898,797,517
2019 $13,976,637,780 $233,636,097,800
2018 $14,773,900,289 $227,367,469,034
2017 $11,834,473,039 $187,217,660,051
2016 $10,931,328,151 $166,743,557,748
2015 $12,434,793,867 $166,774,104,959
2014 $17,919,321,078 $228,415,656,175
2013 $17,958,720,699 $234,637,675,129
2012 $17,692,911,296 $218,002,476,129
2011 $15,655,383,577 $185,749,664,444
2010 $13,148,396,212 $138,516,722,650
2009 $9,723,299,915 $111,657,580,326
2008 $11,649,857,673 $131,614,434,154
2007 $8,782,703,437 $88,837,057,320
2006 $8,072,305,029 $65,147,051,918
2005 $6,650,001,680 $50,065,104,668
2004 $4,656,974,940 $36,633,669,269
2003 $3,503,723,088 $21,921,569,479
2002 $3,034,250,924 $32,928,454,672
2001 $2,796,704,604 $36,176,430,129
2000 $3,227,927,698 $48,364,250,944
1999 $2,354,772,960 $36,881,601,584
1998 $1,949,481,379 $20,617,405,044
1997 $2,322,719,103 $20,764,857,056
1996 $2,540,697,539 $10,433,698,621
1995 $2,116,003,868 $12,894,029,888
1994 $1,769,365,438 $3,991,349,283
1993 $2,684,323,623 $1,031,944,881
1992 $2,933,222,703 $553,671,958
1991 $2,724,853,506 $407,796,350
1990 $2,798,746,050 $180,408,064,516
1989 $2,389,593,026 $65,831,935,484
1988 $2,212,536,312 $62,684,516,129
1987 $2,297,753,652 $56,774,193,548
1986 $1,849,268,212 $47,264,516,129
1985 $2,160,872,540 $48,425,161,290
1984 $2,193,581,365 $46,938,387,097
1983 $2,097,274,290 $40,712,903,226
1982 $2,160,640,565 $42,382,333,333
1981 $1,993,512,323 $37,823,000,000
1980 $1,705,796,853 $52,569,000,000
1979 $1,198,749,667 $37,816,457,839
1978 $878,771,772 $23,762,275,652
1977 $765,224,029 $19,838,130,715
1976 $754,549,601 $17,754,825,601
1975 $767,102,680 $13,458,516,763
1974 $585,364,634 $11,516,762,614
1973 $541,973,363 $5,134,367,778
1972 $410,669,264 $4,113,848,002
1971 $322,128,019 $3,865,346,535
1970 $274,960,700 $3,281,318,687
1969 $265,040,036 $3,007,758,797
1968 $251,247,458 $2,896,598,841
1967 $237,397,428 $2,551,522,656
1966 $220,613,582 $2,530,306,096
1965 $198,318,064 $2,335,785,506
1964 $185,693,725 $2,136,408,198
1963 $172,233,431 $1,805,901,510
1962 $166,521,240 $1,784,174,541
1961 $151,675,739 $1,671,960,965
1960 $131,731,863 $1,537,252,193

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Iraq by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $818 $6,068
2002 $906 $3,888 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $855 $3,748 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $776 $3,464 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $660 $3,602 $901 $7,964
1997 $804 $3,510 $936 $6,020
1996 $899 $3,547 $485 $5,034
1995 $770 $3,434 $619 $4,598
1994 $662 $3,327 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $23 $2,694
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $10,261 -
1989 $1,033 - $3,791 -
1988 $984 - $3,707 -
1987 $1,052 - $3,436 -
1986 $872 - $2,940 -
1985 $1,049 - $3,088 -
1984 $1,097 - $3,066 -
1983 $1,075 - $2,743 -
1982 $1,131 - $2,942 -
1981 $1,066 - $2,700 -
1980 $933 - $3,868 -
1979 $670 - $2,871 -
1978 $503 - $1,863 -
1977 $448 - $1,609 -
1976 $453 - $1,489 -
1975 $471 - $1,166 -
1974 $370 - $1,031 -
1973 $353 - $476 -
1972 $276.3 - $394 -
1971 $223.5 - $384 -
1970 $196.7 - $337 -
1969 $195.4 - $320 -
1968 $190.8 - $319 -
1967 $185.7 - $290.6 -
1966 $177.6 - $298.2 -
1965 $164.2 - $284.8 -
1964 $158.1 - $269.4 -
1963 $150.7 - $235.5 -
1962 $149.6 - $240.7 -
1961 $139.9 - $232.4 -
1960 $124.7 - $218.9 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $6,074 in Iraq, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Congo Iraq
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$280B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
-1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
105/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$5,928
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
42.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
-12.3%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
16.2%
2021
Population
6681829
48289334

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 42.9% 46.5%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 33.9% 39%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 48.2% 32%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 23% 43.5% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 44% 117.1%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 91.5% 344%
2003 27% 185.3% - -
2002 32.1% 163.5% - -
2001 29.1% 180.1% - -
2000 22.6% 145% - -
1999 28.8% 0% - -
1998 25.1% 0% - -
1997 22.2% 0% - -
1996 15.7% 0% - -
1995 27.6% 0% - -
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/iraq | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $120B, or 42.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 46.5% in Iraq, ranking 25/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Iraq
2024 3.62% -4.14%
2023 5.81% -1.14%
2022 8.94% 8.1%
2021 1.63% -0.38%
2020 -1.1% -12.8%
2019 4.3% 0.83%
2018 5.22% 7.69%
2017 -5.57% -1.52%
2016 -14.5% -14.4%
2015 -17.8% -12.8%
2014 -10.7% -5.63%
2013 -2.85% -6.06%
2012 7.24% 4.09%
2011 16.1% 4.74%
2010 15.5% -4.18%
2009 4.76% -14.9%
2008 23.9% -0.86%
2007 8.99% 9.98%
2006 16% 10.7%
2005 13.4% 4.07%
2004 3.33% -35.4%
2003 0.37% -
2002 -7.34% -
2001 -0.71% -
2000 1.05% -
1999 -4.75% -
1998 -5.16% -
1997 3.67% -
1996 9.2% -
1995 -6.38% -
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/iraq | 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 Iraq's deficit of $11.6B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 6 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 4.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.05% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Iraq
2024 3.1% -12.3%
2023 4.3% 4.36%
2022 3% 4.99%
2021 2% 6.04%
2020 1.4% 0.57%
2019 0.4% -0.2%
2018 1.2% 0.37%
2017 0.4% 0.18%
2016 3.2% 0.56%
2015 3.2% 1.39%
2014 0.9% 2.24%
2013 4.6% 1.88%
2012 5% 6.09%
2011 1.8% 5.8%
2010 0.4% 2.88%
2009 4.3% 6.87%
2008 6% 12.7%
2007 2.6% -10.1%
2006 4.7% 53.2%
2005 2.5% 37%
2004 3.7% 27%
2003 1.7% 33.6%
2002 3% 19.3%
2001 0.8% 16.4%
2000 0.5% 4.98%
1999 3% 12.6%
1998 2.2% 14.8%
1997 12.7% 23.1%

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/iraq | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 9.86% in Iraq. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and -12.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Congo Iraq
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
24/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$101B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
33.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
37.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Iraq
Economic freedom 48.6 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 196/197
Property rights 28.7 8.3
Government integrity 13.9 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 5.8
Tax burden 73.7 85.5
Government spending 85.8 65.3
Fiscal health 80.8 95.7
Business freedom 35.8 42.8
Labor freedom 52.4 60.6
Monetary freedom 78.4 68.6
Trade freedom 52.8 40
Investment freedom 35 10
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Iraq
2026 48.6 -
2025 48.6 -
2024 47.8 -
2023 48.1 -
2022 48.5 -
2021 50.7 -
2020 41.8 -
2019 39.7 -
2018 38.9 -
2017 40 -
2016 42.8 -
2015 42.7 -
2014 43.7 -
2013 43.5 -
2012 43.8 -
2011 43.6 -
2010 43.2 -
2009 45.4 -
2008 45.3 -
2007 44.4 -
2006 43.8 -
2005 46.2 -
2004 45.9 -
2003 47.7 -
2002 45.3 15.6
2001 44.3 17.2
2000 40.6 17.2
1999 41.6 17.2
1998 33.8 17.2
1997 42.2 17.2
1996 40.3 17.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Iraq
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
51.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
3.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$277B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$14,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
28/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
28.2%
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/iraq | 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 (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. TradeMap (2020–2021, 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.