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Economy of Congo vs Jamaica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $22B for Jamaica, ranking 141/197 and 124/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $14B (63.4% of GDP) in Jamaica.

Congo vs Jamaica GDP by year

Congo
Jamaica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Jamaica
2024 $15,719,986,077 $22,014,397,090
2023 $15,321,055,823 $21,418,804,320
2022 $15,817,030,155 $18,813,516,805
2021 $14,825,690,211 $15,963,885,376
2020 $11,468,687,464 $15,000,214,216
2019 $13,976,637,780 $17,026,269,263
2018 $14,773,900,289 $16,855,447,986
2017 $11,834,473,039 $15,783,583,237
2016 $10,931,328,151 $14,898,999,754
2015 $12,434,793,867 $14,963,589,916
2014 $17,919,321,078 $13,899,217,680
2013 $17,958,720,699 $14,264,205,153
2012 $17,692,911,296 $14,807,086,556
2011 $15,655,383,577 $14,444,661,522
2010 $13,148,396,212 $13,220,549,908
2009 $9,723,299,915 $12,120,458,115
2008 $11,649,857,673 $13,709,401,520
2007 $8,782,703,437 $12,799,600,047
2006 $8,072,305,029 $11,930,179,090
2005 $6,650,001,680 $11,243,865,778
2004 $4,656,974,940 $10,174,664,854
2003 $3,503,723,088 $9,430,234,811
2002 $3,034,250,924 $9,719,009,495
2001 $2,796,704,604 $9,194,727,831
2000 $3,227,927,698 $9,005,064,475
1999 $2,354,772,960 $8,887,057,997
1998 $1,949,481,379 $8,787,195,622
1997 $2,322,719,103 $8,400,041,724
1996 $2,540,697,539 $7,393,891,921
1995 $2,116,003,868 $6,577,520,643
1994 $1,769,365,438 $5,452,558,947
1993 $2,684,323,623 $5,440,075,676
1992 $2,933,222,703 $3,535,460,090
1991 $2,724,853,506 $4,106,207,649
1990 $2,798,746,050 $4,592,208,087
1989 $2,389,593,026 $4,404,937,853
1988 $2,212,536,312 $3,828,342,820
1987 $2,297,753,652 $3,287,007,322
1986 $1,849,268,212 $2,754,549,582
1985 $2,160,872,540 $2,100,239,019
1984 $2,193,581,365 $2,373,564,549
1983 $2,097,274,290 $3,619,262,277
1982 $2,160,640,565 $3,293,496,312
1981 $1,993,512,323 $2,979,027,966
1980 $1,705,796,853 $2,679,379,372
1979 $1,198,749,667 $2,425,064,229
1978 $878,771,772 $2,644,527,822
1977 $765,224,029 $3,249,733,140
1976 $754,549,601 $2,966,042,856
1975 $767,102,680 $2,860,442,750
1974 $585,364,634 $2,375,122,375
1973 $541,973,363 $1,905,917,553
1972 $410,669,264 $1,875,146,587
1971 $322,128,019 $1,539,861,816
1970 $274,960,700 $1,404,720,442
1969 $265,040,036 $1,191,239,047
1968 $251,247,458 $1,083,839,133
1967 $237,397,428 $1,148,014,311
1966 $220,613,582 $1,096,759,561
1965 $198,318,064 $972,159,611
1964 $185,693,725 $897,949,001
1963 $172,233,431 $826,706,669
1962 $166,521,240 $777,727,689
1961 $151,675,739 $748,043,501
1960 $131,731,863 $699,064,380

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Jamaica by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Jamaica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $7,754 $12,890
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $7,542 $12,651
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $6,626 $11,888
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $5,626 $10,431
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $5,299 $9,764
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $6,031 $10,845
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $5,977 $10,753
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $5,605 $10,466
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $5,302 $9,948
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $5,339 $9,476
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $4,975 $9,210
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $5,124 $9,101
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $5,341 $8,831
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $5,233 $8,809
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $4,810 $8,521
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $4,428 $8,580
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $5,030 $8,952
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $4,716 $8,893
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $4,417 $8,577
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $4,184 $8,127
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $3,808 $7,854
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $3,550 $7,593
2002 $906 $3,888 $3,681 $7,226
2001 $855 $3,748 $3,504 $7,019
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $3,453 $6,816
1999 $776 $3,464 $3,432 $6,653
1998 $660 $3,602 $3,419 $6,543
1997 $804 $3,510 $3,297 $6,682
1996 $899 $3,547 $2,929 $6,706
1995 $770 $3,434 $2,631 $6,657
1994 $662 $3,327 $2,203 $6,435
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $2,221 $6,279
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $1,458 $5,664
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $1,710 $5,485
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $1,930 $5,106
1989 $1,033 - $1,865 -
1988 $984 - $1,632 -
1987 $1,052 - $1,411 -
1986 $872 - $1,191 -
1985 $1,049 - $917 -
1984 $1,097 - $1,048 -
1983 $1,075 - $1,619 -
1982 $1,131 - $1,494 -
1981 $1,066 - $1,370 -
1980 $933 - $1,249 -
1979 $670 - $1,144 -
1978 $503 - $1,262 -
1977 $448 - $1,569 -
1976 $453 - $1,450 -
1975 $471 - $1,417 -
1974 $370 - $1,193 -
1973 $353 - $972 -
1972 $276.3 - $971 -
1971 $223.5 - $809 -
1970 $196.7 - $748 -
1969 $195.4 - $642 -
1968 $190.8 - $591 -
1967 $185.7 - $633 -
1966 $177.6 - $612 -
1965 $164.2 - $549 -
1964 $158.1 - $514 -
1963 $150.7 - $480 -
1962 $149.6 - $458 -
1961 $139.9 - $447 -
1960 $124.7 - $424 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $7,754 in Jamaica, ranking 95/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890.

Economic indicators

Congo Jamaica
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$22B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
-0.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$7,754
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$12,890
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
121/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$14B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
63.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$4,917
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
79/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$6,905
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$12.4B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
30.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
5.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
3.02%
2023
Population
6681829
2834980

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Jamaica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Jamaica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 30.5% 63.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 28% 67.3%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 28.4% 73.5%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 29% 90.9%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 29.8% 100.1%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 27.8% 88.6%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 27.8% 89.2%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 27.3% 96.7%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 27% 109.1%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 26.3% 117.6%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 26.5% 136.7%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 26.9% 138.1%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 29.6% 143%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 31.7% 138.1%
2010 23% 43.5% 32.9% 140.1%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 38.6% 141.5%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 34.4% 125.6%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 31.6% 115.3%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 31.2% 118%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 29.3% 124.5%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 31.5% 120.1%
2003 27% 185.3% 32.5% 125.5%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 31.1% 119.1%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 28.5% 107.9%
2000 22.6% 145% 26.2% 91.3%
1999 28.8% 0% 28.9% 83.5%
1998 25.1% 0% 28.3% 75.6%
1997 22.2% 0% 28.3% 74.4%
1996 15.7% 0% 27.7% 70.2%
1995 27.6% 0% 23.1% 85.2%
1994 30.7% 0% 21.5% 90.4%
1993 32.8% 0% 21.5% 106.2%
1992 32.8% 0% 20% 100.4%
1991 34.1% 0% 24.5% 175.1%
1990 30.4% 0% 25.7% 128.8%
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 (1989–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Jamaica spent $6.72B, or 30.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 63.4% in Jamaica, ranking 25/185 and 73/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Jamaica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Jamaica
2024 3.62% 0.22%
2023 5.81% 0.04%
2022 8.94% 0.27%
2021 1.63% 0.89%
2020 -1.1% -2.83%
2019 4.3% 0.85%
2018 5.22% 1.12%
2017 -5.57% 0.43%
2016 -14.5% -0.19%
2015 -17.8% -0.28%
2014 -10.7% -0.49%
2013 -2.85% 0.12%
2012 7.24% -4.05%
2011 16.1% -6.34%
2010 15.5% -6.27%
2009 4.76% -11.1%
2008 23.9% -7.43%
2007 8.99% -3.82%
2006 16% -4.9%
2005 13.4% -3.3%
2004 3.33% -4.68%
2003 0.37% -5.67%
2002 -7.34% -6.77%
2001 -0.71% -4.89%
2000 1.05% -0.8%
1999 -4.75% -3.53%
1998 -5.16% -5.82%
1997 3.67% -6.54%
1996 9.2% -5.32%
1995 -6.38% 1.6%
1994 -10.6% 2.59%
1993 -11.3% 2.6%
1992 -12.7% 3.11%
1991 -11.2% 3.87%
1990 -4.1% 2.34%
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/jamaica | 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 Jamaica's surplus of $49.1M, or 0.22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Jamaica ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.14% of GDP for Jamaica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Jamaica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Jamaica
2024 3.1% 5.41%
2023 4.3% 6.47%
2022 3% 10.3%
2021 2% 5.86%
2020 1.4% 5.23%
2019 0.4% 3.91%
2018 1.2% 3.74%
2017 0.4% 4.38%
2016 3.2% 2.35%
2015 3.2% 3.69%
2014 0.9% 8.27%
2013 4.6% 9.34%
2012 5% 6.87%
2011 1.8% 7.56%
2010 0.4% 12.6%
2009 4.3% 9.59%
2008 6% 22%
2007 2.6% 9.24%
2006 4.7% 8.56%
2005 2.5% 15.1%
2004 3.7% 13.6%
2003 1.7% 10.1%
2002 3% 7.08%
2001 0.8% 6.8%
2000 0.5% 8.17%
1999 3% 5.95%
1998 2.2% 8.63%
1997 12.7% 9.66%

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/jamaica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 8.23% in Jamaica. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 5.41% in Jamaica.

Balance of trade

Congo Jamaica
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$679M
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
56/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+3.08%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$6.07B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$1.87B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$3.46B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$5.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
52.1%
2019
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
38%
2019

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Jamaica
Economic freedom 48.6 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 48/197
Property rights 28.7 66.8
Government integrity 13.9 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 75.6
Tax burden 73.7 76.3
Government spending 85.8 76
Fiscal health 80.8 92.2
Business freedom 35.8 68.5
Labor freedom 52.4 59.2
Monetary freedom 78.4 74.2
Trade freedom 52.8 70.4
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Jamaica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Jamaica
2026 48.6 68.2
2025 48.6 68.7
2024 47.8 68.1
2023 48.1 68.1
2022 48.5 67.4
2021 50.7 69
2020 41.8 68.5
2019 39.7 68.6
2018 38.9 69.1
2017 40 69.5
2016 42.8 67.5
2015 42.7 67.7
2014 43.7 66.7
2013 43.5 66.8
2012 43.8 65.1
2011 43.6 65.7
2010 43.2 65.5
2009 45.4 65.2
2008 45.3 65.7
2007 44.4 65.5
2006 43.8 66.4
2005 46.2 67
2004 45.9 66.7
2003 47.7 67
2002 45.3 61.7
2001 44.3 63.7
2000 40.6 65.5
1999 41.6 64.7
1998 33.8 67.1
1997 42.2 67.7
1996 40.3 66.7
1995 - 64.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 68.2 for Jamaica, ranking 48/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Jamaica
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
7.97%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$20.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$12,690
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$5.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
93/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$304M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$305M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$1.07M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
11.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
8.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
22.6%
2019

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/jamaica | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.