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Economy of Congo vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 141/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Congo vs Kuwait GDP by year

Congo
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Kuwait
2024 $15,719,986,077 $160,227,273,053
2023 $15,321,055,823 $165,384,407,116
2022 $15,817,030,155 $183,502,046,694
2021 $14,825,690,211 $148,350,671,489
2020 $11,468,687,464 $111,045,470,606
2019 $13,976,637,780 $140,856,394,861
2018 $14,773,900,289 $138,646,316,351
2017 $11,834,473,039 $120,687,539,806
2016 $10,931,328,151 $109,406,674,125
2015 $12,434,793,867 $114,585,555,689
2014 $17,919,321,078 $162,650,450,685
2013 $17,958,720,699 $174,168,116,535
2012 $17,692,911,296 $174,047,662,680
2011 $15,655,383,577 $154,039,231,246
2010 $13,148,396,212 $115,416,245,242
2009 $9,723,299,915 $105,968,691,905
2008 $11,649,857,673 $147,379,737,230
2007 $8,782,703,437 $114,634,043,362
2006 $8,072,305,029 $101,557,330,723
2005 $6,650,001,680 $80,798,630,137
2004 $4,656,974,940 $59,439,090,601
2003 $3,503,723,088 $47,874,582,232
2002 $3,034,250,924 $38,135,788,414
2001 $2,796,704,604 $34,889,559,870
2000 $3,227,927,698 $37,718,743,480
1999 $2,354,772,960 $30,122,365,849
1998 $1,949,481,379 $25,943,705,784
1997 $2,322,719,103 $30,350,190,704
1996 $2,540,697,539 $31,492,373,309
1995 $2,116,003,868 $27,186,980,647
1994 $1,769,365,438 $24,848,483,838
1993 $2,684,323,623 $23,941,391,391
1992 $2,933,222,703 $19,858,555,215
1991 $2,724,853,506 $11,009,993,703
1990 $2,798,746,050 $18,427,777,778
1989 $2,389,593,026 $24,313,855,653
1988 $2,212,536,312 $20,690,322,153
1987 $2,297,753,652 $22,368,704,134
1986 $1,849,268,212 $17,903,989,745
1985 $2,160,872,540 $21,445,970,614
1984 $2,193,581,365 $21,700,082,753
1983 $2,097,274,290 $20,871,081,080
1982 $2,160,640,565 $21,577,153,356
1981 $1,993,512,323 $25,058,020,338
1980 $1,705,796,853 $28,638,868,356
1979 $1,198,749,667 $24,749,063,922
1978 $878,771,772 $15,503,557,496
1977 $765,224,029 $14,137,406,741
1976 $754,549,601 $13,132,252,802
1975 $767,102,680 $12,022,811,621
1974 $585,364,634 $13,006,948,296
1973 $541,973,363 $5,408,804,607
1972 $410,669,264 $4,450,537,925
1971 $322,128,019 $3,880,392,195
1970 $274,960,700 $2,873,638,851
1969 $265,040,036 $2,769,198,892
1968 $251,247,458 $2,662,798,935
1967 $237,397,428 $2,441,599,023
1966 $220,613,582 $2,391,199,044
1965 $198,318,064 $2,097,199,161
1964 $185,693,725 $2,071,668,533
1963 $172,233,431 $1,900,895,857
1962 $166,521,240 $1,828,107,503
1961 $151,675,739 -
1960 $131,731,863 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Kuwait by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $906 $3,888 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $855 $3,748 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $776 $3,464 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $660 $3,602 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $804 $3,510 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $899 $3,547 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $770 $3,434 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $662 $3,327 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $1,033 - $10,965 -
1988 $984 - $9,692 -
1987 $1,052 - $10,896 -
1986 $872 - $9,077 -
1985 $1,049 - $11,322 -
1984 $1,097 - $11,919 -
1983 $1,075 - $11,965 -
1982 $1,131 - $12,979 -
1981 $1,066 - $15,825 -
1980 $933 - $19,032 -
1979 $670 - $17,386 -
1978 $503 - $11,567 -
1977 $448 - $11,238 -
1976 $453 - $11,141 -
1975 $471 - $10,882 -
1974 $370 - $12,527 -
1973 $353 - $5,532 -
1972 $276.3 - $4,836 -
1971 $223.5 - $4,486 -
1970 $196.7 - $3,552 -
1969 $195.4 - $3,695 -
1968 $190.8 - $3,872 -
1967 $185.7 - $3,887 -
1966 $177.6 - $4,176 -
1965 $164.2 - $4,024 -
1964 $158.1 - $4,379 -
1963 $150.7 - $4,445 -
1962 $149.6 - $4,748 -
1961 $139.9 - - -
1960 $124.7 - - -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Congo Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$141B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
2.16%
2016
Population
6681829
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 45% 3.43%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 23% 43.5% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 27% 185.3% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 41.4% 23%
2000 22.6% 145% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 28.8% 0% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 25.1% 0% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 22.2% 0% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 15.7% 0% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 27.6% 0% 52% 34.9%
1994 30.7% 0% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 32.8% 0% 58.2% 28.8%
1992 32.8% 0% 77.6% 27.9%
1991 34.1% 0% 208.9% 45.3%
1990 30.4% 0% 122.9% -
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/kuwait | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 25/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Kuwait
2024 3.62% 23.8%
2023 5.81% 28.2%
2022 8.94% 30%
2021 1.63% 9.98%
2020 -1.1% 0.14%
2019 4.3% 13%
2018 5.22% 17.5%
2017 -5.57% 15.3%
2016 -14.5% 13.1%
2015 -17.8% 16.6%
2014 -10.7% 30%
2013 -2.85% 40.6%
2012 7.24% 40.7%
2011 16.1% 38.8%
2010 15.5% 31.9%
2009 4.76% 31.3%
2008 23.9% 21.3%
2007 8.99% 37.1%
2006 16% 28%
2005 13.4% 38.9%
2004 3.33% 32.5%
2003 0.37% 27.2%
2002 -7.34% 31%
2001 -0.71% 45.2%
2000 1.05% 52.5%
1999 -4.75% 28.2%
1998 -5.16% 19.5%
1997 3.67% 29.5%
1996 9.2% 24.3%
1995 -6.38% 11.7%
1994 -10.6% 1.76%
1993 -11.3% -3.12%
1992 -12.7% -28.1%
1991 -11.2% -145%
1990 -4.1% -50%
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/kuwait | 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 Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to surplus of 16.7% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Kuwait
2024 3.1% 2.9%
2023 4.3% 3.64%
2022 3% 3.98%
2021 2% 3.42%
2020 1.4% 2.1%
2019 0.4% 1.09%
2018 1.2% 0.54%
2017 0.4% 2.17%
2016 3.2% 3.2%
2015 3.2% 3.27%
2014 0.9% 2.91%
2013 4.6% 2.68%
2012 5% 3.26%
2011 1.8% 4.84%
2010 0.4% 4.5%
2009 4.3% 4.61%
2008 6% 10.6%
2007 2.6% 5.48%
2006 4.7% 3.06%
2005 2.5% 4.14%
2004 3.7% 1.25%
2003 1.7% 0.96%
2002 3% 0.89%
2001 0.8% 1.3%
2000 0.5% 1.81%
1999 3% 2.99%
1998 2.2% 0.13%
1997 12.7% 0.68%

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/kuwait | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $32K
Machinery & equipment $29K
Metals $1K
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $243K
Chemicals & pharma $226K
Raw materials & minerals $78K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Congo Kuwait
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
57.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Kuwait
Economic freedom 48.6 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 100/197
Property rights 28.7 42
Government integrity 13.9 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 43.4
Tax burden 73.7 97.7
Government spending 85.8 36.2
Fiscal health 80.8 99.9
Business freedom 35.8 57.4
Labor freedom 52.4 49.2
Monetary freedom 78.4 68.7
Trade freedom 52.8 75.8
Investment freedom 35 50
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Kuwait
2026 48.6 59.9
2025 48.6 59.9
2024 47.8 58.5
2023 48.1 56.7
2022 48.5 58.3
2021 50.7 64.1
2020 41.8 63.2
2019 39.7 60.8
2018 38.9 62.2
2017 40 65.1
2016 42.8 62.7
2015 42.7 62.5
2014 43.7 62.3
2013 43.5 63.1
2012 43.8 62.5
2011 43.6 64.9
2010 43.2 67.7
2009 45.4 65.6
2008 45.3 68.1
2007 44.4 66.4
2006 43.8 66.5
2005 46.2 64.6
2004 45.9 63.6
2003 47.7 66.7
2002 45.3 65.4
2001 44.3 68.2
2000 40.6 69.7
1999 41.6 69.5
1998 33.8 66.3
1997 42.2 64.8
1996 40.3 66.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$10.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
17.7%
2023

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/kuwait | 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.