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Economy of Congo vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 141/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Congo vs Lebanon GDP by year

Congo
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Lebanon
2024 $15,719,986,077 -
2023 $15,321,055,823 $20,078,620,357
2022 $15,817,030,155 $20,992,421,949
2021 $14,825,690,211 $23,131,941,557
2020 $11,468,687,464 $31,712,128,254
2019 $13,976,637,780 $51,605,959,131
2018 $14,773,900,289 $54,901,519,156
2017 $11,834,473,039 $53,027,680,686
2016 $10,931,328,151 $51,147,308,774
2015 $12,434,793,867 $49,929,337,837
2014 $17,919,321,078 $48,095,213,747
2013 $17,958,720,699 $46,880,103,081
2012 $17,692,911,296 $44,016,799,516
2011 $15,655,383,577 $39,927,125,962
2010 $13,148,396,212 $38,443,907,042
2009 $9,723,299,915 $35,399,582,929
2008 $11,649,857,673 $29,118,916,105
2007 $8,782,703,437 $24,827,355,015
2006 $8,072,305,029 $22,022,709,851
2005 $6,650,001,680 $21,497,336,499
2004 $4,656,974,940 $21,159,827,992
2003 $3,503,723,088 $20,082,918,740
2002 $3,034,250,924 $19,152,238,806
2001 $2,796,704,604 $17,649,751,244
2000 $3,227,927,698 $17,260,364,842
1999 $2,354,772,960 $17,391,056,369
1998 $1,949,481,379 $17,247,179,006
1997 $2,322,719,103 $15,751,867,489
1996 $2,540,697,539 $13,690,217,334
1995 $2,116,003,868 $11,718,795,529
1994 $1,769,365,438 $9,599,127,050
1993 $2,684,323,623 $7,941,744,492
1992 $2,933,222,703 $5,843,579,161
1991 $2,724,853,506 $4,690,415,093
1990 $2,798,746,050 $2,838,485,354
1989 $2,389,593,026 $2,717,998,688
1988 $2,212,536,312 $3,313,540,068
1987 $2,297,753,652 -
1986 $1,849,268,212 -
1985 $2,160,872,540 -
1984 $2,193,581,365 -
1983 $2,097,274,290 -
1982 $2,160,640,565 -
1981 $1,993,512,323 -
1980 $1,705,796,853 -
1979 $1,198,749,667 -
1978 $878,771,772 -
1977 $765,224,029 -
1976 $754,549,601 -
1975 $767,102,680 -
1974 $585,364,634 -
1973 $541,973,363 -
1972 $410,669,264 -
1971 $322,128,019 -
1970 $274,960,700 -
1969 $265,040,036 -
1968 $251,247,458 -
1967 $237,397,428 -
1966 $220,613,582 -
1965 $198,318,064 -
1964 $185,693,725 -
1963 $172,233,431 -
1962 $166,521,240 -
1961 $151,675,739 -
1960 $131,731,863 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Lebanon by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 - -
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $906 $3,888 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $855 $3,748 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $776 $3,464 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $660 $3,602 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $804 $3,510 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $899 $3,547 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $770 $3,434 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $662 $3,327 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $790 $2,990
1989 $1,033 - $771 -
1988 $984 - $959 -
1987 $1,052 - - -
1986 $872 - - -
1985 $1,049 - - -
1984 $1,097 - - -
1983 $1,075 - - -
1982 $1,131 - - -
1981 $1,066 - - -
1980 $933 - - -
1979 $670 - - -
1978 $503 - - -
1977 $448 - - -
1976 $453 - - -
1975 $471 - - -
1974 $370 - - -
1973 $353 - - -
1972 $276.3 - - -
1971 $223.5 - - -
1970 $196.7 - - -
1969 $195.4 - - -
1968 $190.8 - - -
1967 $185.7 - - -
1966 $177.6 - - -
1965 $164.2 - - -
1964 $158.1 - - -
1963 $150.7 - - -
1962 $149.6 - - -
1961 $139.9 - - -
1960 $124.7 - - -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Congo Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
141/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
11.3%
2019
Population
6681829
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 10.9% 358%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 30.6% 150%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 23% 43.5% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 27% 185.3% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 22.6% 145% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 28.8% 0% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 25.1% 0% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 22.2% 0% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 15.7% 0% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 27.6% 0% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 30.7% 0% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 32.8% 0% 23% 50.5%
1992 32.8% 0% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 34.1% 0% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 30.4% 0% 40% 99.7%
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 (1989–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 25/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Lebanon
2024 3.62% -0.19%
2023 5.81% -1.7%
2022 8.94% -7.77%
2021 1.63% -2.67%
2020 -1.1% -7.37%
2019 4.3% -10.5%
2018 5.22% -11.3%
2017 -5.57% -8.65%
2016 -14.5% -8.88%
2015 -17.8% -7.48%
2014 -10.7% -6.22%
2013 -2.85% -8.82%
2012 7.24% -8.43%
2011 16.1% -5.94%
2010 15.5% -7.47%
2009 4.76% -8.1%
2008 23.9% -9.86%
2007 8.99% -10.9%
2006 16% -10.6%
2005 13.4% -8.57%
2004 3.33% -9.83%
2003 0.37% -14%
2002 -7.34% -16.2%
2001 -0.71% -21%
2000 1.05% -23.9%
1999 -4.75% -16.7%
1998 -5.16% -17.3%
1997 3.67% -24.5%
1996 9.2% -25.7%
1995 -6.38% -13.6%
1994 -10.6% -29.1%
1993 -11.3% -7.19%
1992 -12.7% -24%
1991 -11.2% -19.5%
1990 -4.1% -30.2%
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/lebanon | CC BY

In 2023, the Congo's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $889M, equivalent to 5.81% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Lebanon
2024 3.1% 45.2%
2023 4.3% 221.3%
2022 3% 171.2%
2021 2% 154.8%
2020 1.4% 84.9%
2019 0.4% 2.9%
2018 1.2% 6.1%
2017 0.4% 4.5%
2016 3.2% -0.8%
2015 3.2% -3.8%
2014 0.9% 1.1%
2013 4.6% 5.6%
2012 5% 6.6%
2011 1.8% 5%
2010 0.4% 4%
2009 4.3% 1.2%
2008 6% 10.7%
2007 2.6% 4.1%
2006 4.7% 4.1%
2005 2.5% -1.4%
2004 3.7% 1.7%
2003 1.7% 1.3%
2002 3% 1.8%
2001 0.8% -0.4%
2000 0.5% -0.4%
1999 3% 0.2%
1998 2.2% 4.5%
1997 12.7% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $156K
Textiles & consumer goods $38K
Precious metals & jewellery $32K
Machinery & equipment $29K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Metals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Weapons & explosives $1K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $32.8M
Metals $10.6M
Chemicals & pharma $7.31M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.81M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.21M
Wood & paper products $1.91M
Raw agricultural goods $1.08M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.06M
Raw materials & minerals $860K
Animal & marine products $253K

Balance of trade

Congo Lebanon
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$240M
2021
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Lebanon
Economic freedom 48.6 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 183/197
Property rights 28.7 21.8
Government integrity 13.9 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 23.8
Tax burden 73.7 90.3
Government spending 85.8 93.3
Fiscal health 80.8 63.4
Business freedom 35.8 47.6
Labor freedom 52.4 48.4
Monetary freedom 78.4 0
Trade freedom 52.8 65.6
Investment freedom 35 20
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Lebanon
2026 48.6 43.1
2025 48.6 44.1
2024 47.8 48.3
2023 48.1 45.6
2022 48.5 47.3
2021 50.7 51.4
2020 41.8 51.7
2019 39.7 51.1
2018 38.9 53.2
2017 40 53.3
2016 42.8 59.5
2015 42.7 59.3
2014 43.7 59.4
2013 43.5 59.5
2012 43.8 60.1
2011 43.6 60.1
2010 43.2 59.5
2009 45.4 58.1
2008 45.3 60
2007 44.4 60.4
2006 43.8 57.5
2005 46.2 57.2
2004 45.9 56.9
2003 47.7 56.7
2002 45.3 57.1
2001 44.3 61
2000 40.6 56.1
1999 41.6 59.1
1998 33.8 59
1997 42.2 63.9
1996 40.3 63.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
1.9%
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/lebanon | 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 (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1999, 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.