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Economy of Congo vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 141/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

Congo vs Liberia GDP by year

Congo
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Liberia
2024 $15,719,986,077 $4,779,300,900
2023 $15,321,055,823 $4,390,000,000
2022 $15,817,030,155 $4,001,047,000
2021 $14,825,690,211 $3,513,049,500
2020 $11,468,687,464 $3,176,126,300
2019 $13,976,637,780 $3,319,596,500
2018 $14,773,900,289 $3,422,754,800
2017 $11,834,473,039 $3,390,703,400
2016 $10,931,328,151 $3,398,419,600
2015 $12,434,793,867 $3,227,075,700
2014 $17,919,321,078 $3,225,652,000
2013 $17,958,720,699 $3,177,198,100
2012 $17,692,911,296 $2,791,614,000
2011 $15,655,383,577 $2,398,000,000
2010 $13,148,396,212 $1,998,000,000
2009 $9,723,299,915 $1,768,000,000
2008 $11,649,857,673 $1,726,000,000
2007 $8,782,703,437 $1,373,000,000
2006 $8,072,305,029 $1,119,000,000
2005 $6,650,001,680 $949,000,000
2004 $4,656,974,940 $897,000,000
2003 $3,503,723,088 $748,000,000
2002 $3,034,250,924 $927,000,000
2001 $2,796,704,604 $906,000,000
2000 $3,227,927,698 $874,000,000
1999 $2,354,772,960 $441,800,000
1998 $1,949,481,379 $359,600,000
1997 $2,322,719,103 $295,900,000
1996 $2,540,697,539 $159,400,000
1995 $2,116,003,868 $134,800,000
1994 $1,769,365,438 $132,200,000
1993 $2,684,323,623 $160,400,000
1992 $2,933,222,703 $223,500,000
1991 $2,724,853,506 $348,000,000
1990 $2,798,746,050 $384,400,000
1989 $2,389,593,026 $786,300,000
1988 $2,212,536,312 $1,038,300,000
1987 $2,297,753,652 $972,800,000
1986 $1,849,268,212 $840,964,400
1985 $2,160,872,540 $851,296,100
1984 $2,193,581,365 $848,478,300
1983 $2,097,274,290 $823,374,900
1982 $2,160,640,565 $863,933,200
1981 $1,993,512,323 $846,514,500
1980 $1,705,796,853 $854,711,500
1979 $1,198,749,667 $814,067,900
1978 $878,771,772 $717,240,400
1977 $765,224,029 $673,010,600
1976 $754,549,601 $596,675,700
1975 $767,102,680 $577,549,300
1974 $585,364,634 $486,955,000
1973 $541,973,363 $386,968,300
1972 $410,669,264 $368,098,000
1971 $322,128,019 $341,543,100
1970 $274,960,700 $323,099,700
1969 $265,040,036 $306,961,800
1968 $251,247,458 $276,820,700
1967 $237,397,428 $261,024,300
1966 $220,613,582 $244,459,500
1965 $198,318,064 $229,260,800
1964 $185,693,725 $218,929,100
1963 $172,233,431 $200,229,600
1962 $166,521,240 $191,861,800
1961 $151,675,739 $183,920,900
1960 $131,731,863 $190,495,600

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Liberia by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $851 $1,871
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $799 $1,795
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $745 $1,692
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $668 $1,539
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $617 $1,660
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $658 $1,900
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $692 $1,800
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $699 $1,665
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $715 $1,490
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $693 $1,340
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $707 $1,419
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $711 $1,360
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $638 $1,157
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $568 $1,041
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $492 $980
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $448 $939
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $452 $915
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $374 $873
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $321 $815
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $287.5 $774
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $284.1 $745
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $239.8 $716
2002 $906 $3,888 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $855 $3,748 $300 $987
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $298.5 $965
1999 $776 $3,464 $156.6 $762
1998 $660 $3,602 $134.7 $652
1997 $804 $3,510 $122.6 $548
1996 $899 $3,547 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $770 $3,434 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $662 $3,327 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $74.4 $328
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $107.8 $497
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $177.9 $793
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $172.9 $787
1989 $1,033 - $312 -
1988 $984 - $424 -
1987 $1,052 - $409 -
1986 $872 - $364 -
1985 $1,049 - $380 -
1984 $1,097 - $390 -
1983 $1,075 - $391 -
1982 $1,131 - $422 -
1981 $1,066 - $426 -
1980 $933 - $443 -
1979 $670 - $435 -
1978 $503 - $394 -
1977 $448 - $381 -
1976 $453 - $347 -
1975 $471 - $346 -
1974 $370 - $299.4 -
1973 $353 - $244.4 -
1972 $276.3 - $238.6 -
1971 $223.5 - $227.1 -
1970 $196.7 - $220.3 -
1969 $195.4 - $214.7 -
1968 $190.8 - $198.6 -
1967 $185.7 - $192.2 -
1966 $177.6 - $184.6 -
1965 $164.2 - $177.6 -
1964 $158.1 - $173.9 -
1963 $150.7 - $163.1 -
1962 $149.6 - $160.3 -
1961 $139.9 - $157.5 -
1960 $124.7 - $167.2 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $851 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Congo Liberia
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$1,191
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
5.93%
2017
Population
6681829
5887000

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 37.1% 24.8%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 23% 43.5% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 17.2% 394%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 11.1% 472%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 12.8% 535%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 12.1% 543%
2003 27% 185.3% 9.85% 658%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 13.2% 481%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 12.6% 484%
2000 22.6% 145% 15.2% 489%
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/liberia | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 25/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Liberia
2024 3.62% -1.98%
2023 5.81% -7.03%
2022 8.94% -5.33%
2021 1.63% -2.5%
2020 -1.1% -4.02%
2019 4.3% -4.92%
2018 5.22% -4.7%
2017 -5.57% -7.14%
2016 -14.5% -3.83%
2015 -17.8% -3.74%
2014 -10.7% -4.92%
2013 -2.85% 1.29%
2012 7.24% -2.86%
2011 16.1% -4.43%
2010 15.5% 1.17%
2009 4.76% -1.39%
2008 23.9% -2.68%
2007 8.99% 2.44%
2006 16% 4.42%
2005 13.4% -0.55%
2004 3.33% -0.56%
2003 0.37% 0.39%
2002 -7.34% -1.63%
2001 -0.71% -0.98%
2000 1.05% -0.08%
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/liberia | 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 Liberia's deficit of $94.6M, or 1.98% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 3.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Liberia
2024 3.1% 8.2%
2023 4.3% 10.1%
2022 3% 7.6%
2021 2% 7.8%
2020 1.4% 17%
2019 0.4% 27%
2018 1.2% 23.5%
2017 0.4% 12.4%
2016 3.2% 8.8%
2015 3.2% 7.7%
2014 0.9% 9.9%
2013 4.6% 7.6%
2012 5% 6.8%
2011 1.8% 8.5%
2010 0.4% 7.3%
2009 4.3% 7.4%
2008 6% 17.5%
2007 2.6% 11.4%
2006 4.7% 9.5%
2005 2.5% 6.9%
2004 3.7% 3.6%
2003 1.7% 10.3%
2002 3% 14.2%
2001 0.8% 12.1%
2000 0.5% 5.3%
1999 3% 2%
1998 2.2% -
1997 12.7% -

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

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

Over the past 26 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.6%, compared with 10.4% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 8.2% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Liberia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $853K

Balance of trade

Congo Liberia
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$434M
2022
Service exports
$240M
2021
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
28.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Liberia
Economic freedom 48.6 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 163/197
Property rights 28.7 40.4
Government integrity 13.9 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 23.4
Tax burden 73.7 86.1
Government spending 85.8 79.5
Fiscal health 80.8 56.9
Business freedom 35.8 38
Labor freedom 52.4 43.4
Monetary freedom 78.4 71.4
Trade freedom 52.8 57.4
Investment freedom 35 55
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Liberia
2026 48.6 49.8
2025 48.6 48.5
2024 47.8 49.9
2023 48.1 49.6
2022 48.5 47.9
2021 50.7 49.2
2020 41.8 49
2019 39.7 49.7
2018 38.9 50.9
2017 40 49.1
2016 42.8 52.2
2015 42.7 52.7
2014 43.7 52.4
2013 43.5 49.3
2012 43.8 48.6
2011 43.6 46.5
2010 43.2 46.2
2009 45.4 48.1
2008 45.3 -
2007 44.4 -
2006 43.8 -
2005 46.2 -
2004 45.9 -
2003 47.7 -
2002 45.3 -
2001 44.3 -
2000 40.6 -
1999 41.6 -
1998 33.8 -
1997 42.2 -
1996 40.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Liberia
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
n/a

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/liberia | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.