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Economy of Congo vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 141/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Congo vs Malawi GDP by year

Congo
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Malawi
2024 $15,719,986,077 $11,316,411,329
2023 $15,321,055,823 $13,363,669,673
2022 $15,817,030,155 $12,429,059,928
2021 $14,825,690,211 $12,378,119,199
2020 $11,468,687,464 $11,769,313,598
2019 $13,976,637,780 $11,051,852,713
2018 $14,773,900,289 $9,879,220,354
2017 $11,834,473,039 $8,943,543,794
2016 $10,931,328,151 $7,909,868,618
2015 $12,434,793,867 $9,219,474,379
2014 $17,919,321,078 $8,801,326,169
2013 $17,958,720,699 $8,031,571,928
2012 $17,692,911,296 $8,773,203,178
2011 $15,655,383,577 $11,648,142,958
2010 $13,148,396,212 $10,128,323,011
2009 $9,723,299,915 $9,009,887,947
2008 $11,649,857,673 $7,743,617,352
2007 $8,782,703,437 $6,451,210,219
2006 $8,072,305,029 $5,818,279,739
2005 $6,650,001,680 $5,320,409,651
2004 $4,656,974,940 $5,058,726,350
2003 $3,503,723,088 $4,669,789,300
2002 $3,034,250,924 $5,087,328,438
2001 $2,796,704,604 $2,498,008,665
2000 $3,227,927,698 $2,537,307,580
1999 $2,354,772,960 $2,584,478,924
1998 $1,949,481,379 $2,547,609,590
1997 $2,322,719,103 $3,875,785,863
1996 $2,540,697,539 $3,319,573,750
1995 $2,116,003,868 $2,033,701,498
1994 $1,769,365,438 $1,719,864,761
1993 $2,684,323,623 $3,013,392,658
1992 $2,933,222,703 $2,618,837,835
1991 $2,724,853,506 $3,206,783,830
1990 $2,798,746,050 $2,737,087,862
1989 $2,389,593,026 $2,314,205,130
1988 $2,212,536,312 $2,008,189,508
1987 $2,297,753,652 $1,721,711,808
1986 $1,849,268,212 $1,722,586,299
1985 $2,160,872,540 $1,646,442,273
1984 $2,193,581,365 $1,758,028,656
1983 $2,097,274,290 $1,780,148,049
1982 $2,160,640,565 $1,717,379,495
1981 $1,993,512,323 $1,801,193,910
1980 $1,705,796,853 $1,801,156,775
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/malawi | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Malawi by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $523 $1,858
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $633 $1,830
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $604 $1,778
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $617 $1,688
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $603 $1,513
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $581 $1,450
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $533 $1,364
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $496 $1,380
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $451 $1,410
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $540 $1,403
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $530 $1,506
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $497 $1,558
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $558 $1,464
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $763 $1,516
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $683 $1,458
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $626 $1,388
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $554 $1,311
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $475 $1,231
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $441 $1,124
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $414 $1,071
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $405 $1,033
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $383 $979
2002 $906 $3,888 $428 $931
2001 $855 $3,748 $215.5 $924
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $224.2 $974
1999 $776 $3,464 $233.9 $961
1998 $660 $3,602 $236 $941
1997 $804 $3,510 $367 $915
1996 $899 $3,547 $321 $884
1995 $770 $3,434 $200.4 $825
1994 $662 $3,327 $169.2 $692
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $293 $746
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $258.4 $674
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $326 $732
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $286.7 $672
1989 $1,033 - $252.2 -
1988 $984 - $229.4 -
1987 $1,052 - $207.6 -
1986 $872 - $217.9 -
1985 $1,049 - $216.1 -
1984 $1,097 - $239.7 -
1983 $1,075 - $252.4 -
1982 $1,131 - $253.3 -
1981 $1,066 - $276.4 -
1980 $933 - $287.5 -
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/malawi | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Congo Malawi
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$3,031
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
15.4%
2024
Population
6681829
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 21% 40%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 17% 20%
2010 23% 43.5% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 27% 185.3% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 13.8% 101.5%
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/malawi | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 25/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Malawi
2024 3.62% -11%
2023 5.81% -7.84%
2022 8.94% -9.32%
2021 1.63% -8.34%
2020 -1.1% -8.03%
2019 4.3% -4.55%
2018 5.22% -4.35%
2017 -5.57% -5.15%
2016 -14.5% -4.9%
2015 -17.8% -4.17%
2014 -10.7% -3.08%
2013 -2.85% -3.73%
2012 7.24% -1.45%
2011 16.1% -2.85%
2010 15.5% 0.63%
2009 4.76% -2.97%
2008 23.9% -2.92%
2007 8.99% -2.56%
2006 16% -0.05%
2005 13.4% -1.63%
2004 3.33% -2.61%
2003 0.37% -2.6%
2002 -7.34% -4.47%
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/malawi | 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 Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 3.44% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Malawi
2024 3.1% 32.2%
2023 4.3% 28.8%
2022 3% 20.8%
2021 2% 9.3%
2020 1.4% 8.6%
2019 0.4% 9.4%
2018 1.2% 9.2%
2017 0.4% 11.5%
2016 3.2% 21.7%
2015 3.2% 21.9%
2014 0.9% 23.8%
2013 4.6% 28.3%
2012 5% 21.3%
2011 1.8% 7.6%
2010 0.4% 7.4%
2009 4.3% 8.4%
2008 6% 8.7%
2007 2.6% 7.9%
2006 4.7% 13.9%
2005 2.5% 15.5%
2004 3.7% 11.4%
2003 1.7% 9.6%
2002 3% 14.7%
2001 0.8% 22.7%
2000 0.5% 29.6%
1999 3% 44.8%
1998 2.2% 29.8%
1997 12.7% 9.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $3.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.28M
Raw agricultural goods $263K
Textiles & consumer goods $129K
Machinery & equipment $51K
Weapons & explosives $31K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Metals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Congo Malawi
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$895M
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
11.2%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Malawi
Economic freedom 48.6 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 159/197
Property rights 28.7 49.5
Government integrity 13.9 35
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 51.8
Tax burden 73.7 77
Government spending 85.8 77.8
Fiscal health 80.8 4.7
Business freedom 35.8 34.1
Labor freedom 52.4 55.2
Monetary freedom 78.4 55.1
Trade freedom 52.8 68.6
Investment freedom 35 50
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Malawi
2026 48.6 50.7
2025 48.6 50.9
2024 47.8 52.1
2023 48.1 52.8
2022 48.5 53
2021 50.7 53
2020 41.8 52.8
2019 39.7 51.4
2018 38.9 52
2017 40 52.2
2016 42.8 51.8
2015 42.7 54.8
2014 43.7 55.4
2013 43.5 55.3
2012 43.8 56.4
2011 43.6 55.8
2010 43.2 54.1
2009 45.4 53.7
2008 45.3 52.7
2007 44.4 52.9
2006 43.8 55.4
2005 46.2 53.6
2004 45.9 53.6
2003 47.7 53.2
2002 45.3 56.9
2001 44.3 56.2
2000 40.6 57.4
1999 41.6 54
1998 33.8 54.1
1997 42.2 53.4
1996 40.3 56.2
1995 - 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 50.7 for Malawi, ranking 159/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Malawi
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
14.5%
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/malawi | 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.