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Economy of Congo vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $26.8B for Mali, ranking 141/197 and 113/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $13.9B (51.7% of GDP) in Mali.

Congo vs Mali GDP by year

Congo
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Mali
2024 $15,719,986,077 $26,794,747,240
2023 $15,321,055,823 $24,813,860,599
2022 $15,817,030,155 $22,539,987,719
2021 $14,825,690,211 $22,999,245,263
2020 $11,468,687,464 $20,698,560,939
2019 $13,976,637,780 $20,477,421,885
2018 $14,773,900,289 $20,368,015,381
2017 $11,834,473,039 $18,308,362,040
2016 $10,931,328,151 $16,743,796,800
2015 $12,434,793,867 $15,583,181,170
2014 $17,919,321,078 $17,081,681,993
2013 $17,958,720,699 $15,747,192,681
2012 $17,692,911,296 $14,795,114,603
2011 $15,655,383,577 $15,452,791,789
2010 $13,148,396,212 $12,710,739,159
2009 $9,723,299,915 $12,155,217,833
2008 $11,649,857,673 $11,462,490,840
2007 $8,782,703,437 $9,699,047,443
2006 $8,072,305,029 $8,212,007,554
2005 $6,650,001,680 $7,429,066,951
2004 $4,656,974,940 $6,485,774,930
2003 $3,503,723,088 $5,605,613,011
2002 $3,034,250,924 $4,647,238,257
2001 $2,796,704,604 $4,124,281,594
2000 $3,227,927,698 $3,521,570,876
1999 $2,354,772,960 $4,091,446,054
1998 $1,949,481,379 $3,894,433,432
1997 $2,322,719,103 $3,414,879,486
1996 $2,540,697,539 $3,743,103,420
1995 $2,116,003,868 $3,373,322,735
1994 $1,769,365,438 $2,655,768,636
1993 $2,684,323,623 $3,632,801,877
1992 $2,933,222,703 $3,680,775,037
1991 $2,724,853,506 $3,576,562,682
1990 $2,798,746,050 $3,248,417,791
1989 $2,389,593,026 $2,824,822,489
1988 $2,212,536,312 $2,712,207,901
1987 $2,297,753,652 $2,437,004,680
1986 $1,849,268,212 $2,132,938,007
1985 $2,160,872,540 $1,594,347,021
1984 $2,193,581,365 $1,387,809,615
1983 $2,097,274,290 $1,496,616,127
1982 $2,160,640,565 $1,680,304,773
1981 $1,993,512,323 $2,234,583,940
1980 $1,705,796,853 $2,704,362,789
1979 $1,198,749,667 $1,595,422,956
1978 $878,771,772 $1,222,702,573
1977 $765,224,029 $1,049,838,548
1976 $754,549,601 $939,228,017
1975 $767,102,680 $830,710,615
1974 $585,364,634 $538,747,340
1973 $541,973,363 $563,683,703
1972 $410,669,264 $486,617,280
1971 $322,128,019 $395,218,629
1970 $274,960,700 $359,772,315
1969 $265,040,036 $339,913,867
1968 $251,247,458 $343,771,973
1967 $237,397,428 $275,494,478
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/mali | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Mali by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $1,095 $3,315
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $1,044 $3,175
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $977 $3,014
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $953 $2,724
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $972 $2,820
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $996 $2,684
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $924 $2,607
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $872 $2,532
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $838 $2,330
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $948 $2,185
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $902 $2,059
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $873 $1,990
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $938 $2,046
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $797 $2,012
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $787 $1,945
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $767 $1,893
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $671 $1,852
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $587 $1,832
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $549 $1,771
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $495 $1,730
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $442 $1,715
2002 $906 $3,888 $378 $1,581
2001 $855 $3,748 $346 $1,559
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $305 $1,357
1999 $776 $3,464 $364 $1,376
1998 $660 $3,602 $357 $1,332
1997 $804 $3,510 $321 $1,267
1996 $899 $3,547 $360 $1,224
1995 $770 $3,434 $331 $1,154
1994 $662 $3,327 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $372 $1,087
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $385 $1,039
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $382 $1,091
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $354 $956
1989 $1,033 - $314 -
1988 $984 - $307 -
1987 $1,052 - $280.7 -
1986 $872 - $250 -
1985 $1,049 - $190.4 -
1984 $1,097 - $169.1 -
1983 $1,075 - $186.3 -
1982 $1,131 - $213.8 -
1981 $1,066 - $290.5 -
1980 $933 - $359 -
1979 $670 - $216.3 -
1978 $503 - $169.1 -
1977 $448 - $148.1 -
1976 $453 - $134.9 -
1975 $471 - $121.5 -
1974 $370 - $80.2 -
1973 $353 - $85.4 -
1972 $276.3 - $75.1 -
1971 $223.5 - $62 -
1970 $196.7 - $57.3 -
1969 $195.4 - $55 -
1968 $190.8 - $56.5 -
1967 $185.7 - $46 -
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/mali | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $1,095 in Mali, ranking 173/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

Congo Mali
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$26.8B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
4.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$1,095
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$13.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
51.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$566
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
161/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$1,463
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
3.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
5.45%
2023
Population
6681829
26143152

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 24.7% 51.7%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 24.8% 51.9%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 24.4% 50.3%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 26.9% 51.6%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 26.1% 47.3%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 23.1% 40.7%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 20.3% 37.5%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 22.9% 38.2%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 22.3% 37.2%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 20.9% 30.7%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 20% 26.9%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 19.8% 26.4%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 15.5% 25.4%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 20.6% 24%
2010 23% 43.5% 20.3% 25.3%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 22.8% 21.9%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 18.8% 20.1%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 21.5% 18.5%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 22.1% 18.1%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 21.6% 46.6%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 21.8% 42.4%
2003 27% 185.3% 20.8% 44.1%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 19.9% 42.6%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 18.3% 77.5%
2000 22.6% 145% 19.4% 90.5%
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/mali | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.61B, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 51.7% in Mali, ranking 25/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Mali
2024 3.62% -2.57%
2023 5.81% -3.57%
2022 8.94% -4.75%
2021 1.63% -4.91%
2020 -1.1% -5.42%
2019 4.3% -1.68%
2018 5.22% -4.74%
2017 -5.57% -2.86%
2016 -14.5% -3.95%
2015 -17.8% -1.82%
2014 -10.7% -2.89%
2013 -2.85% -2.37%
2012 7.24% -0.96%
2011 16.1% -3.42%
2010 15.5% -2.57%
2009 4.76% -3.71%
2008 23.9% -1.97%
2007 8.99% -2.78%
2006 16% 27.8%
2005 13.4% -2.76%
2004 3.33% -2.36%
2003 0.37% -1.19%
2002 -7.34% -3.09%
2001 -0.71% -2.8%
2000 1.05% -2.64%
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/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $687M, or 2.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 3.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.76% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Mali
2024 3.1% 3.2%
2023 4.3% 2.1%
2022 3% 9.7%
2021 2% 3.8%
2020 1.4% 0.5%
2019 0.4% -3%
2018 1.2% 1.9%
2017 0.4% 2.4%
2016 3.2% -1.8%
2015 3.2% 1.4%
2014 0.9% 0.9%
2013 4.6% -0.6%
2012 5% 5.3%
2011 1.8% 3%
2010 0.4% 1.2%
2009 4.3% 2.4%
2008 6% 9.2%
2007 2.6% 1.4%
2006 4.7% 1.6%
2005 2.5% 6.4%
2004 3.7% -3.1%
2003 1.7% -1.3%
2002 3% 5%
2001 0.8% 5.2%
2000 0.5% -0.8%
1999 3% -1.2%
1998 2.2% 4.1%
1997 12.7% -0.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 2.08% in Mali. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 3.2% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $26K
Miscellaneous $7K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Metals $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Mali
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $321K
Metals $105K
Textiles & consumer goods $42K
Chemicals & pharma $37K
Precious metals & jewellery $15K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5K
Raw agricultural goods $4K
Animal & marine products $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Congo Mali
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
136/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-6.49%
2023
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$5.73B
2023
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$5.65B
2023
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$2.34B
2023
Service exports
$240M
2021
$475M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
27.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
22.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Mali
Economic freedom 48.6 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 150/197
Property rights 28.7 13.8
Government integrity 13.9 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 23.3
Tax burden 73.7 67.9
Government spending 85.8 81.8
Fiscal health 80.8 73.6
Business freedom 35.8 40.8
Labor freedom 52.4 54.1
Monetary freedom 78.4 78.2
Trade freedom 52.8 64
Investment freedom 35 65
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Mali
2026 48.6 52.1
2025 48.6 52.6
2024 47.8 52.5
2023 48.1 54.5
2022 48.5 55.9
2021 50.7 55.6
2020 41.8 55.9
2019 39.7 58.1
2018 38.9 57.6
2017 40 58.6
2016 42.8 56.5
2015 42.7 56.4
2014 43.7 55.5
2013 43.5 56.4
2012 43.8 55.8
2011 43.6 56.3
2010 43.2 55.6
2009 45.4 55.6
2008 45.3 55.6
2007 44.4 54.7
2006 43.8 54.1
2005 46.2 57.3
2004 45.9 56.6
2003 47.7 58.6
2002 45.3 61.1
2001 44.3 60.1
2000 40.6 60.3
1999 41.6 58.4
1998 33.8 57.3
1997 42.2 56.4
1996 40.3 57
1995 - 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Mali
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
23.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
33.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$3,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$673M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
1.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
19.5%
2024

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/mali | 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 (2020–2023, 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.