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Economy of Congo vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Congo has a GDP of $16.3B compared to $15.1B for Namibia, ranking 143/197 and 146/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.8B in government debt (96.8% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (70.2% of GDP) in Namibia.

Congo vs Namibia GDP by year

Congo
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Namibia
2025 $16,306,633,779 $15,080,340,654
2024 $15,719,986,077 $13,641,190,683
2023 $15,321,055,823 $12,522,012,874
2022 $15,817,030,155 $12,569,449,123
2021 $14,825,690,211 $12,402,486,184
2020 $11,468,687,464 $10,583,748,542
2019 $13,976,637,780 $12,541,928,303
2018 $14,773,900,289 $13,682,019,076
2017 $11,834,473,039 $12,895,153,371
2016 $10,931,328,151 $10,722,018,732
2015 $12,434,793,867 $11,335,161,084
2014 $17,919,321,078 $12,435,430,970
2013 $17,958,720,699 $12,043,307,277
2012 $17,692,911,296 $13,042,053,592
2011 $15,655,383,577 $12,523,359,441
2010 $13,148,396,212 $11,431,412,421
2009 $9,723,299,915 $8,938,847,189
2008 $11,649,857,673 $8,607,431,497
2007 $8,782,703,437 $8,839,536,476
2006 $8,072,305,029 $8,001,779,551
2005 $6,650,001,680 $7,248,374,838
2004 $4,656,974,940 $6,609,205,995
2003 $3,503,723,088 $4,926,439,384
2002 $3,034,250,924 $3,349,169,826
2001 $2,796,704,604 $3,557,341,215
2000 $3,227,927,698 $3,922,232,165
1999 $2,354,772,960 $3,868,551,730
1998 $1,949,481,379 $3,873,109,866
1997 $2,322,719,103 $4,154,989,950
1996 $2,540,697,539 $3,989,163,197
1995 $2,116,003,868 $3,978,514,206
1994 $1,769,365,438 $3,666,503,530
1993 $2,684,323,623 $3,251,188,833
1992 $2,933,222,703 $3,429,521,699
1991 $2,724,853,506 $2,996,869,281
1990 $2,798,746,050 $2,789,921,854
1989 $2,389,593,026 $2,535,135,798
1988 $2,212,536,312 $2,495,094,746
1987 $2,297,753,652 $2,300,068,217
1986 $1,849,268,212 $1,809,048,527
1985 $2,160,872,540 $1,608,237,350
1984 $2,193,581,365 $1,951,260,038
1983 $2,097,274,290 $2,297,400,688
1982 $2,160,640,565 $2,118,710,248
1981 $1,993,512,323 $2,249,908,578
1980 $1,705,796,853 $2,421,990,338
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Namibia by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,515 - $4,876 -
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $4,502 $11,687
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $4,226 $11,251
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $906 $3,888 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $855 $3,748 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $776 $3,464 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $660 $3,602 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $804 $3,510 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $899 $3,547 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $770 $3,434 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $662 $3,327 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $1,033 - $1,967 -
1988 $984 - $2,063 -
1987 $1,052 - $1,969 -
1986 $872 - $1,599 -
1985 $1,049 - $1,466 -
1984 $1,097 - $1,830 -
1983 $1,075 - $2,214 -
1982 $1,131 - $2,097 -
1981 $1,066 - $2,267 -
1980 $933 - $2,468 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,515, ranking 153/197, compared to $4,876 in Namibia, ranking 125/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Congo Namibia
Gross domestic product
$16.3B
2025
$15.1B
2025
GDP rank
143/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP growth
3.08%
2024-2025
1.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,515
2025
$4,876
2025
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2025
125/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$15.8B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
96.8%
2025
70.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,435
2025
$3,425
2025
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2025
97/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,494
2026
$3,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
39.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
19.9%
2018
Population
6718789
3185686

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 96.8% 39.4% 70.2%
2024 21.7% 98% 39.6% 69.8%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 37% 67.9%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 36.6% 70.1%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 38.8% 84.5% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 35% 24.6%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 23% 43.5% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 32% 15.9%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 27% 185.3% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 22.6% 145% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 28.8% 0% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 25.1% 0% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 22.2% 0% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 15.7% 0% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 27.6% 0% 29.6% 18%
1994 30.7% 0% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 32.8% 0% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 32.8% 0% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 34.1% 0% 33% 11.8%
1990 30.4% 0% 30.2% 12.9%
1989 20.3% 151.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Congo's government spending was $3.9B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.94B, or 39.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 96.8% in the Congo and 70.2% in Namibia, ranking 27/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Namibia
2025 0.28% -6.46%
2024 3.62% -3.84%
2023 5.81% -3.14%
2022 8.94% -6.33%
2021 1.63% -8.68%
2020 -1.1% -8.07%
2019 4.3% -5.49%
2018 5.22% -5.09%
2017 -5.57% -4.99%
2016 -14.5% -9.3%
2015 -17.8% -8.3%
2014 -10.7% -6.44%
2013 -2.85% -4.69%
2012 7.24% -3.1%
2011 16.1% -7.09%
2010 15.5% -4.98%
2009 4.76% -0.4%
2008 23.9% 3.48%
2007 8.99% 6.01%
2006 16% 3.41%
2005 13.4% -0.31%
2004 3.33% -2.67%
2003 0.37% -4.47%
2002 -7.34% -1.38%
2001 -0.71% -2.01%
2000 1.05% -0.79%
1999 -4.75% -1.88%
1998 -5.16% -2.76%
1997 3.67% -2.38%
1996 9.2% -3.7%
1995 -6.38% -1.74%
1994 -10.6% -0.57%
1993 -11.3% -2.73%
1992 -12.7% -2.55%
1991 -11.2% -1.59%
1990 -4.1% 1.08%
1989 0.78% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Congo's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $45.6M, equivalent to 0.28% of GDP. This compares to Namibia's deficit of $974M, or 6.46% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Namibia
2025 2.6% 3.5%
2024 3.1% 4.2%
2023 4.3% 5.9%
2022 3% 6.1%
2021 2% 3.6%
2020 1.4% 2.2%
2019 0.4% 3.7%
2018 1.2% 4.3%
2017 0.4% 6.1%
2016 3.2% 6.7%
2015 3.2% 3.4%
2014 0.9% 5.3%
2013 4.6% 5.6%
2012 5% 6.7%
2011 1.8% 5%
2010 0.4% 4.9%
2009 4.3% 9.5%
2008 6% 9.1%
2007 2.6% 6.5%
2006 4.7% 5%
2005 2.5% 2.3%
2004 3.7% 4.1%
2003 1.7% 7.2%
2002 3% 12.7%
2001 0.8% 10.2%
2000 0.5% 10.2%
1999 3% 9.4%
1998 2.2% 6.6%
1997 12.7% 9.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 6.2% in Namibia. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in the Congo and 3.5% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $200M
Raw materials & minerals $1.02M
Textiles & consumer goods $441K
Metals $216K
Chemicals & pharma $99K
Miscellaneous $26K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Metals $2.34M
Machinery & equipment $1.6M
Chemicals & pharma $554K
Weapons & explosives $369K
Raw agricultural goods $367K
Animal & marine products $272K
Textiles & consumer goods $51K
Raw materials & minerals $34K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $20K
Wood & paper products $17K

Balance of trade

Congo Namibia
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$1.83B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2021
138/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-13.4%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
63.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
44.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Namibia
Economic freedom 48.6 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 95/197
Property rights 28.7 63.1
Government integrity 13.9 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 67.2
Tax burden 73.7 66.4
Government spending 85.8 57.1
Fiscal health 80.8 60.5
Business freedom 35.8 58
Labor freedom 52.4 62.7
Monetary freedom 78.4 76.1
Trade freedom 52.8 69.8
Investment freedom 35 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Namibia
2026 48.6 60.2
2025 48.6 58.7
2024 47.8 57.5
2023 48.1 57.7
2022 48.5 59.2
2021 50.7 62.6
2020 41.8 60.9
2019 39.7 58.7
2018 38.9 58.5
2017 40 62.5
2016 42.8 61.9
2015 42.7 59.6
2014 43.7 59.4
2013 43.5 60.3
2012 43.8 61.9
2011 43.6 62.7
2010 43.2 62.2
2009 45.4 62.4
2008 45.3 61.4
2007 44.4 63.5
2006 43.8 60.7
2005 46.2 61.4
2004 45.9 62.4
2003 47.7 67.3
2002 45.3 65.1
2001 44.3 64.8
2000 40.6 66.7
1999 41.6 66.1
1998 33.8 66.1
1997 42.2 61.6
1996 40.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Namibia
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
28.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
6.99%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2025
$13.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,490
2025
$11,260
2025
Total reserves including gold
$759M
2024
$3.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
119/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$1.89B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$1.93B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$44.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
18.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.