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Economy of Congo vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Congo has a GDP of $16.3B compared to $291B for Nigeria, ranking 143/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.8B in government debt (96.8% of GDP), compared to $103B (35.5% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Congo vs Nigeria GDP by year

Congo
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Nigeria
2025 $16,306,633,779 $290,794,361,542
2024 $15,719,986,077 $252,261,880,140
2023 $15,321,055,823 $487,387,801,878
2022 $15,817,030,155 $646,950,257,575
2021 $14,825,690,211 $609,147,716,965
2020 $11,468,687,464 $598,586,817,817
2019 $13,976,637,780 $668,219,992,687
2018 $14,773,900,289 $421,739,251,509
2017 $11,834,473,039 $375,745,731,053
2016 $10,931,328,151 $404,649,125,252
2015 $12,434,793,867 $493,026,682,801
2014 $17,919,321,078 $574,183,763,412
2013 $17,958,720,699 $520,117,180,314
2012 $17,692,911,296 $463,971,018,239
2011 $15,655,383,577 $414,466,676,831
2010 $13,148,396,212 $366,990,417,129
2009 $9,723,299,915 $295,008,835,381
2008 $11,649,857,673 $339,476,276,258
2007 $8,782,703,437 $278,260,846,800
2006 $8,072,305,029 $238,454,997,161
2005 $6,650,001,680 $175,670,569,969
2004 $4,656,974,940 $135,764,731,646
2003 $3,503,723,088 $104,738,954,264
2002 $3,034,250,924 $95,054,059,303
2001 $2,796,704,604 $73,557,840,064
2000 $3,227,927,698 $69,171,451,627
1999 $2,354,772,960 $59,145,077,039
1998 $1,949,481,379 $218,416,200,673
1997 $2,322,719,103 $200,850,397,618
1996 $2,540,697,539 $185,730,236,700
1995 $2,116,003,868 $140,919,776,986
1994 $1,769,365,438 $80,399,613,064
1993 $2,684,323,623 $56,721,051,402
1992 $2,933,222,703 $52,058,181,854
1991 $2,724,853,506 $59,526,833,412
1990 $2,798,746,050 $54,035,795,388
1989 $2,389,593,026 $44,003,061,108
1988 $2,212,536,312 $49,648,470,440
1987 $2,297,753,652 $52,676,041,931
1986 $1,849,268,212 $54,805,852,581
1985 $2,160,872,540 $73,745,821,158
1984 $2,193,581,365 $73,484,359,521
1983 $2,097,274,290 $97,094,911,792
1982 $2,160,640,565 $142,769,363,314
1981 $1,993,512,323 $164,475,209,516
1980 $1,705,796,853 $64,201,788,123
1979 $1,198,749,667 $47,259,911,894
1978 $878,771,772 $36,527,862,209
1977 $765,224,029 $36,035,407,725
1976 $754,549,601 $36,308,883,249
1975 $767,102,680 $27,778,934,625
1974 $585,364,634 $24,846,641,318
1973 $541,973,363 $15,162,871,287
1972 $410,669,264 $12,274,416,018
1971 $322,128,019 $9,181,769,912
1970 $274,960,700 $12,546,094,982
1969 $265,040,036 $6,634,317,346
1968 $251,247,458 $5,200,997,920
1967 $237,397,428 $5,203,237,919
1966 $220,613,582 $6,366,917,453
1965 $198,318,064 $5,874,537,650
1964 $185,693,725 $5,552,931,319
1963 $172,233,431 $5,165,590,254
1962 $166,521,240 $4,909,399,176
1961 $151,675,739 $4,467,287,893
1960 $131,731,863 $4,196,174,502

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Nigeria by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,515 - $1,224 -
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $962 $4,381
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $763 $4,015
2002 $906 $3,888 $712 $3,770
2001 $855 $3,748 $566 $3,309
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $547 $3,139
1999 $776 $3,464 $481 $3,002
1998 $660 $3,602 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $804 $3,510 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $899 $3,547 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $770 $3,434 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $662 $3,327 $745 $2,853
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $540 $2,921
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $509 $2,991
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $597 $2,870
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $556 $2,840
1989 $1,033 - $465 -
1988 $984 - $540 -
1987 $1,052 - $588 -
1986 $872 - $628 -
1985 $1,049 - $869 -
1984 $1,097 - $890 -
1983 $1,075 - $1,207 -
1982 $1,131 - $1,822 -
1981 $1,066 - $2,162 -
1980 $933 - $870 -
1979 $670 - $661 -
1978 $503 - $527 -
1977 $448 - $536 -
1976 $453 - $556 -
1975 $471 - $438 -
1974 $370 - $403 -
1973 $353 - $252.4 -
1972 $276.3 - $209.5 -
1971 $223.5 - $160.5 -
1970 $196.7 - $224.5 -
1969 $195.4 - $121.4 -
1968 $190.8 - $97.3 -
1967 $185.7 - $99.5 -
1966 $177.6 - $124.4 -
1965 $164.2 - $117.3 -
1964 $158.1 - $113.3 -
1963 $150.7 - $107.7 -
1962 $149.6 - $104.5 -
1961 $139.9 - $97.1 -
1960 $124.7 - $93.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,515, ranking 153/197, compared to $1,224 in Nigeria, ranking 172/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Congo Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$16.3B
2025
$291B
2025
GDP rank
143/197
2025
50/197
2025
GDP growth
3.08%
2024-2025
4.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,515
2025
$1,224
2025
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2025
172/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$15.8B
2025
$103B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
96.8%
2025
35.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,435
2025
$434
2025
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2025
170/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,494
2026
$768
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$86.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
11.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
23%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
26.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
3.45%
2024
Population
6718789
245016045

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 96.8% 11.7% 35.5%
2024 21.7% 98% 12% 39.3%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 8.51% 18%
2016 38.8% 84.5% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 9.49% 15.8%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 10% 13%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 23% 43.5% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 11% 6.12%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 13% 25.2%
2003 27% 185.3% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 22.6% 145% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 28.8% 0% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 25.1% 0% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 22.2% 0% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 15.7% 0% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 27.6% 0% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 30.7% 0% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 32.8% 0% 20% 50.4%
1992 32.8% 0% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 34.1% 0% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 30.4% 0% 14.2% 50.9%
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, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Congo's government spending was $3.9B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $34.1B, or 11.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 96.8% in the Congo and 35.5% in Nigeria, ranking 27/185 and 143/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Nigeria
2025 0.28% -1.76%
2024 3.62% -1.27%
2023 5.81% -3.12%
2022 8.94% -4%
2021 1.63% -3.97%
2020 -1.1% -4.03%
2019 4.3% -3.31%
2018 5.22% -3.06%
2017 -5.57% -3.85%
2016 -14.5% -3.3%
2015 -17.8% -2.7%
2014 -10.7% -1.72%
2013 -2.85% -1.89%
2012 7.24% -0.09%
2011 16.1% 0.31%
2010 15.5% -2.96%
2009 4.76% -3.78%
2008 23.9% 4.05%
2007 8.99% -0.79%
2006 16% 6.22%
2005 13.4% 3.49%
2004 3.33% 3.9%
2003 0.37% -1.56%
2002 -7.34% 0.95%
2001 -0.71% -2.29%
2000 1.05% 2.89%
1999 -4.75% -1.39%
1998 -5.16% -3.47%
1997 3.67% 1.14%
1996 9.2% 3.37%
1995 -6.38% 2.52%
1994 -10.6% -2.96%
1993 -11.3% -6.07%
1992 -12.7% 0.94%
1991 -11.2% -1.18%
1990 -4.1% -0.48%
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/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $5.12B, or 1.76% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.98% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Nigeria
2025 2.6% 23%
2024 3.1% 33.2%
2023 4.3% 24.7%
2022 3% 18.8%
2021 2% 17%
2020 1.4% 13.2%
2019 0.4% 11.4%
2018 1.2% 12.1%
2017 0.4% 16.5%
2016 3.2% 15.7%
2015 3.2% 9.01%
2014 0.9% 8.05%
2013 4.6% 8.5%
2012 5% 12.2%
2011 1.8% 10.8%
2010 0.4% 13.7%
2009 4.3% 12.5%
2008 6% 11.6%
2007 2.6% 5.39%
2006 4.7% 8.23%
2005 2.5% 17.9%
2004 3.7% 15%
2003 1.7% 14%
2002 3% 12.9%
2001 0.8% 18.9%
2000 0.5% 6.93%
1999 3% 6.62%
1998 2.2% 10%
1997 12.7% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 13.7% in Nigeria. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in the Congo and 23% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $42.6M
Miscellaneous $77K
Metals $57K
Weapons & explosives $27K
Raw materials & minerals $21K
Chemicals & pharma $13K
Animal & marine products $9K
Raw agricultural goods $8K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Wood & paper products $1K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $4M
Machinery & equipment $2.38M
Chemicals & pharma $1.81M
Raw agricultural goods $167K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $135K
Miscellaneous $115K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Metals $12K

Balance of trade

Congo Nigeria
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$14B
2025
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2021
21/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+4.83%
2025
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$43B
2025
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$57.5B
2025
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$19.6B
2025
Service exports
$240M
2021
$5.06B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Nigeria
Economic freedom 48.6 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 132/197
Property rights 28.7 29.7
Government integrity 13.9 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 34.4
Tax burden 73.7 84.6
Government spending 85.8 96.3
Fiscal health 80.8 83.5
Business freedom 35.8 50.3
Labor freedom 52.4 75.4
Monetary freedom 78.4 56.1
Trade freedom 52.8 64.4
Investment freedom 35 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Nigeria
2026 48.6 54.8
2025 48.6 53.4
2024 47.8 53.1
2023 48.1 53.9
2022 48.5 54.4
2021 50.7 58.7
2020 41.8 57.2
2019 39.7 57.3
2018 38.9 58.5
2017 40 57.1
2016 42.8 57.5
2015 42.7 55.6
2014 43.7 54.3
2013 43.5 55.1
2012 43.8 56.3
2011 43.6 56.7
2010 43.2 56.8
2009 45.4 55.1
2008 45.3 55.1
2007 44.4 55.6
2006 43.8 48.7
2005 46.2 48.4
2004 45.9 49.2
2003 47.7 49.5
2002 45.3 50.9
2001 44.3 49.6
2000 40.6 53.1
1999 41.6 55.7
1998 33.8 52.3
1997 42.2 52.8
1996 40.3 47.4
1995 - 47.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
58.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
16.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2025
$324B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,490
2025
$9,230
2025
Total reserves including gold
$759M
2024
$46B
2025
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
52/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$2.82B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$1.61B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
5.46%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
n/a

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/nigeria | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, 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.