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Economy of Congo vs Palau compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $277M for Palau, ranking 141/197 and 194/197 by economy size, respectively.

Congo vs Palau GDP by year

Congo
Palau
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Palau
2024 $15,719,986,077 -
2023 $15,321,055,823 $276,733,063
2022 $15,817,030,155 $243,826,813
2021 $14,825,690,211 $231,343,460
2020 $11,468,687,464 $261,688,507
2019 $13,976,637,780 $282,041,290
2018 $14,773,900,289 $287,998,352
2017 $11,834,473,039 $292,148,590
2016 $10,931,328,151 $305,227,020
2015 $12,434,793,867 $287,057,526
2014 $17,919,321,078 $245,591,095
2013 $17,958,720,699 $224,110,611
2012 $17,692,911,296 $215,616,882
2011 $15,655,383,577 $198,742,371
2010 $13,148,396,212 $188,042,374
2009 $9,723,299,915 $189,854,706
2008 $11,649,857,673 $201,067,734
2007 $8,782,703,437 $200,789,764
2006 $8,072,305,029 $193,611,359
2005 $6,650,001,680 $190,961,685
2004 $4,656,974,940 $166,363,739
2003 $3,503,723,088 $154,566,788
2002 $3,034,250,924 $162,658,722
2001 $2,796,704,604 $159,446,228
2000 $3,227,927,698 $149,551,483
1999 $2,354,772,960 $144,206,500
1998 $1,949,481,379 $149,079,600
1997 $2,322,719,103 $143,860,800
1996 $2,540,697,539 $137,494,600
1995 $2,116,003,868 $121,018,500
1994 $1,769,365,438 $106,138,500
1993 $2,684,323,623 $96,455,700
1992 $2,933,222,703 $104,771,300
1991 $2,724,853,506 $106,555,300
1990 $2,798,746,050 $97,702,303
1989 $2,389,593,026 $85,800,543
1988 $2,212,536,312 $75,348,615
1987 $2,297,753,652 $66,169,905
1986 $1,849,268,212 $58,109,314
1985 $2,160,872,540 $51,030,637
1984 $2,193,581,365 $44,814,259
1983 $2,097,274,290 $39,661,530
1982 $2,160,640,565 $36,027,583
1981 $1,993,512,323 $32,726,594
1980 $1,705,796,853 $29,728,054
1979 $1,198,749,667 $27,004,251
1978 $878,771,772 $24,530,015
1977 $765,224,029 $22,308,104
1976 $754,549,601 $20,364,420
1975 $767,102,680 $18,521,112
1974 $585,364,634 $16,848,759
1973 $541,973,363 $15,331,889
1972 $410,669,264 $13,956,474
1971 $322,128,019 $12,706,874
1970 $274,960,700 $11,563,041
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/palau | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Palau by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Palau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Palau
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 - -
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $15,611 $18,230
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $13,730 $17,185
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $13,009 $15,781
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $14,708 $17,390
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $15,847 $18,422
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $16,167 $18,172
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $16,402 $17,991
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $17,150 $18,235
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $16,154 $17,854
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $13,863 $16,442
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $12,699 $15,425
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $12,137 $15,461
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $10,994 $14,673
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $10,222 $13,443
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $10,148 $13,414
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $10,578 $14,039
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $10,403 $14,308
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $9,882 $13,545
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $9,635 $12,960
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $8,394 $12,213
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $7,862 $11,588
2002 $906 $3,888 $8,340 $11,704
2001 $855 $3,748 $8,239 $11,092
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $7,798 $10,197
1999 $776 $3,464 $7,630 $10,388
1998 $660 $3,602 $8,048 $11,048
1997 $804 $3,510 $7,945 $10,957
1996 $899 $3,547 $7,788 $10,800
1995 $770 $3,434 $7,038 $9,863
1994 $662 $3,327 $6,329 $8,932
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $5,892 $8,348
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $6,553 $9,521
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $6,824 $10,184
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $6,403 $9,609
1989 $1,033 - $5,741 -
1988 $984 - $5,145 -
1987 $1,052 - $4,616 -
1986 $872 - $4,144 -
1985 $1,049 - $3,728 -
1984 $1,097 - $3,360 -
1983 $1,075 - $3,049 -
1982 $1,131 - $2,838 -
1981 $1,066 - $2,639 -
1980 $933 - $2,423 -
1979 $670 - $2,189 -
1978 $503 - $1,972 -
1977 $448 - $1,781 -
1976 $453 - $1,616 -
1975 $471 - $1,464 -
1974 $370 - $1,328 -
1973 $353 - $1,221 -
1972 $276.3 - $1,145 -
1971 $223.5 - $1,081 -
1970 $196.7 - $1,017 -
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/palau | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $15,611 in Palau, ranking 67/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Palau ranks 103rd at $18,230.

Economic indicators

Congo Palau
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$277M
2023
GDP rank
141/197
2024
194/197
2023
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
2.22%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$15,611
2023
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
67/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$18,230
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
103/197
2023
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$9,869
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
52.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
2.09%
2023
Population
6681829
17629

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Palau
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Palau
2024 3.62% 1.67%
2023 5.81% 0.73%
2022 8.94% -3.99%
2021 1.63% -9.94%
2020 -1.1% -13%
2019 4.3% -0.36%
2018 5.22% 6.18%
2017 -5.57% 4.76%
2016 -14.5% 3.52%
2015 -17.8% 5.08%
2014 -10.7% 3.59%
2013 -2.85% 0.54%
2012 7.24% 0.98%
2011 16.1% 1.29%
2010 15.5% -1.27%
2009 4.76% -2.14%
2008 23.9% -1.71%
2007 8.99% -2.08%
2006 16% 0.14%
2005 13.4% 1.38%
2004 3.33% -4.82%
2003 0.37% -3.18%
2002 -7.34% -12.7%
2001 -0.71% -16.7%
2000 1.05% -13.4%
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/palau | CC BY

In 2023, the Congo's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $889M, equivalent to 5.81% of GDP. This compares to Palau's surplus of $2.02M, or 0.73% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Palau ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 3.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.38% of GDP for Palau.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Palau
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Palau
2024 3.1% 3.6%
2023 4.3% 12.4%
2022 3% 13.2%
2021 2% -0.5%
2020 1.4% 0.7%
2019 0.4% 0.4%
2018 1.2% 2.4%
2017 0.4% 1.1%
2016 3.2% -1.3%
2015 3.2% 2.2%
2014 0.9% 4%
2013 4.6% 2.8%
2012 5% 5.4%
2011 1.8% 2.6%
2010 0.4% 1.1%
2009 4.3% 4.7%
2008 6% 9.9%
2007 2.6% 3%
2006 4.7% 4.2%
2005 2.5% 3.6%
2004 3.7% 0.5%
2003 1.7% 0.6%
2002 3% -0.3%
2001 0.8% -0.7%
2000 0.5% -
1999 3% -
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/palau | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.68%, compared with 3.15% in Palau. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 3.6% in Palau.

Balance of trade

Congo Palau
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$134M
2023
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
91/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-48.5%
2023
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$164M
2023
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$1.74M
2023
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$43M
2023
Service exports
$240M
2021
$61.9M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
80.4%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
26.3%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Palau
Economic freedom 48.6 62
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 89/197
Property rights 28.7 n/a
Government integrity 13.9 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 n/a
Tax burden 73.7 n/a
Government spending 85.8 n/a
Fiscal health 80.8 n/a
Business freedom 35.8 n/a
Labor freedom 52.4 n/a
Monetary freedom 78.4 n/a
Trade freedom 52.8 n/a
Investment freedom 35 n/a
Financial freedom 30 n/a

Other economic metrics

Congo Palau
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
74.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
10.1%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
3.04%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$262M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$18,320
2023
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$79.9M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$69.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
24.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
35.6%
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/palau | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.