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Economy of Congo vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 141/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Congo vs Panama GDP by year

Congo
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Panama
2024 $15,719,986,077 $86,523,959,132
2023 $15,321,055,823 $83,812,155,244
2022 $15,817,030,155 $76,479,304,471
2021 $14,825,690,211 $67,396,392,506
2020 $11,468,687,464 $57,059,846,522
2019 $13,976,637,780 $69,778,991,193
2018 $14,773,900,289 $67,316,471,181
2017 $11,834,473,039 $64,327,688,826
2016 $10,931,328,151 $59,760,858,718
2015 $12,434,793,867 $55,767,806,073
2014 $17,919,321,078 $51,427,104,882
2013 $17,958,720,699 $46,949,496,479
2012 $17,692,911,296 $41,595,439,721
2011 $15,655,383,577 $35,687,738,252
2010 $13,148,396,212 $30,231,009,533
2009 $9,723,299,915 $27,791,215,547
2008 $11,649,857,673 $25,721,327,955
2007 $8,782,703,437 $21,717,433,808
2006 $8,072,305,029 $18,659,721,513
2005 $6,650,001,680 $16,623,906,739
2004 $4,656,974,940 $15,100,203,362
2003 $3,503,723,088 $13,603,456,003
2002 $3,034,250,924 $12,800,851,271
2001 $2,796,704,604 $12,252,906,341
2000 $3,227,927,698 $11,966,497,049
1999 $2,354,772,960 $11,660,704,777
1998 $1,949,481,379 $11,019,557,689
1997 $2,322,719,103 $10,058,854,386
1996 $2,540,697,539 $9,197,503,323
1995 $2,116,003,868 $9,573,813,700
1994 $1,769,365,438 $9,365,289,800
1993 $2,684,323,623 $8,782,585,400
1992 $2,933,222,703 $8,042,337,700
1991 $2,724,853,506 $7,074,675,500
1990 $2,798,746,050 $6,433,967,000
1989 $2,389,593,026 $5,918,469,800
1988 $2,212,536,312 $5,902,783,400
1987 $2,297,753,652 $6,827,665,300
1986 $1,849,268,212 $6,797,834,200
1985 $2,160,872,540 $6,541,517,100
1984 $2,193,581,365 $6,183,387,100
1983 $2,097,274,290 $5,923,755,900
1982 $2,160,640,565 $5,769,767,900
1981 $1,993,512,323 $5,222,421,500
1980 $1,705,796,853 $4,614,086,400
1979 $1,198,749,667 $3,704,551,600
1978 $878,771,772 $3,244,558,600
1977 $765,224,029 $2,738,261,900
1976 $754,549,601 $2,588,106,000
1975 $767,102,680 $2,435,304,100
1974 $585,364,634 $2,188,307,600
1973 $541,973,363 $1,913,793,400
1972 $410,669,264 $1,673,411,700
1971 $322,128,019 $1,523,917,200
1970 $274,960,700 $1,351,006,400
1969 $265,040,036 $1,221,305,700
1968 $251,247,458 $1,112,791,100
1967 $237,397,428 $1,034,376,400
1966 $220,613,582 $928,833,000
1965 $198,318,064 $852,485,300
1964 $185,693,725 $776,137,500
1963 $172,233,431 $722,784,500
1962 $166,521,240 $652,120,900
1961 $151,675,739 $599,026,300
1960 $131,731,863 $537,147,100

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Panama by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $906 $3,888 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $855 $3,748 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $776 $3,464 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $660 $3,602 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $804 $3,510 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $899 $3,547 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $770 $3,434 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $662 $3,327 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $1,033 - $2,462 -
1988 $984 - $2,509 -
1987 $1,052 - $2,966 -
1986 $872 - $3,019 -
1985 $1,049 - $2,972 -
1984 $1,097 - $2,875 -
1983 $1,075 - $2,819 -
1982 $1,131 - $2,811 -
1981 $1,066 - $2,605 -
1980 $933 - $2,357 -
1979 $670 - $1,938 -
1978 $503 - $1,738 -
1977 $448 - $1,503 -
1976 $453 - $1,457 -
1975 $471 - $1,406 -
1974 $370 - $1,296 -
1973 $353 - $1,164 -
1972 $276.3 - $1,046 -
1971 $223.5 - $979 -
1970 $196.7 - $893 -
1969 $195.4 - $830 -
1968 $190.8 - $778 -
1967 $185.7 - $745 -
1966 $177.6 - $689 -
1965 $164.2 - $651 -
1964 $158.1 - $611 -
1963 $150.7 - $587 -
1962 $149.6 - $546 -
1961 $139.9 - $516 -
1960 $124.7 - $477 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Congo Panama
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
8.61%
2024
Population
6681829
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 23% 34.7%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 22.8% 34%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 23% 43.5% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 22.7% 40%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 27% 185.3% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 23.5% 57%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 22.6% 145% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 28.8% 0% 23% 55.1%
1998 25.1% 0% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 22.2% 0% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 15.7% 0% 21.5% 65%
1995 27.6% 0% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 30.7% 0% 25.2% 78.3%
1993 32.8% 0% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 32.8% 0% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 34.1% 0% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 30.4% 0% 41.5% 112.7%
1989 20.3% 151.7% 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 25/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Panama
2024 3.62% -7.42%
2023 5.81% -3.9%
2022 8.94% -3.98%
2021 1.63% -6.48%
2020 -1.1% -10.2%
2019 4.3% -2.89%
2018 5.22% -2.88%
2017 -5.57% -1.92%
2016 -14.5% -1.89%
2015 -17.8% -2.3%
2014 -10.7% -3.21%
2013 -2.85% -2.38%
2012 7.24% -1.31%
2011 16.1% -1.96%
2010 15.5% -1.68%
2009 4.76% -0.9%
2008 23.9% 0.37%
2007 8.99% 3.12%
2006 16% 0.51%
2005 13.4% -2.21%
2004 3.33% -4.33%
2003 0.37% -2.27%
2002 -7.34% -0.96%
2001 -0.71% -0.42%
2000 1.05% 2.05%
1999 -4.75% -0.65%
1998 -5.16% -1.11%
1997 3.67% 1.24%
1996 9.2% 2.48%
1995 -6.38% 2.3%
1994 -10.6% 2.12%
1993 -11.3% -9.4%
1992 -12.7% -2.62%
1991 -11.2% -0.6%
1990 -4.1% -3.65%
1989 0.78% -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Panama
2024 3.1% 0.69%
2023 4.3% 1.49%
2022 3% 2.86%
2021 2% 1.63%
2020 1.4% -1.55%
2019 0.4% -0.36%
2018 1.2% 0.76%
2017 0.4% 0.88%
2016 3.2% 0.74%
2015 3.2% 0.14%
2014 0.9% 2.63%
2013 4.6% 4.03%
2012 5% 5.7%
2011 1.8% 5.88%
2010 0.4% 3.49%
2009 4.3% 2.41%
2008 6% 8.76%
2007 2.6% 4.17%
2006 4.7% 2.46%
2005 2.5% 2.86%
2004 3.7% 0.47%
2003 1.7% 0.39%
2002 3% 1.01%
2001 0.8% 0.31%
2000 0.5% 1.5%
1999 3% 1.25%
1998 2.2% 0.56%
1997 12.7% 1.32%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 0.69% in Panama.

Balance of trade

Congo Panama
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Panama
Economic freedom 48.6 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 70/197
Property rights 28.7 56.7
Government integrity 13.9 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 49.6
Tax burden 73.7 86.1
Government spending 85.8 85.5
Fiscal health 80.8 51.8
Business freedom 35.8 72.6
Labor freedom 52.4 60.9
Monetary freedom 78.4 78.2
Trade freedom 52.8 80.2
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Panama
2026 48.6 64.9
2025 48.6 65.5
2024 47.8 64.1
2023 48.1 63.8
2022 48.5 65.4
2021 50.7 66.2
2020 41.8 67.2
2019 39.7 67.2
2018 38.9 67
2017 40 66.3
2016 42.8 64.8
2015 42.7 64.1
2014 43.7 63.4
2013 43.5 62.5
2012 43.8 65.2
2011 43.6 64.9
2010 43.2 64.8
2009 45.4 64.7
2008 45.3 64.7
2007 44.4 64.6
2006 43.8 65.6
2005 46.2 64.3
2004 45.9 65.3
2003 47.7 68.4
2002 45.3 68.5
2001 44.3 70.6
2000 40.6 71.6
1999 41.6 72.6
1998 33.8 72.6
1997 42.2 72.4
1996 40.3 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Panama
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
33.5%
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/panama | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.