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Economy of Congo vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 141/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Congo vs Romania GDP by year

Congo
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Romania
2024 $15,719,986,077 $382,564,217,989
2023 $15,321,055,823 $347,757,995,759
2022 $15,817,030,155 $295,319,437,557
2021 $14,825,690,211 $285,071,280,114
2020 $11,468,687,464 $250,625,048,304
2019 $13,976,637,780 $250,080,428,512
2018 $14,773,900,289 $241,791,427,224
2017 $11,834,473,039 $210,147,385,855
2016 $10,931,328,151 $185,290,759,249
2015 $12,434,793,867 $177,885,131,240
2014 $17,919,321,078 $199,722,319,676
2013 $17,958,720,699 $189,798,603,751
2012 $17,692,911,296 $179,117,323,107
2011 $15,655,383,577 $192,623,977,894
2010 $13,148,396,212 $170,064,350,672
2009 $9,723,299,915 $174,110,532,659
2008 $11,649,857,673 $214,315,932,061
2007 $8,782,703,437 $174,588,782,939
2006 $8,072,305,029 $122,023,735,993
2005 $6,650,001,680 $98,454,380,120
2004 $4,656,974,940 $74,973,656,852
2003 $3,503,723,088 $57,806,384,143
2002 $3,034,250,924 $46,065,502,703
2001 $2,796,704,604 $40,395,116,581
2000 $3,227,927,698 $37,253,739,511
1999 $2,354,772,960 $35,953,156,754
1998 $1,949,481,379 $41,696,091,974
1997 $2,322,719,103 $35,575,214,078
1996 $2,540,697,539 $36,937,074,278
1995 $2,116,003,868 $37,430,162,103
1994 $1,769,365,438 $30,072,805,104
1993 $2,684,323,623 $26,361,160,450
1992 $2,933,222,703 $25,121,666,667
1991 $2,724,853,506 $28,850,634,900
1990 $2,798,746,050 $38,247,882,300
1989 $2,389,593,026 $41,450,777,202
1988 $2,212,536,312 $40,424,528,302
1987 $2,297,753,652 $38,067,567,568
1986 $1,849,268,212 -
1985 $2,160,872,540 -
1984 $2,193,581,365 -
1983 $2,097,274,290 -
1982 $2,160,640,565 -
1981 $1,993,512,323 -
1980 $1,705,796,853 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Romania by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $906 $3,888 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $855 $3,748 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $776 $3,464 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $660 $3,602 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $804 $3,510 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $899 $3,547 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $770 $3,434 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $662 $3,327 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $1,033 - $1,790 -
1988 $984 - $1,753 -
1987 $1,052 - $1,659 -
1986 $872 - - -
1985 $1,049 - - -
1984 $1,097 - - -
1983 $1,075 - - -
1982 $1,131 - - -
1981 $1,066 - - -
1980 $933 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Congo Romania
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
5.43%
2024
Population
6681829
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 37% 51.5%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 31% 37.1%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 35% 32.6%
2010 23% 43.5% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 35.3% 13%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 27% 185.3% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 22.6% 145% 35% 29.6%
1999 28.8% 0% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 25.1% 0% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 22.2% 0% 33.5% 15%
1996 15.7% 0% 33.5% 11%
1995 27.6% 0% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 30.7% 0% 33.1% -
1993 32.8% 0% 33.5% -
1992 32.8% 0% 41.5% -
1991 34.1% 0% 38.3% -
1990 30.4% 0% 38.4% -
1989 20.3% 151.7% 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 25/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Romania
2024 3.62% -8.68%
2023 5.81% -5.61%
2022 8.94% -5.83%
2021 1.63% -6.7%
2020 -1.1% -9.54%
2019 4.3% -4.55%
2018 5.22% -2.74%
2017 -5.57% -2.86%
2016 -14.5% -2.5%
2015 -17.8% -1.35%
2014 -10.7% -1.76%
2013 -2.85% -2.44%
2012 7.24% -2.39%
2011 16.1% -4.14%
2010 15.5% -6.22%
2009 4.76% -6.86%
2008 23.9% -4.6%
2007 8.99% -3.05%
2006 16% -1.36%
2005 13.4% -0.69%
2004 3.33% -3.39%
2003 0.37% -2.29%
2002 -7.34% -2.59%
2001 -0.71% -3.2%
2000 1.05% -3.99%
1999 -4.75% -3.58%
1998 -5.16% -5.33%
1997 3.67% -5.19%
1996 9.2% -4.74%
1995 -6.38% -3.32%
1994 -10.6% -2.2%
1993 -11.3% -0.35%
1992 -12.7% -4.55%
1991 -11.2% 3.23%
1990 -4.1% 1.03%
1989 0.78% -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.53% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Romania
2024 3.1% 5.6%
2023 4.3% 10.4%
2022 3% 13.8%
2021 2% 5%
2020 1.4% 2.6%
2019 0.4% 3.8%
2018 1.2% 4.6%
2017 0.4% 1.3%
2016 3.2% -1.6%
2015 3.2% -0.6%
2014 0.9% 1.1%
2013 4.6% 4%
2012 5% 3.3%
2011 1.8% 5.8%
2010 0.4% 6.1%
2009 4.3% 5.6%
2008 6% 7.8%
2007 2.6% 4.8%
2006 4.7% 6.6%
2005 2.5% 9%
2004 3.7% 11.9%
2003 1.7% 15.4%
2002 3% 22.5%
2001 0.8% 34.5%
2000 0.5% 45.7%
1999 3% 45.8%
1998 2.2% 59.1%
1997 12.7% 154.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $75M
Machinery & equipment $1.45M
Wood & paper products $36K
Miscellaneous $10K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.04M
Animal & marine products $2.71M
Machinery & equipment $2.69M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.45M
Metals $1.44M
Textiles & consumer goods $581K
Raw materials & minerals $397K
Wood & paper products $161K
Chemicals & pharma $137K
Miscellaneous $34K

Balance of trade

Congo Romania
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Romania
Economic freedom 48.6 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 64/197
Property rights 28.7 81
Government integrity 13.9 50
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 67
Tax burden 73.7 89.1
Government spending 85.8 56.7
Fiscal health 80.8 21.4
Business freedom 35.8 74.4
Labor freedom 52.4 63.6
Monetary freedom 78.4 72.7
Trade freedom 52.8 79.4
Investment freedom 35 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Romania
2026 48.6 65.4
2025 48.6 66.5
2024 47.8 64.4
2023 48.1 64.5
2022 48.5 67.1
2021 50.7 69.5
2020 41.8 69.7
2019 39.7 68.6
2018 38.9 69.4
2017 40 69.7
2016 42.8 65.6
2015 42.7 66.6
2014 43.7 65.5
2013 43.5 65.1
2012 43.8 64.4
2011 43.6 64.7
2010 43.2 64.2
2009 45.4 63.2
2008 45.3 61.7
2007 44.4 61.2
2006 43.8 58.2
2005 46.2 52.1
2004 45.9 50
2003 47.7 50.6
2002 45.3 48.7
2001 44.3 50
2000 40.6 52.1
1999 41.6 50.1
1998 33.8 54.4
1997 42.2 50.8
1996 40.3 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Romania
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
25%
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/romania | 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 (1962–1999, 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.