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Economy of Congo vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 141/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Congo vs Rwanda GDP by year

Congo
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Rwanda
2024 $15,719,986,077 $14,251,642,235
2023 $15,321,055,823 $14,331,722,703
2022 $15,817,030,155 $13,316,161,002
2021 $14,825,690,211 $11,078,787,090
2020 $11,468,687,464 $10,174,386,857
2019 $13,976,637,780 $10,349,300,277
2018 $14,773,900,289 $9,637,904,521
2017 $11,834,473,039 $9,252,833,891
2016 $10,931,328,151 $8,695,272,058
2015 $12,434,793,867 $8,543,760,200
2014 $17,919,321,078 $8,238,966,124
2013 $17,958,720,699 $7,819,964,030
2012 $17,692,911,296 $7,654,761,050
2011 $15,655,383,577 $6,884,913,658
2010 $13,148,396,212 $6,124,756,654
2009 $9,723,299,915 $5,674,476,969
2008 $11,649,857,673 $5,179,854,065
2007 $8,782,703,437 $4,070,507,895
2006 $8,072,305,029 $3,319,784,539
2005 $6,650,001,680 $2,933,819,766
2004 $4,656,974,940 $2,376,496,067
2003 $3,503,723,088 $2,138,237,279
2002 $3,034,250,924 $1,966,003,468
2001 $2,796,704,604 $1,966,600,715
2000 $3,227,927,698 $2,068,836,754
1999 $2,354,772,960 $2,157,108,263
1998 $1,949,481,379 $1,989,343,546
1997 $2,322,719,103 $1,851,558,197
1996 $2,540,697,539 $1,382,334,879
1995 $2,116,003,868 $1,293,535,193
1994 $1,769,365,438 $753,636,370
1993 $2,684,323,623 $1,971,525,712
1992 $2,933,222,703 $2,029,026,962
1991 $2,724,853,506 $1,911,600,237
1990 $2,798,746,050 $2,550,185,679
1989 $2,389,593,026 $2,405,022,593
1988 $2,212,536,312 $2,395,492,687
1987 $2,297,753,652 $2,157,432,668
1986 $1,849,268,212 $1,944,710,684
1985 $2,160,872,540 $1,715,626,331
1984 $2,193,581,365 $1,587,413,084
1983 $2,097,274,290 $1,479,687,587
1982 $2,160,640,565 $1,407,243,139
1981 $1,993,512,323 $1,407,062,527
1980 $1,705,796,853 $1,254,765,642
1979 $1,198,749,667 $1,109,346,131
1978 $878,771,772 $905,709,076
1977 $765,224,029 $746,650,613
1976 $754,549,601 $637,753,853
1975 $767,102,680 $571,863,500
1974 $585,364,634 $308,458,423
1973 $541,973,363 $290,746,157
1972 $410,669,264 $246,457,838
1971 $322,128,019 $222,952,504
1970 $274,960,700 $219,900,006
1969 $265,040,036 $188,700,037
1968 $251,247,458 $172,200,018
1967 $237,397,428 $159,560,018
1966 $220,613,582 $124,525,703
1965 $198,318,064 $148,799,980
1964 $185,693,725 $129,999,994
1963 $172,233,431 $128,000,000
1962 $166,521,240 $125,000,008
1961 $151,675,739 $122,000,016
1960 $131,731,863 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Rwanda by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $975 $3,099
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $830 $2,733
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $779 $2,285
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $810 $2,336
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $772 $2,125
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $758 $1,968
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $730 $1,866
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $734 $1,781
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $725 $1,678
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $705 $1,512
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $707 $1,455
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $651 $1,413
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $594 $1,314
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $564 $1,241
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $528 $1,191
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $426 $1,079
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $357 $1,002
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $324 $914
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $269.5 $832
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $249 $775
2002 $906 $3,888 $234 $760
2001 $855 $3,748 $237.3 $670
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $251.9 $609
1999 $776 $3,464 $264.7 $554
1998 $660 $3,602 $246.2 $528
1997 $804 $3,510 $238.7 $500
1996 $899 $3,547 $206 $499
1995 $770 $3,434 $228 $514
1994 $662 $3,327 $111 $311
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $247 $521
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $264.1 $575
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $254 $542
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $346 $549
1989 $1,033 - $335 -
1988 $984 - $344 -
1987 $1,052 - $320 -
1986 $872 - $297.7 -
1985 $1,049 - $271.6 -
1984 $1,097 - $259.9 -
1983 $1,075 - $250.6 -
1982 $1,131 - $246.4 -
1981 $1,066 - $254.6 -
1980 $933 - $234.4 -
1979 $670 - $213.8 -
1978 $503 - $179.9 -
1977 $448 - $152.7 -
1976 $453 - $134.4 -
1975 $471 - $124.1 -
1974 $370 - $68.9 -
1973 $353 - $66.9 -
1972 $276.3 - $58.4 -
1971 $223.5 - $54.4 -
1970 $196.7 - $55.2 -
1969 $195.4 - $48.9 -
1968 $190.8 - $46 -
1967 $185.7 - $44 -
1966 $177.6 - $35.4 -
1965 $164.2 - $43.5 -
1964 $158.1 - $39 -
1963 $150.7 - $39.3 -
1962 $149.6 - $39.2 -
1961 $139.9 - $39.3 -
1960 $124.7 - $39.4 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Congo Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.75B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
11.3%
2024
Population
6681829
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 27% 63.4%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 23% 43.5% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 27% 185.3% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 20.5% 92%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 19.1% 84%
2000 22.6% 145% 18.2% 86%
1999 28.8% 0% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 25.1% 0% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 22.2% 0% 17% 72.2%
1996 15.7% 0% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 27.6% 0% 18% 100.8%
1994 30.7% 0% 13.3% -
1993 32.8% 0% 20.3% -
1992 32.8% 0% 21.5% -
1991 34.1% 0% - -
1990 30.4% 0% - -
1989 20.3% 151.7% - -

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/rwanda | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 25/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Rwanda
2024 3.62% -6.57%
2023 5.81% -5.04%
2022 8.94% -5.74%
2021 1.63% -7%
2020 -1.1% -9.54%
2019 4.3% -5.08%
2018 5.22% -2.57%
2017 -5.57% -2.52%
2016 -14.5% -2.27%
2015 -17.8% -2.68%
2014 -10.7% -3.92%
2013 -2.85% -1.27%
2012 7.24% -2.38%
2011 16.1% -0.86%
2010 15.5% -0.64%
2009 4.76% 0.26%
2008 23.9% 0.83%
2007 8.99% -1.56%
2006 16% -0.03%
2005 13.4% 1.12%
2004 3.33% 2.27%
2003 0.37% -1.23%
2002 -7.34% -2.03%
2001 -0.71% -1.8%
2000 1.05% -0.22%
1999 -4.75% -4.41%
1998 -5.16% -2.59%
1997 3.67% -2.22%
1996 9.2% -5.01%
1995 -6.38% -2.04%
1994 -10.6% -9.54%
1993 -11.3% -6.6%
1992 -12.7% -7.21%
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 1.25% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Rwanda
2024 3.1% 1.77%
2023 4.3% 19.8%
2022 3% 17.7%
2021 2% -0.39%
2020 1.4% 9.85%
2019 0.4% 3.35%
2018 1.2% -0.31%
2017 0.4% 8.28%
2016 3.2% 7.17%
2015 3.2% 2.53%
2014 0.9% 2.35%
2013 4.6% 5.92%
2012 5% 10.3%
2011 1.8% 3.08%
2010 0.4% -0.25%
2009 4.3% 12.9%
2008 6% 15.4%
2007 2.6% 9.08%
2006 4.7% 8.88%
2005 2.5% 9.01%
2004 3.7% 12.3%
2003 1.7% 7.45%
2002 3% 1.99%
2001 0.8% 3.34%
2000 0.5% 3.9%
1999 3% -2.41%
1998 2.2% 6.21%
1997 12.7% 12%

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/rwanda | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 6.83% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $29K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $19.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $138K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $69K
Metals $35K
Animal & marine products $31K
Chemicals & pharma $19K
Wood & paper products $14K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Congo Rwanda
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$991M
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Rwanda
Economic freedom 48.6 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 121/197
Property rights 28.7 60.3
Government integrity 13.9 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 27.5
Tax burden 73.7 80.6
Government spending 85.8 75.7
Fiscal health 80.8 37.5
Business freedom 35.8 60.1
Labor freedom 52.4 49.1
Monetary freedom 78.4 72.3
Trade freedom 52.8 61.8
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Rwanda
2026 48.6 56.5
2025 48.6 54.8
2024 47.8 51.6
2023 48.1 52.2
2022 48.5 57.1
2021 50.7 68.3
2020 41.8 70.9
2019 39.7 71.1
2018 38.9 69.1
2017 40 67.6
2016 42.8 63.1
2015 42.7 64.8
2014 43.7 64.7
2013 43.5 64.1
2012 43.8 64.9
2011 43.6 62.7
2010 43.2 59.1
2009 45.4 54.2
2008 45.3 54.2
2007 44.4 52.4
2006 43.8 52.8
2005 46.2 51.7
2004 45.9 53.3
2003 47.7 47.8
2002 45.3 50.4
2001 44.3 45.4
2000 40.6 42.3
1999 41.6 39.8
1998 33.8 39.1
1997 42.2 38.3
1996 40.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
25.9%
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/rwanda | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.