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Economy of Congo vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Congo has a GDP of $16.3B compared to $16.4B for Rwanda, ranking 143/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.8B in government debt (96.8% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (64.6% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Congo vs Rwanda GDP by year

Congo
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Rwanda
2025 $16,306,633,779 $16,372,132,990
2024 $15,719,986,077 $15,111,064,182
2023 $15,321,055,823 $14,806,501,437
2022 $15,817,030,155 $13,747,404,814
2021 $14,825,690,211 $11,252,894,910
2020 $11,468,687,464 $10,487,146,253
2019 $13,976,637,780 $10,519,272,170
2018 $14,773,900,289 $9,650,161,136
2017 $11,834,473,039 $9,164,345,443
2016 $10,931,328,151 $8,596,812,241
2015 $12,434,793,867 $8,447,064,079
2014 $17,919,321,078 $8,129,984,484
2013 $17,958,720,699 $7,714,276,920
2012 $17,692,911,296 $7,556,673,276
2011 $15,655,383,577 $6,802,676,034
2010 $13,148,396,212 $6,052,276,078
2009 $9,723,299,915 $5,603,399,015
2008 $11,649,857,673 $5,120,655,375
2007 $8,782,703,437 $4,017,977,507
2006 $8,072,305,029 $3,274,207,945
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $2,515 - $1,124 -
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $1,060 $3,711
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $1,061 $3,399
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $1,007 $3,099
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $843 $2,733
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $803 $2,285
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $823 $2,336
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $773 $2,125
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $751 $1,968
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $721 $1,866
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $726 $1,781
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $715 $1,678
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $695 $1,512
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $698 $1,455
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $643 $1,413
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $587 $1,314
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $557 $1,241
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $522 $1,191
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $421 $1,079
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $352 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,515, ranking 153/197, compared to $1,124 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
$16.3B
2025
$16.4B
2025
GDP rank
143/197
2025
142/197
2025
GDP growth
3.08%
2024-2025
9.38%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,515
2025
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2025
178/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$15.8B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
96.8%
2025
64.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,435
2025
$726
2025
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2025
155/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,494
2026
$1,614
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.2B
2025
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
23.9%
2025
24.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
5.91%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
5.36%
2025
Population
6718789
15062056

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
2025 23.9% 96.8% 24.1% 64.6%
2024 21.7% 98% 27.1% 63.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 26.2% 61.4%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 28.7% 59%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 31% 66.2%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 32.5% 66.7%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 27.7% 52.8%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 26.3% 49.2%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 25.3% 46.1%
2016 38.8% 84.5% 25.4% 41.5%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 26.9% 33.5%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 27.8% 29.5%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 26.5% 27%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 24.9% 19.3%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 25% 18.9%
2010 23% 43.5% 24.1% 19%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 22.6% 18.7%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 22.7% 18.5%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 22.7% 22.4%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 20.9% 22.8%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 20.2% 59.8%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 18.1% 82.1%
2003 27% 185.3% 18.8% 80.7%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 20.7% 93.4%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 19.3% 85.2%
2000 22.6% 145% 18.5% 87.2%
1999 28.8% 0% 22.7% 79.5%
1998 25.1% 0% 16.6% 71.1%
1997 22.2% 0% 17.2% 73.3%
1996 15.7% 0% 19.8% 84.6%
1995 27.6% 0% 18.3% 102.2%
1994 30.7% 0% 13.5% -
1993 32.8% 0% 20.6% -
1992 32.8% 0% 21.8% -
1991 34.1% 0% - -
1990 30.4% 0% - -
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/rwanda | CC BY

In 2025, the Congo's government spending was $3.9B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $3.95B, or 24.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 96.8% in the Congo and 64.6% in Rwanda, ranking 27/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Rwanda
2025 0.28% -4.49%
2024 3.62% -6.19%
2023 5.81% -4.88%
2022 8.94% -5.56%
2021 1.63% -6.89%
2020 -1.1% -9.26%
2019 4.3% -5%
2018 5.22% -2.57%
2017 -5.57% -2.54%
2016 -14.5% -2.3%
2015 -17.8% -2.71%
2014 -10.7% -3.97%
2013 -2.85% -1.29%
2012 7.24% -2.41%
2011 16.1% -0.87%
2010 15.5% -0.65%
2009 4.76% 0.26%
2008 23.9% 0.84%
2007 8.99% -1.58%
2006 16% -0.03%
2005 13.4% 1.14%
2004 3.33% 2.31%
2003 0.37% -1.25%
2002 -7.34% -2.06%
2001 -0.71% -1.83%
2000 1.05% -0.22%
1999 -4.75% -4.48%
1998 -5.16% -2.63%
1997 3.67% -2.25%
1996 9.2% -5.08%
1995 -6.38% -2.07%
1994 -10.6% -9.68%
1993 -11.3% -6.7%
1992 -12.7% -7.31%
1991 -11.2% -
1990 -4.1% -
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $736M, or 4.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 1.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Rwanda
2025 2.6% 5.91%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 6.8% in Rwanda. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in the Congo and 5.91% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $17K
Machinery & equipment $14K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $576K
Animal & marine products $335K
Raw agricultural goods $130K
Machinery & equipment $115K
Metals $111K
Textiles & consumer goods $100K
Wood & paper products $26K
Chemicals & pharma $21K
Weapons & explosives $7K

Balance of trade

Congo Rwanda
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2021
136/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-12%
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
43.6%
2025
35.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
21.6%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
54.3%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
20.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2025
$16.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,490
2025
$4,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$759M
2024
$1.96B
2025
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
128/177
2025
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
2.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
34.1%
2025

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/rwanda | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.