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Economy of Congo vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Congo has a GDP of $16.3B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 143/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.8B in government debt (96.8% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Congo vs Samoa GDP by year

Congo
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Samoa
2025 $16,306,633,779 $1,287,936,622
2024 $15,719,986,077 $1,175,749,786
2023 $15,321,055,823 $1,044,909,500
2022 $15,817,030,155 $889,554,712
2021 $14,825,690,211 $859,724,936
2020 $11,468,687,464 $868,884,903
2019 $13,976,637,780 $912,950,466
2018 $14,773,900,289 $878,448,433
2017 $11,834,473,039 $884,844,384
2016 $10,931,328,151 $843,924,797
2015 $12,434,793,867 $824,150,499
2014 $17,919,321,078 $796,683,520
2013 $17,958,720,699 $797,736,334
2012 $17,692,911,296 $773,141,661
2011 $15,655,383,577 $744,097,050
2010 $13,148,396,212 $680,260,907
2009 $9,723,299,915 $628,006,115
2008 $11,649,857,673 $641,346,192
2007 $8,782,703,437 $573,548,460
2006 $8,072,305,029 $499,923,758
2005 $6,650,001,680 $476,801,793
2004 $4,656,974,940 $407,747,565
2003 $3,503,723,088 $333,426,188
2002 $3,034,250,924 $281,790,134
2001 $2,796,704,604 $266,299,591
2000 $3,227,927,698 $258,856,140
1999 $2,354,772,960 $255,408,060
1998 $1,949,481,379 $269,485,244
1997 $2,322,719,103 $285,475,592
1996 $2,540,697,539 $249,907,869
1995 $2,116,003,868 $224,865,731
1994 $1,769,365,438 $221,098,107
1993 $2,684,323,623 $133,122,897
1992 $2,933,222,703 $132,303,041
1991 $2,724,853,506 $125,597,205
1990 $2,798,746,050 $125,766,270
1989 $2,389,593,026 $122,888,610
1988 $2,212,536,312 $133,016,065
1987 $2,297,753,652 $111,713,922
1986 $1,849,268,212 $100,947,849
1985 $2,160,872,540 $95,572,173
1984 $2,193,581,365 $109,200,934
1983 $2,097,274,290 $111,862,824
1982 $2,160,640,565 $121,221,652
1981 $1,993,512,323 $118,190,655
1980 $1,705,796,853 $125,747,038
1979 $1,198,749,667 $122,257,393
1978 $878,771,772 $108,223,444
1977 $765,224,029 $98,295,671
1976 $754,549,601 $85,003,078
1975 $767,102,680 $93,489,283
1974 $585,364,634 $93,549,611
1973 $541,973,363 $82,452,985
1972 $410,669,264 $62,566,116
1971 $322,128,019 $53,719,569
1970 $274,960,700 $45,208,338
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Samoa by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,515 - $5,873 -
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $906 $3,888 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $855 $3,748 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $776 $3,464 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $660 $3,602 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $804 $3,510 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $899 $3,547 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $770 $3,434 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $662 $3,327 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $775 $2,323
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $777 $2,198
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $742 $2,166
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $744 $2,148
1989 $1,033 - $728 -
1988 $984 - $790 -
1987 $1,052 - $666 -
1986 $872 - $604 -
1985 $1,049 - $573 -
1984 $1,097 - $655 -
1983 $1,075 - $671 -
1982 $1,131 - $728 -
1981 $1,066 - $713 -
1980 $933 - $765 -
1979 $670 - $751 -
1978 $503 - $671 -
1977 $448 - $615 -
1976 $453 - $541 -
1975 $471 - $610 -
1974 $370 - $626 -
1973 $353 - $563 -
1972 $276.3 - $433 -
1971 $223.5 - $377 -
1970 $196.7 - $322 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,515, ranking 153/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Congo Samoa
Gross domestic product
$16.3B
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
143/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
3.08%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,515
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$15.8B
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
96.8%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,435
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,494
2026
$3,918
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
5.05%
2022
Population
6718789
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 96.8% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 21.7% 98% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 31.1% 41%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 30% 49.4%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 38.8% 84.5% 27.3% 49%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 23% 43.5% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 27% 185.3% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 30% 53.8%
2000 22.6% 145% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 28.8% 0% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 25.1% 0% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 22.2% 0% 31% -
1996 15.7% 0% 38.9% -
1995 27.6% 0% 42.2% -
1994 30.7% 0% 54.1% -
1993 32.8% 0% 49.5% -
1992 32.8% 0% 43.4% -
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/samoa | CC BY

In 2025, the Congo's government spending was $3.9B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 96.8% in the Congo and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 27/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Samoa
2025 0.28% 4.68%
2024 3.62% 9.29%
2023 5.81% 2.7%
2022 8.94% 5.03%
2021 1.63% 1.71%
2020 -1.1% 5.41%
2019 4.3% 1.51%
2018 5.22% 0.06%
2017 -5.57% -1.98%
2016 -14.5% -0.35%
2015 -17.8% -3.79%
2014 -10.7% -5.38%
2013 -2.85% -3.82%
2012 7.24% -7.43%
2011 16.1% -5.25%
2010 15.5% -5.49%
2009 4.76% -2.98%
2008 23.9% -0.36%
2007 8.99% 0.55%
2006 16% -0.44%
2005 13.4% 0.23%
2004 3.33% -0.74%
2003 0.37% -0.51%
2002 -7.34% -1.77%
2001 -0.71% -1.96%
2000 1.05% -0.62%
1999 -4.75% 0.27%
1998 -5.16% 1.64%
1997 3.67% 1.92%
1996 9.2% 1.21%
1995 -6.38% -5.82%
1994 -10.6% -9.51%
1993 -11.3% -13.2%
1992 -12.7% -9.89%
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/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 1.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.32% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Samoa
2025 2.6% 2.21%
2024 3.1% 2.17%
2023 4.3% 7.92%
2022 3% 11%
2021 2% 3.13%
2020 1.4% -1.57%
2019 0.4% 0.98%
2018 1.2% 4.2%
2017 0.4% 1.75%
2016 3.2% 1.3%
2015 3.2% 0.72%
2014 0.9% -0.41%
2013 4.6% 0.61%
2012 5% 2.05%
2011 1.8% 5.24%
2010 0.4% 0.78%
2009 4.3% 6.32%
2008 6% 11.6%
2007 2.6% 5.58%
2006 4.7% 3.7%
2005 2.5% 1.86%
2004 3.7% 16.3%
2003 1.7% 0.12%
2002 3% 8.05%
2001 0.8% 3.84%
2000 0.5% 0.97%
1999 3% 0.27%
1998 2.2% 2.22%
1997 12.7% 6.86%

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/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 3.78% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in the Congo and 2.21% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Congo Samoa
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2021
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$108M
2025
Service exports
$240M
2021
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Samoa
Economic freedom 48.6 68
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 52/197
Property rights 28.7 77.1
Government integrity 13.9 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 77.6
Tax burden 73.7 79.3
Government spending 85.8 75.2
Fiscal health 80.8 98.7
Business freedom 35.8 63.7
Labor freedom 52.4 73.7
Monetary freedom 78.4 69.4
Trade freedom 52.8 67.2
Investment freedom 35 40
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Samoa
2026 48.6 68
2025 48.6 66.6
2024 47.8 67.2
2023 48.1 68.3
2022 48.5 68.3
2021 50.7 61.9
2020 41.8 62.1
2019 39.7 62.2
2018 38.9 61.5
2017 40 58.4
2016 42.8 63.5
2015 42.7 61.9
2014 43.7 61.1
2013 43.5 57.1
2012 43.8 60.5
2011 43.6 60.6
2010 43.2 60.4
2009 45.4 59.5
2008 45.3 -
2007 44.4 -
2006 43.8 -
2005 46.2 -
2004 45.9 -
2003 47.7 -
2002 45.3 -
2001 44.3 63.1
2000 40.6 60.8
1999 41.6 58.7
1998 33.8 49.9
1997 42.2 51.5
1996 40.3 47.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Samoa
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,490
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$759M
2024
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
30%
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/samoa | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.