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Economy of Congo vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Congo has a GDP of $16.3B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 143/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.8B in government debt (96.8% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Congo vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Congo
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Saudi Arabia
2025 $16,306,633,779 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $15,719,986,077 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $15,321,055,823 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $15,817,030,155 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $14,825,690,211 $982,661,066,667
2020 $11,468,687,464 $767,951,200,000
2019 $13,976,637,780 $888,890,133,333
2018 $14,773,900,289 $886,564,800,000
2017 $11,834,473,039 $741,266,133,333
2016 $10,931,328,151 $689,279,466,667
2015 $12,434,793,867 $693,414,400,000
2014 $17,919,321,078 $787,153,066,667
2013 $17,958,720,699 $769,755,733,333
2012 $17,692,911,296 $751,921,333,333
2011 $15,655,383,577 $680,660,800,000
2010 $13,148,396,212 $528,207,466,667
2009 $9,723,299,915 $429,097,866,667
2008 $11,649,857,673 $519,796,800,000
2007 $8,782,703,437 $415,964,509,673
2006 $8,072,305,029 $376,900,133,511
2005 $6,650,001,680 $328,459,608,764
2004 $4,656,974,940 $258,742,133,333
2003 $3,503,723,088 $215,807,733,333
2002 $3,034,250,924 $189,605,866,667
2001 $2,796,704,604 $184,137,600,000
2000 $3,227,927,698 $189,514,933,333
1999 $2,354,772,960 $161,717,066,667
1998 $1,949,481,379 $146,775,466,667
1997 $2,322,719,103 $165,963,684,913
1996 $2,540,697,539 $158,662,483,311
1995 $2,116,003,868 $143,343,124,166
1994 $1,769,365,438 $135,174,899,866
1993 $2,684,323,623 $132,967,957,276
1992 $2,933,222,703 $137,087,850,467
1991 $2,724,853,506 $132,223,230,975
1990 $2,798,746,050 $117,630,173,565
1989 $2,389,593,026 $95,344,459,279
1988 $2,212,536,312 $88,256,074,766
1987 $2,297,753,652 $85,695,861,148
1986 $1,849,268,212 $86,961,922,765
1985 $2,160,872,540 $103,897,846,494
1984 $2,193,581,365 $119,624,858,116
1983 $2,097,274,290 $129,171,635,311
1982 $2,160,640,565 $153,240,313,858
1981 $1,993,512,323 $184,291,360,139
1980 $1,705,796,853 $164,539,660,725
1979 $1,198,749,667 $111,858,444,786
1978 $878,771,772 $80,266,516,687
1977 $765,224,029 $74,188,986,586
1976 $754,549,601 $64,005,665,722
1975 $767,102,680 $46,773,208,643
1974 $585,364,634 $45,412,957,746
1973 $541,973,363 $14,947,435,499
1972 $410,669,264 $9,664,267,087
1971 $322,128,019 $7,184,806,909
1970 $274,960,700 $5,377,333,333
1969 $265,040,036 $4,485,777,644
1968 $251,247,458 $4,187,777,711
1967 $237,397,428 $3,257,022,223
1966 $220,613,582 $2,920,555,557
1965 $198,318,064 $2,647,955,558
1964 $185,693,725 $2,371,808,713
1963 $172,233,431 $2,207,393,172
1962 $166,521,240 $2,130,606,532
1961 $151,675,739 $1,920,811,284
1960 $131,731,863 $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Saudi Arabia by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,515 - $34,537 -
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $906 $3,888 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $855 $3,748 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $776 $3,464 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $660 $3,602 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $804 $3,510 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $899 $3,547 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $770 $3,434 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $662 $3,327 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $1,033 - $9,414 -
1988 $984 - $9,165 -
1987 $1,052 - $9,386 -
1986 $872 - $10,078 -
1985 $1,049 - $12,745 -
1984 $1,097 - $15,541 -
1983 $1,075 - $17,810 -
1982 $1,131 - $22,454 -
1981 $1,066 - $28,703 -
1980 $933 - $27,206 -
1979 $670 - $19,612 -
1978 $503 - $14,914 -
1977 $448 - $14,595 -
1976 $453 - $13,313 -
1975 $471 - $10,266 -
1974 $370 - $10,503 -
1973 $353 - $3,640 -
1972 $276.3 - $2,474 -
1971 $223.5 - $1,929 -
1970 $196.7 - $1,509 -
1969 $195.4 - $1,313 -
1968 $190.8 - $1,276 -
1967 $185.7 - $1,032 -
1966 $177.6 - $961 -
1965 $164.2 - $904 -
1964 $158.1 - $840 -
1963 $150.7 - $812 -
1962 $149.6 - $813 -
1961 $139.9 - $760 -
1960 $124.7 - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,515, ranking 153/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Congo Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$16.3B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
143/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
3.08%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,515
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$15.8B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
96.8%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,435
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,494
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
3.24%
2025
Population
6718789
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 96.8% 29% 31.7%
2024 21.7% 98% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 28.3% 23%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 38.8% 84.5% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 23% 43.5% 33% 8.43%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 37.1% 14%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 27% 185.3% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 22.6% 145% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 28.8% 0% 30.3% 103%
1998 25.1% 0% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 22.2% 0% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 15.7% 0% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 27.6% 0% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 30.7% 0% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 32.8% 0% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 32.8% 0% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 34.1% 0% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 30.4% 0% 39.3% -
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, the Congo's government spending was $3.9B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 96.8% in the Congo and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 27/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Saudi Arabia
2025 0.28% -5.77%
2024 3.62% -2.46%
2023 5.81% -1.77%
2022 8.94% 2.24%
2021 1.63% -1.99%
2020 -1.1% -10.2%
2019 4.3% -3.96%
2018 5.22% -5.21%
2017 -5.57% -8.57%
2016 -14.5% -13.2%
2015 -17.8% -14.9%
2014 -10.7% -3.4%
2013 -2.85% 5.47%
2012 7.24% 11.7%
2011 16.1% 11.4%
2010 15.5% 4.39%
2009 4.76% -5.38%
2008 23.9% 29.8%
2007 8.99% 11.8%
2006 16% 20.8%
2005 13.4% 18%
2004 3.33% 9.72%
2003 0.37% 1.2%
2002 -7.34% -5.91%
2001 -0.71% -3.91%
2000 1.05% 3.18%
1999 -4.75% -5.99%
1998 -5.16% -8.88%
1997 3.67% -2.51%
1996 9.2% -3.25%
1995 -6.38% -5.12%
1994 -10.6% -8.31%
1993 -11.3% -9.33%
1992 -12.7% -8.12%
1991 -11.2% -3.28%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Saudi Arabia
2025 2.6% 2.08%
2024 3.1% 1.69%
2023 4.3% 2.33%
2022 3% 2.47%
2021 2% 3.06%
2020 1.4% 3.37%
2019 0.4% -1.19%
2018 1.2% 2.47%
2017 0.4% -0.83%
2016 3.2% 2.05%
2015 3.2% 1.22%
2014 0.9% 2.24%
2013 4.6% 3.51%
2012 5% 2.87%
2011 1.8% 5.83%
2010 0.4% 5.34%
2009 4.3% 5.06%
2008 6% 9.87%
2007 2.6% 4.17%
2006 4.7% 2.21%
2005 2.5% 0.48%
2004 3.7% 0.52%
2003 1.7% 0.61%
2002 3% 0.25%
2001 0.8% -1.12%
2000 0.5% -1.12%
1999 3% -1.33%
1998 2.2% -0.37%
1997 12.7% 0.06%

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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in the Congo and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $2.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $184K
Machinery & equipment $33K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Metals $4K
Miscellaneous $3K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $7.25M
Metals $818K
Machinery & equipment $606K
Raw materials & minerals $449K
Wood & paper products $270K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $188K
Animal & marine products $158K
Textiles & consumer goods $40K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Congo Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2021
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$311B
2025
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$129B
2025
Service exports
$240M
2021
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 48.6 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 65/197
Property rights 28.7 51.4
Government integrity 13.9 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 38.2
Tax burden 73.7 99.2
Government spending 85.8 77
Fiscal health 80.8 97.9
Business freedom 35.8 71.2
Labor freedom 52.4 41.8
Monetary freedom 78.4 81.2
Trade freedom 52.8 73.8
Investment freedom 35 50
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Saudi Arabia
2026 48.6 65.4
2025 48.6 64.4
2024 47.8 61.9
2023 48.1 58.3
2022 48.5 55.5
2021 50.7 66
2020 41.8 62.4
2019 39.7 60.7
2018 38.9 59.6
2017 40 64.4
2016 42.8 62.1
2015 42.7 62.1
2014 43.7 62.2
2013 43.5 60.6
2012 43.8 62.5
2011 43.6 66.2
2010 43.2 64.1
2009 45.4 64.3
2008 45.3 62.5
2007 44.4 60.9
2006 43.8 63
2005 46.2 63
2004 45.9 60.4
2003 47.7 63.2
2002 45.3 65.3
2001 44.3 62.2
2000 40.6 66.5
1999 41.6 65.5
1998 33.8 69.3
1997 42.2 68.7
1996 40.3 68.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,490
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$759M
2024
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$27.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
31.6%
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/saudi-arabia | 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.