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Economy of Congo vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 141/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Congo vs Sudan GDP by year

Congo
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Sudan
2024 $15,719,986,077 $49,672,435,513
2023 $15,321,055,823 $39,898,289,821
2022 $15,817,030,155 $51,666,875,363
2021 $14,825,690,211 $34,229,513,775
2020 $11,468,687,464 $27,034,593,750
2019 $13,976,637,780 $32,338,079,165
2018 $14,773,900,289 $32,333,780,383
2017 $11,834,473,039 $41,283,617,976
2016 $10,931,328,151 $42,630,376,000
2015 $12,434,793,867 $51,726,758,677
2014 $17,919,321,078 $49,516,748,618
2013 $17,958,720,699 $43,024,018,082
2012 $17,692,911,296 $37,632,919,967
2011 $15,655,383,577 $55,018,567,211
2010 $13,148,396,212 $58,962,978,034
2009 $9,723,299,915 $51,621,044,077
2008 $11,649,857,673 $64,833,083,257
2007 $8,782,703,437 $59,440,139,775
2006 $8,072,305,029 $45,263,831,634
2005 $6,650,001,680 $35,182,711,988
2004 $4,656,974,940 $26,646,007,251
2003 $3,503,723,088 $21,355,298,460
2002 $3,034,250,924 $18,137,128,388
2001 $2,796,704,604 $15,716,361,792
2000 $3,227,927,698 $12,257,299,147
1999 $2,354,772,960 $10,682,028,340
1998 $1,949,481,379 $11,250,221,537
1997 $2,322,719,103 $11,681,175,864
1996 $2,540,697,539 $9,018,300,725
1995 $2,116,003,868 $13,830,363,900
1994 $1,769,365,438 $12,793,794,737
1993 $2,684,323,623 $8,881,005,436
1992 $2,933,222,703 $7,031,933,492
1991 $2,724,853,506 $44,171,194,366
1990 $2,798,746,050 $33,641,222,222
1989 $2,389,593,026 $21,408,111,111
1988 $2,212,536,312 $14,372,555,556
1987 $2,297,753,652 $12,093,333,333
1986 $1,849,268,212 $10,092,200,000
1985 $2,160,872,540 $8,075,259,600
1984 $2,193,581,365 $10,447,615,385
1983 $2,097,274,290 $8,230,153,846
1982 $2,160,640,565 $8,732,542,274
1981 $1,993,512,323 $10,753,888,154
1980 $1,705,796,853 $8,951,800,000
1979 $1,198,749,667 $8,418,407,787
1978 $878,771,772 $8,128,719,315
1977 $765,224,029 $7,499,005,639
1976 $754,549,601 $6,013,210,816
1975 $767,102,680 $4,823,090,192
1974 $585,364,634 $3,958,931,660
1973 $541,973,363 $3,077,254,460
1972 $410,669,264 $2,483,055,722
1971 $322,128,019 $2,288,340,041
1970 $274,960,700 $2,100,229,759
1969 $265,040,036 $1,847,501,441
1968 $251,247,458 $1,677,771,401
1967 $237,397,428 $1,607,409,539
1966 $220,613,582 $1,484,491,676
1965 $198,318,064 $1,446,869,619
1964 $185,693,725 $1,388,282,600
1963 $172,233,431 $1,351,234,926
1962 $166,521,240 $1,328,259,625
1961 $151,675,739 $1,222,860,429
1960 $131,731,863 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Sudan by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $985 $2,116
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $797 $2,421
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $712 $3,249
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $578 $3,349
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $710 $3,914
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $731 $4,199
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $967 $4,252
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $872 $3,215
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $714 $3,058
2002 $906 $3,888 $621 $2,898
2001 $855 $3,748 $551 $2,769
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $441 $2,616
1999 $776 $3,464 $394 $2,475
1998 $660 $3,602 $425 $2,428
1997 $804 $3,510 $453 $2,358
1996 $899 $3,547 $357 $2,006
1995 $770 $3,434 $561 $1,902
1994 $662 $3,327 $532 $1,805
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $379 $1,794
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $307 $1,710
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $1,033 - $992 -
1988 $984 - $680 -
1987 $1,052 - $584 -
1986 $872 - $497 -
1985 $1,049 - $406 -
1984 $1,097 - $534 -
1983 $1,075 - $431 -
1982 $1,131 - $472 -
1981 $1,066 - $605 -
1980 $933 - $525 -
1979 $670 - $515 -
1978 $503 - $518 -
1977 $448 - $497 -
1976 $453 - $413 -
1975 $471 - $343 -
1974 $370 - $291.5 -
1973 $353 - $235.8 -
1972 $276.3 - $198.2 -
1971 $223.5 - $189 -
1970 $196.7 - $179.6 -
1969 $195.4 - $163.5 -
1968 $190.8 - $153.7 -
1967 $185.7 - $152.4 -
1966 $177.6 - $145.6 -
1965 $164.2 - $146.8 -
1964 $158.1 - $145.7 -
1963 $150.7 - $146.6 -
1962 $149.6 - $148.9 -
1961 $139.9 - $141.6 -
1960 $124.7 - $134.7 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Congo Sudan
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
7.53%
2022
Population
6681829
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 23% 43.5% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 18.8% 71%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 27% 185.3% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 22.6% 145% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 28.8% 0% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 25.1% 0% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 22.2% 0% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 15.7% 0% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 27.6% 0% 12.9% 239%
1994 30.7% 0% 19.6% 386%
1993 32.8% 0% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 32.8% 0% 50.4% 495%
1991 34.1% 0% 45.7% -
1990 30.4% 0% 31% -
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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 25/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Sudan
2024 3.62% -3.46%
2023 5.81% -3.7%
2022 8.94% -2.15%
2021 1.63% -0.29%
2020 -1.1% -6.03%
2019 4.3% -10.8%
2018 5.22% -7.92%
2017 -5.57% -6.07%
2016 -14.5% -3.92%
2015 -17.8% -3.87%
2014 -10.7% -4.72%
2013 -2.85% -5.76%
2012 7.24% -7.37%
2011 16.1% -2.33%
2010 15.5% 0.11%
2009 4.76% -3.8%
2008 23.9% 0.49%
2007 8.99% -2.84%
2006 16% -1.32%
2005 13.4% -1.88%
2004 3.33% 0.16%
2003 0.37% 0.77%
2002 -7.34% -0.69%
2001 -0.71% -0.77%
2000 1.05% -0.7%
1999 -4.75% -0.8%
1998 -5.16% -0.56%
1997 3.67% -0.59%
1996 9.2% -2.61%
1995 -6.38% -3.48%
1994 -10.6% -3.03%
1993 -11.3% -8.04%
1992 -12.7% -24.5%
1991 -11.2% -26.5%
1990 -4.1% -16.2%
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/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Sudan
2024 3.1% -
2023 4.3% -
2022 3% 138.8%
2021 2% 359%
2020 1.4% 163.3%
2019 0.4% 51%
2018 1.2% 63.3%
2017 0.4% 32.4%
2016 3.2% 17.8%
2015 3.2% 16.9%
2014 0.9% 36.9%
2013 4.6% 36.5%
2012 5% 35.6%
2011 1.8% 18.1%
2010 0.4% 13%
2009 4.3% 11.3%
2008 6% 14.3%
2007 2.6% 14.8%
2006 4.7% 7.2%
2005 2.5% 8.51%
2004 3.7% 9.66%
2003 1.7% 6.49%
2002 3% 22.2%
2001 0.8% 1.94%
2000 0.5% 7.12%
1999 3% 17.2%
1998 2.2% 24.6%
1997 12.7% 47.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 26 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.89%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $63K
Metals $48K
Raw materials & minerals $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Congo Sudan
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$240M
2021
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Sudan
Economic freedom 48.6 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 191/197
Property rights 28.7 6.5
Government integrity 13.9 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 2.4
Tax burden 73.7 84.7
Government spending 85.8 96.5
Fiscal health 80.8 64.6
Business freedom 35.8 27.3
Labor freedom 52.4 33.6
Monetary freedom 78.4 6.2
Trade freedom 52.8 29.6
Investment freedom 35 5
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Sudan
2026 48.6 32.5
2025 48.6 35.3
2024 47.8 33.9
2023 48.1 32.8
2022 48.5 32
2021 50.7 39.1
2020 41.8 45
2019 39.7 47.7
2018 38.9 49.4
2017 40 48.8
2016 42.8 -
2015 42.7 -
2014 43.7 -
2013 43.5 -
2012 43.8 -
2011 43.6 -
2010 43.2 -
2009 45.4 -
2008 45.3 -
2007 44.4 -
2006 43.8 -
2005 46.2 -
2004 45.9 -
2003 47.7 -
2002 45.3 -
2001 44.3 -
2000 40.6 47.2
1999 41.6 39.6
1998 33.8 38.3
1997 42.2 39.9
1996 40.3 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Sudan
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.