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Economy of Congo vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 141/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Congo vs Suriname GDP by year

Congo
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Suriname
2024 $15,719,986,077 $4,416,775,112
2023 $15,321,055,823 $3,472,693,412
2022 $15,817,030,155 $3,791,603,200
2021 $14,825,690,211 $3,107,923,198
2020 $11,468,687,464 $2,911,807,496
2019 $13,976,637,780 $4,016,040,575
2018 $14,773,900,289 $3,996,198,867
2017 $11,834,473,039 $3,591,679,431
2016 $10,931,328,151 $3,317,421,648
2015 $12,434,793,867 $5,126,237,646
2014 $17,919,321,078 $5,240,606,061
2013 $17,958,720,699 $5,145,757,576
2012 $17,692,911,296 $4,980,000,000
2011 $15,655,383,577 $4,422,276,622
2010 $13,148,396,212 $4,368,370,998
2009 $9,723,299,915 $3,875,409,836
2008 $11,649,857,673 $3,532,969,035
2007 $8,782,703,437 $2,936,612,022
2006 $8,072,305,029 $2,626,380,435
2005 $6,650,001,680 $1,793,410,397
2004 $4,656,974,940 $1,484,092,538
2003 $3,503,723,088 $1,274,190,311
2002 $3,034,250,924 $1,093,574,468
2001 $2,796,704,604 $834,279,358
2000 $3,227,927,698 $947,671,970
1999 $2,354,772,960 $886,290,698
1998 $1,949,481,379 $1,110,850,000
1997 $2,322,719,103 $926,422,500
1996 $2,540,697,539 $861,372,806
1995 $2,116,003,868 $691,590,498
1994 $1,769,365,438 $605,492,537
1993 $2,684,323,623 $428,764,706
1992 $2,933,222,703 $404,600,000
1991 $2,724,853,506 $448,100,000
1990 $2,798,746,050 $388,400,000
1989 $2,389,593,026 $542,600,000
1988 $2,212,536,312 $1,161,000,000
1987 $2,297,753,652 $980,000,000
1986 $1,849,268,212 $891,000,000
1985 $2,160,872,540 $873,000,000
1984 $2,193,581,365 $864,000,000
1983 $2,097,274,290 $883,500,000
1982 $2,160,640,565 $915,000,000
1981 $1,993,512,323 $889,000,000
1980 $1,705,796,853 $795,000,000
1979 $1,198,749,667 $782,500,000
1978 $878,771,772 $735,500,000
1977 $765,224,029 $641,500,000
1976 $754,549,601 $505,500,000
1975 $767,102,680 $465,500,000
1974 $585,364,634 $409,850,000
1973 $541,973,363 $339,450,000
1972 $410,669,264 $311,950,000
1971 $322,128,019 $301,000,000
1970 $274,960,700 $274,900,000
1969 $265,040,036 $259,650,000
1968 $251,247,458 $241,350,000
1967 $237,397,428 $220,700,000
1966 $220,613,582 $190,350,000
1965 $198,318,064 $154,150,000
1964 $185,693,725 $134,400,000
1963 $172,233,431 $125,950,000
1962 $166,521,240 $116,150,000
1961 $151,675,739 $107,700,000
1960 $131,731,863 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Suriname by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $906 $3,888 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $855 $3,748 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $776 $3,464 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $660 $3,602 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $804 $3,510 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $899 $3,547 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $770 $3,434 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $662 $3,327 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $969 $6,992
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $942 $6,493
1989 $1,033 - $1,329 -
1988 $984 - $2,886 -
1987 $1,052 - $2,469 -
1986 $872 - $2,271 -
1985 $1,049 - $2,256 -
1984 $1,097 - $2,261 -
1983 $1,075 - $2,333 -
1982 $1,131 - $2,430 -
1981 $1,066 - $2,368 -
1980 $933 - $2,118 -
1979 $670 - $2,072 -
1978 $503 - $1,928 -
1977 $448 - $1,666 -
1976 $453 - $1,302 -
1975 $471 - $1,190 -
1974 $370 - $1,041 -
1973 $353 - $858 -
1972 $276.3 - $785 -
1971 $223.5 - $768 -
1970 $196.7 - $724 -
1969 $195.4 - $708 -
1968 $190.8 - $681 -
1967 $185.7 - $644 -
1966 $177.6 - $575 -
1965 $164.2 - $482 -
1964 $158.1 - $435 -
1963 $150.7 - $424 -
1962 $149.6 - $409 -
1961 $139.9 - $395 -
1960 $124.7 - $378 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Congo Suriname
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
7.92%
2016
Population
6681829
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 29% 98.2%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 32% 115.8%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 40.5% 84%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 28.7% 73%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 21% 18.7%
2010 23% 43.5% 21% 17.3%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 24% 14.6%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 27% 185.3% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 22.6% 145% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 28.8% 0% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 25.1% 0% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 22.2% 0% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 15.7% 0% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 27.6% 0% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 30.7% 0% 19.8% 30.5%
1993 32.8% 0% 21.2% 51.1%
1992 32.8% 0% 24.4% 64.4%
1991 34.1% 0% 26.6% 75.7%
1990 30.4% 0% 22.7% 72.9%
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/suriname | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 25/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Suriname
2024 3.62% -2.42%
2023 5.81% -1.68%
2022 8.94% -2.69%
2021 1.63% -5.66%
2020 -1.1% -12%
2019 4.3% -20.2%
2018 5.22% -8.56%
2017 -5.57% -8.62%
2016 -14.5% -10.2%
2015 -17.8% -8.29%
2014 -10.7% -2.65%
2013 -2.85% -2.64%
2012 7.24% -0.38%
2011 16.1% 2.32%
2010 15.5% -0.15%
2009 4.76% 2.03%
2008 23.9% 2.39%
2007 8.99% 5.01%
2006 16% 0.59%
2005 13.4% -3.39%
2004 3.33% -1.2%
2003 0.37% -0.11%
2002 -7.34% -3.3%
2001 -0.71% 3.49%
2000 1.05% -7.76%
1999 -4.75% -4.92%
1998 -5.16% -6.39%
1997 3.67% -0.32%
1996 9.2% 3.42%
1995 -6.38% 1.17%
1994 -10.6% -1.89%
1993 -11.3% -4.68%
1992 -12.7% -6.45%
1991 -11.2% -9.8%
1990 -4.1% -3.04%
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/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Suriname
2024 3.1% 16.2%
2023 4.3% 51.6%
2022 3% 52.4%
2021 2% 59.1%
2020 1.4% 34.9%
2019 0.4% -
2018 1.2% -
2017 0.4% 22%
2016 3.2% 55.4%
2015 3.2% 6.89%
2014 0.9% 3.38%
2013 4.6% 1.92%
2012 5% 5.01%
2011 1.8% 17.7%
2010 0.4% 6.94%
2009 4.3% -0.13%
2008 6% 14.7%
2007 2.6% 6.43%
2006 4.7% 11.3%
2005 2.5% 9.9%
2004 3.7% 9.99%
2003 1.7% 23%
2002 3% 15.5%
2001 0.8% 38.6%
2000 0.5% 59.4%
1999 3% 98.8%
1998 2.2% 19%
1997 12.7% 7.15%

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/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 16.2% in Suriname.

Balance of trade

Congo Suriname
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$921M
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Suriname
Economic freedom 48.6 53
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 143/197
Property rights 28.7 40.5
Government integrity 13.9 41
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 46.5
Tax burden 73.7 69.1
Government spending 85.8 74.3
Fiscal health 80.8 76.6
Business freedom 35.8 56.9
Labor freedom 52.4 69
Monetary freedom 78.4 56.4
Trade freedom 52.8 65.2
Investment freedom 35 20
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Suriname
2026 48.6 53
2025 48.6 50.9
2024 47.8 46.7
2023 48.1 46.1
2022 48.5 48.1
2021 50.7 46.4
2020 41.8 49.5
2019 39.7 48.1
2018 38.9 48.1
2017 40 48
2016 42.8 53.8
2015 42.7 54.2
2014 43.7 54.2
2013 43.5 52
2012 43.8 52.6
2011 43.6 53.1
2010 43.2 52.5
2009 45.4 54.1
2008 45.3 54.3
2007 44.4 54.8
2006 43.8 55.1
2005 46.2 51.9
2004 45.9 47.9
2003 47.7 46.9
2002 45.3 48
2001 44.3 44.3
2000 40.6 45.8
1999 41.6 40.1
1998 33.8 39.9
1997 42.2 35.9
1996 40.3 36.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Suriname
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.