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Economy of Congo vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 141/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Congo vs Tanzania GDP by year

Congo
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Tanzania
2024 $15,719,986,077 $78,844,405,385
2023 $15,321,055,823 $79,030,935,627
2022 $15,817,030,155 $75,749,121,843
2021 $14,825,690,211 $70,655,628,148
2020 $11,468,687,464 $66,068,737,786
2019 $13,976,637,780 $61,026,731,926
2018 $14,773,900,289 $57,003,712,892
2017 $11,834,473,039 $53,274,884,533
2016 $10,931,328,151 $49,774,409,374
2015 $12,434,793,867 $47,413,919,817
2014 $17,919,321,078 $49,986,726,461
2013 $17,958,720,699 $45,648,857,242
2012 $17,692,911,296 $39,650,394,363
2011 $15,655,383,577 $34,657,140,096
2010 $13,148,396,212 $32,012,892,919
2009 $9,723,299,915 $29,400,573,554
2008 $11,649,857,673 $27,947,821,398
2007 $8,782,703,437 $21,860,434,823
2006 $8,072,305,029 $18,619,859,795
2005 $6,650,001,680 $18,395,383,647
2004 $4,656,974,940 $16,673,062,473
2003 $3,503,723,088 $15,211,487,709
2002 $3,034,250,924 $14,129,651,896
2001 $2,796,704,604 $13,563,990,022
2000 $3,227,927,698 $13,371,767,082
1999 $2,354,772,960 $12,704,334,196
1998 $1,949,481,379 $12,172,790,056
1997 $2,322,719,103 $11,158,197,942
1996 $2,540,697,539 $9,433,528,150
1995 $2,116,003,868 $7,631,431,840
1994 $1,769,365,438 $6,550,480,484
1993 $2,684,323,623 $6,182,872,708
1992 $2,933,222,703 $6,681,997,469
1991 $2,724,853,506 $7,197,768,159
1990 $2,798,746,050 $6,184,384,225
1989 $2,389,593,026 $6,418,799,007
1988 $2,212,536,312 $7,406,614,407
1987 $2,297,753,652 $7,824,193,222
1986 $1,849,268,212 $10,840,864,521
1985 $2,160,872,540 $15,328,295,175
1984 $2,193,581,365 $12,906,635,133
1983 $2,097,274,290 $14,049,883,809
1982 $2,160,640,565 $13,927,383,240
1981 $1,993,512,323 $13,161,540,378
1980 $1,705,796,853 $11,409,228,087
1979 $1,198,749,667 $9,804,637,491
1978 $878,771,772 $9,261,675,710
1977 $765,224,029 $7,732,598,995
1976 $754,549,601 $6,472,511,988
1975 $767,102,680 $5,729,917,840
1974 $585,364,634 $4,977,337,978
1973 $541,973,363 $4,144,104,535
1972 $410,669,264 $3,472,787,266
1971 $322,128,019 $3,050,673,517
1970 $274,960,700 $2,851,419,386
1969 $265,040,036 $5,142,066,811
1968 $251,247,458 $4,895,251,824
1967 $237,397,428 $4,565,132,048
1966 $220,613,582 $4,377,998,825
1965 $198,318,064 $3,817,226,546
1964 $185,693,725 $3,748,840,925
1963 $172,233,431 $3,456,579,293
1962 $166,521,240 $3,101,589,993
1961 $151,675,739 $2,826,179,031
1960 $131,731,863 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Tanzania by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $992 $2,728
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $957 $2,472
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $925 $2,435
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $911 $2,317
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $993 $2,221
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $935 $2,176
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $837 $2,083
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $753 $2,211
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $715 $2,069
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $674 $1,972
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $657 $1,908
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $528 $1,820
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $462 $1,707
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $469 $1,598
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $438 $1,482
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $410 $1,379
2002 $906 $3,888 $391 $1,302
2001 $855 $3,748 $385 $1,229
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $390 $1,164
1999 $776 $3,464 $382 $1,120
1998 $660 $3,602 $375 $1,082
1997 $804 $3,510 $353 $1,059
1996 $899 $3,547 $305 $1,026
1995 $770 $3,434 $251.2 $981
1994 $662 $3,327 $222.5 $958
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $218.2 $959
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $243.4 $955
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $268.8 $952
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $236.9 $925
1989 $1,033 - $252.3 -
1988 $984 - $299 -
1987 $1,052 - $326 -
1986 $872 - $466 -
1985 $1,049 - $681 -
1984 $1,097 - $593 -
1983 $1,075 - $667 -
1982 $1,131 - $683 -
1981 $1,066 - $665 -
1980 $933 - $595 -
1979 $670 - $527 -
1978 $503 - $515 -
1977 $448 - $446 -
1976 $453 - $387 -
1975 $471 - $355 -
1974 $370 - $320 -
1973 $353 - $276.1 -
1972 $276.3 - $239.8 -
1971 $223.5 - $218.4 -
1970 $196.7 - $211.3 -
1969 $195.4 - $394 -
1968 $190.8 - $388 -
1967 $185.7 - $374 -
1966 $177.6 - $370 -
1965 $164.2 - $333 -
1964 $158.1 - $337 -
1963 $150.7 - $320 -
1962 $149.6 - $295.7 -
1961 $139.9 - $277.4 -
1960 $124.7 - $267.8 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Congo Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
2.43%
2024
Population
6681829
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 19% 47.8%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 17.3% 42%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 19.6% 30%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 19% 28.4%
2010 23% 43.5% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 17% 44.5%
2003 27% 185.3% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 22.6% 145% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 28.8% 0% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 25.1% 0% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 22.2% 0% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 15.7% 0% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 27.6% 0% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 30.7% 0% 16.8% 126%
1993 32.8% 0% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 32.8% 0% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 34.1% 0% 14.2% 106.5%
1990 30.4% 0% - -
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 (1989–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 25/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Tanzania
2024 3.62% -3.03%
2023 5.81% -3.67%
2022 8.94% -3.92%
2021 1.63% -3.55%
2020 -1.1% -2.56%
2019 4.3% -2.06%
2018 5.22% -2.01%
2017 -5.57% -1.14%
2016 -14.5% -2.08%
2015 -17.8% -3.17%
2014 -10.7% -2.91%
2013 -2.85% -3.76%
2012 7.24% -4%
2011 16.1% -3.51%
2010 15.5% -4.74%
2009 4.76% -4.46%
2008 23.9% -1.92%
2007 8.99% -1.44%
2006 16% -3.38%
2005 13.4% -3.28%
2004 3.33% -2.43%
2003 0.37% -1.77%
2002 -7.34% -0.73%
2001 -0.71% -0.41%
2000 1.05% -0.73%
1999 -4.75% -1.14%
1998 -5.16% 0.13%
1997 3.67% -0.03%
1996 9.2% 1.57%
1995 -6.38% -2.12%
1994 -10.6% -3.74%
1993 -11.3% -2.02%
1992 -12.7% -4.96%
1991 -11.2% 0.6%
1990 -4.1% -
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/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.89% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Tanzania
2024 3.1% 3.06%
2023 4.3% 3.8%
2022 3% 4.35%
2021 2% 3.69%
2020 1.4% 3.29%
2019 0.4% 3.46%
2018 1.2% 3.49%
2017 0.4% 5.32%
2016 3.2% 5.17%
2015 3.2% 5.59%
2014 0.9% 6.13%
2013 4.6% 7.87%
2012 5% 16%
2011 1.8% 12.7%
2010 0.4% 6.2%
2009 4.3% 12.1%
2008 6% 10.3%
2007 2.6% 7.03%
2006 4.7% 7.25%
2005 2.5% 5.03%
2004 3.7% 4.74%
2003 1.7% 5.3%
2002 3% 5.32%
2001 0.8% 5.15%
2000 0.5% 5.92%
1999 3% 7.89%
1998 2.2% 12.8%
1997 12.7% 16.1%

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/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $77K
Miscellaneous $16K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.87M
Raw materials & minerals $1.25M
Machinery & equipment $1.13M
Textiles & consumer goods $569K
Miscellaneous $424K
Metals $286K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $169K
Raw agricultural goods $96K
Wood & paper products $74K
Animal & marine products $47K

Balance of trade

Congo Tanzania
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Tanzania
Economic freedom 48.6 59
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 106/197
Property rights 28.7 45.2
Government integrity 13.9 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 29.6
Tax burden 73.7 80.4
Government spending 85.8 89.1
Fiscal health 80.8 75
Business freedom 35.8 48.1
Labor freedom 52.4 62.3
Monetary freedom 78.4 73.4
Trade freedom 52.8 58.8
Investment freedom 35 55
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Tanzania
2026 48.6 59
2025 48.6 59.3
2024 47.8 59.1
2023 48.1 60
2022 48.5 59.5
2021 50.7 61.3
2020 41.8 61.7
2019 39.7 60.2
2018 38.9 59.9
2017 40 58.6
2016 42.8 58.5
2015 42.7 57.5
2014 43.7 57.8
2013 43.5 57.9
2012 43.8 57
2011 43.6 57
2010 43.2 58.3
2009 45.4 58.3
2008 45.3 56.5
2007 44.4 56.8
2006 43.8 58.5
2005 46.2 56.3
2004 45.9 60.1
2003 47.7 56.9
2002 45.3 58.3
2001 44.3 54.9
2000 40.6 56
1999 41.6 60
1998 33.8 59.6
1997 42.2 59.3
1996 40.3 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (1989–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.