Skip to content

Economy of Congo vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Congo has a GDP of $16.3B compared to $577B for Thailand, ranking 143/197 and 30/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.8B in government debt (96.8% of GDP), compared to $373B (64.7% of GDP) in Thailand.

Congo vs Thailand GDP by year

Congo
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Thailand
2025 $16,306,633,779 $577,009,981,112
2024 $15,719,986,077 $529,385,520,942
2023 $15,321,055,823 $517,013,369,475
2022 $15,817,030,155 $495,691,837,308
2021 $14,825,690,211 $506,049,783,825
2020 $11,468,687,464 $500,274,927,779
2019 $13,976,637,780 $543,976,691,794
2018 $14,773,900,289 $506,754,208,404
2017 $11,834,473,039 $456,356,813,537
2016 $10,931,328,151 $413,366,349,748
2015 $12,434,793,867 $401,296,238,228
2014 $17,919,321,078 $407,339,040,198
2013 $17,958,720,699 $420,333,654,593
2012 $17,692,911,296 $397,558,325,279
2011 $15,655,383,577 $370,818,739,624
2010 $13,148,396,212 $341,104,766,329
2009 $9,723,299,915 $281,710,630,187
2008 $11,649,857,673 $291,382,982,431
2007 $8,782,703,437 $262,942,621,455
2006 $8,072,305,029 $221,758,296,022
2005 $6,650,001,680 $189,318,408,469
2004 $4,656,974,940 $172,895,685,155
2003 $3,503,723,088 $152,280,615,246
2002 $3,034,250,924 $134,300,904,400
2001 $2,796,704,604 $120,296,476,180
2000 $3,227,927,698 $126,392,224,254
1999 $2,354,772,960 $126,669,211,779
1998 $1,949,481,379 $113,675,596,788
1997 $2,322,719,103 $150,180,456,566
1996 $2,540,697,539 $183,035,237,429
1995 $2,116,003,868 $169,278,916,593
1994 $1,769,365,438 $146,683,778,959
1993 $2,684,323,623 $128,889,262,951
1992 $2,933,222,703 $111,452,746,518
1991 $2,724,853,506 $98,234,714,971
1990 $2,798,746,050 $85,343,190,719
1989 $2,389,593,026 $72,250,748,100
1988 $2,212,536,312 $61,667,253,471
1987 $2,297,753,652 $50,535,446,555
1986 $1,849,268,212 $43,096,773,981
1985 $2,160,872,540 $38,900,711,333
1984 $2,193,581,365 $41,797,647,776
1983 $2,097,274,290 $40,042,798,388
1982 $2,160,640,565 $36,589,772,404
1981 $1,993,512,323 $34,846,039,194
1980 $1,705,796,853 $32,353,514,989
1979 $1,198,749,667 $27,371,650,825
1978 $878,771,772 $24,006,566,637
1977 $765,224,029 $19,779,312,261
1976 $754,549,601 $16,985,208,648
1975 $767,102,680 $14,882,770,594
1974 $585,364,634 $13,702,998,512
1973 $541,973,363 $10,838,587,358
1972 $410,669,264 $8,177,873,151
1971 $322,128,019 $7,375,000,024
1970 $274,960,700 $7,086,538,438
1969 $265,040,036 $6,695,336,567
1968 $251,247,458 $6,081,009,428
1967 $237,397,428 $5,638,461,442
1966 $220,613,582 $5,279,230,817
1965 $198,318,064 $4,388,937,649
1964 $185,693,725 $3,889,129,942
1963 $172,233,431 $3,540,403,457
1962 $166,521,240 $3,308,912,797
1961 $151,675,739 $3,034,037,811
1960 $131,731,863 $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Thailand by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,515 - $8,057 -
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $7,387 $24,712
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $7,211 $23,519
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $6,910 $22,243
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $7,055 $20,243
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $6,983 $19,164
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $906 $3,888 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $855 $3,748 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $776 $3,464 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $660 $3,602 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $804 $3,510 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $899 $3,547 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $770 $3,434 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $662 $3,327 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $1,033 - $1,342 -
1988 $984 - $1,164 -
1987 $1,052 - $970 -
1986 $872 - $842 -
1985 $1,049 - $774 -
1984 $1,097 - $847 -
1983 $1,075 - $827 -
1982 $1,131 - $770 -
1981 $1,066 - $748 -
1980 $933 - $709 -
1979 $670 - $612 -
1978 $503 - $548 -
1977 $448 - $462 -
1976 $453 - $405 -
1975 $471 - $364 -
1974 $370 - $343 -
1973 $353 - $278.3 -
1972 $276.3 - $215.6 -
1971 $223.5 - $199.7 -
1970 $196.7 - $197.1 -
1969 $195.4 - $191.4 -
1968 $190.8 - $178.8 -
1967 $185.7 - $170.7 -
1966 $177.6 - $164.5 -
1965 $164.2 - $140.9 -
1964 $158.1 - $128.6 -
1963 $150.7 - $120.7 -
1962 $149.6 - $116.2 -
1961 $139.9 - $109.7 -
1960 $124.7 - $102.8 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,515, ranking 153/197, compared to $8,057 in Thailand, ranking 97/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Congo Thailand
Gross domestic product
$16.3B
2025
$577B
2025
GDP rank
143/197
2025
30/197
2025
GDP growth
3.08%
2024-2025
2.44%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,515
2025
$8,057
2025
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2025
97/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$15.8B
2025
$373B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
96.8%
2025
64.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,435
2025
$5,211
2025
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2025
83/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,494
2026
$7,438
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$512B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
26%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
23%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
-0.13%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
0.6%
2025
Population
6718789
71565981

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 96.8% 23% 64.7%
2024 21.7% 98% 22.6% 62.9%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 22.7% 62.2%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 26.8% 58.4%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 21.6% 41.8%
2016 38.8% 84.5% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 23% 43.5% 22% 39.8%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 20% 36%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 27% 185.3% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 22.6% 145% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 28.8% 0% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 25.1% 0% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 22.2% 0% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 15.7% 0% 18% 15.2%
1995 27.6% 0% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 30.7% 0% 16% 6.69%
1993 32.8% 0% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 32.8% 0% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 34.1% 0% 17% 14.1%
1990 30.4% 0% 16.6% 18%
1989 20.3% 151.7% 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Congo's government spending was $3.9B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $133B, or 23% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 96.8% in the Congo and 64.7% in Thailand, ranking 27/185 and 67/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Thailand
2025 0.28% -1.91%
2024 3.62% -1.29%
2023 5.81% -1.91%
2022 8.94% -4.61%
2021 1.63% -6.72%
2020 -1.1% -4.47%
2019 4.3% 0.43%
2018 5.22% 0.2%
2017 -5.57% -0.51%
2016 -14.5% 0.41%
2015 -17.8% 0.19%
2014 -10.7% -0.7%
2013 -2.85% 0.6%
2012 7.24% -0.86%
2011 16.1% 0.09%
2010 15.5% -1.07%
2009 4.76% -2.21%
2008 23.9% 0.8%
2007 8.99% 0.22%
2006 16% 1.87%
2005 13.4% 2.17%
2004 3.33% 1.11%
2003 0.37% 1.98%
2002 -7.34% -6.72%
2001 -0.71% -1.77%
2000 1.05% -1.79%
1999 -4.75% -9.02%
1998 -5.16% -6.29%
1997 3.67% -1.68%
1996 9.2% 2.75%
1995 -6.38% 3.05%
1994 -10.6% 2.78%
1993 -11.3% 6.67%
1992 -12.7% -0.18%
1991 -11.2% 1.6%
1990 -4.1% 1.41%
1989 0.78% 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $11B, or 1.91% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.68% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Thailand
2025 2.6% -0.13%
2024 3.1% 0.4%
2023 4.3% 1.23%
2022 3% 6.08%
2021 2% 1.23%
2020 1.4% -0.85%
2019 0.4% 0.71%
2018 1.2% 1.07%
2017 0.4% 0.66%
2016 3.2% 0.19%
2015 3.2% -0.9%
2014 0.9% 1.89%
2013 4.6% 2.19%
2012 5% 3.01%
2011 1.8% 3.81%
2010 0.4% 3.25%
2009 4.3% -0.85%
2008 6% 5.47%
2007 2.6% 2.24%
2006 4.7% 4.64%
2005 2.5% 4.54%
2004 3.7% 2.76%
2003 1.7% 1.8%
2002 3% 0.7%
2001 0.8% 1.63%
2000 0.5% 1.59%
1999 3% 0.28%
1998 2.2% 7.99%
1997 12.7% 5.63%

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/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 2.15% in Thailand. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in the Congo and -0.13% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $222M
Metals $7.91M
Machinery & equipment $1.41M
Wood & paper products $40K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $26.4M
Chemicals & pharma $5.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.86M
Machinery & equipment $2.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.39M
Raw materials & minerals $456K
Precious metals & jewellery $79K
Wood & paper products $35K
Metals $4K
Animal & marine products $3K

Balance of trade

Congo Thailand
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$15.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2021
20/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+2.76%
2025
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$312B
2025
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$335B
2025
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$77.2B
2025
Service exports
$240M
2021
$76.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
67.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
71.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Thailand
Economic freedom 48.6 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 88/197
Property rights 28.7 41.8
Government integrity 13.9 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 35
Tax burden 73.7 80.8
Government spending 85.8 83.6
Fiscal health 80.8 81
Business freedom 35.8 69.9
Labor freedom 52.4 56.4
Monetary freedom 78.4 73.3
Trade freedom 52.8 70.2
Investment freedom 35 55
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Thailand
2026 48.6 62.2
2025 48.6 60.6
2024 47.8 59
2023 48.1 60.6
2022 48.5 63.2
2021 50.7 69.7
2020 41.8 69.4
2019 39.7 68.3
2018 38.9 67.1
2017 40 66.2
2016 42.8 63.9
2015 42.7 62.4
2014 43.7 63.3
2013 43.5 64.1
2012 43.8 64.9
2011 43.6 64.7
2010 43.2 64.1
2009 45.4 63
2008 45.3 62.3
2007 44.4 63.5
2006 43.8 63.3
2005 46.2 62.5
2004 45.9 63.7
2003 47.7 65.8
2002 45.3 69.1
2001 44.3 68.9
2000 40.6 66.6
1999 41.6 66.9
1998 33.8 67.3
1997 42.2 66.1
1996 40.3 71
1995 - 71.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Thailand
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
60.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
31.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
8.75%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2025
$551B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,490
2025
$25,570
2025
Total reserves including gold
$759M
2024
$282B
2025
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
15/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$9.51B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
3.51%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
22.1%
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/thailand | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, 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.