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Economy of Congo vs Uganda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $53.9B for Uganda, ranking 141/197 and 89/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $27.8B (51.5% of GDP) in Uganda.

Congo vs Uganda GDP by year

Congo
Uganda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Uganda
2024 $15,719,986,077 $53,911,907,086
2023 $15,321,055,823 $48,768,955,863
2022 $15,817,030,155 $45,565,333,211
2021 $14,825,690,211 $40,529,788,749
2020 $11,468,687,464 $37,600,368,242
2019 $13,976,637,780 $35,353,061,003
2018 $14,773,900,289 $32,927,025,620
2017 $11,834,473,039 $30,744,473,841
2016 $10,931,328,151 $29,203,988,696
2015 $12,434,793,867 $32,387,183,730
2014 $17,919,321,078 $32,612,397,257
2013 $17,958,720,699 $28,915,786,517
2012 $17,692,911,296 $27,305,915,911
2011 $15,655,383,577 $27,871,725,241
2010 $13,148,396,212 $26,673,441,431
2009 $9,723,299,915 $25,127,805,567
2008 $11,649,857,673 $14,440,404,132
2007 $8,782,703,437 $11,902,564,495
2006 $8,072,305,029 $9,977,647,683
2005 $6,650,001,680 $9,239,221,763
2004 $4,656,974,940 $7,939,487,548
2003 $3,503,723,088 $6,606,884,275
2002 $3,034,250,924 $6,178,563,591
2001 $2,796,704,604 $5,840,503,869
2000 $3,227,927,698 $6,193,246,837
1999 $2,354,772,960 $5,998,563,258
1998 $1,949,481,379 $6,584,815,847
1997 $2,322,719,103 $6,269,333,313
1996 $2,540,697,539 $6,044,585,327
1995 $2,116,003,868 $5,755,818,842
1994 $1,769,365,438 $3,990,430,447
1993 $2,684,323,623 $3,220,439,044
1992 $2,933,222,703 $2,857,457,762
1991 $2,724,853,506 $3,321,729,160
1990 $2,798,746,050 $4,304,399,310
1989 $2,389,593,026 $5,276,480,799
1988 $2,212,536,312 $6,508,931,652
1987 $2,297,753,652 $6,269,522,042
1986 $1,849,268,212 $3,923,244,050
1985 $2,160,872,540 $3,519,695,444
1984 $2,193,581,365 $3,615,647,477
1983 $2,097,274,290 $2,240,333,333
1982 $2,160,640,565 $2,177,500,000
1981 $1,993,512,323 $1,337,300,000
1980 $1,705,796,853 $1,244,610,000
1979 $1,198,749,667 $2,139,025,000
1978 $878,771,772 $2,420,260,870
1977 $765,224,029 $2,936,470,588
1976 $754,549,601 $2,447,300,000
1975 $767,102,680 $2,359,555,556
1974 $585,364,634 $2,098,944,967
1973 $541,973,363 $1,701,829,789
1972 $410,669,264 $1,490,970,181
1971 $322,128,019 $1,417,191,656
1970 $274,960,700 $1,259,554,809
1969 $265,040,036 $1,168,556,629
1968 $251,247,458 $1,037,379,252
1967 $237,397,428 $967,240,655
1966 $220,613,582 $925,381,492
1965 $198,318,064 $884,502,310
1964 $185,693,725 $589,247,687
1963 $172,233,431 $516,315,231
1962 $166,521,240 $449,158,233
1961 $151,675,739 $441,667,335
1960 $131,731,863 $423,145,605

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Uganda by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Uganda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $1,078 $3,273
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $963 $2,919
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $883 $2,685
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $846 $2,532
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $822 $2,441
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $792 $2,312
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $765 $2,158
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $753 $2,165
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $863 $2,190
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $896 $2,134
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $818 $2,045
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $795 $2,032
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $836 $2,268
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $823 $2,092
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $799 $2,015
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $473 $1,931
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $401 $1,795
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $347 $1,660
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $330 $1,497
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $906 $3,888 $242 $1,255
2001 $855 $3,748 $236 $1,173
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $776 $3,464 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $660 $3,602 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $804 $3,510 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $899 $3,547 $284.7 $969
1995 $770 $3,434 $278.5 $897
1994 $662 $3,327 $198.4 $809
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $165.6 $770
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $152.1 $719
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $183 $703
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $245 $666
1989 $1,033 - $310 -
1988 $984 - $395 -
1987 $1,052 - $393 -
1986 $872 - $253.6 -
1985 $1,049 - $234.3 -
1984 $1,097 - $247.5 -
1983 $1,075 - $157.5 -
1982 $1,131 - $157 -
1981 $1,066 - $98.6 -
1980 $933 - $93.8 -
1979 $670 - $164.5 -
1978 $503 - $190.7 -
1977 $448 - $237.6 -
1976 $453 - $203.3 -
1975 $471 - $201.2 -
1974 $370 - $183.7 -
1973 $353 - $152.7 -
1972 $276.3 - $137 -
1971 $223.5 - $133.5 -
1970 $196.7 - $122 -
1969 $195.4 - $116.7 -
1968 $190.8 - $106.9 -
1967 $185.7 - $102.8 -
1966 $177.6 - $101.4 -
1965 $164.2 - $100 -
1964 $158.1 - $68.6 -
1963 $150.7 - $62 -
1962 $149.6 - $55.5 -
1961 $139.9 - $56.2 -
1960 $124.7 - $55.4 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $1,078 in Uganda, ranking 176/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273.

Economic indicators

Congo Uganda
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$53.9B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
89/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$1,078
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$3,273
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
176/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$27.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
51.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$555
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
163/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$1,466
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
34.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
18.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
9.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
3.42%
2021
Population
6681829
53170946

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Uganda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Uganda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 18.7% 51.5%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 19.3% 50.5%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 19.5% 50.2%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 22% 50.3%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 21.4% 46.3%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 18.3% 37.5%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 16.2% 34.9%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 16.3% 33.6%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 15.2% 31.3%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 14.9% 28%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 13.6% 24.8%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 13.3% 22.1%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 13.1% 19.5%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 13.2% 18%
2010 23% 43.5% 15.4% 18.4%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 11.8% 14.8%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 12.9% 15.7%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 13.2% 17%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 13.7% 27.8%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 14.5% 42.6%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 15.6% 49%
2003 27% 185.3% 16.5% 55.1%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 16.8% 54.7%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 16.2% 51.4%
2000 22.6% 145% 15.2% 48.5%
1999 28.8% 0% 14.7% 47.7%
1998 25.1% 0% 14% 45.1%
1997 22.2% 0% 13.9% 44.2%
1996 15.7% 0% - -
1995 27.6% 0% - -
1994 30.7% 0% - -
1993 32.8% 0% - -
1992 32.8% 0% - -
1991 34.1% 0% - -
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, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Uganda spent $10.1B, or 18.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 51.5% in Uganda, ranking 25/185 and 103/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Uganda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Uganda
2024 3.62% -3.99%
2023 5.81% -4.87%
2022 8.94% -5.45%
2021 1.63% -7.76%
2020 -1.1% -7.76%
2019 4.3% -4.82%
2018 5.22% -3.02%
2017 -5.57% -3.83%
2016 -14.5% -2.64%
2015 -17.8% -2.59%
2014 -10.7% -2.74%
2013 -2.85% -3.19%
2012 7.24% -2.39%
2011 16.1% -2.04%
2010 15.5% -4.64%
2009 4.76% -1.61%
2008 23.9% -1.99%
2007 8.99% -0.82%
2006 16% -0.64%
2005 13.4% -0.17%
2004 3.33% 0.34%
2003 0.37% -0.97%
2002 -7.34% -2.07%
2001 -0.71% -0.99%
2000 1.05% -0.62%
1999 -4.75% -1.24%
1998 -5.16% -0.7%
1997 3.67% -0.83%
1996 9.2% -
1995 -6.38% -
1994 -10.6% -
1993 -11.3% -
1992 -12.7% -
1991 -11.2% -
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/uganda | 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 Uganda's deficit of $2.15B, or 3.99% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Uganda ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 2.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.64% of GDP for Uganda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Uganda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Uganda
2024 3.1% 3.3%
2023 4.3% 5.4%
2022 3% 7.2%
2021 2% 2.2%
2020 1.4% 2.8%
2019 0.4% 2.1%
2018 1.2% 2.5%
2017 0.4% 5.6%
2016 3.2% 5.2%
2015 3.2% 3.7%
2014 0.9% 4.3%
2013 4.6% 5.5%
2012 5% 14%
2011 1.8% 18.7%
2010 0.4% 4%
2009 4.3% 13%
2008 6% 12%
2007 2.6% 6.1%
2006 4.7% 7.2%
2005 2.5% 8.6%
2004 3.7% 3.7%
2003 1.7% 8.7%
2002 3% -0.3%
2001 0.8% 1.9%
2000 0.5% 3.4%
1999 3% 5.8%
1998 2.2% 5.8%
1997 12.7% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 6.08% in Uganda. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 3.3% in Uganda.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Machinery & equipment $20K
Miscellaneous $2K
Uganda
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.55M
Chemicals & pharma $999K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $909K
Raw materials & minerals $124K
Metals $83K
Wood & paper products $46K
Textiles & consumer goods $35K
Raw agricultural goods $34K
Miscellaneous $10K
Animal & marine products $6K

Balance of trade

Congo Uganda
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$4.29B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
164/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-7.96%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$8.67B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$4.38B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$2.39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
25.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
16.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Uganda
Economic freedom 48.6 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 149/197
Property rights 28.7 42.2
Government integrity 13.9 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 29.4
Tax burden 73.7 73.4
Government spending 85.8 89
Fiscal health 80.8 58.3
Business freedom 35.8 50.2
Labor freedom 52.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 78.4 77.1
Trade freedom 52.8 58
Investment freedom 35 30
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Uganda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Uganda
2026 48.6 52.4
2025 48.6 51.3
2024 47.8 50.7
2023 48.1 51.4
2022 48.5 54.2
2021 50.7 58.6
2020 41.8 59.5
2019 39.7 59.7
2018 38.9 62
2017 40 60.9
2016 42.8 59.3
2015 42.7 59.7
2014 43.7 59.9
2013 43.5 61.1
2012 43.8 61.9
2011 43.6 61.7
2010 43.2 62.2
2009 45.4 63.5
2008 45.3 63.8
2007 44.4 63.1
2006 43.8 63.9
2005 46.2 62.9
2004 45.9 64.1
2003 47.7 60.1
2002 45.3 61
2001 44.3 60.4
2000 40.6 58.2
1999 41.6 64.8
1998 33.8 64.7
1997 42.2 66.6
1996 40.3 66.2
1995 - 62.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 52.4 for Uganda, ranking 149/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Uganda
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
43.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
24.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$3.36B
2018
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
114/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$3.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$3.26B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$400K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
2.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
20.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
22.4%
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/uganda | 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.