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Economy of Congo vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 141/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Congo vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Congo
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Vanuatu
2024 $15,719,986,077 $1,117,972,034
2023 $15,321,055,823 $1,115,861,056
2022 $15,817,030,155 $1,055,031,361
2021 $14,825,690,211 $950,394,007
2020 $11,468,687,464 $909,421,044
2019 $13,976,637,780 $936,526,268
2018 $14,773,900,289 $914,727,908
2017 $11,834,473,039 $880,043,284
2016 $10,931,328,151 $804,323,577
2015 $12,434,793,867 $759,690,181
2014 $17,919,321,078 $773,717,011
2013 $17,958,720,699 $758,304,466
2012 $17,692,911,296 $747,839,698
2011 $15,655,383,577 $770,153,588
2010 $13,148,396,212 $670,712,980
2009 $9,723,299,915 $592,622,319
2008 $11,649,857,673 $590,748,429
2007 $8,782,703,437 $516,392,923
2006 $8,072,305,029 $439,358,587
2005 $6,650,001,680 $394,962,433
2004 $4,656,974,940 $364,996,869
2003 $3,503,723,088 $314,471,413
2002 $3,034,250,924 $262,596,536
2001 $2,796,704,604 $257,926,882
2000 $3,227,927,698 $272,014,628
1999 $2,354,772,960 $268,006,973
1998 $1,949,481,379 $262,293,411
1997 $2,322,719,103 $272,771,209
1996 $2,540,697,539 $261,370,044
1995 $2,116,003,868 $249,333,250
1994 $1,769,365,438 $233,701,301
1993 $2,684,323,623 $200,491,853
1992 $2,933,222,703 $209,088,825
1991 $2,724,853,506 $201,334,169
1990 $2,798,746,050 $168,879,207
1989 $2,389,593,026 $154,013,202
1988 $2,212,536,312 $158,351,368
1987 $2,297,753,652 $139,464,174
1986 $1,849,268,212 $126,498,935
1985 $2,160,872,540 $131,856,421
1984 $2,193,581,365 $144,482,515
1983 $2,097,274,290 $117,389,554
1982 $2,160,640,565 $114,501,913
1981 $1,993,512,323 $113,781,796
1980 $1,705,796,853 $121,185,498
1979 $1,198,749,667 $119,258,835
1978 $878,771,772 -
1977 $765,224,029 -
1976 $754,549,601 -
1975 $767,102,680 -
1974 $585,364,634 -
1973 $541,973,363 -
1972 $410,669,264 -
1971 $322,128,019 -
1970 $274,960,700 -
1969 $265,040,036 -
1968 $251,247,458 -
1967 $237,397,428 -
1966 $220,613,582 -
1965 $198,318,064 -
1964 $185,693,725 -
1963 $172,233,431 -
1962 $166,521,240 -
1961 $151,675,739 -
1960 $131,731,863 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Vanuatu by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $906 $3,888 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $855 $3,748 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $776 $3,464 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $660 $3,602 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $804 $3,510 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $899 $3,547 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $770 $3,434 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $662 $3,327 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $1,033 - $1,067 -
1988 $984 - $1,125 -
1987 $1,052 - $1,017 -
1986 $872 - $946 -
1985 $1,049 - $1,012 -
1984 $1,097 - $1,137 -
1983 $1,075 - $947 -
1982 $1,131 - $946 -
1981 $1,066 - $962 -
1980 $933 - $1,048 -
1979 $670 - $1,055 -
1978 $503 - - -
1977 $448 - - -
1976 $453 - - -
1975 $471 - - -
1974 $370 - - -
1973 $353 - - -
1972 $276.3 - - -
1971 $223.5 - - -
1970 $196.7 - - -
1969 $195.4 - - -
1968 $190.8 - - -
1967 $185.7 - - -
1966 $177.6 - - -
1965 $164.2 - - -
1964 $158.1 - - -
1963 $150.7 - - -
1962 $149.6 - - -
1961 $139.9 - - -
1960 $124.7 - - -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Congo Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
4.05%
2020
Population
6681829
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 42% 42.8%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 43.4% 48%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 23% 43.5% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 27% 185.3% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 22.3% 37%
2000 22.6% 145% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 28.8% 0% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 25.1% 0% 27.9% 28%
1997 22.2% 0% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 15.7% 0% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 27.6% 0% 28% 24.1%
1994 30.7% 0% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 32.8% 0% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 32.8% 0% 31.8% 21%
1991 34.1% 0% 33.2% 15.9%
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/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 25/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Vanuatu
2024 3.62% -2.34%
2023 5.81% -0.95%
2022 8.94% -6.5%
2021 1.63% 2.38%
2020 -1.1% -1.95%
2019 4.3% 2.81%
2018 5.22% 6.26%
2017 -5.57% -1.2%
2016 -14.5% -0.72%
2015 -17.8% -8.66%
2014 -10.7% 1.44%
2013 -2.85% -0.25%
2012 7.24% -1.7%
2011 16.1% -2.19%
2010 15.5% -2.63%
2009 4.76% -0.85%
2008 23.9% -0.04%
2007 8.99% 0.28%
2006 16% 0.49%
2005 13.4% 1.86%
2004 3.33% 0.8%
2003 0.37% -1.35%
2002 -7.34% -3.63%
2001 -0.71% -3.33%
2000 1.05% -6.28%
1999 -4.75% -0.55%
1998 -5.16% -6.65%
1997 3.67% -0.51%
1996 9.2% -1.78%
1995 -6.38% -2.59%
1994 -10.6% -1.49%
1993 -11.3% -3.67%
1992 -12.7% -2.32%
1991 -11.2% -2.81%
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/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 0.89% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Vanuatu
2024 3.1% -
2023 4.3% 11.2%
2022 3% 6.68%
2021 2% 2.34%
2020 1.4% 5.33%
2019 0.4% 2.76%
2018 1.2% 2.33%
2017 0.4% 3.08%
2016 3.2% 0.84%
2015 3.2% 2.48%
2014 0.9% 0.8%
2013 4.6% 1.46%
2012 5% 1.35%
2011 1.8% 0.87%
2010 0.4% 2.76%
2009 4.3% 4.3%
2008 6% 4.84%
2007 2.6% 3.94%
2006 4.7% 2.04%
2005 2.5% 1.2%
2004 3.7% 1.42%
2003 1.7% 3.02%
2002 3% 1.96%
2001 0.8% 3.58%
2000 0.5% 2.54%
1999 3% 2%
1998 2.2% 3.28%
1997 12.7% 2.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Congo Vanuatu
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$230M
2022
Service exports
$240M
2021
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Vanuatu
Economic freedom 48.6 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 92/197
Property rights 28.7 62.1
Government integrity 13.9 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 67.9
Tax burden 73.7 96.9
Government spending 85.8 48.1
Fiscal health 80.8 78.8
Business freedom 35.8 50.3
Labor freedom 52.4 41
Monetary freedom 78.4 72.1
Trade freedom 52.8 62
Investment freedom 35 65
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Vanuatu
2026 48.6 61.1
2025 48.6 61.8
2024 47.8 62.2
2023 48.1 62.1
2022 48.5 62.9
2021 50.7 60.5
2020 41.8 60.7
2019 39.7 56.4
2018 38.9 69.5
2017 40 67.4
2016 42.8 60.8
2015 42.7 61.1
2014 43.7 59.5
2013 43.5 56.6
2012 43.8 56.6
2011 43.6 56.7
2010 43.2 56.4
2009 45.4 58.4
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 -
1999 41.6 -
1998 33.8 -
1997 42.2 -
1996 40.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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)

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.