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Economy of Congo vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has a GDP of $15.7B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 141/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.4B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Congo vs Vietnam GDP by year

Congo
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Vietnam
2024 $15,719,986,077 $476,388,230,307
2023 $15,321,055,823 $433,857,681,378
2022 $15,817,030,155 $413,445,230,669
2021 $14,825,690,211 $366,474,752,771
2020 $11,468,687,464 $346,615,738,538
2019 $13,976,637,780 $334,365,270,497
2018 $14,773,900,289 $310,106,478,395
2017 $11,834,473,039 $281,353,605,987
2016 $10,931,328,151 $257,096,001,178
2015 $12,434,793,867 $239,258,328,382
2014 $17,919,321,078 $233,451,469,643
2013 $17,958,720,699 $213,708,811,665
2012 $17,692,911,296 $195,590,661,129
2011 $15,655,383,577 $172,595,049,184
2010 $13,148,396,212 $147,201,173,197
2009 $9,723,299,915 $106,014,659,565
2008 $11,649,857,673 $99,130,304,099
2007 $8,782,703,437 $77,414,425,532
2006 $8,072,305,029 $66,371,664,817
2005 $6,650,001,680 $57,633,255,738
2004 $4,656,974,940 $45,427,854,693
2003 $3,503,723,088 $39,552,513,232
2002 $3,034,250,924 $35,064,105,501
2001 $2,796,704,604 $32,685,198,809
2000 $3,227,927,698 $31,172,518,403
1999 $2,354,772,960 $28,683,659,007
1998 $1,949,481,379 $27,209,602,050
1997 $2,322,719,103 $26,843,700,442
1996 $2,540,697,539 $24,657,470,575
1995 $2,116,003,868 $20,736,164,459
1994 $1,769,365,438 $16,286,433,533
1993 $2,684,323,623 $13,180,953,598
1992 $2,933,222,703 $9,866,990,236
1991 $2,724,853,506 $9,613,369,520
1990 $2,798,746,050 $6,471,740,806
1989 $2,389,593,026 $6,293,304,975
1988 $2,212,536,312 $25,423,812,649
1987 $2,297,753,652 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,849,268,212 $26,336,616,250
1985 $2,160,872,540 $14,094,687,821
1984 $2,193,581,365 -
1983 $2,097,274,290 -
1982 $2,160,640,565 -
1981 $1,993,512,323 -
1980 $1,705,796,853 -
1979 $1,198,749,667 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Congo vs Vietnam by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $926 $4,581
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $808 $4,237
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $711 $3,894
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $565 $3,543
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $497 $3,240
2002 $906 $3,888 $445 $3,002
2001 $855 $3,748 $419 $2,809
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $404 $2,614
1999 $776 $3,464 $376 $2,421
1998 $660 $3,602 $361 $2,308
1997 $804 $3,510 $362 $2,189
1996 $899 $3,547 $337 $2,019
1995 $770 $3,434 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $662 $3,327 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $1,033 - $98.1 -
1988 $984 - $405 -
1987 $1,052 - $595 -
1986 $872 - $436 -
1985 $1,049 - $238.6 -
1984 $1,097 - - -
1983 $1,075 - - -
1982 $1,131 - - -
1981 $1,066 - - -
1980 $933 - - -
1979 $670 - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,482, ranking 149/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Congo Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$15.7B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
141/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
2.58%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,482
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
149/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,433
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
112/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,153
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.1%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
1.53%
2024
Population
6681829
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.7% 98% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 19.8% 41%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 38.8% 84.6% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 23% 43.5% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 25% 36.2%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 21.4% 31%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 27% 185.3% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 22.6% 145% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 28.8% 0% 16.7% -
1998 25.1% 0% 16% -
1997 22.2% 0% - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2024, the Congo's government spending was $3.4B, accounting for 21.7% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in the Congo and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 25/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Vietnam
2024 3.62% -1.54%
2023 5.81% -1.72%
2022 8.94% 0.67%
2021 1.63% -1.43%
2020 -1.1% -2.86%
2019 4.3% -0.4%
2018 5.22% -1.02%
2017 -5.57% -1.96%
2016 -14.5% -3.16%
2015 -17.8% -4.98%
2014 -10.7% -5.02%
2013 -2.85% -5.96%
2012 7.24% -5.46%
2011 16.1% -0.9%
2010 15.5% -2.25%
2009 4.76% -4.82%
2008 23.9% -0.45%
2007 8.99% -1.74%
2006 16% 0.2%
2005 13.4% -0.95%
2004 3.33% -0.15%
2003 0.37% -2.56%
2002 -7.34% -1.85%
2001 -0.71% -2.19%
2000 1.05% -1.61%
1999 -4.75% -1.25%
1998 -5.16% -0.1%
1997 3.67% -
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 2.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Vietnam
2024 3.1% 3.6%
2023 4.3% 3.3%
2022 3% 3.2%
2021 2% 1.8%
2020 1.4% 3.2%
2019 0.4% 2.8%
2018 1.2% 3.5%
2017 0.4% 3.5%
2016 3.2% 2.7%
2015 3.2% 0.6%
2014 0.9% 4.1%
2013 4.6% 6.6%
2012 5% 9.1%
2011 1.8% 18.7%
2010 0.4% 9.1%
2009 4.3% 6.7%
2008 6% 23.3%
2007 2.6% 8.4%
2006 4.7% 7.7%
2005 2.5% 8.3%
2004 3.7% 7.8%
2003 1.7% 3.1%
2002 3% 3.8%
2001 0.8% -0.4%
2000 0.5% -1.8%
1999 3% 4.1%
1998 2.2% 8.1%
1997 12.7% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 3.1% in the Congo and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $11.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $156K
Raw agricultural goods $94K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $2.51M
Raw materials & minerals $2.18M
Raw agricultural goods $1.18M
Chemicals & pharma $1.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $962K
Miscellaneous $444K
Textiles & consumer goods $428K
Machinery & equipment $168K
Metals $48K
Wood & paper products $25K

Balance of trade

Congo Vietnam
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2021
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$406B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Vietnam
Economic freedom 48.6 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 73/197
Property rights 28.7 47.3
Government integrity 13.9 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 31.3
Tax burden 73.7 80.9
Government spending 85.8 89.5
Fiscal health 80.8 96.9
Business freedom 35.8 70
Labor freedom 52.4 54.7
Monetary freedom 78.4 73.2
Trade freedom 52.8 79.8
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Vietnam
2026 48.6 64.4
2025 48.6 65.2
2024 47.8 62.8
2023 48.1 61.8
2022 48.5 60.6
2021 50.7 61.7
2020 41.8 58.8
2019 39.7 55.3
2018 38.9 53.1
2017 40 52.4
2016 42.8 54
2015 42.7 51.7
2014 43.7 50.8
2013 43.5 51
2012 43.8 51.3
2011 43.6 51.6
2010 43.2 49.8
2009 45.4 51
2008 45.3 50.4
2007 44.4 49.8
2006 43.8 50.5
2005 46.2 48.1
2004 45.9 46.1
2003 47.7 46.2
2002 45.3 45.6
2001 44.3 44.3
2000 40.6 43.7
1999 41.6 42.7
1998 33.8 40.4
1997 42.2 38.6
1996 40.3 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.44%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.4B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,340
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$715M
2023
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
148/177
2023
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
30.6%
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/vietnam | 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 (2023, 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.