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Economy of Congo vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Congo has a GDP of $16.3B compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 143/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.8B in government debt (96.8% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

Congo vs Zambia GDP by year

Congo
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Zambia
2025 $16,306,633,779 $28,879,806,220
2024 $15,719,986,077 $25,303,185,342
2023 $15,321,055,823 $27,577,956,471
2022 $15,817,030,155 $29,163,782,140
2021 $14,825,690,211 $22,096,416,932
2020 $11,468,687,464 $18,137,764,931
2019 $13,976,637,780 $23,308,667,781
2018 $14,773,900,289 $26,311,507,274
2017 $11,834,473,039 $25,873,601,261
2016 $10,931,328,151 $20,958,412,538
2015 $12,434,793,867 $21,251,216,799
2014 $17,919,321,078 $27,141,023,558
2013 $17,958,720,699 $28,037,239,463
2012 $17,692,911,296 $25,503,060,420
2011 $15,655,383,577 $23,459,515,276
2010 $13,148,396,212 $20,265,559,484
2009 $9,723,299,915 $15,328,342,304
2008 $11,649,857,673 $17,910,858,638
2007 $8,782,703,437 $14,056,957,976
2006 $8,072,305,029 $12,756,858,899
2005 $6,650,001,680 $8,331,870,169
2004 $4,656,974,940 $6,221,110,219
2003 $3,503,723,088 $4,901,869,764
2002 $3,034,250,924 $4,193,850,445
2001 $2,796,704,604 $4,094,441,301
2000 $3,227,927,698 $3,600,632,111
1999 $2,354,772,960 $3,404,284,891
1998 $1,949,481,379 $3,537,741,942
1997 $2,322,719,103 $4,303,288,480
1996 $2,540,697,539 $3,597,220,962
1995 $2,116,003,868 $3,806,983,413
1994 $1,769,365,438 $3,656,806,166
1993 $2,684,323,623 $3,273,505,344
1992 $2,933,222,703 $3,182,810,841
1991 $2,724,853,506 $3,376,806,697
1990 $2,798,746,050 $3,288,381,797
1989 $2,389,593,026 $3,994,673,161
1988 $2,212,536,312 $3,728,878,149
1987 $2,297,753,652 $2,265,250,972
1986 $1,849,268,212 $1,664,413,508
1985 $2,160,872,540 $2,252,454,500
1984 $2,193,581,365 $2,719,518,933
1983 $2,097,274,290 $3,321,048,451
1982 $2,160,640,565 $3,871,117,093
1981 $1,993,512,323 $4,008,126,497
1980 $1,705,796,853 $3,884,530,854
1979 $1,198,749,667 $3,353,445,378
1978 $878,771,772 $2,811,032,473
1977 $765,224,029 $2,515,296,940
1976 $754,549,601 $2,742,859,263
1975 $767,102,680 $2,442,672,141
1974 $585,364,634 $2,910,981,262
1973 $541,973,363 $2,434,255,237
1972 $410,669,264 $1,872,416,680
1971 $322,128,019 $1,653,259,341
1970 $274,960,700 $1,788,779,285
1969 $265,040,036 $1,926,399,230
1968 $251,247,458 $1,573,739,371
1967 $237,397,428 $1,340,639,464
1966 $220,613,582 $1,238,999,505
1965 $198,318,064 $1,061,199,576
1964 $185,693,725 $822,639,671
1963 $172,233,431 $704,339,719
1962 $166,521,240 $679,279,729
1961 $151,675,739 $682,359,727
1960 $131,731,863 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Zambia by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,515 - $1,318 -
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $952 $3,157
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $711 $2,213
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $549 $2,068
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $446 $1,942
2002 $906 $3,888 $394 $1,837
2001 $855 $3,748 $397 $1,785
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $359 $1,709
1999 $776 $3,464 $350 $1,654
1998 $660 $3,602 $373 $1,601
1997 $804 $3,510 $466 $1,631
1996 $899 $3,547 $400 $1,585
1995 $770 $3,434 $433 $1,501
1994 $662 $3,327 $426 $1,464
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $391 $1,607
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $389 $1,505
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $423 $1,534
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $422 $1,522
1989 $1,033 - $526 -
1988 $984 - $504 -
1987 $1,052 - $315 -
1986 $872 - $238.2 -
1985 $1,049 - $332 -
1984 $1,097 - $413 -
1983 $1,075 - $520 -
1982 $1,131 - $627 -
1981 $1,066 - $670 -
1980 $933 - $669 -
1979 $670 - $595 -
1978 $503 - $514 -
1977 $448 - $474 -
1976 $453 - $533 -
1975 $471 - $490 -
1974 $370 - $601 -
1973 $353 - $518 -
1972 $276.3 - $410 -
1971 $223.5 - $372 -
1970 $196.7 - $414 -
1969 $195.4 - $459 -
1968 $190.8 - $387 -
1967 $185.7 - $341 -
1966 $177.6 - $325 -
1965 $164.2 - $287.4 -
1964 $158.1 - $230 -
1963 $150.7 - $203.2 -
1962 $149.6 - $202.3 -
1961 $139.9 - $209.7 -
1960 $124.7 - $221.6 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,515, ranking 153/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Congo Zambia
Gross domestic product
$16.3B
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
143/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
3.08%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,515
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$15.8B
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
96.8%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,435
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,494
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$14.9B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
5.67%
2024
Population
6718789
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 96.8% 29.7% 86%
2024 21.7% 98% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 30.5% 111%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 34% 140%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 25% 66.6%
2016 38.8% 84.5% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 24% 25.9%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 23% 43.5% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 19.7% 25%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 24.4% 122.6% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 27% 185.3% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 32.1% 163.5% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 29.1% 180.1% 28% 210.2%
2000 22.6% 145% 21.4% 261%
1999 28.8% 0% - -
1998 25.1% 0% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Congo's government spending was $3.9B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 96.8% in the Congo and 86% in Zambia, ranking 27/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Zambia
2025 0.28% -3.83%
2024 3.62% -3.46%
2023 5.81% -5.48%
2022 8.94% -7.82%
2021 1.63% -8.13%
2020 -1.1% -13.8%
2019 4.3% -9.41%
2018 5.22% -8.31%
2017 -5.57% -7.5%
2016 -14.5% -5.69%
2015 -17.8% -8.88%
2014 -10.7% -5.43%
2013 -2.85% -6.4%
2012 7.24% -3.16%
2011 16.1% -1.78%
2010 15.5% -2.43%
2009 4.76% -2.06%
2008 23.9% -0.67%
2007 8.99% -1.04%
2006 16% 16.9%
2005 13.4% -2.37%
2004 3.33% -2.51%
2003 0.37% -5.31%
2002 -7.34% -4.5%
2001 -0.71% -5.89%
2000 1.05% 1.16%
1999 -4.75% -
1998 -5.16% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/congo/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 3.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Zambia
2025 2.6% 13.9%
2024 3.1% 15%
2023 4.3% 10.9%
2022 3% 11%
2021 2% 22%
2020 1.4% 15.7%
2019 0.4% 9.2%
2018 1.2% 7.5%
2017 0.4% 6.6%
2016 3.2% 17.9%
2015 3.2% 10.1%
2014 0.9% 7.8%
2013 4.6% 7%
2012 5% 6.6%
2011 1.8% 8.7%
2010 0.4% 8.5%
2009 4.3% 13.4%
2008 6% 12.4%
2007 2.6% 10.7%
2006 4.7% 9%
2005 2.5% 18.3%
2004 3.7% 18%
2003 1.7% 21.4%
2002 3% 22.2%
2001 0.8% 21.4%
2000 0.5% 24.1%
1999 3% 23.9%
1998 2.2% 22.7%
1997 12.7% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in the Congo and 13.9% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $11K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $23.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.12M
Raw agricultural goods $1.96M
Machinery & equipment $1.08M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $877K
Chemicals & pharma $847K
Metals $343K
Animal & marine products $226K
Wood & paper products $117K
Miscellaneous $39K

Balance of trade

Congo Zambia
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2021
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Zambia
Economic freedom 48.6 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 152/197
Property rights 28.7 43.9
Government integrity 13.9 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 45
Tax burden 73.7 74.3
Government spending 85.8 78.1
Fiscal health 80.8 30.9
Business freedom 35.8 53.4
Labor freedom 52.4 48.8
Monetary freedom 78.4 66.6
Trade freedom 52.8 62.8
Investment freedom 35 40
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Zambia
2026 48.6 51.9
2025 48.6 50.9
2024 47.8 48.4
2023 48.1 47.8
2022 48.5 48.7
2021 50.7 50.4
2020 41.8 53.5
2019 39.7 53.6
2018 38.9 54.3
2017 40 55.8
2016 42.8 58.8
2015 42.7 58.7
2014 43.7 60.4
2013 43.5 58.7
2012 43.8 58.3
2011 43.6 59.7
2010 43.2 58
2009 45.4 56.6
2008 45.3 56.2
2007 44.4 56.2
2006 43.8 56.8
2005 46.2 55
2004 45.9 54.9
2003 47.7 55.3
2002 45.3 59.6
2001 44.3 59.5
2000 40.6 62.8
1999 41.6 64.2
1998 33.8 62.7
1997 42.2 62.1
1996 40.3 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Zambia
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,490
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$759M
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
23.8%
2024

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/zambia | CC BY

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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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, 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.