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Economy of Congo vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Congo has a GDP of $16.3B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 143/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Congo has $15.8B in government debt (96.8% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Congo vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Congo
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Congo Zimbabwe
2025 $16,306,633,779 $51,215,643,906
2024 $15,719,986,077 $41,521,975,830
2023 $15,321,055,823 $35,871,781,303
2022 $15,817,030,155 $40,757,585,309
2021 $14,825,690,211 $41,287,852,524
2020 $11,468,687,464 $31,979,753,645
2019 $13,976,637,780 $33,360,632,553
2018 $14,773,900,289 $34,141,666,667
2017 $11,834,473,039 $51,035,657,371
2016 $10,931,328,151 $20,559,250,000
2015 $12,434,793,867 $19,973,250,000
2014 $17,919,321,078 $19,505,500,000
2013 $17,958,720,699 $19,100,750,000
2012 $17,692,911,296 $17,123,500,000
2011 $15,655,383,577 $14,109,000,000
2010 $13,148,396,212 $12,047,750,000
2009 $9,723,299,915 $9,670,750,000
2008 $11,649,857,673 $4,418,000,000
2007 $8,782,703,437 $5,294,750,000
2006 $8,072,305,029 $5,446,750,000
2005 $6,650,001,680 $5,758,250,000
2004 $4,656,974,940 $5,808,500,000
2003 $3,503,723,088 $5,730,500,000
2002 $3,034,250,924 $6,345,250,000
2001 $2,796,704,604 $6,780,750,000
2000 $3,227,927,698 $6,693,250,000
1999 $2,354,772,960 $6,861,500,000
1998 $1,949,481,379 $6,405,250,000
1997 $2,322,719,103 $8,534,000,000
1996 $2,540,697,539 $8,557,500,000
1995 $2,116,003,868 $7,115,000,000
1994 $1,769,365,438 $6,894,250,000
1993 $2,684,323,623 $6,567,250,000
1992 $2,933,222,703 $6,755,000,000
1991 $2,724,853,506 $8,646,000,000
1990 $2,798,746,050 $8,788,301,546
1989 $2,389,593,026 $8,290,553,535
1988 $2,212,536,312 $7,818,774,177
1987 $2,297,753,652 $6,744,657,033
1986 $1,849,268,212 $6,220,698,247
1985 $2,160,872,540 $5,640,137,575
1984 $2,193,581,365 $6,355,369,172
1983 $2,097,274,290 $7,768,031,182
1982 $2,160,640,565 $8,544,060,905
1981 $1,993,512,323 $8,015,464,252
1980 $1,705,796,853 $6,682,278,300
1979 $1,198,749,667 $5,180,102,910
1978 $878,771,772 $4,353,822,343
1977 $765,224,029 $4,366,610,469
1976 $754,549,601 $4,320,576,877
1975 $767,102,680 $4,373,532,601
1974 $585,364,634 $3,984,194,614
1973 $541,973,363 $3,311,043,292
1972 $410,669,264 $2,679,096,597
1971 $322,128,019 $2,179,828,710
1970 $274,960,700 $1,885,168,339
1969 $265,040,036 $1,748,891,294
1968 $251,247,458 $1,480,355,355
1967 $237,397,428 $1,397,715,282
1966 $220,613,582 $1,282,403,936
1965 $198,318,064 $1,312,105,394
1964 $185,693,725 $1,217,759,447
1963 $172,233,431 $1,160,103,724
1962 $166,521,240 $1,118,172,226
1961 $151,675,739 $1,097,206,526
1960 $131,731,863 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Congo vs Zimbabwe by year

Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Congo Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,515 - $3,021 -
2024 $2,482 $7,026 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $2,478 $6,850 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $2,621 $6,647 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $2,516 $6,263 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $1,994 $4,771 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $2,488 $5,720 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $2,694 $5,593 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $2,212 $4,445 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $2,093 $4,016 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $2,439 $4,715 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $3,601 $5,733 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $3,697 $5,834 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $3,732 $6,058 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $3,396 $5,175 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $2,947 $5,125 $902 $2,661
2009 $2,271 $4,801 $736 $2,233
2008 $2,832 $4,448 $341 $1,987
2007 $2,206 $4,243 $414 $2,396
2006 $2,104 $4,588 $431 $2,454
2005 $1,799 $4,279 $461 $2,496
2004 $1,306 $3,992 $470 $2,591
2003 $1,017 $3,887 $468 $2,708
2002 $906 $3,888 $525 $3,238
2001 $855 $3,748 $566 $3,533
2000 $1,024 $3,667 $563 $3,429
1999 $776 $3,464 $582 $3,491
1998 $660 $3,602 $552 $3,527
1997 $804 $3,510 $751 $3,457
1996 $899 $3,547 $767 $3,372
1995 $770 $3,434 $648 $3,051
1994 $662 $3,327 $634 $3,012
1993 $1,034 $3,550 $605 $2,703
1992 $1,164 $3,608 $631 $2,651
1991 $1,113 $3,536 $831 $2,930
1990 $1,176 $3,437 $867 $2,757
1989 $1,033 - $840 -
1988 $984 - $816 -
1987 $1,052 - $726 -
1986 $872 - $693 -
1985 $1,049 - $649 -
1984 $1,097 - $757 -
1983 $1,075 - $959 -
1982 $1,131 - $1,096 -
1981 $1,066 - $1,069 -
1980 $933 - $949 -
1979 $670 - $779 -
1978 $503 - $665 -
1977 $448 - $677 -
1976 $453 - $687 -
1975 $471 - $717 -
1974 $370 - $674 -
1973 $353 - $579 -
1972 $276.3 - $483 -
1971 $223.5 - $406 -
1970 $196.7 - $361 -
1969 $195.4 - $346 -
1968 $190.8 - $302 -
1967 $185.7 - $294.4 -
1966 $177.6 - $278.7 -
1965 $164.2 - $294.3 -
1964 $158.1 - $281.9 -
1963 $150.7 - $277.1 -
1962 $149.6 - $275.7 -
1961 $139.9 - $279.2 -
1960 $124.7 - $276.6 -

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

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

The Congo's GDP per capita is $2,515, ranking 153/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Congo Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$16.3B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
143/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
3.08%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,515
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,026
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
148/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$15.8B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
96.8%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,435
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,494
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.9%
2011
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2011
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
10%
2012
12.1%
2024
Population
6718789
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Congo
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Congo Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 96.8% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 21.7% 98% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 20.7% 102.9% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 22.8% 93.5% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 20.9% 97.8% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 21.1% 102.5% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 20.2% 77.6% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 17.8% 71.2% 14.6% 33%
2017 26.6% 88.5% 21.1% 49%
2016 38.8% 84.5% 17% 35.1%
2015 41.3% 74.2% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 48.6% 42.3% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 42.4% 33.9% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 30.7% 30.2% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 27.9% 34.4% 16.5% 30%
2010 23% 43.5% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 24.4% 83.8% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 24.2% 69.6% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 28.6% 93.8% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 26.6% 94.7% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 22.1% 99.8% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 24.4% 122.6% - -
2003 27% 185.3% - -
2002 32.1% 163.5% - -
2001 29.1% 180.1% - -
2000 22.6% 145% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2025, the Congo's government spending was $3.9B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 96.8% in the Congo and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 27/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Congo

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Congo Zimbabwe
2025 0.28% 0.08%
2024 3.62% -0.76%
2023 5.81% -9.45%
2022 8.94% -1%
2021 1.63% -1.83%
2020 -1.1% 0.53%
2019 4.3% -0.06%
2018 5.22% -4.55%
2017 -5.57% -8.68%
2016 -14.5% -4.99%
2015 -17.8% -1.61%
2014 -10.7% -0.87%
2013 -2.85% -1.21%
2012 7.24% -0.35%
2011 16.1% -1.98%
2010 15.5% -0.4%
2009 4.76% -1.48%
2008 23.9% -1.22%
2007 8.99% -1.71%
2006 16% -1.46%
2005 13.4% -3.58%
2004 3.33% -
2003 0.37% -
2002 -7.34% -
2001 -0.71% -
2000 1.05% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, the Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 6 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, the Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 3.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Congo

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Congo Zimbabwe
2025 2.6% 81.4%
2024 3.1% 736%
2023 4.3% 667%
2022 3% 193.4%
2021 2% 98.5%
2020 1.4% 557%
2019 0.4% 255.3%
2018 1.2% 10.6%
2017 0.4% 0.9%
2016 3.2% -1.6%
2015 3.2% -2.4%
2014 0.9% -0.2%
2013 4.6% 1.6%
2012 5% 3.7%
2011 1.8% 3.5%
2010 0.4% 3%
2009 4.3% 6.2%
2008 6% -
2007 2.6% -
2006 4.7% -
2005 2.5% -
2004 3.7% -
2003 1.7% -
2002 3% -
2001 0.8% -
2000 0.5% -
1999 3% -
1998 2.2% -
1997 12.7% -

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

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

Over the past 17 years, the Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in the Congo and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $22K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Miscellaneous $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Metals $148K
Machinery & equipment $131K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $86K
Wood & paper products $67K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K

Balance of trade

Congo Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$1.72B
2021
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2021
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.6%
2021
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$2.78B
2021
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$7.51B
2021
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$1.71B
2021
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$240M
2021
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Congo Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 48.6 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 169/197 190/197
Property rights 28.7 19.4
Government integrity 13.9 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 15.4 16.8
Tax burden 73.7 73.6
Government spending 85.8 93.9
Fiscal health 80.8 52.4
Business freedom 35.8 42
Labor freedom 52.4 33.3
Monetary freedom 78.4 0
Trade freedom 52.8 50.4
Investment freedom 35 10
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Congo
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Congo Zimbabwe
2026 48.6 35.2
2025 48.6 35.1
2024 47.8 38.2
2023 48.1 39
2022 48.5 33.1
2021 50.7 39.5
2020 41.8 43.1
2019 39.7 40.4
2018 38.9 44
2017 40 44
2016 42.8 38.2
2015 42.7 37.6
2014 43.7 35.5
2013 43.5 28.6
2012 43.8 26.3
2011 43.6 22.1
2010 43.2 21.4
2009 45.4 22.7
2008 45.3 29.5
2007 44.4 32
2006 43.8 33.5
2005 46.2 35.2
2004 45.9 34.4
2003 47.7 36.7
2002 45.3 36.7
2001 44.3 38.8
2000 40.6 48.7
1999 41.6 47.2
1998 33.8 44.6
1997 42.2 48
1996 40.3 46.7
1995 - 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Congo is 48.6, ranking 169/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Congo Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,490
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$759M
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$330M
2021
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$604M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.4M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.67%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
40.9%
2011
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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 (2022–2025, 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.