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Economy of Djibouti vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.15B compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 165/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.36B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Djibouti vs DR Congo GDP by year

Djibouti
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti DR Congo
2024 $4,152,145,940 $70,962,185,791
2023 $3,898,447,007 $69,843,655,425
2022 $3,562,814,909 $70,422,346,142
2021 $3,392,796,953 $59,067,289,574
2020 $3,144,136,197 $46,691,989,749
2019 $3,088,851,450 $46,845,900,350
2018 $2,913,464,658 $46,659,954,092
2017 $2,762,581,334 $37,537,521,566
2016 $2,604,955,229 $38,600,224,214
2015 $2,424,391,785 $40,179,574,490
2014 $2,220,637,966 $38,352,980,553
2013 $2,044,440,443 $34,891,189,160
2012 $1,353,632,942 $30,029,369,929
2011 $1,239,144,502 $26,392,379,642
2010 $1,128,611,700 $24,161,641,931
2009 $1,049,110,685 $18,607,259,481
2008 $999,105,339 $22,723,488,723
2007 $847,918,929 $18,374,807,773
2006 $768,873,684 $15,484,044,535
2005 $708,633,195 $12,609,728,573
2004 $666,072,102 $10,297,483,481
2003 $622,044,666 $8,937,567,060
2002 $591,122,040 $8,728,038,525
2001 $572,417,441 $7,438,189,100
2000 $551,230,862 $19,088,046,306
1999 $536,080,148 $4,711,259,427
1998 $514,267,869 $6,217,805,821
1997 $502,675,542 $6,090,838,693
1996 $494,004,648 $5,771,456,952
1995 $497,723,961 $5,643,439,376
1994 $491,689,221 $5,820,382,248
1993 $466,048,469 $10,706,259,937
1992 $478,058,305 $8,227,343,907
1991 $462,421,999 $9,625,436,873
1990 $452,328,087 $9,349,764,580
1989 $409,220,087 $9,021,862,775
1988 $395,794,539 $8,861,299,977
1987 $373,371,738 $7,661,625,473
1986 - $8,095,367,168
1985 $340,989,528 $7,195,042,616
1984 - $7,857,729,193
1983 - $11,006,712,650
1982 - $13,651,667,371
1981 - $12,537,821,038
1980 - $14,394,927,495
1979 - $15,068,422,236
1978 - $15,372,608,002
1977 - $12,344,424,764
1976 - $9,648,583,225
1975 - $10,237,343,174
1974 - $9,596,960,180
1973 - $7,870,239,461
1972 - $6,173,712,814
1971 - $5,594,770,359
1970 - $4,877,684,910
1969 - $5,032,434,970
1968 - $3,909,780,539
1967 - $3,384,063,372
1966 - $4,532,660,182
1965 - $4,043,901,818
1964 - $2,881,545,273
1963 - $6,213,185,743
1962 - $3,779,841,429
1961 - $3,086,746,857
1960 - $3,359,404,118

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

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/dr-congo | CC BY

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs DR Congo by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,553 $7,810 $649 $1,821
2023 $3,381 $7,226 $660 $1,731
2022 $3,133 $6,621 $688 $1,590
2021 $3,026 $5,960 $596 $1,402
2020 $2,845 $5,527 $486 $1,089
2019 $2,837 $5,398 $504 $1,056
2018 $2,718 $5,083 $518 $1,049
2017 $2,619 $4,677 $431 $991
2016 $2,510 $4,432 $460 $950
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $496 $910
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $489 $859
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $460 $761
2012 $1,400 - $410 $648
2011 $1,306 - $373 $644
2010 $1,213 - $352 $606
2009 $1,151 - $280.2 $573
2008 $1,119 - $353 $584
2007 $970 - $294.1 $550
2006 $898 - $255.4 $508
2005 $844 - $214.5 $484
2004 $806 - $180.7 $456
2003 $765 - $161.5 $428
2002 $743 - $162.4 $410
2001 $742 - $142.7 $404
2000 $738 - $378 $417
1999 $740 - $96.3 $452
1998 $735 - $131.5 $481
1997 $748 - $132.3 $497
1996 $762 - $127.4 $526
1995 $786 - $127 $532
1994 $785 - $136.5 $540
1993 $759 - $263.3 $576
1992 $764 - $209.7 $674
1991 $733 - $253.8 $762
1990 $780 - $254.9 $832
1989 $782 - $254.2 -
1988 $817 - $257.7 -
1987 $822 - $230.1 -
1986 - - $250.9 -
1985 $847 - $230.1 -
1984 - - $259.8 -
1983 - - $376 -
1982 - - $482 -
1981 - - $456 -
1980 - - $539 -
1979 - - $582 -
1978 - - $615 -
1977 - - $509 -
1976 - - $408 -
1975 - - $445 -
1974 - - $428 -
1973 - - $361 -
1972 - - $290.5 -
1971 - - $270.3 -
1970 - - $242.2 -
1969 - - $257.1 -
1968 - - $205.6 -
1967 - - $183.3 -
1966 - - $252.8 -
1965 - - $232 -
1964 - - $169.9 -
1963 - - $376 -
1962 - - $235.1 -
1961 - - $197.1 -
1960 - - $220.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/dr-congo | CC BY

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,553, ranking 133/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Djibouti DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$4.15B
2024
$71B
2024
GDP rank
165/197
2024
87/197
2024
GDP growth
6.98%
2023-2024
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,553
2024
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
133/197
2024
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$1.36B
2024
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,167
2024
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2024
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,690
2026
$1,693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2017
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate n/a
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
40%
2017
1.47%
2020
Population
1203929
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 32.9% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 21.5% 35.4% 16.5% 27%
2022 21% 38.3% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 23.1% 40.3% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 25.8% 42.1% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 24.9% 41.1% 14% 19.4%
2018 25.9% 47.5% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 23.9% 48% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 25.9% 45.9% 14.3% 33%
2015 42% 40.3% 16% 25.5%
2014 29% 26.9% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 26.8% 24.6% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 26.5% 25% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 25.3% 25.7% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 26.6% 27.9% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 31% 29.5% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 26.6% 56.6% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 26.2% 60.3% 7.59% 112%
2004 26.7% 65.3% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 25.8% 66.3% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 23.4% 63.7% 4.17% 136%
2001 21% 58.1% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 23.2% 58.1% 2.49% 135%
1999 23.5% 58.5% 2.15% -
1998 24% 55.2% 2.78% -
1997 25% 56% 2.51% -
1996 23.7% 53.1% 2.17% -
1995 27% 50.9% - -
1994 30.9% - - -
1993 35.3% - - -
1992 34.9% - - -
1991 27.7% - - -
1990 30.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, Djibouti's government spending was $856M, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Djibouti and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 149/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti DR Congo
2024 -2.6% -1.48%
2023 -3.46% -1.65%
2022 -1.48% -1.01%
2021 -3.05% -1.68%
2020 -2.58% -3.17%
2019 -0.98% -3.17%
2018 -1.98% -1.34%
2017 -0.21% -0.05%
2016 -0.76% -0.93%
2015 -15.5% -1.35%
2014 -6.92% 3.73%
2013 -0.34% 3.28%
2012 -2.04% 1.71%
2011 -1.18% -0.94%
2010 -1.04% -0.95%
2009 -3.88% 0.92%
2008 0.62% -0.41%
2007 -1.88% 1.12%
2006 0.26% 1.97%
2005 -1.18% 1.3%
2004 -3.67% -0.17%
2003 -4.13% -3.92%
2002 -4.56% 0.89%
2001 -3.61% -1.13%
2000 -3.97% -1.85%
1999 -5.2% -1.35%
1998 -3.59% -1.55%
1997 -2.86% -1.06%
1996 -1.77% -0.56%
1995 -5.13% -
1994 -4.97% -
1993 -7.1% -
1992 -6.13% -
1991 -0.86% -
1990 -3.25% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $108M, equivalent to 2.6% of GDP. This compares to the DR Congo's deficit of $1.05B, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 2.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti DR Congo
2024 2.1% -
2023 1.4% -
2022 5.2% -
2021 1.2% -
2020 1.8% -
2019 3.3% -
2018 0.1% -
2017 0.6% -
2016 2.4% 2.89%
2015 -0.5% 0.74%
2014 1.3% 1.24%
2013 1.1% 0.81%
2012 4.2% 9.72%
2011 5.2% 15.3%
2010 2.5% 7.1%
2009 5.6% 2.8%
2008 8.7% 17.3%
2007 5.9% 16.9%
2006 3.5% 13.1%
2005 3.3% 21.3%
2004 2.4% 3.99%
2003 1.6% 12.9%
2002 1.4% 31.5%
2001 1.9% 360%
2000 1.2% 514%
1999 -0.4% 284.9%
1998 2.2% 29.1%
1997 2.5% 198.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/dr-congo | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.8%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was 2.1% in Djibouti and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Top exports between countries

Djibouti
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $376K
Miscellaneous $2K
DR Congo
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Djibouti DR Congo
Current account balance
$610M
2024
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
59/190
2024
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$730M
2024
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
114.8%
2024
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
126.4%
2024
48.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Djibouti DR Congo
Economic freedom 56.3 47
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 176/197
Property rights 30.4 15.4
Government integrity 27.9 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 11.7
Tax burden 83.5 73.8
Government spending 86.7 91.2
Fiscal health 87.7 95.9
Business freedom 52.9 32.3
Labor freedom 57.5 54.2
Monetary freedom 70.6 58.6
Trade freedom 49.8 68.2
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Djibouti
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Djibouti DR Congo
2026 56.3 47
2025 55.7 47.3
2024 55.8 47.6
2023 56.1 47.9
2022 55.3 47.6
2021 56.2 49
2020 52.9 49.5
2019 47.1 50.3
2018 45.1 52.1
2017 46.7 56.4
2016 56 46.4
2015 57.5 45
2014 55.9 40.6
2013 53.9 39.6
2012 53.9 41.1
2011 54.5 40.7
2010 51 41.4
2009 51.3 42.8
2008 51.2 -
2007 52.4 -
2006 53.2 -
2005 55.2 -
2004 55.6 -
2003 55.7 -
2002 57.8 -
2001 58.3 -
2000 55.1 34.8
1999 57.1 34
1998 55.9 40.6
1997 54.5 39.5
1996 - 39.5
1995 - 41.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/dr-congo | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Djibouti is 56.3, ranking 122/197, compared to 47 for the DR Congo, ranking 176/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Djibouti DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
76.1%
2024
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.51%
2024
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.25B
2024
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,030
2024
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$349M
2024
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking
165/177
2024
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
32.5%
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/djibouti/dr-congo | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.