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DR Congo economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo ranked 87/197 by economy size with a GDP of $71B and 190/197 by GDP per capita at $649. The DR Congo has $16B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 22.5%.

In 2024, the DR Congo made up 0.06% of the world's economy, compared to 0.25% in 1960.

DR Congo GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $70,962,185,791 6.13%
2023 $69,843,655,425 8.53%
2022 $70,422,346,142 9.31%
2021 $59,067,289,574 6.43%
2020 $46,691,989,749 0.78%
2019 $46,845,900,350 0.56%
2018 $46,659,954,092 6.07%
2017 $37,537,521,566 4.24%
2016 $38,600,224,214 0.39%
2015 $40,179,574,490 6.36%
2014 $38,352,980,553 7.3%
2013 $34,891,189,160 9.62%
2012 $30,029,369,929 8.67%
2011 $26,392,379,642 7.59%
2010 $24,161,641,931 7.84%
2009 $18,607,259,481 0.57%
2008 $22,723,488,723 7.4%
2007 $18,374,807,773 8.53%
2006 $15,484,044,535 5.11%
2005 $12,609,728,573 6.14%
2004 $10,297,483,481 6.74%
2003 $8,937,567,060 5.58%
2002 $8,728,038,525 2.95%
2001 $7,438,189,100 -2.1%
2000 $19,088,046,306 -6.91%
1999 $4,711,259,427 -4.27%
1998 $6,217,805,821 -1.62%
1997 $6,090,838,693 -5.62%
1996 $5,771,456,952 -1.02%
1995 $5,643,439,376 0.7%
1994 $5,820,382,248 -3.9%
1993 $10,706,259,937 -13.5%
1992 $8,227,343,907 -10.5%
1991 $9,625,436,873 -8.42%
1990 $9,349,764,580 -6.57%
1989 $9,021,862,775 -1.27%
1988 $8,861,299,977 0.47%
1987 $7,661,625,473 2.68%
1986 $8,095,367,168 4.72%
1985 $7,195,042,616 0.47%
1984 $7,857,729,193 5.54%
1983 $11,006,712,650 1.41%
1982 $13,651,667,371 -0.46%
1981 $12,537,821,038 2.35%
1980 $14,394,927,495 2.19%
1979 $15,068,422,236 0.43%
1978 $15,372,608,002 -5.35%
1977 $12,344,424,764 0.76%
1976 $9,648,583,225 -5.31%
1975 $10,237,343,174 -4.98%
1974 $9,596,960,180 3.13%
1973 $7,870,239,461 8.14%
1972 $6,173,712,814 0.15%
1971 $5,594,770,359 6.01%
1970 $4,877,684,910 -0.25%
1969 $5,032,434,970 9.33%
1968 $3,909,780,539 4.33%
1967 $3,384,063,372 -0.99%
1966 $4,532,660,182 6.78%
1965 $4,043,901,818 1%
1964 $2,881,545,273 -2.44%
1963 $6,213,185,743 5.21%
1962 $3,779,841,429 21.2%
1961 $3,086,746,857 -10.9%
1960 $3,359,404,118 -

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

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

DR Congo GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821
2023 $660 $1,731
2022 $688 $1,590
2021 $596 $1,402
2020 $486 $1,089
2019 $504 $1,056
2018 $518 $1,049
2017 $431 $991
2016 $460 $950
2015 $496 $910
2014 $489 $859
2013 $460 $761
2012 $410 $648
2011 $373 $644
2010 $352 $606
2009 $280.2 $573
2008 $353 $584
2007 $294.1 $550
2006 $255.4 $508
2005 $214.5 $484
2004 $180.7 $456
2003 $161.5 $428
2002 $162.4 $410
2001 $142.7 $404
2000 $378 $417
1999 $96.3 $452
1998 $131.5 $481
1997 $132.3 $497
1996 $127.4 $526
1995 $127 $532
1994 $136.5 $540
1993 $263.3 $576
1992 $209.7 $674
1991 $253.8 $762
1990 $254.9 $832
1989 $254.2 -
1988 $257.7 -
1987 $230.1 -
1986 $250.9 -
1985 $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/dr-congo | CC BY

The DR Congo has a GDP per capita of $649, ranking 190/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $1,821, ranking 190/197, and a median annual after tax income of $1,693, ranking 175/197.

DR Congo GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 86 177 174
2023 84 184 183
2022 82 184 183
2021 84 186 184
2020 86 189 185
2019 90 189 185
2018 90 188 185
2017 96 193 186
2016 91 189 186
2015 92 190 189
2014 94 192 189
2013 94 192 190
2012 98 193 190
2011 102 193 192
2010 100 193 193
2009 104 194 194
2008 100 192 194
2007 100 192 193
2006 99 192 193
2005 98 191 192
2004 99 191 192
2003 100 191 192
2002 99 190 192
2001 103 189 192
2000 70 168 192
1999 115 191 188
1998 106 190 183
1997 105 189 182
1996 106 188 177
1995 103 187 178
1994 96 182 177
1993 78 166 174
1992 82 171 171
1991 78 171 167
1990 78 168 161
1989 70 153 -
1988 69 156 -
1987 72 155 -
1986 65 143 -
1985 69 146 -
1984 66 138 -
1983 60 126 -
1982 59 123 -
1981 59 124 -
1980 56 121 -
1979 54 107 -
1978 49 95 -
1977 51 102 -
1976 52 104 -
1975 50 99 -
1974 49 95 -
1973 47 98 -
1972 49 96 -
1971 46 97 -
1970 46 97 -
1969 44 77 -
1968 46 80 -
1967 45 82 -
1966 40 69 -
1965 40 72 -
1964 43 78 -
1963 27 41 -
1962 37 61 -
1961 38 65 -
1960 37 62 -

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

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

Compared with 2000, in 2024 the DR Congo is ranked 86th out of 182 by GDP (down from 70th), 177th by GDP per capita (down from 168th), and 174th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 192nd).

Economic indicators

DR Congo Rank
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
87/197
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
20/194
GDP per capita
$649
2024
190/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
190/197
Government debt
$16B
2024
109/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
172/185
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
183/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
175/197
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
14/169
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
129/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
175/195
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
109/195
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
14/106
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
185/196
Population
117507801
15/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 16.7% 22.5% -1.48%
2023 16.5% 27% -1.65%
2022 18.3% 23.8% -1.01%
2021 13.8% 25.3% -1.68%
2020 12.1% 23.7% -3.17%
2019 14% 19.4% -3.17%
2018 11.9% 19.3% -1.34%
2017 10.7% 23.2% -0.05%
2016 14.3% 33% -0.93%
2015 16% 25.5% -1.35%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 3.73%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 3.28%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 1.71%
2011 13.7% 29.3% -0.94%
2010 15.4% 31.8% -0.95%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 0.92%
2008 10.1% 80.3% -0.41%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 1.12%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 1.97%
2005 7.59% 112% 1.3%
2004 7.18% 164.1% -0.17%
2003 8.87% 114.5% -3.92%
2002 4.17% 136% 0.89%
2001 4.16% 185.4% -1.13%
2000 2.49% 135% -1.85%
1999 2.15% - -1.35%
1998 2.78% - -1.55%
1997 2.51% - -1.06%
1996 2.17% - -0.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

This chart shows the DR Congo's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $11.9B (16.7% of GDP), with a deficit of 1.48%.

The national debt reached $16B, ranking 109th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 22.5%, ranking 172nd.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2016 2.89%
2015 0.74%
2014 1.24%
2013 0.81%
2012 9.72%
2011 15.3%
2010 7.1%
2009 2.8%
2008 17.3%
2007 16.9%
2006 13.1%
2005 21.3%
2004 3.99%
2003 12.9%
2002 31.5%
2001 360%
2000 514%
1999 284.9%
1998 29.1%
1997 198.5%
1996 492%
1995 542%
1994 23,773%
1993 1,987%
1992 4,129%
1991 2,154%
1990 81.3%
1989 104.1%
1988 71.1%
1987 78.7%
1986 44.4%
1985 23.8%
1984 52.2%
1983 76.5%
1982 36.7%
1981 35.4%
1980 46.6%
1979 101.1%
1978 48.8%
1977 68.9%
1976 80.4%
1975 28.7%
1974 29.5%
1973 15.6%
1972 15.8%
1971 5.78%
1970 8.03%
1969 6.18%
1968 53.3%
1967 36.9%
1966 15.8%
1965 -2.73%
1964 35.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1964–2016, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has had an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%. In 2016, inflation was 2.89%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

DR Congo Rank
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
153/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
125/190
Goods imports
$31B
2024
68/189
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
64/189
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
85/189
Service exports
$322M
2024
156/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
75/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
57/193

DR Congo top 10 trading partners

The DR Congo's biggest trading partner accounting for 45% of all exports and imports is China, with a trade balance between the two of +$9.61B: the DR Congo exports $16.4B worth of goods and services to China and imports $6.81B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of the DR Congo.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 China $23.2B 45% $16.4B $6.81B Metals Machinery & equipment
2 South Africa $4.57B 8.85% $2.47B $2.1B Precious metals & jewellery Machinery & equipment
3 UAE $4.09B 7.93% $1.06B $3.03B Metals Raw materials & minerals
4 Tanzania $2.13B 4.13% $1.23B $895M Metals Raw materials & minerals
5 India $1.73B 3.35% $53.9M $1.67B Processed food, beverages & tobacco Raw materials & minerals
6 Mozambique $1.69B 3.28% $1.62B $71.4M Metals Raw materials & minerals
7 Singapore $1.51B 2.93% $1.41B $107M Metals Raw materials & minerals
8 Belgium $1.37B 2.65% $75.2M $1.29B Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
9 Saudi Arabia $1.04B 2.02% $1.53M $1.04B Metals Raw materials & minerals
10 Zambia $869M 1.68% $334M $534M Metals Raw materials & minerals

Top 10 exports

DR Congo Rank
Metals $19.1B 23/192
Raw materials & minerals $7.68B 64/193
Precious metals & jewellery $1.45B 55/190
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $158M 124/192
Transport & tourism services $127M 152/188
IT & IP services $113M 109/183
Wood & paper products $56.2M 109/192
Machinery & equipment $50.6M 140/193
Raw agricultural goods $33.3M 135/193
Government & miscellaneous services $30.3M 117/180

Top 10 imports

DR Congo Rank
Raw materials & minerals $12.4B 44/193
Machinery & equipment $7.25B 78/193
Metals $2.15B 73/193
Transport & tourism services $1.82B 104/188
Business & finance services $1.47B 76/188
Chemicals & pharma $1.37B 103/193
Textiles & consumer goods $829M 106/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $501M 134/193
Raw agricultural goods $465M 111/193
Wood & paper products $305M 98/193

Economic freedom indices

DR Congo Rank
Economic freedom 47 176/197
Property rights 15.4 169/182
Government integrity 12.8 173/182
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 162/182
Tax burden 73.8 125/182
Government spending 91.2 20/180
Fiscal health 95.9 28/181
Business freedom 32.3 172/182
Labor freedom 54.2 113/182
Monetary freedom 58.6 157/180
Trade freedom 68.2 110/181
Investment freedom 30 147/181
Financial freedom 20 159/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 47 11.7 73.8 91.2 95.9
2025 47.3 12 74.2 92.4 97
2024 47.6 12.6 74.2 93 93.1
2023 47.9 11.8 74.4 95.2 96
2022 47.6 13.2 74.4 95.7 97.4
2021 49 18.2 71.3 96 99.5
2020 49.5 26.5 74.4 95.4 98
2019 50.3 30.7 73.8 93.9 96.9
2018 52.1 23.9 73.2 94.8 99.1
2017 56.4 48.7 73.4 94.7 99.3
2016 46.4 - 73.3 95.2 -
2015 45 - 72.9 85.7 -
2014 40.6 - 69.4 74.6 -
2013 39.6 - 71.4 60.1 -
2012 41.1 - 72.5 76.1 -
2011 40.7 - 73.3 84.5 -
2010 41.4 - 74 90.5 -
2009 42.8 - 73.3 85.3 -
2008 - - - - -
2007 - - - - -
2006 - - - - -
2005 - - - - -
2004 - - - - -
2003 - - - - -
2002 - - - - -
2001 - - - - -
2000 34.8 - 54.6 96.4 -
1999 34 - 54.5 97.2 -
1998 40.6 - 54.5 97.2 -
1997 39.5 - 54.7 97.2 -
1996 39.5 - 54.7 97.2 -
1995 41.4 - 50.9 97.2 -

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

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

The DR Congo is ranked 158/174 for economic freedom with a score of 47, compared to 153/159 and a score of 34.8 in 2000.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Rank
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
151/191
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
16/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
73/193
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
84/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
184/191
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
99/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
151/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
60/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
75/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
113/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
12/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
19/178

Compare DR Congo vs other countries

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/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 (1996–2024, 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 (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.