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Economy of DR Congo vs East Timor compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $1.9B for East Timor, ranking 81/197 and 181/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $273M (14.3% of GDP) in East Timor.

DR Congo vs East Timor GDP by year

DR Congo
East Timor
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo East Timor
2025 $91,030,531,317 $1,902,180,258
2024 $75,716,176,105 $1,865,608,515
2023 $69,843,655,425 $2,079,767,200
2022 $70,422,346,142 $3,208,599,900
2021 $59,067,289,574 $3,625,024,300
2020 $46,691,989,749 $2,162,619,200
2019 $46,845,900,350 $2,032,550,400
2018 $46,659,954,092 $1,555,988,600
2017 $37,537,521,566 $1,584,878,400
2016 $38,600,224,214 $1,640,464,600
2015 $40,179,574,490 $1,590,282,400
2014 $38,352,980,553 $1,447,535,200
2013 $34,891,189,160 $1,395,727,400
2012 $30,029,369,929 $1,160,555,000
2011 $26,392,379,642 $1,042,534,600
2010 $24,161,641,931 $881,909,300
2009 $18,607,259,481 $726,937,800
2008 $22,723,488,723 $648,523,600
2007 $18,374,807,773 $542,795,400
2006 $15,484,044,535 $453,792,400
2005 $12,609,728,573 $462,268,000
2004 $10,297,483,481 $440,772,000
2003 $8,937,567,060 $490,439,100
2002 $8,728,038,525 $469,455,500
2001 $7,438,189,100 $477,359,300
2000 $19,088,046,306 $366,924,300
1999 $4,711,259,427 $225,357,600
1998 $6,217,805,821 $325,729,800
1997 $6,090,838,693 $319,972,700
1996 $5,771,456,952 $306,956,900
1995 $5,643,439,376 $262,819,900
1994 $5,820,382,248 $239,040,500
1993 $10,706,259,937 $216,914,400
1992 $8,227,343,907 $187,891,500
1991 $9,625,436,873 $147,713,000
1990 $9,349,764,580 $128,210,142
1989 $9,021,862,775 -
1988 $8,861,299,977 -
1987 $7,661,625,473 -
1986 $8,095,367,168 -
1985 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs East Timor by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo East Timor
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $1,341 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $1,332 $4,423
2023 $660 $1,731 $1,502 $4,807
2022 $688 $1,590 $2,343 $5,730
2021 $596 $1,402 $2,685 $6,825
2020 $486 $1,089 $1,631 $6,132
2019 $504 $1,056 $1,562 $4,557
2018 $518 $1,049 $1,219 $3,561
2017 $431 $991 $1,266 $3,463
2016 $460 $950 $1,336 $3,391
2015 $496 $910 $1,320 $3,108
2014 $489 $859 $1,225 $2,860
2013 $460 $761 $1,205 $2,566
2012 $410 $648 $1,023 $2,386
2011 $373 $644 $939 $2,066
2010 $352 $606 $813 $1,955
2009 $280.2 $573 $687 $1,810
2008 $353 $584 $628 $1,675
2007 $294.1 $550 $540 $1,516
2006 $255.4 $508 $465 $1,377
2005 $214.5 $484 $487 $1,435
2004 $180.7 $456 $474 $1,379
2003 $161.5 $428 $535 $1,355
2002 $162.4 $410 $534 $1,417
2001 $142.7 $404 $588 $1,619
2000 $378 $417 $492 $1,483
1999 $96.3 $452 $270 $819
1998 $131.5 $481 $346 $1,108
1997 $132.3 $497 $349 $1,149
1996 $127.4 $526 $344 $1,116
1995 $127 $532 $303 $1,043
1994 $136.5 $540 $283.1 $985
1993 $263.3 $576 $264.1 $925
1992 $209.7 $674 $235.1 $843
1991 $253.8 $762 $189.8 $766
1990 $254.9 $832 $168.6 $685
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $1,341 in East Timor, ranking 168/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423.

Economic indicators

DR Congo East Timor
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$1.9B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
181/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
6.98%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$1,341
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
168/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$4,423
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
163/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
14.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$192.3
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
182/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$1,644
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
24%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
4%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
93.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
0.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
1.54%
2022
Population
118386491
1446322

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
East Timor
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo East Timor
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 93.9% 14.3%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 98% 14.4%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 78.6% 12.4%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 59.9% 7.9%
2021 13.5% 14% 45.7% 6.53%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 61.7% 10.1%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 68.8% 9.51%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 85.5% 9.31%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 87.3% 6.71%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 112.2% 4.71%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 98.1% 2.95%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 111% 1.52%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 96.1% 0.46%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 129.3% 0.002%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 133.3% 0%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 121.3% 0%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 121.8% 0%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 122.4% 0%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 75.8% 0%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 59.8% 0%
2005 7.5% 112% 58.3% 0%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 74.2% 0%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 80.1% 0%
2002 4.17% 136% 93.5% 0%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 95.7% 0%
2000 2.49% 135% - -
1999 2.15% - - -
1998 2.78% - - -
1997 2.51% - - -
1996 2.17% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while East Timor spent $1.79B, or 93.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 14.3% in East Timor, ranking 173/185 and 178/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

East Timor
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo East Timor
2025 -2.75% -48%
2024 -1.66% -47%
2023 -1.59% -34.7%
2022 -0.87% -29.5%
2021 -1.58% -20.1%
2020 -3.49% -18.9%
2019 -3.41% -25.4%
2018 -1.35% -26.9%
2017 -0.01% -33.8%
2016 -0.91% -55.7%
2015 -1.2% -33.2%
2014 3.87% -37.5%
2013 3.5% -14.4%
2012 1.93% -38.7%
2011 -0.71% -25.4%
2010 -0.8% -19.8%
2009 1.04% -17.2%
2008 -0.28% -18.6%
2007 1.21% -29.9%
2006 2.09% 41%
2005 1.38% -10.5%
2004 -0.17% -7.48%
2003 -3.92% -8.24%
2002 0.89% -7.64%
2001 -1.13% 3.24%
2000 -1.85% -
1999 -1.35% -
1998 -1.55% -
1997 -1.06% -
1996 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.51B, equivalent to 2.75% of GDP. This compares to East Timor's deficit of $914M, or 48% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while East Timor ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 22.6% of GDP for East Timor.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

East Timor
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo East Timor
2025 - 0.5%
2024 - 2.1%
2023 - 8.4%
2022 - 7%
2021 - 3.8%
2020 - 0.5%
2019 - 0.9%
2018 - 2.3%
2017 - 0.5%
2016 2.89% -1.5%
2015 0.74% 0.6%
2014 1.24% 0.8%
2013 0.81% 9.5%
2012 9.72% 10.9%
2011 15.3% 13.2%
2010 7.1% 5.2%
2009 2.8% -0.2%
2008 17.3% 7.4%
2007 16.9% 8.6%
2006 13.1% 5.2%
2005 21.3% 1.6%
2004 3.99% 2.2%
2003 12.9% 8%
2002 31.5% 4.1%
2001 360% 3.6%
2000 514% -
1999 284.9% -
1998 29.1% -
1997 198.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 16 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 32.3%, compared with 4.95% in East Timor. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 0.5% in East Timor.

Balance of trade

DR Congo East Timor
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$701M
2025
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
109/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-36.9%
2025
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$842M
2025
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$126M
2025
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$475M
2025
Service exports
$548M
2025
$147M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
84.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
10.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo East Timor
Economic freedom 47 47.9
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 173/197
Property rights 15.4 43.5
Government integrity 12.8 43.9
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 34.5
Tax burden 73.8 97.1
Government spending 91.2 0
Fiscal health 95.9 19.6
Business freedom 32.3 62.7
Labor freedom 54.2 56.5
Monetary freedom 58.6 72.2
Trade freedom 68.2 79.8
Investment freedom 30 45
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
East Timor
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo East Timor
2026 47 47.9
2025 47.3 47.9
2024 47.6 50.2
2023 47.9 47.2
2022 47.6 46.3
2021 49 44.7
2020 49.5 45.9
2019 50.3 44.2
2018 52.1 48.1
2017 56.4 46.3
2016 46.4 45.8
2015 45 45.5
2014 40.6 43.2
2013 39.6 43.7
2012 41.1 43.3
2011 40.7 42.8
2010 41.4 45.8
2009 42.8 50.5
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 34.8 -
1999 34 -
1998 40.6 -
1997 39.5 -
1996 39.5 -
1995 41.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 47.9 for East Timor, ranking 173/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo East Timor
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
71.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
11.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
20.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$2.14B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$5,120
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$851M
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
145/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$253M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$225M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$4.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
41.8%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
30.1%
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/dr-congo/east-timor | 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 (1996–2025, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.