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

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $1.87B for East Timor, ranking 87/197 and 181/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $249M (13.3% 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
2024 $70,962,185,791 $1,865,608,515
2023 $69,843,655,425 $2,079,767,170
2022 $70,422,346,142 $3,208,599,889
2021 $59,067,289,574 $3,625,024,341
2020 $46,691,989,749 $2,162,619,241
2019 $46,845,900,350 $2,032,550,389
2018 $46,659,954,092 $1,555,988,614
2017 $37,537,521,566 $1,584,878,440
2016 $38,600,224,214 $1,640,464,612
2015 $40,179,574,490 $1,590,282,371
2014 $38,352,980,553 $1,447,535,183
2013 $34,891,189,160 $1,395,727,421
2012 $30,029,369,929 $1,160,555,040
2011 $26,392,379,642 $1,042,534,598
2010 $24,161,641,931 $881,909,347
2009 $18,607,259,481 $726,937,836
2008 $22,723,488,723 $648,523,571
2007 $18,374,807,773 $542,795,447
2006 $15,484,044,535 $453,792,415
2005 $12,609,728,573 $462,267,954
2004 $10,297,483,481 $440,771,962
2003 $8,937,567,060 $490,439,116
2002 $8,728,038,525 $469,455,491
2001 $7,438,189,100 $477,359,253
2000 $19,088,046,306 $366,924,277
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $649 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $1,332 in East Timor, ranking 167/197. 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
$71B
2024
$1.87B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
-9.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$1,332
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
167/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$4,423
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
163/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$249M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
13.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$177.5
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
182/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$1,440
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
16.7%
2024
90.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
1.54%
2022
Population
117507801
1441764

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
2024 16.7% 22.5% 90.8% 13.3%
2023 16.5% 27% 78.6% 12.4%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 59.9% 7.9%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 45.7% 6.53%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 61.7% 10.1%
2019 14% 19.4% 68.8% 9.51%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 85.5% 9.31%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 87.3% 6.71%
2016 14.3% 33% 112.2% 4.71%
2015 16% 25.5% 98.1% 2.95%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 111% 1.52%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 96.1% 0.46%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 129.3% 0.002%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 133.3% 0%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 121.3% 0%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 121.8% 0%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 122.4% 0%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 75.8% 0%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 59.8% 0%
2005 7.59% 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 (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while East Timor spent $1.69B, or 90.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 13.3% in East Timor, ranking 172/185 and 178/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

East Timor
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo East Timor
2024 -1.48% -43.5%
2023 -1.65% -34.7%
2022 -1.01% -29.5%
2021 -1.68% -20.1%
2020 -3.17% -18.9%
2019 -3.17% -25.4%
2018 -1.34% -26.9%
2017 -0.05% -33.8%
2016 -0.93% -55.7%
2015 -1.35% -33.2%
2014 3.73% -37.5%
2013 3.28% -14.4%
2012 1.71% -38.7%
2011 -0.94% -25.4%
2010 -0.95% -19.8%
2009 0.92% -17.2%
2008 -0.41% -18.6%
2007 1.12% -29.9%
2006 1.97% 41%
2005 1.3% -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 (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.05B, equivalent to 1.48% of GDP. This compares to East Timor's deficit of $812M, or 43.5% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while East Timor ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 21.4% of GDP for East Timor.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

East Timor
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo East Timor
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 (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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 2.1% in East Timor.

Balance of trade

DR Congo East Timor
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$587M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
108/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-31.5%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$839M
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$196M
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$432M
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$82.1M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
84.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
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 2026-03-09).

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
46.6%
2024
71.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
11.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
20.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$2.31B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$5,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$737M
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
147/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$211M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$216M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$4.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
41.8%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
30.1%
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/dr-congo/east-timor | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.