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Economy of DR Congo vs Ecuador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $125B for Ecuador, ranking 87/197 and 62/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $67B (53.8% of GDP) in Ecuador.

DR Congo vs Ecuador GDP by year

DR Congo
Ecuador
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Ecuador
2024 $70,962,185,791 $124,676,074,700
2023 $69,843,655,425 $121,147,057,000
2022 $70,422,346,142 $116,133,121,000
2021 $59,067,289,574 $107,179,074,000
2020 $46,691,989,749 $95,865,473,000
2019 $46,845,900,350 $107,595,830,000
2018 $46,659,954,092 $107,478,961,000
2017 $37,537,521,566 $104,467,486,000
2016 $38,600,224,214 $97,671,433,000
2015 $40,179,574,490 $97,209,558,000
2014 $38,352,980,553 $102,717,794,000
2013 $34,891,189,160 $96,570,334,000
2012 $30,029,369,929 $87,735,048,000
2011 $26,392,379,642 $78,986,648,000
2010 $24,161,641,931 $68,151,329,000
2009 $18,607,259,481 $60,094,978,000
2008 $22,723,488,723 $61,139,438,000
2007 $18,374,807,773 $49,848,725,000
2006 $15,484,044,535 $45,690,762,000
2005 $12,609,728,573 $40,278,849,000
2004 $10,297,483,481 $35,194,947,000
2003 $8,937,567,060 $30,965,208,000
2002 $8,728,038,525 $27,054,197,000
2001 $7,438,189,100 $23,127,055,000
2000 $19,088,046,306 $17,539,454,727
1999 $4,711,259,427 $19,645,272,636
1998 $6,217,805,821 $27,981,896,948
1997 $6,090,838,693 $28,162,053,027
1996 $5,771,456,952 $25,226,393,197
1995 $5,643,439,376 $24,432,884,442
1994 $5,820,382,248 $22,708,673,337
1993 $10,706,259,937 $18,938,717,359
1992 $8,227,343,907 $18,094,238,119
1991 $9,625,436,873 $16,988,535,268
1990 $9,349,764,580 $15,239,272,612
1989 $9,021,862,775 $13,890,823,705
1988 $8,861,299,977 $13,051,881,851
1987 $7,661,625,473 $13,945,426,859
1986 $8,095,367,168 $15,314,138,472
1985 $7,195,042,616 $17,149,088,413
1984 $7,857,729,193 $16,912,509,092
1983 $11,006,712,650 $17,152,477,037
1982 $13,651,667,371 $19,929,846,396
1981 $12,537,821,038 $21,810,759,354
1980 $14,394,927,495 $17,881,508,242
1979 $15,068,422,236 $14,175,160,902
1978 $15,372,608,002 $11,922,497,876
1977 $12,344,424,764 $11,026,342,618
1976 $9,648,583,225 $9,091,921,030
1975 $10,237,343,174 $7,731,674,472
1974 $9,596,960,180 $6,599,257,044
1973 $7,870,239,461 $3,891,754,150
1972 $6,173,712,814 $3,185,986,087
1971 $5,594,770,359 $2,754,219,271
1970 $4,877,684,910 $2,862,503,139
1969 $5,032,434,970 $3,112,165,727
1968 $3,909,780,539 $2,582,179,864
1967 $3,384,063,372 $2,553,595,172
1966 $4,532,660,182 $2,429,308,639
1965 $4,043,901,818 $2,387,047,396
1964 $2,881,545,273 $2,244,146,103
1963 $6,213,185,743 $1,824,343,871
1962 $3,779,841,429 $1,518,207,703
1961 $3,086,746,857 $1,753,850,955
1960 $3,359,404,118 $2,069,464,937

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Ecuador by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ecuador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Ecuador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $6,875 $15,840
2023 $660 $1,731 $6,738 $15,919
2022 $688 $1,590 $6,516 $15,198
2021 $596 $1,402 $6,061 $13,507
2020 $486 $1,089 $5,464 $11,527
2019 $504 $1,056 $6,205 $12,543
2018 $518 $1,049 $6,304 $12,187
2017 $431 $991 $6,233 $11,793
2016 $460 $950 $5,918 $10,881
2015 $496 $910 $5,976 $10,878
2014 $489 $859 $6,406 $11,836
2013 $460 $761 $6,109 $11,296
2012 $410 $648 $5,634 $10,245
2011 $373 $644 $5,154 $9,769
2010 $352 $606 $4,520 $8,969
2009 $280.2 $573 $4,053 $8,662
2008 $353 $584 $4,195 $8,663
2007 $294.1 $550 $3,479 $8,112
2006 $255.4 $508 $3,244 $7,885
2005 $214.5 $484 $2,909 $7,457
2004 $180.7 $456 $2,586 $6,980
2003 $161.5 $428 $2,316 $6,475
2002 $162.4 $410 $2,059 $6,282
2001 $142.7 $404 $1,791 $5,999
2000 $378 $417 $1,382 $5,728
1999 $96.3 $452 $1,575 $5,638
1998 $131.5 $481 $2,284 $5,940
1997 $132.3 $497 $2,341 $5,793
1996 $127.4 $526 $2,136 $5,560
1995 $127 $532 $2,108 $5,469
1994 $136.5 $540 $1,997 $5,339
1993 $263.3 $576 $1,698 $5,112
1992 $209.7 $674 $1,655 $4,998
1991 $253.8 $762 $1,587 $4,887
1990 $254.9 $832 $1,455 $4,632
1989 $254.2 - $1,356 -
1988 $257.7 - $1,304 -
1987 $230.1 - $1,426 -
1986 $250.9 - $1,604 -
1985 $230.1 - $1,842 -
1984 $259.8 - $1,864 -
1983 $376 - $1,940 -
1982 $482 - $2,314 -
1981 $456 - $2,601 -
1980 $539 - $2,190 -
1979 $582 - $1,783 -
1978 $615 - $1,541 -
1977 $509 - $1,465 -
1976 $408 - $1,242 -
1975 $445 - $1,086 -
1974 $428 - $954 -
1973 $361 - $579 -
1972 $290.5 - $488 -
1971 $270.3 - $434 -
1970 $242.2 - $465 -
1969 $257.1 - $521 -
1968 $205.6 - $445 -
1967 $183.3 - $454 -
1966 $252.8 - $445 -
1965 $232 - $450 -
1964 $169.9 - $436 -
1963 $376 - $365 -
1962 $235.1 - $312 -
1961 $197.1 - $371 -
1960 $220.1 - $451 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $6,875 in Ecuador, ranking 103/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Ecuador ranks 110th at $15,840.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Ecuador
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$125B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
-2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$6,875
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
103/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$15,840
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
110/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
53.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$3,695
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
93/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$5,894
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$747M
2000
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
33.4%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
1.5%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
38.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
1.55%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
3.39%
2024
Population
117507801
18487749

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Ecuador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Ecuador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 38.1% 53.8%
2023 16.5% 27% 39.5% 54.3%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 38.9% 57.2%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 37.5% 61.8%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 40.2% 63.6%
2019 14% 19.4% 39.8% 52.1%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 40.9% 49.5%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 40.5% 47.4%
2016 14.3% 33% 44.1% 46.1%
2015 16% 25.5% 44.1% 36.4%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 45.9% 28.2%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 46.7% 23.4%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 43.2% 19.3%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 39.6% 18.6%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 35.4% 18.4%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 34.3% 19.7%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 35.6% 24.9%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 24.7% 29.6%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 21.7% 33.1%
2005 7.59% 112% 22% 35.8%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 21.3% 40.2%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 21.3% 47.2%
2002 4.17% 136% 22.8% 55%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 21.4% 63.8%
2000 2.49% 135% 24.3% 92.2%
1999 2.15% - 24.1% 105.2%
1998 2.78% - 21.5% 70.3%
1997 2.51% - 22% 61.5%
1996 2.17% - 22.7% 69.3%
1995 - - 22% 70.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Ecuador spent $47.5B, or 38.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 53.8% in Ecuador, ranking 172/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Ecuador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Ecuador
2024 -1.48% -1.28%
2023 -1.65% -3.48%
2022 -1.01% 0.04%
2021 -1.68% -1.59%
2020 -3.17% -7.38%
2019 -3.17% -3.47%
2018 -1.34% -2.8%
2017 -0.05% -5.77%
2016 -0.93% -10.3%
2015 -1.35% -6.87%
2014 3.73% -8.11%
2013 3.28% -8.17%
2012 1.71% -2.83%
2011 -0.94% -0.13%
2010 -0.95% -1.39%
2009 0.92% -3.71%
2008 -0.41% 0.57%
2007 1.12% 2.66%
2006 1.97% 2.92%
2005 1.3% 0.66%
2004 -0.17% 1.94%
2003 -3.92% 1.05%
2002 0.89% 0.74%
2001 -1.13% 0.03%
2000 -1.85% -0.32%
1999 -1.35% -4.82%
1998 -1.55% -5.1%
1997 -1.06% -2.83%
1996 -0.56% -3.44%
1995 - -2.02%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/ecuador | 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 Ecuador's deficit of $1.59B, or 1.28% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Ecuador ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.52% of GDP for Ecuador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Ecuador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Ecuador
2024 - 1.55%
2023 - 2.22%
2022 - 3.47%
2021 - 0.13%
2020 - -0.34%
2019 - 0.27%
2018 - -0.22%
2017 - 0.42%
2016 2.89% 1.73%
2015 0.74% 3.97%
2014 1.24% 3.59%
2013 0.81% 2.72%
2012 9.72% 5.1%
2011 15.3% 4.47%
2010 7.1% 3.55%
2009 2.8% 5.16%
2008 17.3% 8.4%
2007 16.9% 2.28%
2006 13.1% 3.3%
2005 21.3% 2.17%
2004 3.99% 2.74%
2003 12.9% 7.93%
2002 31.5% 12.5%
2001 360% 37.7%
2000 514% 96.1%
1999 284.9% 52.2%
1998 29.1% 36.1%
1997 198.5% 30.7%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 16.1% in Ecuador. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 1.55% in Ecuador.

Balance of trade

DR Congo Ecuador
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$7.06B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
27/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
+5.66%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$27.9B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$34.7B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$6.18B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$3.86B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
26.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
30.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Ecuador
Economic freedom 47 55.6
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 127/197
Property rights 15.4 33.2
Government integrity 12.8 33
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 48.1
Tax burden 73.8 74.2
Government spending 91.2 54.9
Fiscal health 95.9 90.3
Business freedom 32.3 64.3
Labor freedom 54.2 56.9
Monetary freedom 58.6 76.3
Trade freedom 68.2 66.4
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Ecuador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Ecuador
2026 47 55.6
2025 47.3 55.8
2024 47.6 55
2023 47.9 55
2022 47.6 54.3
2021 49 52.4
2020 49.5 51.3
2019 50.3 46.9
2018 52.1 48.5
2017 56.4 49.3
2016 46.4 48.6
2015 45 49.2
2014 40.6 48
2013 39.6 46.9
2012 41.1 48.3
2011 40.7 47.1
2010 41.4 49.3
2009 42.8 52.5
2008 - 55.2
2007 - 55.3
2006 - 54.6
2005 - 52.9
2004 - 54.4
2003 - 54.1
2002 - 53.1
2001 - 55.1
2000 34.8 59.8
1999 34 62.9
1998 40.6 62.8
1997 39.5 61
1996 39.5 60.1
1995 41.4 57.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 55.6 for Ecuador, ranking 127/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Ecuador
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
26.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
9.48%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$117B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$15,410
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$6.91B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
87/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$438M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$443M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
28%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
18.5%
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/dr-congo/ecuador | 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 (1995–2024, 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 (1995–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.