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Economy of DR Congo vs Eritrea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $2.07B for Eritrea, ranking 81/197 and 179/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (260.4% of GDP) in Eritrea.

DR Congo vs Eritrea GDP by year

DR Congo
Eritrea
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Eritrea
2025 $91,030,531,317 -
2024 $75,716,176,105 -
2023 $69,843,655,425 -
2022 $70,422,346,142 -
2021 $59,067,289,574 -
2020 $46,691,989,749 -
2019 $46,845,900,350 -
2018 $46,659,954,092 -
2017 $37,537,521,566 -
2016 $38,600,224,214 -
2015 $40,179,574,490 -
2014 $38,352,980,553 -
2013 $34,891,189,160 -
2012 $30,029,369,929 -
2011 $26,392,379,642 $2,065,001,626
2010 $24,161,641,931 $1,589,515,447
2009 $18,607,259,481 $1,856,695,551
2008 $22,723,488,723 $1,380,188,800
2007 $18,374,807,773 $1,317,974,491
2006 $15,484,044,535 $1,211,161,880
2005 $12,609,728,573 $1,098,424,686
2004 $10,297,483,481 $1,109,054,005
2003 $8,937,567,060 $870,248,268
2002 $8,728,038,525 $729,321,680
2001 $7,438,189,100 $752,371,689
2000 $19,088,046,306 $706,370,816
1999 $4,711,259,427 $688,918,537
1998 $6,217,805,821 $745,523,117
1997 $6,090,838,693 $686,490,090
1996 $5,771,456,952 $693,535,954
1995 $5,643,439,376 $578,015,625
1994 $5,820,382,248 $531,688,312
1993 $10,706,259,937 $467,872,715
1992 $8,227,343,907 $477,101,652
1991 $9,625,436,873 -
1990 $9,349,764,580 -
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/eritrea | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Eritrea by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Eritrea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - - -
2024 $693 $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 $689 $1,742
2010 $352 $606 $540 $1,599
2009 $280.2 $573 $643 $1,577
2008 $353 $584 $490 $1,547
2007 $294.1 $550 $480 $1,727
2006 $255.4 $508 $448 $1,682
2005 $214.5 $484 $413 $1,674
2004 $180.7 $456 $427 $1,621
2003 $161.5 $428 $349 $1,621
2002 $162.4 $410 $305 $1,702
2001 $142.7 $404 $325 $1,684
2000 $378 $417 $314 $1,558
1999 $96.3 $452 $311 $1,597
1998 $131.5 $481 $342 $1,598
1997 $132.3 $497 $319 $1,573
1996 $127.4 $526 $326 $1,449
1995 $127 $532 $285.4 $1,369
1994 $136.5 $540 $277.8 $1,379
1993 $263.3 $576 $252.1 $1,149
1992 $209.7 $674 $265.2 $1,021
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $689 in Eritrea, ranking 189/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Eritrea
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$2.07B
2011
GDP rank
81/197
2025
179/197
2011
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
8.68%
2010-2011
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$689
2011
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
189/197
2011
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$1,742
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
191/197
2011
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$3.54B
2011
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
260.4%
2019
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$1,182
2011
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
137/185
2011
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$1,350
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
31.3%
2019
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
1.3%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
5.8%
2017
Population
118386491
3722489

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Eritrea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Eritrea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% - -
2024 16.5% 15.8% - -
2023 15.9% 15.7% - -
2022 17.1% 14.7% - -
2021 13.5% 14% - -
2020 13.4% 11.6% - -
2019 15.2% 9.72% 31.3% 260.4%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 26.4% 267.1%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 42.5% 290.4%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 30.9% 251.2%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 31.1% 271.4%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 21.6% 204.5%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 32.7% 232.4%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 33.3% 171.6%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 32.3% 171.6%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 42.4% 201.8%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 44.9% 207.1%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 69.4% 259.7%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 51.2% 201.3%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 50.5% 199%
2005 7.5% 112% 76.6% 205.4%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 57.1% 193.5%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 58.1% 264%
2002 4.17% 136% 60.1% 243.4%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 59.5% 238.6%
2000 2.49% 135% 84.7% 219.1%
1999 2.15% - 106.1% -
1998 2.78% - 88% -
1997 2.51% - 60.1% -
1996 2.17% - 68.6% -
1995 - - 81.2% -
1994 - - 50.4% -
1993 - - 67.2% -
1992 - - 32.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Eritrea spent $666M, or 31.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 260.4% in Eritrea, ranking 173/185 and 2/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Eritrea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Eritrea
2025 -2.75% -
2024 -1.66% -
2023 -1.59% -
2022 -0.87% -
2021 -1.58% -
2020 -3.49% -
2019 -3.41% 2.72%
2018 -1.35% 5.22%
2017 -0.01% -5.74%
2016 -0.91% -1.44%
2015 -1.2% -2.77%
2014 3.87% -0.12%
2013 3.5% -7.62%
2012 1.93% -5.21%
2011 -0.71% -5.5%
2010 -0.8% -16.5%
2009 1.04% -22.2%
2008 -0.28% -38%
2007 1.21% -19.8%
2006 2.09% -15.5%
2005 1.38% -31%
2004 -0.17% -7.65%
2003 -3.92% 6.23%
2002 0.89% -13.3%
2001 -1.13% -9.62%
2000 -1.85% -25.4%
1999 -1.35% -59.7%
1998 -1.55% -40.3%
1997 -1.06% -5.65%
1996 -0.56% -18.4%
1995 - -22.9%
1994 - 8.69%
1993 - 4.22%
1992 - 6.85%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2011, the DR Congo's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $186M, equivalent to 0.71% of GDP. This compares to Eritrea's deficit of $114M, or 5.5% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Eritrea ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 20.1% of GDP for Eritrea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Eritrea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Eritrea
2019 - 1.3%
2018 - -14.4%
2017 - -13.3%
2016 2.89% -5.6%
2015 0.74% 28.5%
2014 1.24% 8.4%
2013 0.81% 6.3%
2012 9.72% 6%
2011 15.3% 5.9%
2010 7.1% 10.3%
2009 2.8% 33.9%
2008 17.3% 22.2%
2007 16.9% 9.4%
2006 13.1% 7.7%
2005 21.3% 12.5%
2004 3.99% 25.1%
2003 12.9% 22.7%
2002 31.5% 16.9%
2001 360% 14.6%
2000 514% 19.9%
1999 284.9% 8.4%
1998 29.1% 9.5%
1997 198.5% 3.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 13.3% in Eritrea. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 1.3% in Eritrea.

Balance of trade

DR Congo Eritrea
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$105M
2000
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
82/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-14.8%
2000
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$471M
2000
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$36.8M
2000
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$28.5M
2000
Service exports
$548M
2025
$60.9M
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
29.2%
2011
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
18.2%
2011

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Eritrea
Economic freedom 47 39.6
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 188/197
Property rights 15.4 4.8
Government integrity 12.8 10.9
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 5.5
Tax burden 73.8 80.3
Government spending 91.2 62.3
Fiscal health 95.9 69
Business freedom 32.3 30.7
Labor freedom 54.2 43.4
Monetary freedom 58.6 80
Trade freedom 68.2 68.4
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Eritrea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Eritrea
2026 47 39.6
2025 47.3 38.6
2024 47.6 39.5
2023 47.9 39.5
2022 47.6 39.7
2021 49 42.3
2020 49.5 38.5
2019 50.3 38.9
2018 52.1 41.7
2017 56.4 42.2
2016 46.4 42.7
2015 45 38.9
2014 40.6 38.5
2013 39.6 36.3
2012 41.1 36.2
2011 40.7 36.7
2010 41.4 35.3
2009 42.8 38.5
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/eritrea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 39.6 for Eritrea, ranking 188/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Eritrea
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
21.8%
2009
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
14.1%
2009
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$1.94B
2011
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$1,720
2011
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$192M
2019
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
170/177
2019
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$27.9M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
-$27.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
1.07%
2011
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
50%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
12.6%
2011

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/eritrea | 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 (1992–2025, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.