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Economy of DR Congo vs Estonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $43.1B for Estonia, ranking 87/197 and 100/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $10.1B (23.4% of GDP) in Estonia.

DR Congo vs Estonia GDP by year

DR Congo
Estonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Estonia
2024 $70,962,185,791 $43,130,419,829
2023 $69,843,655,425 $41,470,344,395
2022 $70,422,346,142 $38,226,641,740
2021 $59,067,289,574 $37,201,101,171
2020 $46,691,989,749 $31,820,771,494
2019 $46,845,900,350 $31,873,748,770
2018 $46,659,954,092 $31,222,632,741
2017 $37,537,521,566 $27,469,461,919
2016 $38,600,224,214 $24,561,027,788
2015 $40,179,574,490 $23,311,847,751
2014 $38,352,980,553 $27,055,689,003
2013 $34,891,189,160 $25,451,032,781
2012 $30,029,369,929 $23,237,406,116
2011 $26,392,379,642 $23,303,915,795
2010 $24,161,641,931 $19,524,355,419
2009 $18,607,259,481 $19,633,984,440
2008 $22,723,488,723 $24,342,935,404
2007 $18,374,807,773 $22,450,264,166
2006 $15,484,044,535 $17,025,671,810
2005 $12,609,728,573 $14,109,491,357
2004 $10,297,483,481 $12,148,595,031
2003 $8,937,567,060 $9,876,595,528
2002 $8,728,038,525 $7,370,119,619
2001 $7,438,189,100 $6,250,218,423
2000 $19,088,046,306 $5,686,579,748
1999 $4,711,259,427 $5,756,912,266
1998 $6,217,805,821 $5,674,080,543
1997 $6,090,838,693 $5,154,420,649
1996 $5,771,456,952 $4,786,018,988
1995 $5,643,439,376 $4,502,970,889
1994 $5,820,382,248 $4,123,011,420
1993 $10,706,259,937 $4,013,091,682
1992 $8,227,343,907 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Estonia by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Estonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $31,428 $49,969
2023 $660 $1,731 $30,264 $48,637
2022 $688 $1,590 $28,340 $48,218
2021 $596 $1,402 $27,951 $44,252
2020 $486 $1,089 $23,934 $40,672
2019 $504 $1,056 $24,021 $40,586
2018 $518 $1,049 $23,618 $37,121
2017 $431 $991 $20,852 $34,507
2016 $460 $950 $18,666 $31,948
2015 $496 $910 $17,722 $29,713
2014 $489 $859 $20,582 $29,404
2013 $460 $761 $19,310 $27,831
2012 $410 $648 $17,568 $26,243
2011 $373 $644 $17,556 $24,652
2010 $352 $606 $14,664 $21,614
2009 $280.2 $573 $14,712 $20,489
2008 $353 $584 $18,206 $22,804
2007 $294.1 $550 $16,745 $22,201
2006 $255.4 $508 $12,641 $19,344
2005 $214.5 $484 $10,415 $16,638
2004 $180.7 $456 $8,916 $14,538
2003 $161.5 $428 $7,205 $13,135
2002 $162.4 $410 $5,343 $11,667
2001 $142.7 $404 $4,503 $10,309
2000 $378 $417 $4,071 $9,425
1999 $96.3 $452 $4,141 $8,412
1998 $131.5 $481 $4,093 $8,451
1997 $132.3 $497 $3,683 $7,980
1996 $127.4 $526 $3,381 $6,892
1995 $127 $532 $3,134 $6,480
1994 $136.5 $540 $2,819 $5,967
1993 $263.3 $576 $2,686 $5,814
1992 $209.7 $674 - $5,872
1991 $253.8 $762 - $7,151
1990 $254.9 $832 - $7,481
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/estonia | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $31,428 in Estonia, ranking 40/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Estonia
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$43.1B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
-0.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$31,428
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$49,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
45/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
23.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$7,356
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
65/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$23,740
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
23.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
43.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
3.52%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
7.5%
2024
Population
117507801
1339590

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Estonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Estonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 43.6% 23.4%
2023 16.5% 27% 43.5% 20.1%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 40.1% 19.2%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 42.1% 18.4%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 44.7% 19.1%
2019 14% 19.4% 39.1% 9.05%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 38.8% 8.51%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 38.9% 9.43%
2016 14.3% 33% 38.9% 10.2%
2015 16% 25.5% 39.3% 10.8%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 37.6% 11.6%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 38.3% 11.4%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 39.4% 11.1%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 37.6% 7.6%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 40.7% 7.99%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 46.1% 7.98%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 39.5% 4.67%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 33.8% 3.91%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 33.5% 4.72%
2005 7.59% 112% 33.7% 4.73%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 34.1% 5.16%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 35% 5.6%
2002 4.17% 136% 35.9% 5.66%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 35.3% 4.93%
2000 2.49% 135% 36.4% 5.11%
1999 2.15% - 40.7% 5.93%
1998 2.78% - 38.9% 5.4%
1997 2.51% - 35.8% 6.03%
1996 2.17% - 38.6% 7.3%
1995 - - 39.5% 8.66%

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

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Estonia spent $18.8B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 23.4% in Estonia, ranking 172/185 and 171/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Estonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Estonia
2024 -1.48% -1.51%
2023 -1.65% -3.13%
2022 -1.01% -1.08%
2021 -1.68% -2.57%
2020 -3.17% -5.42%
2019 -3.17% -0.11%
2018 -1.34% -1.15%
2017 -0.05% -1.07%
2016 -0.93% -0.62%
2015 -1.35% -0.24%
2014 3.73% 0.42%
2013 3.28% -0.66%
2012 1.71% -0.86%
2011 -0.94% 0.09%
2010 -0.95% -1.09%
2009 0.92% -3.43%
2008 -0.41% -2.92%
2007 1.12% 2.5%
2006 1.97% 2.71%
2005 1.3% 1.07%
2004 -0.17% 2.29%
2003 -3.92% 1.67%
2002 0.89% 0.29%
2001 -1.13% 0.4%
2000 -1.85% -0.11%
1999 -1.35% -3.42%
1998 -1.55% 0.65%
1997 -1.06% 2.98%
1996 -0.56% -0.93%
1995 - -0.26%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/estonia | 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 Estonia's deficit of $651M, or 1.51% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Estonia ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.53% of GDP for Estonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Estonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Estonia
2024 - 3.52%
2023 - 9.16%
2022 - 19.4%
2021 - 4.65%
2020 - -0.44%
2019 - 2.28%
2018 - 3.44%
2017 - 3.42%
2016 2.89% 0.15%
2015 0.74% -0.49%
2014 1.24% -0.11%
2013 0.81% 2.78%
2012 9.72% 3.93%
2011 15.3% 4.98%
2010 7.1% 2.97%
2009 2.8% -0.08%
2008 17.3% 10.4%
2007 16.9% 6.6%
2006 13.1% 4.44%
2005 21.3% 4.08%
2004 3.99% 3.05%
2003 12.9% 1.33%
2002 31.5% 3.57%
2001 360% 5.75%
2000 514% 4.02%
1999 284.9% 3.3%
1998 29.1% 8.21%
1997 198.5% 10.6%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 3.97% in Estonia. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 3.52% in Estonia.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Estonia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3M
Machinery & equipment $677K
Metals $86K
Animal & marine products $14K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Estonia
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$543M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
107/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-1.26%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$22.1B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$19B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$10.4B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$13.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
75.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
75.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Estonia
Economic freedom 47 78.7
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 10/197
Property rights 15.4 93.6
Government integrity 12.8 86.3
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 92.4
Tax burden 73.8 77.9
Government spending 91.2 46
Fiscal health 95.9 93.1
Business freedom 32.3 82.8
Labor freedom 54.2 59
Monetary freedom 58.6 73.9
Trade freedom 68.2 79.4
Investment freedom 30 90
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Estonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Estonia
2026 47 78.7
2025 47.3 78.9
2024 47.6 77.8
2023 47.9 78.6
2022 47.6 80
2021 49 78.2
2020 49.5 77.7
2019 50.3 76.6
2018 52.1 78.8
2017 56.4 79.1
2016 46.4 77.2
2015 45 76.8
2014 40.6 75.9
2013 39.6 75.3
2012 41.1 73.2
2011 40.7 75.2
2010 41.4 74.7
2009 42.8 76.4
2008 - 77.9
2007 - 78
2006 - 74.9
2005 - 75.2
2004 - 77.4
2003 - 77.7
2002 - 77.6
2001 - 76.1
2000 34.8 69.9
1999 34 73.8
1998 40.6 72.5
1997 39.5 69.1
1996 39.5 65.4
1995 41.4 65.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 78.7 for Estonia, ranking 10/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Estonia
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
65.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
1.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$39.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$48,880
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$2.07B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
125/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$285M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
-$3.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
-$3.72B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
24.6%
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/estonia | 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. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.