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Economy of DR Congo vs Eswatini compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $4.86B for Eswatini, ranking 87/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $1.93B (39.8% of GDP) in Eswatini.

DR Congo vs Eswatini GDP by year

DR Congo
Eswatini
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Eswatini
2024 $70,962,185,791 $4,858,885,841
2023 $69,843,655,425 $4,621,191,262
2022 $70,422,346,142 $4,746,660,274
2021 $59,067,289,574 $4,807,069,277
2020 $46,691,989,749 $4,134,677,810
2019 $46,845,900,350 $4,617,018,959
2018 $46,659,954,092 $4,643,751,059
2017 $37,537,521,566 $4,462,640,651
2016 $38,600,224,214 $3,722,306,117
2015 $40,179,574,490 $3,908,217,914
2014 $38,352,980,553 $4,285,065,665
2013 $34,891,189,160 $4,463,396,204
2012 $30,029,369,929 $4,747,813,067
2011 $26,392,379,642 $4,722,912,047
2010 $24,161,641,931 $4,360,714,359
2009 $18,607,259,481 $3,525,213,502
2008 $22,723,488,723 $3,235,921,171
2007 $18,374,807,773 $3,391,122,887
2006 $15,484,044,535 $3,215,307,901
2005 $12,609,728,573 $3,097,946,371
2004 $10,297,483,481 $2,710,331,785
2003 $8,937,567,060 $2,149,632,433
2002 $8,728,038,525 $1,393,945,031
2001 $7,438,189,100 $1,502,870,486
2000 $19,088,046,306 $1,697,161,558
1999 $4,711,259,427 $1,547,888,496
1998 $6,217,805,821 $1,576,908,856
1997 $6,090,838,693 $1,716,714,070
1996 $5,771,456,952 $1,602,741,834
1995 $5,643,439,376 $1,698,989,464
1994 $5,820,382,248 $1,419,294,254
1993 $10,706,259,937 $1,357,189,552
1992 $8,227,343,907 $1,284,759,928
1991 $9,625,436,873 $1,156,135,718
1990 $9,349,764,580 $1,114,694,041
1989 $9,021,862,775 $696,921,542
1988 $8,861,299,977 $692,026,455
1987 $7,661,625,473 $584,126,092
1986 $8,095,367,168 $449,140,318
1985 $7,195,042,616 $360,079,419
1984 $7,857,729,193 $494,483,409
1983 $11,006,712,650 $555,336,146
1982 $13,651,667,371 $537,568,059
1981 $12,537,821,038 $570,774,825
1980 $14,394,927,495 $541,976,853
1979 $15,068,422,236 $412,093,134
1978 $15,372,608,002 $340,630,085
1977 $12,344,424,764 $304,060,076
1976 $9,648,583,225 $272,550,068
1975 $10,237,343,174 $288,299,789
1974 $9,596,960,180 $264,320,941
1973 $7,870,239,461 $221,915,128
1972 $6,173,712,814 $146,736,479
1971 $5,594,770,359 $136,462,081
1970 $4,877,684,910 $112,139,955
1969 $5,032,434,970 $105,419,958
1968 $3,909,780,539 $79,799,968
1967 $3,384,063,372 $74,759,970
1966 $4,532,660,182 $76,859,969
1965 $4,043,901,818 $70,279,972
1964 $2,881,545,273 $64,980,554
1963 $6,213,185,743 $54,129,438
1962 $3,779,841,429 $45,927,962
1961 $3,086,746,857 $43,026,043
1960 $3,359,404,118 $35,076,846

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Eswatini by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Eswatini
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $3,910 $11,799
2023 $660 $1,731 $3,756 $11,300
2022 $688 $1,590 $3,894 $10,635
2021 $596 $1,402 $3,984 $9,990
2020 $486 $1,089 $3,467 $9,329
2019 $504 $1,056 $3,913 $9,248
2018 $518 $1,049 $3,973 $8,535
2017 $431 $991 $3,853 $8,584
2016 $460 $950 $3,238 $8,484
2015 $496 $910 $3,420 $8,391
2014 $489 $859 $3,771 $8,366
2013 $460 $761 $3,950 $8,231
2012 $410 $648 $4,225 $7,760
2011 $373 $644 $4,225 $7,571
2010 $352 $606 $3,923 $7,324
2009 $280.2 $573 $3,190 $7,011
2008 $353 $584 $2,947 $6,914
2007 $294.1 $550 $3,109 $6,732
2006 $255.4 $508 $2,965 $6,319
2005 $214.5 $484 $2,871 $5,773
2004 $180.7 $456 $2,526 $5,310
2003 $161.5 $428 $2,015 $5,020
2002 $162.4 $410 $1,316 $4,742
2001 $142.7 $404 $1,430 $4,521
2000 $378 $417 $1,630 $4,401
1999 $96.3 $452 $1,502 $4,272
1998 $131.5 $481 $1,547 $4,137
1997 $132.3 $497 $1,705 $4,038
1996 $127.4 $526 $1,619 $3,916
1995 $127 $532 $1,751 $3,777
1994 $136.5 $540 $1,461 $3,526
1993 $263.3 $576 $1,397 $3,371
1992 $209.7 $674 $1,362 $3,289
1991 $253.8 $762 $1,273 $3,236
1990 $254.9 $832 $1,278 $3,202
1989 $254.2 - $832 -
1988 $257.7 - $865 -
1987 $230.1 - $765 -
1986 $250.9 - $611 -
1985 $230.1 - $510 -
1984 $259.8 - $726 -
1983 $376 - $843 -
1982 $482 - $843 -
1981 $456 - $925 -
1980 $539 - $908 -
1979 $582 - $714 -
1978 $615 - $610 -
1977 $509 - $563 -
1976 $408 - $521 -
1975 $445 - $568 -
1974 $428 - $536 -
1973 $361 - $463 -
1972 $290.5 - $315 -
1971 $270.3 - $301 -
1970 $242.2 - $254.2 -
1969 $257.1 - $245.2 -
1968 $205.6 - $190.4 -
1967 $183.3 - $182.8 -
1966 $252.8 - $192.7 -
1965 $232 - $181 -
1964 $169.9 - $171.6 -
1963 $376 - $146.4 -
1962 $235.1 - $127.1 -
1961 $197.1 - $121.8 -
1960 $220.1 - $101.6 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $3,910 in Eswatini, ranking 131/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Eswatini
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$4.86B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
162/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
2.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$3,910
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$11,799
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
126/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$1.93B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
39.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$1,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
130/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$3,913
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$234M
2007
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
42.7%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
1.4%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
33.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.6%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
34.6%
2023
Population
117507801
1273390

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Eswatini
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Eswatini
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 33.3% 39.8%
2023 16.5% 27% 32% 40%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 29.6% 40.5%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 30.1% 38.4%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 32.7% 38.2%
2019 14% 19.4% 32.9% 30.7%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 32.2% 27%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 33.9% 21.9%
2016 14.3% 33% 34.7% 20.5%
2015 16% 25.5% 35.3% 16.4%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 33.3% 14.3%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 29.4% 15.5%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 27.8% 15.2%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 26% 15.1%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 31.6% 14.5%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 34.5% 10.8%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 34.4% 15%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 31.2% 16.6%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 28.2% 15%
2005 7.59% 112% 29.7% 13.9%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 32% 15.5%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 26.4% 18%
2002 4.17% 136% 27.2% 17.6%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 26.4% 22.4%
2000 2.49% 135% 25.3% 18.7%
1999 2.15% - 26.5% 17.2%
1998 2.78% - 22.5% 15.9%
1997 2.51% - 21.2% 13%
1996 2.17% - 23.3% 12%
1995 - - 20.5% 12.9%
1994 - - 24.7% 13.8%
1993 - - 24% 15.6%
1992 - - 26% 16.6%
1991 - - 20.3% 20.1%
1990 - - 18.7% 20.4%
1989 - - 15.8% 26.8%
1988 - - 15.6% 27.5%
1987 - - 17% 36.1%
1986 - - 19.8% 44%
1985 - - 22.3% 45.5%
1984 - - 22.2% 29.7%
1983 - - 23.2% 28.7%
1982 - - 24% 29.2%
1981 - - 23.8% 24.3%
1980 - - 19.6% 27.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Eswatini spent $1.62B, or 33.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 39.8% in Eswatini, ranking 172/185 and 134/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Eswatini
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Eswatini
2024 -1.48% -1.36%
2023 -1.65% -0.67%
2022 -1.01% -5.4%
2021 -1.68% -4.68%
2020 -3.17% -4.27%
2019 -3.17% -6.26%
2018 -1.34% -6.72%
2017 -0.05% -5.68%
2016 -0.93% -8.54%
2015 -1.35% -6.03%
2014 3.73% -1.18%
2013 3.28% 0.59%
2012 1.71% 3.48%
2011 -0.94% -4.02%
2010 -0.95% -9.52%
2009 0.92% -3.06%
2008 -0.41% 1.63%
2007 1.12% 2.44%
2006 1.97% 8.88%
2005 1.3% -1.7%
2004 -0.17% -4.1%
2003 -3.92% -2.15%
2002 0.89% -3.78%
2001 -1.13% -2.31%
2000 -1.85% -1.22%
1999 -1.35% -1.27%
1998 -1.55% 1.07%
1997 -1.06% 2.11%
1996 -0.56% -1%
1995 - 0.9%
1994 - -3.61%
1993 - -3.29%
1992 - -2.9%
1991 - 3.4%
1990 - 5.61%
1989 - 5.82%
1988 - 3.23%
1987 - 2.03%
1986 - -2.41%
1985 - -1.33%
1984 - 1.25%
1983 - -0.6%
1982 - 0.11%
1981 - -4.29%
1980 - 6.55%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/eswatini | 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 Eswatini's deficit of $66.2M, or 1.36% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Eswatini ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Eswatini.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Eswatini
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Eswatini
2019 - 2.6%
2018 - 4.82%
2017 - 6.22%
2016 2.89% 7.85%
2015 0.74% 4.95%
2014 1.24% 5.68%
2013 0.81% 5.62%
2012 9.72% 8.94%
2011 15.3% 6.11%
2010 7.1% 4.51%
2009 2.8% 7.45%
2008 17.3% 12.7%
2007 16.9% 8.08%
2006 13.1% 5.3%
2005 21.3% 4.77%
2004 3.99% 3.45%
2003 12.9% 7.29%
2002 31.5% 12%
2001 360% 5.94%
2000 514% 12.2%
1999 284.9% 6.09%
1998 29.1% 8.11%
1997 198.5% 7.13%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 7.21% in Eswatini. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 2.6% in Eswatini.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $5.34M
Metals $5.19M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $869K
Raw agricultural goods $711K
Machinery & equipment $78K
Eswatini
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $13M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $176K
Raw materials & minerals $41K
Raw agricultural goods $1K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Eswatini
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$78.3M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
+1.61%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$2.07B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$2.33B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$542M
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$234M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
53.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
53.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Eswatini
Economic freedom 47 57.5
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 116/197
Property rights 15.4 42.5
Government integrity 12.8 29.7
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 35.5
Tax burden 73.8 78.6
Government spending 91.2 71
Fiscal health 95.9 87.5
Business freedom 32.3 49.9
Labor freedom 54.2 55.2
Monetary freedom 58.6 76.8
Trade freedom 68.2 73.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Eswatini
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Eswatini
2026 47 57.5
2025 47.3 56.4
2024 47.6 55.6
2023 47.9 54.9
2022 47.6 51.4
2021 49 55.1
2020 49.5 55.3
2019 50.3 54.7
2018 52.1 55.9
2017 56.4 61.1
2016 46.4 59.7
2015 45 59.9
2014 40.6 61.2
2013 39.6 57.2
2012 41.1 57.2
2011 40.7 59.1
2010 41.4 57.4
2009 42.8 59.1
2008 - 58.4
2007 - 60.1
2006 - 61.4
2005 - 59.4
2004 - 58.6
2003 - 59.6
2002 - 60.9
2001 - 63.6
2000 34.8 62.6
1999 34 62.1
1998 40.6 62
1997 39.5 59.4
1996 39.5 58.6
1995 41.4 63.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 57.5 for Eswatini, ranking 116/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Eswatini
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
51.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
34.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
6.48%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$4.46B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$10,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$479M
2023
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
159/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$11.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$75.5M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$63.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
4.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
58.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
15%
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/eswatini | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.