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Economy of DR Congo vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 87/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

DR Congo vs Gabon GDP by year

DR Congo
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Gabon
2024 $70,962,185,791 $20,895,684,426
2023 $69,843,655,425 $19,388,372,071
2022 $70,422,346,142 $20,440,655,695
2021 $59,067,289,574 $19,444,935,097
2020 $46,691,989,749 $15,342,236,164
2019 $46,845,900,350 $16,874,405,465
2018 $46,659,954,092 $16,867,326,402
2017 $37,537,521,566 $14,929,487,485
2016 $38,600,224,214 $14,023,890,265
2015 $40,179,574,490 $14,383,107,763
2014 $38,352,980,553 $18,203,966,896
2013 $34,891,189,160 $17,595,744,798
2012 $30,029,369,929 $17,170,464,016
2011 $26,392,379,642 $18,210,307,744
2010 $24,161,641,931 $14,372,593,020
2009 $18,607,259,481 $12,113,699,068
2008 $22,723,488,723 $15,571,348,344
2007 $18,374,807,773 $12,455,409,587
2006 $15,484,044,535 $10,327,598,306
2005 $12,609,728,573 $9,582,783,991
2004 $10,297,483,481 $7,770,219,008
2003 $8,937,567,060 $6,511,903,365
2002 $8,728,038,525 $5,335,451,100
2001 $7,438,189,100 $5,023,265,413
2000 $19,088,046,306 $5,080,483,629
1999 $4,711,259,427 $4,662,992,036
1998 $6,217,805,821 $4,483,417,310
1997 $6,090,838,693 $5,326,817,115
1996 $5,771,456,952 $5,694,040,003
1995 $5,643,439,376 $4,958,845,648
1994 $5,820,382,248 $4,190,819,344
1993 $10,706,259,937 $4,378,645,081
1992 $8,227,343,907 $5,592,390,827
1991 $9,625,436,873 $5,402,919,785
1990 $9,349,764,580 $5,952,293,765
1989 $9,021,862,775 $4,186,411,464
1988 $8,861,299,977 $3,834,503,376
1987 $7,661,625,473 $3,281,797,043
1986 $8,095,367,168 $3,403,638,189
1985 $7,195,042,616 $3,339,914,757
1984 $7,857,729,193 $3,561,451,561
1983 $11,006,712,650 $3,391,275,732
1982 $13,651,667,371 $3,618,007,841
1981 $12,537,821,038 $3,862,269,121
1980 $14,394,927,495 $4,279,637,942
1979 $15,068,422,236 $3,030,251,120
1978 $15,372,608,002 $2,389,479,272
1977 $12,344,424,764 $2,809,349,069
1976 $9,648,583,225 $3,009,409,974
1975 $10,237,343,174 $2,157,592,940
1974 $9,596,960,180 $1,544,216,002
1973 $7,870,239,461 $722,780,701
1972 $6,173,712,814 $430,508,359
1971 $5,594,770,359 $381,687,073
1970 $4,877,684,910 $323,802,476
1969 $5,032,434,970 $318,124,701
1968 $3,909,780,539 $294,468,564
1967 $3,384,063,372 $271,543,680
1966 $4,532,660,182 $245,849,781
1965 $4,043,901,818 $226,474,286
1964 $2,881,545,273 $215,679,855
1963 $6,213,185,743 $154,480,244
1962 $3,779,841,429 $182,796,536
1961 $3,086,746,857 $167,637,907
1960 $3,359,404,118 $141,468,978

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Gabon by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $660 $1,731 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $688 $1,590 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $596 $1,402 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $486 $1,089 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $504 $1,056 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $518 $1,049 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $431 $991 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $460 $950 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $496 $910 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $489 $859 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $460 $761 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $410 $648 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $373 $644 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $352 $606 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $280.2 $573 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $353 $584 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $294.1 $550 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $255.4 $508 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $214.5 $484 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $180.7 $456 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $161.5 $428 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $162.4 $410 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $142.7 $404 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $378 $417 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $96.3 $452 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $131.5 $481 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $132.3 $497 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $127.4 $526 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $127 $532 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $136.5 $540 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $263.3 $576 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $209.7 $674 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $253.8 $762 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $254.9 $832 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $254.2 - $4,374 -
1988 $257.7 - $4,119 -
1987 $230.1 - $3,624 -
1986 $250.9 - $3,865 -
1985 $230.1 - $3,898 -
1984 $259.8 - $4,273 -
1983 $376 - $4,182 -
1982 $482 - $4,584 -
1981 $456 - $5,026 -
1980 $539 - $5,718 -
1979 $582 - $4,155 -
1978 $615 - $3,360 -
1977 $509 - $4,048 -
1976 $408 - $4,441 -
1975 $445 - $3,258 -
1974 $428 - $2,384 -
1973 $361 - $1,140 -
1972 $290.5 - $693 -
1971 $270.3 - $627 -
1970 $242.2 - $543 -
1969 $257.1 - $545 -
1968 $205.6 - $515 -
1967 $183.3 - $482 -
1966 $252.8 - $443 -
1965 $232 - $415 -
1964 $169.9 - $400 -
1963 $376 - $290.7 -
1962 $235.1 - $348 -
1961 $197.1 - $323 -
1960 $220.1 - $276.1 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Gabon
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$5,368
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
1.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
20.4%
2010
Population
117507801
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 16.5% 27% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 19.8% 83%
2019 14% 19.4% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 14.3% 33% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 16% 25.5% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 22.6% 26%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 7.59% 112% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 4.17% 136% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 27.8% 81%
2000 2.49% 135% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 2.15% - 25.5% 73.1%
1998 2.78% - 45.5% 87.6%
1997 2.51% - 29.7% 57%
1996 2.17% - 22.2% 64.5%
1995 - - 25.1% 73.4%
1994 - - 23.9% 71.3%
1993 - - 26.9% 90.1%
1992 - - 26.5% 87.9%
1991 - - 25.1% 89.3%
1990 - - 22.6% 90%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 172/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Gabon
2024 -1.48% -3.84%
2023 -1.65% 1.79%
2022 -1.01% -0.89%
2021 -1.68% -1.93%
2020 -3.17% -2.19%
2019 -3.17% 2.13%
2018 -1.34% -0.21%
2017 -0.05% -1.7%
2016 -0.93% -4.71%
2015 -1.35% -1.12%
2014 3.73% 5.98%
2013 3.28% -3.07%
2012 1.71% 6.2%
2011 -0.94% 1.41%
2010 -0.95% 2.7%
2009 0.92% 6.77%
2008 -0.41% 11%
2007 1.12% 8.06%
2006 1.97% 8.67%
2005 1.3% 7.98%
2004 -0.17% 6.99%
2003 -3.92% 7.75%
2002 0.89% 3.72%
2001 -1.13% 4.07%
2000 -1.85% 11.1%
1999 -1.35% 1.11%
1998 -1.55% -13.1%
1997 -1.06% 1.41%
1996 -0.56% 2.12%
1995 - 2.64%
1994 - -1.53%
1993 - -5.35%
1992 - -4.9%
1991 - -2.03%
1990 - -3.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/gabon | 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 Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 10 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.35% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Gabon
2024 - 1.17%
2023 - 3.63%
2022 - 4.23%
2021 - 1.09%
2020 - 1.35%
2019 - 2.46%
2018 - 4.75%
2017 - 2.65%
2016 2.89% 2.11%
2015 0.74% -0.34%
2014 1.24% 4.69%
2013 0.81% 0.51%
2012 9.72% 2.65%
2011 15.3% 1.26%
2010 7.1% 1.46%
2009 2.8% 1.89%
2008 17.3% 5.26%
2007 16.9% 5.03%
2006 13.1% -1.41%
2005 21.3% 3.71%
2004 3.99% 0.41%
2003 12.9% 2.24%
2002 31.5% 0.04%
2001 360% 2.14%
2000 514% 0.5%
1999 284.9% -1.94%
1998 29.1% 1.45%
1997 198.5% 3.97%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 1.78% in Gabon. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $360K
Metals $206K
Wood & paper products $77K
Precious metals & jewellery $70K
Textiles & consumer goods $58K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36K
Chemicals & pharma $32K
Animal & marine products $26K
Raw materials & minerals $11K
Miscellaneous $2K
Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $43.2M
Metals $5.26M
Raw materials & minerals $1.35M
Chemicals & pharma $151K
Textiles & consumer goods $115K
Raw agricultural goods $105K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $42K
Precious metals & jewellery $26K
Wood & paper products $4K
Animal & marine products $3K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Gabon
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$322M
2024
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Gabon
Economic freedom 47 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 120/197
Property rights 15.4 30
Government integrity 12.8 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 19.9
Tax burden 73.8 76.5
Government spending 91.2 85.5
Fiscal health 95.9 87.9
Business freedom 32.3 63.6
Labor freedom 54.2 55.4
Monetary freedom 58.6 80.9
Trade freedom 68.2 57.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Gabon
2026 47 56.6
2025 47.3 56.3
2024 47.6 56.9
2023 47.9 56.1
2022 47.6 55.8
2021 49 58.1
2020 49.5 56.7
2019 50.3 56.3
2018 52.1 58
2017 56.4 58.6
2016 46.4 59
2015 45 58.3
2014 40.6 57.8
2013 39.6 57.8
2012 41.1 56.4
2011 40.7 56.7
2010 41.4 55.4
2009 42.8 55
2008 - 54.2
2007 - 54.8
2006 - 56.1
2005 - 54.8
2004 - 57.1
2003 - 58.7
2002 - 58
2001 - 55
2000 34.8 58.2
1999 34 60.5
1998 40.6 59.2
1997 39.5 58.8
1996 39.5 55.7
1995 41.4 57.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Gabon
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
19.1%
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/gabon | 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 (1990–2024, 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 (2020–2023, 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.