Skip to content

Economy of DR Congo vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $38.6B for Iceland, ranking 81/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $21.6B (56.1% of GDP) in Iceland.

DR Congo vs Iceland GDP by year

DR Congo
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Iceland
2025 $91,030,531,317 $38,582,528,789
2024 $75,716,176,105 $33,186,621,855
2023 $69,843,655,425 $31,701,996,434
2022 $70,422,346,142 $29,176,227,825
2021 $59,067,289,574 $26,234,872,402
2020 $46,691,989,749 $22,034,665,041
2019 $46,845,900,350 $24,985,687,022
2018 $46,659,954,092 $26,677,652,544
2017 $37,537,521,566 $25,060,086,488
2016 $38,600,224,214 $21,083,713,310
2015 $40,179,574,490 $17,700,486,957
2014 $38,352,980,553 $18,052,183,515
2013 $34,891,189,160 $16,244,319,959
2012 $30,029,369,929 $14,943,757,823
2011 $26,392,379,642 $15,394,005,872
2010 $24,161,641,931 $13,922,711,577
2009 $18,607,259,481 $13,212,543,838
2008 $22,723,488,723 $18,247,921,360
2007 $18,374,807,773 $21,960,110,030
2006 $15,484,044,535 $17,671,649,843
2005 $12,609,728,573 $17,146,410,561
2004 $10,297,483,481 $13,963,943,244
2003 $8,937,567,060 $11,564,687,742
2002 $8,728,038,525 $9,416,199,700
2001 $7,438,189,100 $8,323,401,820
2000 $19,088,046,306 $9,140,168,922
1999 $4,711,259,427 $9,107,644,691
1998 $6,217,805,821 $8,637,732,542
1997 $6,090,838,693 $7,716,781,803
1996 $5,771,456,952 $7,686,566,105
1995 $5,643,439,376 $7,372,640,169
1994 $5,820,382,248 $6,612,804,056
1993 $10,706,259,937 $6,435,952,174
1992 $8,227,343,907 $7,328,497,599
1991 $9,625,436,873 $7,151,260,062
1990 $9,349,764,580 $6,694,851,159
1989 $9,021,862,775 $5,870,854,233
1988 $8,861,299,977 $6,320,093,411
1987 $7,661,625,473 $5,713,281,235
1986 $8,095,367,168 $4,129,080,094
1985 $7,195,042,616 $3,088,359,967
1984 $7,857,729,193 $2,964,568,006
1983 $11,006,712,650 $2,862,634,164
1982 $13,651,667,371 $3,318,714,326
1981 $12,537,821,038 $3,615,094,820
1980 $14,394,927,495 $3,499,616,683
1979 $15,068,422,236 $2,953,176,971
1978 $15,372,608,002 $2,599,627,089
1977 $12,344,424,764 $2,285,707,749
1976 $9,648,583,225 $1,727,845,419
1975 $10,237,343,174 $1,456,052,700
1974 $9,596,960,180 $1,568,154,077
1973 $7,870,239,461 $1,194,794,186
1972 $6,173,712,814 $869,002,946
1971 $5,594,770,359 $693,679,545
1970 $4,877,684,910 $545,115,909
1969 $5,032,434,970 $435,659,610
1968 $3,909,780,539 $498,365,200
1967 $3,384,063,372 $652,609,076
1966 $4,532,660,182 $660,663,763
1965 $4,043,901,818 $550,150,988
1964 $2,881,545,273 $456,206,299
1963 $6,213,185,743 $357,240,896
1962 $3,779,841,429 $299,309,938
1961 $3,086,746,857 $266,711,460
1960 $3,359,404,118 $260,984,499

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Iceland by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $98,323 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $85,863 $84,257
2023 $660 $1,731 $82,201 $81,608
2022 $688 $1,590 $76,377 $75,333
2021 $596 $1,402 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $486 $1,089 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $504 $1,056 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $518 $1,049 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $431 $991 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $460 $950 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $496 $910 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $489 $859 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $460 $761 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $410 $648 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $373 $644 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $352 $606 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $280.2 $573 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $353 $584 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $294.1 $550 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $255.4 $508 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $214.5 $484 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $180.7 $456 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $161.5 $428 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $162.4 $410 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $142.7 $404 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $378 $417 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $96.3 $452 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $131.5 $481 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $132.3 $497 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $127.4 $526 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $127 $532 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $136.5 $540 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $263.3 $576 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $209.7 $674 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $253.8 $762 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $254.9 $832 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $254.2 - $23,219 -
1988 $257.7 - $25,307 -
1987 $230.1 - $23,238 -
1986 $250.9 - $16,980 -
1985 $230.1 - $12,793 -
1984 $259.8 - $12,378 -
1983 $376 - $12,080 -
1982 $482 - $14,191 -
1981 $456 - $15,666 -
1980 $539 - $15,340 -
1979 $582 - $13,082 -
1978 $615 - $11,630 -
1977 $509 - $10,305 -
1976 $408 - $7,848 -
1975 $445 - $6,680 -
1974 $428 - $7,287 -
1973 $361 - $5,627 -
1972 $290.5 - $4,155 -
1971 $270.3 - $3,366 -
1970 $242.2 - $2,666 -
1969 $257.1 - $2,142 -
1968 $205.6 - $2,473 -
1967 $183.3 - $3,284 -
1966 $252.8 - $3,378 -
1965 $232 - $2,861 -
1964 $169.9 - $2,414 -
1963 $376 - $1,924 -
1962 $235.1 - $1,641 -
1961 $197.1 - $1,490 -
1960 $220.1 - $1,486 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $98,323 in Iceland, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Iceland
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$38.6B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
105/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
1.28%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$98,323
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
8/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$21.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
56.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$55,165
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
9/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$54,153
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
45%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
4.09%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
7.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
4.5%
2025
Population
118386491
398674

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 45% 56.1%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 47.1% 60.4%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 45.2% 61.5%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 46.2% 66.4%
2021 13.5% 14% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 50.4% 76.1%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 43% 65.7%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 43.4% 62.3%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 43% 96.3%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 45.3% 114.1%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 47.2% 132.2%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 50% 136.6%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 53.4% 128.2%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 44.2% 67.4%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 7.5% 112% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 47.3% 84.1%
2002 4.17% 136% 45% 81.3%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 47% 82.5%
2000 2.49% 135% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 2.15% - 44.8% 75.5%
1998 2.78% - 40.3% 43.3%
1997 2.51% - 41.4% 51.1%
1996 2.17% - 42.5% 53.7%
1995 - - 43% 56.1%
1994 - - 43.6% 53%
1993 - - 43.7% 50.6%
1992 - - 43.3% 43.9%
1991 - - 41.6% 36.4%
1990 - - 41.4% 34.4%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $17.4B, or 45% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 56.1% in Iceland, ranking 173/185 and 86/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Iceland
2025 -2.75% -2.77%
2024 -1.66% -3.71%
2023 -1.59% -2.32%
2022 -0.87% -3.82%
2021 -1.58% -7.96%
2020 -3.49% -8.81%
2019 -3.41% -1.45%
2018 -1.35% 1.04%
2017 -0.01% 1.28%
2016 -0.91% 12.7%
2015 -1.2% -0.14%
2014 3.87% 0.59%
2013 3.5% -0.88%
2012 1.93% -2.59%
2011 -0.71% -6.42%
2010 -0.8% -6.56%
2009 1.04% -8.5%
2008 -0.28% -12%
2007 1.21% 5.57%
2006 2.09% 6.42%
2005 1.38% 4.96%
2004 -0.17% 0.33%
2003 -3.92% -2.25%
2002 0.89% -2.21%
2001 -1.13% -0.27%
2000 -1.85% 1.43%
1999 -1.35% 1.3%
1998 -1.55% -0.55%
1997 -1.06% 0.05%
1996 -0.56% -1.46%
1995 - -2.77%
1994 - -4.44%
1993 - -4.21%
1992 - -1.8%
1991 - -0.63%
1990 - -3.06%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.51B, equivalent to 2.75% of GDP. This compares to Iceland's deficit of $1.07B, or 2.77% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.3% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Iceland
2025 - 4.09%
2024 - 5.86%
2023 - 8.74%
2022 - 8.31%
2021 - 4.44%
2020 - 2.85%
2019 - 3.01%
2018 - 2.68%
2017 - 1.76%
2016 2.89% 1.7%
2015 0.74% 1.63%
2014 1.24% 2.04%
2013 0.81% 3.87%
2012 9.72% 5.19%
2011 15.3% 4%
2010 7.1% 5.4%
2009 2.8% 12%
2008 17.3% 12.7%
2007 16.9% 5.05%
2006 13.1% 6.69%
2005 21.3% 3.99%
2004 3.99% 3.16%
2003 12.9% 2.06%
2002 31.5% 5.2%
2001 360% 6.41%
2000 514% 5.14%
1999 284.9% 3.23%
1998 29.1% 1.66%
1997 198.5% 1.82%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 4.65% in Iceland. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 4.09% in Iceland.

Balance of trade

DR Congo Iceland
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$1.34B
2025
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
127/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-3.48%
2025
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$10.4B
2025
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$7.4B
2025
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$5.98B
2025
Service exports
$548M
2025
$8.16B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
42.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
40.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Iceland
Economic freedom 47 75
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 19/197
Property rights 15.4 94.9
Government integrity 12.8 85
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 95.2
Tax burden 73.8 72.2
Government spending 91.2 37
Fiscal health 95.9 76.2
Business freedom 32.3 86.8
Labor freedom 54.2 59.3
Monetary freedom 58.6 73.5
Trade freedom 68.2 79.8
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Iceland
2026 47 75
2025 47.3 72.8
2024 47.6 70.5
2023 47.9 72.2
2022 47.6 77
2021 49 77.4
2020 49.5 77.1
2019 50.3 77.1
2018 52.1 77
2017 56.4 74.4
2016 46.4 73.3
2015 45 72
2014 40.6 72.4
2013 39.6 72.1
2012 41.1 70.9
2011 40.7 68.2
2010 41.4 73.7
2009 42.8 75.9
2008 - 75.8
2007 - 76
2006 - 75.8
2005 - 76.6
2004 - 72.1
2003 - 73.5
2002 - 73.1
2001 - 73.4
2000 34.8 74
1999 34 71.4
1998 40.6 71.2
1997 39.5 70.5
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/iceland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Iceland
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
66.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
3.65%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$35B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$83,250
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$7.73B
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
88/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$650M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$2.83B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$300M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
26.6%
2025

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/iceland | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, 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.