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Economy of DR Congo vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 87/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

DR Congo vs Iceland GDP by year

DR Congo
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Iceland
2024 $70,962,185,791 $33,255,181,469
2023 $69,843,655,425 $31,677,891,897
2022 $70,422,346,142 $29,166,102,877
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $649 $1,821 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $660 $1,731 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $688 $1,590 $76,350 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. 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
$71B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
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
16.7%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
3.56%
2024
Population
117507801
397129

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
2024 16.7% 22.5% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 16.5% 27% 45% 61.5%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 14% 19.4% 43% 65.7%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 14.3% 33% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 16% 25.5% 43% 96.3%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 50% 136.6%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 7.59% 112% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 4.17% 136% 45% 81.3%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 2.49% 135% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 2.15% - 44.8% 75.5%
1998 2.78% - 40.2% 43.3%
1997 2.51% - 41.3% 51.1%
1996 2.17% - 43.9% 55.6%
1995 - - 44.4% 58.1%
1994 - - 45% 54.8%
1993 - - 45.1% 52.3%
1992 - - 44.7% 45.4%
1991 - - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 - - 42.6% 35.5%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 172/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Iceland
2024 -1.48% -3.51%
2023 -1.65% -2.28%
2022 -1.01% -3.93%
2021 -1.68% -8.33%
2020 -3.17% -8.73%
2019 -3.17% -1.57%
2018 -1.34% 0.94%
2017 -0.05% 0.97%
2016 -0.93% 12.4%
2015 -1.35% -0.39%
2014 3.73% 0.29%
2013 3.28% -1.24%
2012 1.71% -2.59%
2011 -0.94% -6.46%
2010 -0.95% -6.58%
2009 0.92% -8.54%
2008 -0.41% -12%
2007 1.12% 5.52%
2006 1.97% 6.37%
2005 1.3% 4.92%
2004 -0.17% 0.28%
2003 -3.92% -2.3%
2002 0.89% -2.25%
2001 -1.13% -0.28%
2000 -1.85% 1.43%
1999 -1.35% 1.3%
1998 -1.55% -0.56%
1997 -1.06% 0.04%
1996 -0.56% -1.52%
1995 - -2.87%
1994 - -4.59%
1993 - -4.36%
1992 - -1.86%
1991 - -0.66%
1990 - -3.16%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Iceland 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 1.33% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Iceland
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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 5.86% in Iceland.

Balance of trade

DR Congo Iceland
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
42.5%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
46.6%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
26.1%
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/iceland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, 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.