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Economy of DR Congo vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $254B for Iraq, ranking 81/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $137B (53.9% of GDP) in Iraq.

DR Congo vs Iraq GDP by year

DR Congo
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Iraq
2025 $91,030,531,317 $254,367,293,538
2024 $75,716,176,105 $279,641,257,615
2023 $69,843,655,425 $268,881,051,644
2022 $70,422,346,142 $287,372,232,138
2021 $59,067,289,574 $209,691,945,713
2020 $46,691,989,749 $180,898,797,517
2019 $46,845,900,350 $233,636,097,800
2018 $46,659,954,092 $227,367,469,034
2017 $37,537,521,566 $187,217,660,051
2016 $38,600,224,214 $166,743,557,748
2015 $40,179,574,490 $166,774,104,959
2014 $38,352,980,553 $228,415,656,175
2013 $34,891,189,160 $234,637,675,129
2012 $30,029,369,929 $218,002,476,129
2011 $26,392,379,642 $185,749,664,444
2010 $24,161,641,931 $138,516,722,650
2009 $18,607,259,481 $111,657,580,326
2008 $22,723,488,723 $131,614,434,154
2007 $18,374,807,773 $88,837,057,320
2006 $15,484,044,535 $65,147,051,918
2005 $12,609,728,573 $50,065,104,668
2004 $10,297,483,481 $36,633,669,269
2003 $8,937,567,060 $21,921,569,479
2002 $8,728,038,525 $32,928,454,672
2001 $7,438,189,100 $36,176,430,129
2000 $19,088,046,306 $48,364,250,944
1999 $4,711,259,427 $36,881,601,584
1998 $6,217,805,821 $20,617,405,044
1997 $6,090,838,693 $20,764,857,056
1996 $5,771,456,952 $10,433,698,621
1995 $5,643,439,376 $12,894,029,888
1994 $5,820,382,248 $3,991,349,283
1993 $10,706,259,937 $1,031,944,881
1992 $8,227,343,907 $553,671,958
1991 $9,625,436,873 $407,796,350
1990 $9,349,764,580 $180,408,064,516
1989 $9,021,862,775 $65,831,935,484
1988 $8,861,299,977 $62,684,516,129
1987 $7,661,625,473 $56,774,193,548
1986 $8,095,367,168 $47,264,516,129
1985 $7,195,042,616 $48,425,161,290
1984 $7,857,729,193 $46,938,387,097
1983 $11,006,712,650 $40,712,903,226
1982 $13,651,667,371 $42,382,333,333
1981 $12,537,821,038 $37,823,000,000
1980 $14,394,927,495 $52,569,000,000
1979 $15,068,422,236 $37,816,457,839
1978 $15,372,608,002 $23,762,275,652
1977 $12,344,424,764 $19,838,130,715
1976 $9,648,583,225 $17,754,825,601
1975 $10,237,343,174 $13,458,516,763
1974 $9,596,960,180 $11,516,762,614
1973 $7,870,239,461 $5,134,367,778
1972 $6,173,712,814 $4,113,848,002
1971 $5,594,770,359 $3,865,346,535
1970 $4,877,684,910 $3,281,318,687
1969 $5,032,434,970 $3,007,758,797
1968 $3,909,780,539 $2,896,598,841
1967 $3,384,063,372 $2,551,522,656
1966 $4,532,660,182 $2,530,306,096
1965 $4,043,901,818 $2,335,785,506
1964 $2,881,545,273 $2,136,408,198
1963 $6,213,185,743 $1,805,901,510
1962 $3,779,841,429 $1,784,174,541
1961 $3,086,746,857 $1,671,960,965
1960 $3,359,404,118 $1,537,252,193

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Iraq by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $5,410 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $660 $1,731 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $688 $1,590 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $596 $1,402 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $486 $1,089 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $504 $1,056 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $518 $1,049 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $431 $991 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $460 $950 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $496 $910 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $489 $859 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $460 $761 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $410 $648 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $373 $644 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $352 $606 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $280.2 $573 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $353 $584 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $294.1 $550 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $255.4 $508 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $214.5 $484 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $180.7 $456 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $161.5 $428 $818 $6,068
2002 $162.4 $410 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $142.7 $404 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $378 $417 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $96.3 $452 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $131.5 $481 $901 $7,964
1997 $132.3 $497 $936 $6,020
1996 $127.4 $526 $485 $5,034
1995 $127 $532 $619 $4,598
1994 $136.5 $540 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $263.3 $576 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $209.7 $674 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $253.8 $762 $23 $2,694
1990 $254.9 $832 $10,261 -
1989 $254.2 - $3,791 -
1988 $257.7 - $3,707 -
1987 $230.1 - $3,436 -
1986 $250.9 - $2,940 -
1985 $230.1 - $3,088 -
1984 $259.8 - $3,066 -
1983 $376 - $2,743 -
1982 $482 - $2,942 -
1981 $456 - $2,700 -
1980 $539 - $3,868 -
1979 $582 - $2,871 -
1978 $615 - $1,863 -
1977 $509 - $1,609 -
1976 $408 - $1,489 -
1975 $445 - $1,166 -
1974 $428 - $1,031 -
1973 $361 - $476 -
1972 $290.5 - $394 -
1971 $270.3 - $384 -
1970 $242.2 - $337 -
1969 $257.1 - $320 -
1968 $205.6 - $319 -
1967 $183.3 - $290.6 -
1966 $252.8 - $298.2 -
1965 $232 - $284.8 -
1964 $169.9 - $269.4 -
1963 $376 - $235.5 -
1962 $235.1 - $240.7 -
1961 $197.1 - $232.4 -
1960 $220.1 - $218.9 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $5,410 in Iraq, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Iraq
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$254B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
54/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
-2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$5,410
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
119/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$137B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
53.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$2,917
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
108/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$6,782
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
42.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
16.2%
2021
Population
118386491
48531417

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 42.7% 53.9%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 41.7% 45.2%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 33.9% 39%
2021 13.5% 14% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 48.2% 32%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 44% 117.1%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 7.5% 112% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 91.5% 344%
2003 8.87% 114.5% - -
2002 4.17% 136% - -
2001 4.16% 185.4% - -
2000 2.49% 135% - -
1999 2.15% - - -
1998 2.78% - - -
1997 2.51% - - -
1996 2.17% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $109B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 53.9% in Iraq, ranking 173/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Iraq
2025 -2.75% -6.41%
2024 -1.66% -3.45%
2023 -1.59% -1.14%
2022 -0.87% 8.1%
2021 -1.58% -0.38%
2020 -3.49% -12.8%
2019 -3.41% 0.83%
2018 -1.35% 7.69%
2017 -0.01% -1.52%
2016 -0.91% -14.4%
2015 -1.2% -12.8%
2014 3.87% -5.63%
2013 3.5% -6.06%
2012 1.93% 4.09%
2011 -0.71% 4.74%
2010 -0.8% -4.18%
2009 1.04% -14.9%
2008 -0.28% -0.86%
2007 1.21% 9.98%
2006 2.09% 10.7%
2005 1.38% 4.07%
2004 -0.17% -35.4%
2003 -3.92% -
2002 0.89% -
2001 -1.13% -
2000 -1.85% -
1999 -1.35% -
1998 -1.55% -
1997 -1.06% -
1996 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/iraq | 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 Iraq's deficit of $16.3B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Iraq
2025 - 0.3%
2024 - 2.61%
2023 - 4.36%
2022 - 4.99%
2021 - 6.04%
2020 - 0.57%
2019 - -0.2%
2018 - 0.37%
2017 - 0.18%
2016 2.89% 0.56%
2015 0.74% 1.39%
2014 1.24% 2.24%
2013 0.81% 1.88%
2012 9.72% 6.09%
2011 15.3% 5.6%
2010 7.1% 2.43%
2009 2.8% 6.87%
2008 17.3% 12.7%
2007 16.9% -10.1%
2006 13.1% 53.2%
2005 21.3% 37%
2004 3.99% 27%
2003 12.9% 33.6%
2002 31.5% 19.3%
2001 360% 16.4%
2000 514% 4.98%
1999 284.9% 12.6%
1998 29.1% 14.8%
1997 198.5% 23.1%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 13.6% in Iraq. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 0.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $27K
Textiles & consumer goods $13K
Animal & marine products $4K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

DR Congo Iraq
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
27/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$101B
2024
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$548M
2025
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
37.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
39.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Iraq
Economic freedom 47 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 196/197
Property rights 15.4 8.3
Government integrity 12.8 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 5.8
Tax burden 73.8 85.5
Government spending 91.2 65.3
Fiscal health 95.9 95.7
Business freedom 32.3 42.8
Labor freedom 54.2 60.6
Monetary freedom 58.6 68.6
Trade freedom 68.2 40
Investment freedom 30 10
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Iraq
2026 47 -
2025 47.3 -
2024 47.6 -
2023 47.9 -
2022 47.6 -
2021 49 -
2020 49.5 -
2019 50.3 -
2018 52.1 -
2017 56.4 -
2016 46.4 -
2015 45 -
2014 40.6 -
2013 39.6 -
2012 41.1 -
2011 40.7 -
2010 41.4 -
2009 42.8 -
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - 15.6
2001 - 17.2
2000 34.8 17.2
1999 34 17.2
1998 40.6 17.2
1997 39.5 17.2
1996 39.5 17.2
1995 41.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Iraq
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
45.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
3.41%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$267B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$14,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
19.1%
2024

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/iraq | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.