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Economy of DR Congo vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $722B for Ireland, ranking 81/197 and 24/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $238B (32.9% of GDP) in Ireland.

DR Congo vs Ireland GDP by year

DR Congo
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Ireland
2025 $91,030,531,317 $721,701,359,046
2024 $75,716,176,105 $609,157,459,747
2023 $69,843,655,425 $567,372,737,459
2022 $70,422,346,142 $548,341,794,599
2021 $59,067,289,574 $530,394,123,830
2020 $46,691,989,749 $436,009,027,819
2019 $46,845,900,350 $407,211,793,801
2018 $46,659,954,092 $395,780,319,817
2017 $37,537,521,566 $348,355,212,569
2016 $38,600,224,214 $305,431,252,709
2015 $40,179,574,490 $302,101,388,556
2014 $38,352,980,553 $266,490,442,124
2013 $34,891,189,160 $242,924,245,719
2012 $30,029,369,929 $226,921,827,888
2011 $26,392,379,642 $240,975,871,047
2010 $24,161,641,931 $221,732,824,603
2009 $18,607,259,481 $236,443,115,854
2008 $22,723,488,723 $275,447,471,451
2007 $18,374,807,773 $270,079,279,420
2006 $15,484,044,535 $232,180,617,162
2005 $12,609,728,573 $211,876,989,656
2004 $10,297,483,481 $194,372,115,041
2003 $8,937,567,060 $164,670,771,260
2002 $8,728,038,525 $128,596,035,288
2001 $7,438,189,100 $109,346,669,230
2000 $19,088,046,306 $100,207,610,430
1999 $4,711,259,427 $98,893,958,263
1998 $6,217,805,821 $90,199,410,116
1997 $6,090,838,693 $82,856,648,758
1996 $5,771,456,952 $75,790,786,290
1995 $5,643,439,376 $69,139,823,232
1994 $5,820,382,248 $57,097,656,066
1993 $10,706,259,937 $52,417,477,614
1992 $8,227,343,907 $55,918,538,121
1991 $9,625,436,873 $49,787,501,584
1990 $9,349,764,580 $49,305,632,408
1989 $9,021,862,775 $39,238,392,678
1988 $8,861,299,977 $37,772,896,221
1987 $7,661,625,473 $33,920,518,493
1986 $8,095,367,168 $28,714,571,852
1985 $7,195,042,616 $21,270,013,326
1984 $7,857,729,193 $20,106,648,455
1983 $11,006,712,650 $20,766,047,764
1982 $13,651,667,371 $21,474,752,962
1981 $12,537,821,038 $20,670,190,138
1980 $14,394,927,495 $21,747,855,640
1979 $15,068,422,236 $18,319,334,300
1978 $15,372,608,002 $14,647,996,074
1977 $12,344,424,764 $11,248,340,431
1976 $9,648,583,225 $9,453,756,015
1975 $10,237,343,174 $9,483,808,362
1974 $9,596,960,180 $7,896,860,615
1973 $7,870,239,461 $7,481,173,066
1972 $6,173,712,814 $6,318,060,582
1971 $5,594,770,359 $5,098,250,287
1970 $4,877,684,910 $4,395,995,086
1969 $5,032,434,970 $3,902,721,632
1968 $3,909,780,539 $3,378,701,147
1967 $3,384,063,372 $3,445,739,915
1966 $4,532,660,182 $3,198,820,904
1965 $4,043,901,818 $3,035,655,794
1964 $2,881,545,273 $2,851,091,646
1963 $6,213,185,743 $2,505,073,358
1962 $3,779,841,429 $2,329,372,972
1961 $3,086,746,857 $2,151,772,980
1960 $3,359,404,118 $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Ireland by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $131,592 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $660 $1,731 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $688 $1,590 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $596 $1,402 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $486 $1,089 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $504 $1,056 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $518 $1,049 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $431 $991 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $460 $950 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $496 $910 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $489 $859 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $460 $761 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $410 $648 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $373 $644 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $352 $606 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $280.2 $573 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $353 $584 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $294.1 $550 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $255.4 $508 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $214.5 $484 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $180.7 $456 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $161.5 $428 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $162.4 $410 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $142.7 $404 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $378 $417 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $96.3 $452 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $131.5 $481 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $132.3 $497 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $127.4 $526 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $127 $532 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $136.5 $540 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $263.3 $576 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $209.7 $674 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $253.8 $762 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $254.9 $832 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $254.2 - $11,176 -
1988 $257.7 - $10,716 -
1987 $230.1 - $9,582 -
1986 $250.9 - $8,112 -
1985 $230.1 - $6,012 -
1984 $259.8 - $5,692 -
1983 $376 - $5,915 -
1982 $482 - $6,161 -
1981 $456 - $5,986 -
1980 $539 - $6,372 -
1979 $582 - $5,430 -
1978 $615 - $4,400 -
1977 $509 - $3,427 -
1976 $408 - $2,920 -
1975 $445 - $2,973 -
1974 $428 - $2,517 -
1973 $361 - $2,424 -
1972 $290.5 - $2,080 -
1971 $270.3 - $1,704 -
1970 $242.2 - $1,487 -
1969 $257.1 - $1,331 -
1968 $205.6 - $1,159 -
1967 $183.3 - $1,187 -
1966 $252.8 - $1,107 -
1965 $232 - $1,055 -
1964 $169.9 - $995 -
1963 $376 - $878 -
1962 $235.1 - $821 -
1961 $197.1 - $762 -
1960 $220.1 - $707 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $131,592 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Ireland
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$722B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
24/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
12.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$131,592
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
4/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$238B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
32.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$43,334
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
14/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$47,174
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
192,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
21.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
4.7%
2025
Population
118386491
5562212

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 21.6% 32.9%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 22.4% 38.3%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 22.2% 41.8%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 20.7% 42.9%
2021 13.5% 14% 23.5% 52.4%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 26.7% 56.9%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 23.9% 55.8%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 24.7% 61.3%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 25.3% 65.2%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 28.1% 74%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 7.5% 112% 33% 26.1%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 4.17% 136% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 2.49% 135% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 2.15% - 32.5% 46.6%
1998 2.78% - 34.2% 51.4%
1997 2.51% - 36.1% 61.6%
1996 2.17% - 38.5% 69.8%
1995 - - 40.3% 78.5%
1994 - - 43.9% 88%
1993 - - 44.6% 93.4%
1992 - - 44.8% 90.6%
1991 - - 44.4% 93.8%
1990 - - 42.8% 92.7%
1989 - - 42.5% 97.9%
1988 - - 48.2% 106.5%
1987 - - 51.4% 108.3%
1986 - - 52.9% 107.2%
1985 - - 53.2% 93%
1984 - - 52.7% 90.2%
1983 - - 55.6% 86.1%
1982 - - 56.7% 73.5%
1981 - - 54.1% 68.8%
1980 - - 53.7% 64.6%
1979 - - 48.7% 63.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 50.6%
1977 - - 44.6% 49.2%
1976 - - 47.8% 51.7%
1975 - - 48.2% 48.3%
1974 - - 44.3% 43.5%
1973 - - 40.3% 35.1%
1972 - - 41.5% 37.3%
1971 - - 45.3% 39.8%
1970 - - 44.1% 41.7%
1969 - - 42.5% 42.6%
1968 - - 40% 44.7%
1967 - - 39.3% 47.1%
1966 - - 36.9% 47.7%
1965 - - 35.8% 44.6%
1964 - - 34.8% 43.1%
1963 - - 33.6% 45.2%
1962 - - 31.7% 44.5%
1961 - - 31.4% 44.3%
1960 - - 29.1% 44.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $156B, or 21.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 32.9% in Ireland, ranking 173/185 and 149/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Ireland
2025 -2.75% 1.54%
2024 -1.66% 4.02%
2023 -1.59% 1.36%
2022 -0.87% 1.58%
2021 -1.58% -1.31%
2020 -3.49% -4.87%
2019 -3.41% 0.41%
2018 -1.35% 0.09%
2017 -0.01% -0.3%
2016 -0.91% -0.76%
2015 -1.2% -1.97%
2014 3.87% -3.52%
2013 3.5% -6.28%
2012 1.93% -8.42%
2011 -0.71% -13.5%
2010 -0.8% -32.1%
2009 1.04% -13.9%
2008 -0.28% -7.03%
2007 1.21% 0.27%
2006 2.09% 2.78%
2005 1.38% 1.57%
2004 -0.17% 1.3%
2003 -3.92% 0.35%
2002 0.89% -0.52%
2001 -1.13% 0.96%
2000 -1.85% 4.86%
1999 -1.35% 3.54%
1998 -1.55% 2.07%
1997 -1.06% 1.37%
1996 -0.56% -0.2%
1995 - -2.07%
1994 - -1.98%
1993 - -2.7%
1992 - -2.92%
1991 - -2.82%
1990 - -2.77%
1989 - -2.64%
1988 - -4.62%
1987 - -8.47%
1986 - -10.5%
1985 - -10.7%
1984 - -9.43%
1983 - -11.5%
1982 - -13.1%
1981 - -12.1%
1980 - -11.1%
1979 - -10%
1978 - -8.27%
1977 - -6.44%
1976 - -7.34%
1975 - -11.1%
1974 - -6.96%
1973 - -3.84%
1972 - -3.23%
1971 - -3.5%
1970 - -3.64%
1969 - -3.4%
1968 - -2.72%
1967 - -2.69%
1966 - -2.26%
1965 - -3.5%
1964 - -3.35%
1963 - -2.92%
1962 - -2.91%
1961 - -2.6%
1960 - -1.97%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -4.3%
1957 - -5.19%
1956 - -3.23%
1955 - -5.06%
1954 - -5.28%
1953 - -5.77%
1952 - -7.84%
1951 - -4.62%
1950 - -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 - 2.97%
1932 - -
1931 - -1.63%
1930 - -
1929 - -3.41%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/ireland | 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 Ireland's surplus of $11.2B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Ireland
2025 - 2.21%
2024 - 2.11%
2023 - 6.3%
2022 - 7.83%
2021 - 2.34%
2020 - -0.33%
2019 - 0.94%
2018 - 0.47%
2017 - 0.36%
2016 2.89% 0.02%
2015 0.74% -0.33%
2014 1.24% 0.19%
2013 0.81% 0.52%
2012 9.72% 1.69%
2011 15.3% 2.55%
2010 7.1% -0.92%
2009 2.8% -4.45%
2008 17.3% 4.04%
2007 16.9% 4.89%
2006 13.1% 3.94%
2005 21.3% 2.46%
2004 3.99% 2.18%
2003 12.9% 3.49%
2002 31.5% 4.63%
2001 360% 4.85%
2000 514% 5.58%
1999 284.9% 1.63%
1998 29.1% 2.41%
1997 198.5% 1.54%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 2.04% in Ireland. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 2.21% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $493K
Machinery & equipment $44K
Wood & paper products $21K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Ireland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33M
Animal & marine products $1.71M
Chemicals & pharma $1.4M
Precious metals & jewellery $646K
Miscellaneous $374K
Machinery & equipment $313K
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Metals $31K
Wood & paper products $31K
Raw materials & minerals $2K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Ireland
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$356B
2024
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$467B
2024
Service exports
$548M
2025
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
140.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Ireland
Economic freedom 47 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 3/197
Property rights 15.4 94.4
Government integrity 12.8 84
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 95.4
Tax burden 73.8 77.7
Government spending 91.2 85.9
Fiscal health 95.9 97
Business freedom 32.3 85.5
Labor freedom 54.2 61.3
Monetary freedom 58.6 79.3
Trade freedom 68.2 79.4
Investment freedom 30 90
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Ireland
2026 47 83.3
2025 47.3 83.1
2024 47.6 82.6
2023 47.9 82
2022 47.6 82
2021 49 81.4
2020 49.5 80.9
2019 50.3 80.5
2018 52.1 80.4
2017 56.4 76.7
2016 46.4 77.3
2015 45 76.6
2014 40.6 76.2
2013 39.6 75.7
2012 41.1 76.9
2011 40.7 78.7
2010 41.4 81.3
2009 42.8 82.2
2008 - 82.5
2007 - 82.6
2006 - 82.2
2005 - 80.8
2004 - 80.3
2003 - 80.9
2002 - 80.5
2001 - 81.2
2000 34.8 76.1
1999 34 74.6
1998 40.6 73.7
1997 39.5 72.6
1996 39.5 68.5
1995 41.4 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Ireland
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
56.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
37.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
1.06%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$479B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$106,310
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$13.7B
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
73/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
22.9%
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/ireland | 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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, 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. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.