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Economy of DR Congo vs Ivory Coast compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $87.1B for Ivory Coast, ranking 87/197 and 77/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $51.6B (59.3% of GDP) in Ivory Coast.

DR Congo vs Ivory Coast GDP by year

DR Congo
Ivory Coast
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Ivory Coast
2024 $70,962,185,791 $87,113,179,149
2023 $69,843,655,425 $80,780,312,569
2022 $70,422,346,142 $70,922,824,814
2021 $59,067,289,574 $72,794,636,654
2020 $46,691,989,749 $63,027,852,805
2019 $46,845,900,350 $60,382,894,697
2018 $46,659,954,092 $58,522,477,787
2017 $37,537,521,566 $52,512,343,997
2016 $38,600,224,214 $48,407,761,037
2015 $40,179,574,490 $45,815,005,169
2014 $38,352,980,553 $48,843,005,614
2013 $34,891,189,160 $42,760,235,485
2012 $30,029,369,929 $36,302,302,877
2011 $26,392,379,642 $36,693,710,801
2010 $24,161,641,931 $34,936,307,980
2009 $18,607,259,481 $33,886,813,250
2008 $22,723,488,723 $34,078,240,293
2007 $18,374,807,773 $28,760,090,953
2006 $15,484,044,535 $25,281,413,263
2005 $12,609,728,573 $24,036,918,703
2004 $10,297,483,481 $23,510,575,681
2003 $8,937,567,060 $21,251,754,340
2002 $8,728,038,525 $18,054,383,321
2001 $7,438,189,100 $16,810,537,044
2000 $19,088,046,306 $16,577,533,892
1999 $4,711,259,427 $18,870,992,456
1998 $6,217,805,821 $19,619,654,756
1997 $6,090,838,693 $18,047,558,038
1996 $5,771,456,952 $18,071,152,831
1995 $5,643,439,376 $11,000,146,267
1994 $5,820,382,248 $8,313,557,510
1993 $10,706,259,937 $11,045,760,288
1992 $8,227,343,907 $11,152,971,274
1991 $9,625,436,873 $10,492,628,581
1990 $9,349,764,580 $10,795,850,583
1989 $9,021,862,775 $9,757,410,645
1988 $8,861,299,977 $10,255,169,806
1987 $7,661,625,473 $10,087,654,465
1986 $8,095,367,168 $9,158,302,100
1985 $7,195,042,616 $6,977,650,644
1984 $7,857,729,193 $6,841,639,247
1983 $11,006,712,650 $6,838,184,773
1982 $13,651,667,371 $7,567,110,849
1981 $12,537,821,038 $8,432,589,942
1980 $14,394,927,495 $10,175,617,609
1979 $15,068,422,236 $9,142,933,967
1978 $15,372,608,002 $7,900,526,298
1977 $12,344,424,764 $6,265,068,189
1976 $9,648,583,225 $4,662,053,825
1975 $10,237,343,174 $3,893,839,190
1974 $9,596,960,180 $3,070,152,309
1973 $7,870,239,461 $2,508,421,426
1972 $6,173,712,814 $1,849,400,402
1971 $5,594,770,359 $1,584,128,509
1970 $4,877,684,910 $1,455,482,795
1969 $5,032,434,970 $1,361,360,293
1968 $3,909,780,539 $1,281,281,277
1967 $3,384,063,372 $1,082,922,725
1966 $4,532,660,182 $1,024,102,880
1965 $4,043,901,818 $919,771,229
1964 $2,881,545,273 $921,063,327
1963 $6,213,185,743 $761,047,198
1962 $3,779,841,429 $645,284,474
1961 $3,086,746,857 $618,245,634
1960 $3,359,404,118 $546,203,559

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/ivory-coast | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Ivory Coast by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ivory Coast
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Ivory Coast
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $2,728 $7,669
2023 $660 $1,731 $2,592 $7,237
2022 $688 $1,590 $2,333 $6,719
2021 $596 $1,402 $2,456 $6,045
2020 $486 $1,089 $2,180 $5,544
2019 $504 $1,056 $2,142 $5,516
2018 $518 $1,049 $2,131 $4,946
2017 $431 $991 $1,964 $4,690
2016 $460 $950 $1,863 $4,531
2015 $496 $910 $1,815 $4,404
2014 $489 $859 $1,991 $4,074
2013 $460 $761 $1,786 $3,619
2012 $410 $648 $1,547 $3,291
2011 $373 $644 $1,597 $3,176
2010 $352 $606 $1,554 $3,361
2009 $280.2 $573 $1,540 $3,177
2008 $353 $584 $1,584 $3,116
2007 $294.1 $550 $1,368 $2,985
2006 $255.4 $508 $1,230 $2,942
2005 $214.5 $484 $1,198 $2,842
2004 $180.7 $456 $1,200 $2,794
2003 $161.5 $428 $1,111 $2,702
2002 $162.4 $410 $968 $2,851
2001 $142.7 $404 $925 $2,962
2000 $378 $417 $937 $3,041
1999 $96.3 $452 $1,096 $3,065
1998 $131.5 $481 $1,177 $3,086
1997 $132.3 $497 $1,125 $3,040
1996 $127.4 $526 $1,170 $2,832
1995 $127 $532 $740 $2,683
1994 $136.5 $540 $582 $2,551
1993 $263.3 $576 $804 $2,577
1992 $209.7 $674 $845 $2,625
1991 $253.8 $762 $827 $2,677
1990 $254.9 $832 $886 $2,693
1989 $254.2 - $833 -
1988 $257.7 - $910 -
1987 $230.1 - $930 -
1986 $250.9 - $877 -
1985 $230.1 - $695 -
1984 $259.8 - $709 -
1983 $376 - $737 -
1982 $482 - $849 -
1981 $456 - $986 -
1980 $539 - $1,238 -
1979 $582 - $1,157 -
1978 $615 - $1,039 -
1977 $509 - $856 -
1976 $408 - $661 -
1975 $445 - $575 -
1974 $428 - $474 -
1973 $361 - $406 -
1972 $290.5 - $313 -
1971 $270.3 - $280.3 -
1970 $242.2 - $269 -
1969 $257.1 - $262.2 -
1968 $205.6 - $256.8 -
1967 $183.3 - $225.6 -
1966 $252.8 - $221.8 -
1965 $232 - $207 -
1964 $169.9 - $215.5 -
1963 $376 - $185.1 -
1962 $235.1 - $163.1 -
1961 $197.1 - $162.3 -
1960 $220.1 - $148.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/ivory-coast | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $2,728 in Ivory Coast, ranking 142/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Ivory Coast ranks 145th at $7,669.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Ivory Coast
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$87.1B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
77/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
6.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$2,728
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
142/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$7,669
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
145/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$51.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
59.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$1,616
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
125/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$2,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.33B
2020
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
3.45%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
2.31%
2022
Population
117507801
33722528

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Ivory Coast
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Ivory Coast
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 20.4% 59.3%
2023 16.5% 27% 21.3% 57.5%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 21.9% 56%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 20.5% 50.2%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 20.4% 46.3%
2019 14% 19.4% 17.2% 37.2%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 17.6% 35.3%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 18.1% 32.6%
2016 14.3% 33% 17.6% 31.1%
2015 16% 25.5% 16.5% 29.2%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 15.2% 26.7%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 15.9% 24.6%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 16.1% 24.7%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 13.2% 50%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 14.5% 45.6%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 14.4% 46.5%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 14.6% 51.2%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 14.8% 53.5%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 14.5% 57.5%
2005 7.59% 112% 13.6% 58.2%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 13.5% 56.7%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 12.7% 56.4%
2002 4.17% 136% 13.1% 63%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 11.4% 71.2%
2000 2.49% 135% 12.9% 74%
1999 2.15% - 13.7% 78%
1998 2.78% - 14.6% 75.2%
1997 2.51% - 15.2% 84.2%
1996 2.17% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/ivory-coast | CC BY

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Ivory Coast spent $17.7B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 59.3% in Ivory Coast, ranking 172/185 and 82/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Ivory Coast
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Ivory Coast
2024 -1.48% -3.97%
2023 -1.65% -5.19%
2022 -1.01% -6.74%
2021 -1.68% -4.86%
2020 -3.17% -5.42%
2019 -3.17% -2.22%
2018 -1.34% -2.9%
2017 -0.05% -3.27%
2016 -0.93% -2.98%
2015 -1.35% -2.04%
2014 3.73% -1.57%
2013 3.28% -1.62%
2012 1.71% -2.28%
2011 -0.94% -2.89%
2010 -0.95% -1.34%
2009 0.92% -1%
2008 -0.41% -0.21%
2007 1.12% -0.39%
2006 1.97% -1.03%
2005 1.3% -1.03%
2004 -0.17% -1.04%
2003 -3.92% -1.26%
2002 0.89% -0.64%
2001 -1.13% 0.7%
2000 -1.85% -0.83%
1999 -1.35% -1.27%
1998 -1.55% -0.7%
1997 -1.06% -0.75%
1996 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/ivory-coast | 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 Ivory Coast's deficit of $3.45B, or 3.97% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Ivory Coast ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Ivory Coast.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Ivory Coast
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Ivory Coast
2024 - 3.45%
2023 - 4.37%
2022 - 5.23%
2021 - 4.16%
2020 - 2.41%
2019 - 0.79%
2018 - 0.4%
2017 - 0.69%
2016 2.89% 0.72%
2015 0.74% 1.25%
2014 1.24% 0.45%
2013 0.81% 2.58%
2012 9.72% 1.3%
2011 15.3% 4.91%
2010 7.1% 1.23%
2009 2.8% 1.02%
2008 17.3% 6.31%
2007 16.9% 1.89%
2006 13.1% 2.47%
2005 21.3% 3.89%
2004 3.99% 1.46%
2003 12.9% 3.3%
2002 31.5% 3.08%
2001 360% 4.36%
2000 514% 2.53%
1999 284.9% 0.7%
1998 29.1% 4.61%
1997 198.5% 4.02%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/ivory-coast | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 2.6% in Ivory Coast. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 3.45% in Ivory Coast.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $19.3M
Machinery & equipment $362K
Textiles & consumer goods $259K
Metals $53K
Wood & paper products $24K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Ivory Coast
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $32.1M
Chemicals & pharma $7.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.59M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.32M
Miscellaneous $1.3M
Machinery & equipment $847K
Wood & paper products $211K
Metals $38K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K
Raw agricultural goods $10K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Ivory Coast
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$9.21B
2023
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
175/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-11.4%
2023
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$15.4B
2023
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$17.1B
2023
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$8.78B
2023
Service exports
$322M
2024
$1.5B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
25.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
26%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Ivory Coast
Economic freedom 47 58.1
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 111/197
Property rights 15.4 43.9
Government integrity 12.8 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 30.2
Tax burden 73.8 81.6
Government spending 91.2 86.6
Fiscal health 95.9 48
Business freedom 32.3 68.3
Labor freedom 54.2 57.1
Monetary freedom 58.6 67.6
Trade freedom 68.2 74.4
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Ivory Coast
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Ivory Coast
2026 47 58.1
2025 47.3 57.8
2024 47.6 58.4
2023 47.9 60.4
2022 47.6 61.6
2021 49 61.7
2020 49.5 59.7
2019 50.3 62.4
2018 52.1 62
2017 56.4 63
2016 46.4 60
2015 45 58.5
2014 40.6 57.7
2013 39.6 54.1
2012 41.1 54.3
2011 40.7 55.4
2010 41.4 54.1
2009 42.8 55
2008 - 53.9
2007 - 54.9
2006 - 56.2
2005 - 56.6
2004 - 57.8
2003 - 56.7
2002 - 57.3
2001 - 54.8
2000 34.8 50.2
1999 34 51.7
1998 40.6 51.3
1997 39.5 50.5
1996 39.5 49.9
1995 41.4 53.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/ivory-coast | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 58.1 for Ivory Coast, ranking 111/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Ivory Coast
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
51.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
24%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
15.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$80.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$7,360
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$2B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$3.12B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$228M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
6.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
20.9%
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/ivory-coast | 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 (1996–2024, 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 (2021–2024, 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.