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Economy of DR Congo vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $43.7B for Latvia, ranking 87/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $20.4B (46.8% of GDP) in Latvia.

DR Congo vs Latvia GDP by year

DR Congo
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Latvia
2024 $70,962,185,791 $43,684,254,432
2023 $69,843,655,425 $42,779,550,937
2022 $70,422,346,142 $38,003,198,509
2021 $59,067,289,574 $38,183,326,785
2020 $46,691,989,749 $33,379,927,435
2019 $46,845,900,350 $33,099,503,951
2018 $46,659,954,092 $33,247,935,477
2017 $37,537,521,566 $29,391,059,767
2016 $38,600,224,214 $27,117,105,060
2015 $40,179,574,490 $26,344,565,877
2014 $38,352,980,553 $30,277,203,767
2013 $34,891,189,160 $29,152,128,168
2012 $30,029,369,929 $27,116,149,949
2011 $26,392,379,642 $26,575,547,901
2010 $24,161,641,931 $23,468,324,572
2009 $18,607,259,481 $25,691,530,442
2008 $22,723,488,723 $34,135,200,994
2007 $18,374,807,773 $29,420,499,248
2006 $15,484,044,535 $20,434,922,247
2005 $12,609,728,573 $16,306,935,905
2004 $10,297,483,481 $13,827,070,379
2003 $8,937,567,060 $11,244,337,720
2002 $8,728,038,525 $9,249,030,241
2001 $7,438,189,100 $8,190,888,740
2000 $19,088,046,306 $7,761,252,607
1999 $4,711,259,427 $7,324,192,890
1998 $6,217,805,821 $6,974,112,951
1997 $6,090,838,693 $6,349,481,007
1996 $5,771,456,952 $5,799,465,288
1995 $5,643,439,376 $5,608,208,785
1994 $5,820,382,248 -
1993 $10,706,259,937 -
1992 $8,227,343,907 -
1991 $9,625,436,873 -
1990 $9,349,764,580 -
1989 $9,021,862,775 -
1988 $8,861,299,977 -
1987 $7,661,625,473 -
1986 $8,095,367,168 -
1985 $7,195,042,616 -
1984 $7,857,729,193 -
1983 $11,006,712,650 -
1982 $13,651,667,371 -
1981 $12,537,821,038 -
1980 $14,394,927,495 -
1979 $15,068,422,236 -
1978 $15,372,608,002 -
1977 $12,344,424,764 -
1976 $9,648,583,225 -
1975 $10,237,343,174 -
1974 $9,596,960,180 -
1973 $7,870,239,461 -
1972 $6,173,712,814 -
1971 $5,594,770,359 -
1970 $4,877,684,910 -
1969 $5,032,434,970 -
1968 $3,909,780,539 -
1967 $3,384,063,372 -
1966 $4,532,660,182 -
1965 $4,043,901,818 -
1964 $2,881,545,273 -
1963 $6,213,185,743 -
1962 $3,779,841,429 -
1961 $3,086,746,857 -
1960 $3,359,404,118 -

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Latvia by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $23,409 $43,394
2023 $660 $1,731 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $688 $1,590 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $596 $1,402 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $486 $1,089 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $504 $1,056 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $518 $1,049 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $431 $991 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $460 $950 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $496 $910 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $489 $859 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $460 $761 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $410 $648 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $373 $644 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $352 $606 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $280.2 $573 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $353 $584 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $294.1 $550 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $255.4 $508 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $214.5 $484 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $180.7 $456 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $161.5 $428 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $162.4 $410 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $142.7 $404 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $378 $417 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $96.3 $452 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $131.5 $481 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $132.3 $497 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $127.4 $526 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $127 $532 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $136.5 $540 - $5,012
1993 $263.3 $576 - $4,722
1992 $209.7 $674 - $4,760
1991 $253.8 $762 - $6,762
1990 $254.9 $832 - $7,448
1989 $254.2 - - -
1988 $257.7 - - -
1987 $230.1 - - -
1986 $250.9 - - -
1985 $230.1 - - -
1984 $259.8 - - -
1983 $376 - - -
1982 $482 - - -
1981 $456 - - -
1980 $539 - - -
1979 $582 - - -
1978 $615 - - -
1977 $509 - - -
1976 $408 - - -
1975 $445 - - -
1974 $428 - - -
1973 $361 - - -
1972 $290.5 - - -
1971 $270.3 - - -
1970 $242.2 - - -
1969 $257.1 - - -
1968 $205.6 - - -
1967 $183.3 - - -
1966 $252.8 - - -
1965 $232 - - -
1964 $169.9 - - -
1963 $376 - - -
1962 $235.1 - - -
1961 $197.1 - - -
1960 $220.1 - - -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $23,409 in Latvia, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Latvia
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
99/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
-0.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$23,409
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$20.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
46.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$10,945
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
53/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$17,033
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
44.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
6.88%
2024
Population
117507801
1829763

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 44.5% 46.8%
2023 16.5% 27% 43.1% 44.6%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 43.5% 44.4%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 42.6% 44%
2019 14% 19.4% 39% 37.9%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 14.3% 33% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 16% 25.5% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 34.8% 9%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 7.59% 112% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 4.17% 136% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 35% 17.8%
2000 2.49% 135% 37% 15.1%
1999 2.15% - 40.4% 14.8%
1998 2.78% - 38.1% 9.81%
1997 2.51% - - -
1996 2.17% - - -

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

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $19.4B, or 44.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 46.8% in Latvia, ranking 172/185 and 116/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Latvia
2024 -1.48% -1.82%
2023 -1.65% -3.38%
2022 -1.01% -3.94%
2021 -1.68% -5.71%
2020 -3.17% -3.85%
2019 -3.17% -0.39%
2018 -1.34% -0.77%
2017 -0.05% -0.85%
2016 -0.93% -0.41%
2015 -1.35% -1.57%
2014 3.73% -1.74%
2013 3.28% -0.58%
2012 1.71% 0.18%
2011 -0.94% -3.38%
2010 -0.95% -6.56%
2009 0.92% -7.14%
2008 -0.41% -3.29%
2007 1.12% 0.63%
2006 1.97% -0.48%
2005 1.3% -1.06%
2004 -0.17% -1.04%
2003 -3.92% -1.67%
2002 0.89% -2.59%
2001 -1.13% -2.03%
2000 -1.85% -2.57%
1999 -1.35% -3.54%
1998 -1.55% -0.66%
1997 -1.06% -
1996 -0.56% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/latvia | 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 Latvia's deficit of $797M, or 1.82% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Latvia
2024 - 1.27%
2023 - 8.94%
2022 - 17.3%
2021 - 3.28%
2020 - 0.22%
2019 - 2.81%
2018 - 2.53%
2017 - 2.93%
2016 2.89% 0.14%
2015 0.74% 0.17%
2014 1.24% 0.62%
2013 0.81% -0.03%
2012 9.72% 2.26%
2011 15.3% 4.37%
2010 7.1% -1.08%
2009 2.8% 3.53%
2008 17.3% 15.4%
2007 16.9% 10.1%
2006 13.1% 6.54%
2005 21.3% 6.75%
2004 3.99% 6.19%
2003 12.9% 2.94%
2002 31.5% 1.94%
2001 360% 2.49%
2000 514% 2.65%
1999 284.9% 2.36%
1998 29.1% 4.64%
1997 198.5% 8.45%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 4.02% in Latvia. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 1.27% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Latvia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $16.3M
Raw materials & minerals $138K
Chemicals & pharma $60K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49K
Machinery & equipment $44K
Metals $9K
Wood & paper products $6K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Latvia
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$688M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$23.4B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$20.1B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$5.86B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$8.42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
66.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
65.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Latvia
Economic freedom 47 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 31/197
Property rights 15.4 88.8
Government integrity 12.8 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 70.9
Tax burden 73.8 70.9
Government spending 91.2 42.7
Fiscal health 95.9 80.8
Business freedom 32.3 80.7
Labor freedom 54.2 60.5
Monetary freedom 58.6 76.3
Trade freedom 68.2 79.4
Investment freedom 30 80
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Latvia
2026 47 71.6
2025 47.3 71.4
2024 47.6 71.5
2023 47.9 72.8
2022 47.6 74.8
2021 49 72.3
2020 49.5 71.9
2019 50.3 70.4
2018 52.1 73.6
2017 56.4 74.8
2016 46.4 70.4
2015 45 69.7
2014 40.6 68.7
2013 39.6 66.5
2012 41.1 65.2
2011 40.7 65.8
2010 41.4 66.2
2009 42.8 66.6
2008 - 68.3
2007 - 67.9
2006 - 66.9
2005 - 66.3
2004 - 67.4
2003 - 66
2002 - 65
2001 - 66.4
2000 34.8 63.4
1999 34 64.2
1998 40.6 63.4
1997 39.5 62.4
1996 39.5 55
1995 41.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Latvia
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
64.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
18.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
4.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$40.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$42,660
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$5.14B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
98/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$257M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
22.5%
2022
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/latvia | 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.