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Economy of DR Congo vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 87/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

DR Congo vs Lebanon GDP by year

DR Congo
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Lebanon
2024 $70,962,185,791 -
2023 $69,843,655,425 $20,078,620,357
2022 $70,422,346,142 $20,992,421,949
2021 $59,067,289,574 $23,131,941,557
2020 $46,691,989,749 $31,712,128,254
2019 $46,845,900,350 $51,605,959,131
2018 $46,659,954,092 $54,901,519,156
2017 $37,537,521,566 $53,027,680,686
2016 $38,600,224,214 $51,147,308,774
2015 $40,179,574,490 $49,929,337,837
2014 $38,352,980,553 $48,095,213,747
2013 $34,891,189,160 $46,880,103,081
2012 $30,029,369,929 $44,016,799,516
2011 $26,392,379,642 $39,927,125,962
2010 $24,161,641,931 $38,443,907,042
2009 $18,607,259,481 $35,399,582,929
2008 $22,723,488,723 $29,118,916,105
2007 $18,374,807,773 $24,827,355,015
2006 $15,484,044,535 $22,022,709,851
2005 $12,609,728,573 $21,497,336,499
2004 $10,297,483,481 $21,159,827,992
2003 $8,937,567,060 $20,082,918,740
2002 $8,728,038,525 $19,152,238,806
2001 $7,438,189,100 $17,649,751,244
2000 $19,088,046,306 $17,260,364,842
1999 $4,711,259,427 $17,391,056,369
1998 $6,217,805,821 $17,247,179,006
1997 $6,090,838,693 $15,751,867,489
1996 $5,771,456,952 $13,690,217,334
1995 $5,643,439,376 $11,718,795,529
1994 $5,820,382,248 $9,599,127,050
1993 $10,706,259,937 $7,941,744,492
1992 $8,227,343,907 $5,843,579,161
1991 $9,625,436,873 $4,690,415,093
1990 $9,349,764,580 $2,838,485,354
1989 $9,021,862,775 $2,717,998,688
1988 $8,861,299,977 $3,313,540,068
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/lebanon | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Lebanon by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 - -
2023 $660 $1,731 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $688 $1,590 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $596 $1,402 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $486 $1,089 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $504 $1,056 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $518 $1,049 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $431 $991 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $460 $950 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $496 $910 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $489 $859 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $460 $761 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $410 $648 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $373 $644 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $352 $606 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $280.2 $573 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $353 $584 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $294.1 $550 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $255.4 $508 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $214.5 $484 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $180.7 $456 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $161.5 $428 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $162.4 $410 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $142.7 $404 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $378 $417 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $96.3 $452 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $131.5 $481 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $132.3 $497 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $127.4 $526 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $127 $532 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $136.5 $540 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $263.3 $576 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $209.7 $674 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $253.8 $762 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $254.9 $832 $790 $2,990
1989 $254.2 - $771 -
1988 $257.7 - $959 -
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/lebanon | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
87/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$16B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
11.3%
2019
Population
117507801
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 16.5% 27% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 10.9% 358%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 14% 19.4% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 30.6% 150%
2016 14.3% 33% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 16% 25.5% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 7.59% 112% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 4.17% 136% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 2.49% 135% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 2.15% - 35.6% 130.2%
1998 2.78% - 34.7% 108.2%
1997 2.51% - 40.5% 100.2%
1996 2.17% - 43.6% 101.2%
1995 - - 31.1% 79.6%
1994 - - 47.3% 71.5%
1993 - - 23% 50.5%
1992 - - 36.1% 51.7%
1991 - - 35.6% 67.1%
1990 - - 40% 99.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 172/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Lebanon
2024 -1.48% -0.19%
2023 -1.65% -1.7%
2022 -1.01% -7.77%
2021 -1.68% -2.67%
2020 -3.17% -7.37%
2019 -3.17% -10.5%
2018 -1.34% -11.3%
2017 -0.05% -8.65%
2016 -0.93% -8.88%
2015 -1.35% -7.48%
2014 3.73% -6.22%
2013 3.28% -8.82%
2012 1.71% -8.43%
2011 -0.94% -5.94%
2010 -0.95% -7.47%
2009 0.92% -8.1%
2008 -0.41% -9.86%
2007 1.12% -10.9%
2006 1.97% -10.6%
2005 1.3% -8.57%
2004 -0.17% -9.83%
2003 -3.92% -14%
2002 0.89% -16.2%
2001 -1.13% -21%
2000 -1.85% -23.9%
1999 -1.35% -16.7%
1998 -1.55% -17.3%
1997 -1.06% -24.5%
1996 -0.56% -25.7%
1995 - -13.6%
1994 - -29.1%
1993 - -7.19%
1992 - -24%
1991 - -19.5%
1990 - -30.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, the DR Congo's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.16B, equivalent to 1.65% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 11.4% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Lebanon
2024 - 45.2%
2023 - 221.3%
2022 - 171.2%
2021 - 154.8%
2020 - 84.9%
2019 - 2.9%
2018 - 6.1%
2017 - 4.5%
2016 2.89% -0.8%
2015 0.74% -3.8%
2014 1.24% 1.1%
2013 0.81% 5.6%
2012 9.72% 6.6%
2011 15.3% 5%
2010 7.1% 4%
2009 2.8% 1.2%
2008 17.3% 10.7%
2007 16.9% 4.1%
2006 13.1% 4.1%
2005 21.3% -1.4%
2004 3.99% 1.7%
2003 12.9% 1.3%
2002 31.5% 1.8%
2001 360% -0.4%
2000 514% -0.4%
1999 284.9% 0.2%
1998 29.1% 4.5%
1997 198.5% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 2.64% in Lebanon. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $97K
Wood & paper products $79K
Precious metals & jewellery $70K
Chemicals & pharma $44K
Raw agricultural goods $39K
Machinery & equipment $25K
Lebanon
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

DR Congo Lebanon
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$322M
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Lebanon
Economic freedom 47 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 183/197
Property rights 15.4 21.8
Government integrity 12.8 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 23.8
Tax burden 73.8 90.3
Government spending 91.2 93.3
Fiscal health 95.9 63.4
Business freedom 32.3 47.6
Labor freedom 54.2 48.4
Monetary freedom 58.6 0
Trade freedom 68.2 65.6
Investment freedom 30 20
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Lebanon
2026 47 43.1
2025 47.3 44.1
2024 47.6 48.3
2023 47.9 45.6
2022 47.6 47.3
2021 49 51.4
2020 49.5 51.7
2019 50.3 51.1
2018 52.1 53.2
2017 56.4 53.3
2016 46.4 59.5
2015 45 59.3
2014 40.6 59.4
2013 39.6 59.5
2012 41.1 60.1
2011 40.7 60.1
2010 41.4 59.5
2009 42.8 58.1
2008 - 60
2007 - 60.4
2006 - 57.5
2005 - 57.2
2004 - 56.9
2003 - 56.7
2002 - 57.1
2001 - 61
2000 34.8 56.1
1999 34 59.1
1998 40.6 59
1997 39.5 63.9
1996 39.5 63.2
1995 41.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
1.9%
2023

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/lebanon | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.