Skip to content

Economy of DR Congo vs Madagascar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $19.6B for Madagascar, ranking 81/197 and 136/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $9.56B (48.7% of GDP) in Madagascar.

DR Congo vs Madagascar GDP by year

DR Congo
Madagascar
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Madagascar
2025 $91,030,531,317 $19,620,352,036
2024 $75,716,176,105 $17,592,832,696
2023 $69,843,655,425 $16,036,707,976
2022 $70,422,346,142 $15,342,178,598
2021 $59,067,289,574 $14,354,731,964
2020 $46,691,989,749 $13,051,441,204
2019 $46,845,900,350 $14,104,664,679
2018 $46,659,954,092 $13,760,033,282
2017 $37,537,521,566 $13,176,313,594
2016 $38,600,224,214 $11,848,613,858
2015 $40,179,574,490 $11,323,020,701
2014 $38,352,980,553 $12,522,957,399
2013 $34,891,189,160 $12,423,555,455
2012 $30,029,369,929 $11,578,975,062
2011 $26,392,379,642 $11,551,819,618
2010 $24,161,641,931 $9,982,711,338
2009 $18,607,259,481 $9,616,879,409
2008 $22,723,488,723 $10,725,137,724
2007 $18,374,807,773 $8,524,620,890
2006 $15,484,044,535 $6,395,712,491
2005 $12,609,728,573 $5,859,269,753
2004 $10,297,483,481 $5,064,732,626
2003 $8,937,567,060 $6,372,498,890
2002 $8,728,038,525 $5,351,701,663
2001 $7,438,189,100 $5,438,332,602
2000 $19,088,046,306 $4,629,247,204
1999 $4,711,259,427 $4,277,903,780
1998 $6,217,805,821 $4,401,967,633
1997 $6,090,838,693 $4,262,965,420
1996 $5,771,456,952 $4,931,861,039
1995 $5,643,439,376 $3,838,100,904
1994 $5,820,382,248 $3,522,227,092
1993 $10,706,259,937 $4,063,298,919
1992 $8,227,343,907 $3,714,966,678
1991 $9,625,436,873 $3,254,713,056
1990 $9,349,764,580 $3,931,334,875
1989 $9,021,862,775 $3,175,638,333
1988 $8,861,299,977 $3,189,456,965
1987 $7,661,625,473 $3,212,900,556
1986 $8,095,367,168 $4,347,989,788
1985 $7,195,042,616 $3,802,557,895
1984 $7,857,729,193 $3,905,938,481
1983 $11,006,712,650 $4,686,457,031
1982 $13,651,667,371 $4,784,977,326
1981 $12,537,821,038 $4,759,333,998
1980 $14,394,927,495 $5,201,818,348
1979 $15,068,422,236 $3,463,565,854
1978 $15,372,608,002 $2,669,755,115
1977 $12,344,424,764 $2,358,930,406
1976 $9,648,583,225 $2,181,844,179
1975 $10,237,343,174 $2,283,049,215
1974 $9,596,960,180 $1,917,508,190
1973 $7,870,239,461 $1,653,062,335
1972 $6,173,712,814 $1,341,590,690
1971 $5,594,770,359 $1,199,507,631
1970 $4,877,684,910 $1,111,859,571
1969 $5,032,434,970 $1,056,391,056
1968 $3,909,780,539 $1,031,669,637
1967 $3,384,063,372 $956,436,932
1966 $4,532,660,182 $900,264,585
1965 $4,043,901,818 $833,563,473
1964 $2,881,545,273 $802,482,184
1963 $6,213,185,743 $759,345,864
1962 $3,779,841,429 $739,286,908
1961 $3,086,746,857 $699,161,945
1960 $3,359,404,118 $673,081,725

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Madagascar by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Madagascar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $599 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $550 $1,884
2023 $660 $1,731 $514 $1,808
2022 $688 $1,590 $504 $1,717
2021 $596 $1,402 $483 $1,577
2020 $486 $1,089 $451 $1,490
2019 $504 $1,056 $500 $1,612
2018 $518 $1,049 $500 $1,547
2017 $431 $991 $492 $1,547
2016 $460 $950 $454 $1,562
2015 $496 $910 $445 $1,497
2014 $489 $859 $506 $1,499
2013 $460 $761 $515 $1,473
2012 $410 $648 $494 $1,464
2011 $373 $644 $506 $1,475
2010 $352 $606 $450 $1,464
2009 $280.2 $573 $446 $1,480
2008 $353 $584 $513 $1,577
2007 $294.1 $550 $420 $1,493
2006 $255.4 $508 $324 $1,416
2005 $214.5 $484 $306 $1,343
2004 $180.7 $456 $272.2 $1,280
2003 $161.5 $428 $353 $1,219
2002 $162.4 $410 $305 $1,121
2001 $142.7 $404 $319 $1,299
2000 $378 $417 $280.3 $1,236
1999 $96.3 $452 $267.4 $1,194
1998 $131.5 $481 $284.2 $1,162
1997 $132.3 $497 $284.4 $1,142
1996 $127.4 $526 $340 $1,119
1995 $127 $532 $273.1 $1,111
1994 $136.5 $540 $258.7 $1,104
1993 $263.3 $576 $308 $1,116
1992 $209.7 $674 $290.2 $1,101
1991 $253.8 $762 $262 $1,096
1990 $254.9 $832 $326 $1,166
1989 $254.2 - $271.3 -
1988 $257.7 - $280.5 -
1987 $230.1 - $290.8 -
1986 $250.9 - $405 -
1985 $230.1 - $364 -
1984 $259.8 - $385 -
1983 $376 - $476 -
1982 $482 - $501 -
1981 $456 - $513 -
1980 $539 - $578 -
1979 $582 - $396 -
1978 $615 - $315 -
1977 $509 - $286.9 -
1976 $408 - $273.5 -
1975 $445 - $295 -
1974 $428 - $255.3 -
1973 $361 - $226.8 -
1972 $290.5 - $189.6 -
1971 $270.3 - $174.6 -
1970 $242.2 - $166.6 -
1969 $257.1 - $162.9 -
1968 $205.6 - $163.6 -
1967 $183.3 - $155.9 -
1966 $252.8 - $150.7 -
1965 $232 - $143.2 -
1964 $169.9 - $141.5 -
1963 $376 - $137.4 -
1962 $235.1 - $137.3 -
1961 $197.1 - $133.3 -
1960 $220.1 - $131.7 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $599 in Madagascar, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Madagascar
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$19.6B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
136/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$599
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
194/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$1,884
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
187/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$9.56B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
48.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$292
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
179/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$1,285
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
13.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
8.05%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
3.19%
2022
Population
118386491
33936132

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Madagascar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Madagascar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 13.5% 48.7%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 16.1% 49.8%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 17.7% 52.1%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 16.2% 49.8%
2021 13.5% 14% 13.9% 49.4%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 16.4% 52.9%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 15.4% 41.3%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 14.4% 42.9%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 14.9% 40.1%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 13.5% 40.3%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 13% 44.1%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 12.6% 37.8%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 12.7% 36.2%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 11.5% 30.4%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 12% 29.9%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 12.3% 32.3%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 12.5% 34.9%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 15.7% 31%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 16.1% 28.2%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 18.5% 32.2%
2005 7.5% 112% 18.4% 74.4%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 21.7% 81.9%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 16.6% 85.9%
2002 4.17% 136% 12.4% 86.7%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 15.3% 82.1%
2000 2.49% 135% 15.3% 90.2%
1999 2.15% - 15.5% 104.1%
1998 2.78% - 16.9% 108.5%
1997 2.51% - 14.5% 89.7%
1996 2.17% - 14.4% 98.7%
1995 - - 14.5% 95.8%
1994 - - 16.7% 96%
1993 - - 17.1% 105.2%
1992 - - 16.2% 110.9%
1991 - - 13.5% 113.8%
1990 - - 13.3% 92.7%
1989 - - 15.5% 122%
1988 - - 11.4% 126.6%
1987 - - 10.4% 127.5%
1986 - - 11.1% 84.9%
1985 - - 11.8% 82.7%
1984 - - 13.9% 70.9%
1983 - - 13.4% 57.5%
1982 - - 14.3% 56.1%
1981 - - 18.2% 51.5%
1980 - - 22.7% 37.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Madagascar spent $2.65B, or 13.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 48.7% in Madagascar, ranking 173/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Madagascar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Madagascar
2025 -2.75% -2.21%
2024 -1.66% -2.49%
2023 -1.59% -4.15%
2022 -0.87% -5.45%
2021 -1.58% -2.83%
2020 -3.49% -3.96%
2019 -3.41% -1.42%
2018 -1.35% -1.34%
2017 -0.01% -2.1%
2016 -0.91% -1.11%
2015 -1.2% -2.85%
2014 3.87% -1.96%
2013 3.5% -3.4%
2012 1.93% -2.24%
2011 -0.71% -2.04%
2010 -0.8% -0.76%
2009 1.04% -2.26%
2008 -0.28% -1.72%
2007 1.21% -2.31%
2006 2.09% -5.71%
2005 1.38% -2.47%
2004 -0.17% -4.23%
2003 -3.92% -3.32%
2002 0.89% -4.09%
2001 -1.13% -3.61%
2000 -1.85% -2.35%
1999 -1.35% -2.42%
1998 -1.55% -5.31%
1997 -1.06% -2%
1996 -0.56% -3.97%
1995 - -5.09%
1994 - -7.23%
1993 - -6.34%
1992 - -5%
1991 - -4.4%
1990 - -0.49%
1989 - -3.35%
1988 - -0.57%
1987 - -2.12%
1986 - -2.24%
1985 - -2.39%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -6.04%
1982 - -6.97%
1981 - -9.97%
1980 - -11%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/madagascar | 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 Madagascar's deficit of $433M, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Madagascar ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.87% of GDP for Madagascar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Madagascar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Madagascar
2025 - 8.05%
2024 - 7.61%
2023 - 9.87%
2022 - 8.16%
2021 - 5.81%
2020 - 4.2%
2019 - 5.61%
2018 - 8.59%
2017 - 8.61%
2016 2.89% 6.04%
2015 0.74% 7.4%
2014 1.24% 6.08%
2013 0.81% 5.83%
2012 9.72% 5.71%
2011 15.3% 9.48%
2010 7.1% 9.25%
2009 2.8% 8.95%
2008 17.3% 9.3%
2007 16.9% 10.3%
2006 13.1% 10.8%
2005 21.3% 18.4%
2004 3.99% 14%
2003 12.9% -1.7%
2002 31.5% 16.5%
2001 360% 7.92%
2000 514% 11.9%
1999 284.9% 9.93%
1998 29.1% 6.21%
1997 198.5% 4.49%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 8.83% in Madagascar. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 8.05% in Madagascar.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $458K
Textiles & consumer goods $36K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K
Metals $12K
Machinery & equipment $8K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Wood & paper products $1K
Madagascar
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $559K
Machinery & equipment $54K
Miscellaneous $52K
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Madagascar
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$749M
2024
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-4.26%
2024
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$4.16B
2024
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$548M
2025
$1.53B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
32.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
21.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Madagascar
Economic freedom 47 57
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 119/197
Property rights 15.4 39.8
Government integrity 12.8 26.8
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 33.7
Tax burden 73.8 90.5
Government spending 91.2 91.5
Fiscal health 95.9 68.8
Business freedom 32.3 37.3
Labor freedom 54.2 56.1
Monetary freedom 58.6 71.8
Trade freedom 68.2 67.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Madagascar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Madagascar
2026 47 57
2025 47.3 57
2024 47.6 57.3
2023 47.9 58.9
2022 47.6 58.9
2021 49 57.7
2020 49.5 60.5
2019 50.3 56.6
2018 52.1 56.8
2017 56.4 57.4
2016 46.4 61.1
2015 45 61.7
2014 40.6 61.7
2013 39.6 62
2012 41.1 62.4
2011 40.7 61.2
2010 41.4 63.2
2009 42.8 62.2
2008 - 62.4
2007 - 61.1
2006 - 61
2005 - 63.1
2004 - 60.9
2003 - 62.8
2002 - 56.8
2001 - 53.9
2000 34.8 54.4
1999 34 52.8
1998 40.6 51.8
1997 39.5 53.8
1996 39.5 52.2
1995 41.4 51.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 57 for Madagascar, ranking 119/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Madagascar
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
48.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
23.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
21.7%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$18.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$1,910
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$2.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
122/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$472M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$606M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$134M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
1.71%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
75.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
24.1%
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/madagascar | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, 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.