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Economy of DR Congo vs Madagascar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $17.4B for Madagascar, ranking 87/197 and 136/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $8.77B (50.3% of GDP) in Madagascar.

DR Congo vs Madagascar GDP by year

DR Congo
Madagascar
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Madagascar
2024 $70,962,185,791 $17,420,501,490
2023 $69,843,655,425 $15,869,945,478
2022 $70,422,346,142 $15,325,603,273
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $649 $1,821 $545 $1,884
2023 $660 $1,731 $509 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $545 in Madagascar, ranking 193/197. 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
$71B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
136/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$545
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
193/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$1,884
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
187/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$8.77B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
50.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$274.3
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
180/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$1,268
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
16.7%
2024
16.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
9.87%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
3.19%
2022
Population
117507801
33750171

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
2024 16.7% 22.5% 16.2% 50.3%
2023 16.5% 27% 17.9% 52.7%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 16.2% 49.9%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 13.9% 49.4%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 16.4% 52.9%
2019 14% 19.4% 15.4% 41.3%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 14.4% 42.9%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 14.9% 40.1%
2016 14.3% 33% 13.5% 40.3%
2015 16% 25.5% 13% 44.1%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 12.6% 37.8%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 12.7% 36.2%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 11.5% 30.4%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 12% 29.9%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 12.3% 32.3%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 12.5% 34.9%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 15.7% 31%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 16.1% 28.2%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 18.5% 32.2%
2005 7.59% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Madagascar spent $2.82B, or 16.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 50.3% in Madagascar, ranking 172/185 and 106/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Madagascar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Madagascar
2024 -1.48% -2.48%
2023 -1.65% -4.19%
2022 -1.01% -5.46%
2021 -1.68% -2.83%
2020 -3.17% -3.96%
2019 -3.17% -1.42%
2018 -1.34% -1.34%
2017 -0.05% -2.1%
2016 -0.93% -1.11%
2015 -1.35% -2.85%
2014 3.73% -1.96%
2013 3.28% -3.4%
2012 1.71% -2.24%
2011 -0.94% -2.04%
2010 -0.95% -0.76%
2009 0.92% -2.26%
2008 -0.41% -1.72%
2007 1.12% -2.31%
2006 1.97% -5.71%
2005 1.3% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/madagascar | 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 Madagascar's deficit of $432M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Madagascar ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.89% of GDP for Madagascar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Madagascar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Madagascar
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 (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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 9.87% in Madagascar.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.64M
Machinery & equipment $35K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Metals $6K
Madagascar
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $559K
Miscellaneous $123K
Machinery & equipment $34K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Madagascar
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$829M
2022
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
119/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-5.41%
2022
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$4.52B
2022
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$3.55B
2022
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$1.52B
2022
Service exports
$322M
2024
$1.14B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
31.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
23.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo 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 2026-03-09).

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
46.6%
2024
47.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
22.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
22.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$16.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$2.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
120/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$326M
2022
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
0.69%
2024
1.72%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
75.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
22.2%
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/madagascar | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.