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Economy of DR Congo vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 87/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

DR Congo vs Malaysia GDP by year

DR Congo
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Malaysia
2024 $70,962,185,791 $422,227,005,429
2023 $69,843,655,425 $399,949,418,753
2022 $70,422,346,142 $407,830,525,990
2021 $59,067,289,574 $373,784,553,030
2020 $46,691,989,749 $337,456,163,961
2019 $46,845,900,350 $365,177,721,022
2018 $46,659,954,092 $358,788,845,713
2017 $37,537,521,566 $319,109,094,160
2016 $38,600,224,214 $301,256,033,870
2015 $40,179,574,490 $301,355,266,965
2014 $38,352,980,553 $338,066,095,097
2013 $34,891,189,160 $323,276,235,524
2012 $30,029,369,929 $314,443,047,642
2011 $26,392,379,642 $297,951,668,675
2010 $24,161,641,931 $255,017,638,456
2009 $18,607,259,481 $202,257,453,037
2008 $22,723,488,723 $230,811,614,370
2007 $18,374,807,773 $193,549,569,478
2006 $15,484,044,535 $162,692,258,307
2005 $12,609,728,573 $143,534,405,819
2004 $10,297,483,481 $124,749,473,684
2003 $8,937,567,060 $110,202,368,421
2002 $8,728,038,525 $100,845,526,316
2001 $7,438,189,100 $92,783,947,368
2000 $19,088,046,306 $93,789,736,842
1999 $4,711,259,427 $79,148,421,053
1998 $6,217,805,821 $72,167,498,981
1997 $6,090,838,693 $100,005,323,302
1996 $5,771,456,952 $100,855,393,910
1995 $5,643,439,376 $88,705,342,903
1994 $5,820,382,248 $74,478,356,958
1993 $10,706,259,937 $66,894,966,969
1992 $8,227,343,907 $59,167,550,163
1991 $9,625,436,873 $49,143,148,094
1990 $9,349,764,580 $44,024,585,240
1989 $9,021,862,775 $38,847,965,293
1988 $8,861,299,977 $35,272,109,220
1987 $7,661,625,473 $32,181,210,158
1986 $8,095,367,168 $27,734,111,400
1985 $7,195,042,616 $31,199,633,353
1984 $7,857,729,193 $33,942,897,422
1983 $11,006,712,650 $30,347,442,111
1982 $13,651,667,371 $26,804,493,635
1981 $12,537,821,038 $25,004,285,792
1980 $14,394,927,495 $24,488,224,677
1979 $15,068,422,236 $21,213,264,962
1978 $15,372,608,002 $16,358,079,862
1977 $12,344,424,764 $13,139,488,633
1976 $9,648,583,225 $11,050,234,599
1975 $10,237,343,174 $9,298,800,799
1974 $9,596,960,180 $9,496,204,302
1973 $7,870,239,461 $7,662,902,678
1972 $6,173,712,814 $5,043,347,250
1971 $5,594,770,359 $4,244,395,956
1970 $4,877,684,910 $3,864,145,667
1969 $5,032,434,970 $3,664,552,041
1968 $3,909,780,539 $3,330,371,551
1967 $3,384,063,372 $3,188,924,677
1966 $4,532,660,182 $3,143,517,944
1965 $4,043,901,818 $2,956,337,669
1964 $2,881,545,273 $2,674,423,922
1963 $6,213,185,743 $2,510,110,348
1962 $3,779,841,429 $2,001,489,602
1961 $3,086,746,857 $1,901,856,123
1960 $3,359,404,118 $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Malaysia by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $660 $1,731 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $688 $1,590 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $596 $1,402 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $486 $1,089 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $504 $1,056 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $518 $1,049 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $431 $991 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $460 $950 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $496 $910 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $489 $859 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $460 $761 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $410 $648 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $373 $644 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $352 $606 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $280.2 $573 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $353 $584 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $294.1 $550 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $255.4 $508 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $214.5 $484 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $180.7 $456 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $161.5 $428 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $162.4 $410 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $142.7 $404 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $378 $417 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $96.3 $452 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $131.5 $481 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $132.3 $497 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $127.4 $526 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $127 $532 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $136.5 $540 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $263.3 $576 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $209.7 $674 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $253.8 $762 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $254.9 $832 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $254.2 - $2,244 -
1988 $257.7 - $2,100 -
1987 $230.1 - $1,977 -
1986 $250.9 - $1,760 -
1985 $230.1 - $2,046 -
1984 $259.8 - $2,300 -
1983 $376 - $2,124 -
1982 $482 - $1,938 -
1981 $456 - $1,866 -
1980 $539 - $1,886 -
1979 $582 - $1,680 -
1978 $615 - $1,327 -
1977 $509 - $1,092 -
1976 $408 - $940 -
1975 $445 - $811 -
1974 $428 - $848 -
1973 $361 - $701 -
1972 $290.5 - $472 -
1971 $270.3 - $407 -
1970 $242.2 - $380 -
1969 $257.1 - $368 -
1968 $205.6 - $342 -
1967 $183.3 - $335 -
1966 $252.8 - $339 -
1965 $232 - $326 -
1964 $169.9 - $303 -
1963 $376 - $291.8 -
1962 $235.1 - $238.8 -
1961 $197.1 - $232.9 -
1960 $220.1 - $240.8 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$11,005
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$449B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
3.93%
2022
Population
117507801
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 16.5% 27% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 25% 67.7%
2019 14% 19.4% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 22% 54.4%
2016 14.3% 33% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 16% 25.5% 24.7% 57%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 26% 55.4%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 7.59% 112% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 25.9% 42%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 4.17% 136% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 2.49% 135% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 2.15% - 24.6% 34.4%
1998 2.78% - 23.1% 33.6%
1997 2.51% - 21.2% 29.6%
1996 2.17% - 22.4% 32.8%
1995 - - 22.6% 38.2%
1994 - - 23.3% 43.7%
1993 - - 24.6% 51.1%
1992 - - 28.2% 59.1%
1991 - - 27.4% 67.3%
1990 - - 30.5% 74.1%

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

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 172/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Malaysia
2024 -1.48% -3.95%
2023 -1.65% -3.97%
2022 -1.01% -4.56%
2021 -1.68% -6.03%
2020 -3.17% -4.9%
2019 -3.17% -2.01%
2018 -1.34% -2.64%
2017 -0.05% -2.41%
2016 -0.93% -2.6%
2015 -1.35% -2.55%
2014 3.73% -2.63%
2013 3.28% -3.48%
2012 1.71% -3.1%
2011 -0.94% -3.57%
2010 -0.95% -4.32%
2009 0.92% -5.88%
2008 -0.41% -3.4%
2007 1.12% -2.57%
2006 1.97% -2.6%
2005 1.3% -2.83%
2004 -0.17% -3.35%
2003 -3.92% -4.6%
2002 0.89% -3.96%
2001 -1.13% -4.36%
2000 -1.85% -6.05%
1999 -1.35% -3%
1998 -1.55% -0.63%
1997 -1.06% 4.84%
1996 -0.56% 3.27%
1995 - 3.1%
1994 - 5.45%
1993 - 3.44%
1992 - 1.81%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 0.15%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/malaysia | 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 Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.95% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Malaysia 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 3.03% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Malaysia
2024 - 1.83%
2023 - 2.49%
2022 - 3.38%
2021 - 2.48%
2020 - -1.14%
2019 - 0.66%
2018 - 0.88%
2017 - 3.87%
2016 2.89% 2.09%
2015 0.74% 2.1%
2014 1.24% 3.14%
2013 0.81% 2.11%
2012 9.72% 1.66%
2011 15.3% 3.17%
2010 7.1% 1.62%
2009 2.8% 0.58%
2008 17.3% 5.44%
2007 16.9% 2.03%
2006 13.1% 3.61%
2005 21.3% 2.98%
2004 3.99% 1.42%
2003 12.9% 1.09%
2002 31.5% 1.81%
2001 360% 1.42%
2000 514% 1.53%
1999 284.9% 2.74%
1998 29.1% 5.27%
1997 198.5% 2.66%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 2.42% in Malaysia. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $39.2M
Raw materials & minerals $10.9M
Metals $1.18M
Wood & paper products $392K
Machinery & equipment $24K
Animal & marine products $4K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.3M
Animal & marine products $6.47M
Chemicals & pharma $5.52M
Machinery & equipment $2.22M
Raw materials & minerals $1.21M
Textiles & consumer goods $816K
Metals $115K
Raw agricultural goods $69K
Wood & paper products $7K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Malaysia
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$248B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
71.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Malaysia
Economic freedom 47 68
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 51/197
Property rights 15.4 62.7
Government integrity 12.8 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 63.4
Tax burden 73.8 83.5
Government spending 91.2 82
Fiscal health 95.9 62.5
Business freedom 32.3 79.6
Labor freedom 54.2 55.4
Monetary freedom 58.6 80.8
Trade freedom 68.2 83
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Malaysia
2026 47 68
2025 47.3 67.1
2024 47.6 65.7
2023 47.9 67.3
2022 47.6 68.1
2021 49 74.4
2020 49.5 74.7
2019 50.3 74
2018 52.1 74.5
2017 56.4 73.8
2016 46.4 71.5
2015 45 70.8
2014 40.6 69.6
2013 39.6 66.1
2012 41.1 66.4
2011 40.7 66.3
2010 41.4 64.8
2009 42.8 64.6
2008 - 63.9
2007 - 63.8
2006 - 61.6
2005 - 61.9
2004 - 59.9
2003 - 61.1
2002 - 60.1
2001 - 60.2
2000 34.8 66
1999 34 68.9
1998 40.6 68.2
1997 39.5 66.8
1996 39.5 69.9
1995 41.4 71.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
22%
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/malaysia | 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. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.