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Economy of DR Congo vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $26.8B for Mali, ranking 87/197 and 113/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $13.9B (51.7% of GDP) in Mali.

DR Congo vs Mali GDP by year

DR Congo
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Mali
2024 $70,962,185,791 $26,794,747,240
2023 $69,843,655,425 $24,813,860,599
2022 $70,422,346,142 $22,539,987,719
2021 $59,067,289,574 $22,999,245,263
2020 $46,691,989,749 $20,698,560,939
2019 $46,845,900,350 $20,477,421,885
2018 $46,659,954,092 $20,368,015,381
2017 $37,537,521,566 $18,308,362,040
2016 $38,600,224,214 $16,743,796,800
2015 $40,179,574,490 $15,583,181,170
2014 $38,352,980,553 $17,081,681,993
2013 $34,891,189,160 $15,747,192,681
2012 $30,029,369,929 $14,795,114,603
2011 $26,392,379,642 $15,452,791,789
2010 $24,161,641,931 $12,710,739,159
2009 $18,607,259,481 $12,155,217,833
2008 $22,723,488,723 $11,462,490,840
2007 $18,374,807,773 $9,699,047,443
2006 $15,484,044,535 $8,212,007,554
2005 $12,609,728,573 $7,429,066,951
2004 $10,297,483,481 $6,485,774,930
2003 $8,937,567,060 $5,605,613,011
2002 $8,728,038,525 $4,647,238,257
2001 $7,438,189,100 $4,124,281,594
2000 $19,088,046,306 $3,521,570,876
1999 $4,711,259,427 $4,091,446,054
1998 $6,217,805,821 $3,894,433,432
1997 $6,090,838,693 $3,414,879,486
1996 $5,771,456,952 $3,743,103,420
1995 $5,643,439,376 $3,373,322,735
1994 $5,820,382,248 $2,655,768,636
1993 $10,706,259,937 $3,632,801,877
1992 $8,227,343,907 $3,680,775,037
1991 $9,625,436,873 $3,576,562,682
1990 $9,349,764,580 $3,248,417,791
1989 $9,021,862,775 $2,824,822,489
1988 $8,861,299,977 $2,712,207,901
1987 $7,661,625,473 $2,437,004,680
1986 $8,095,367,168 $2,132,938,007
1985 $7,195,042,616 $1,594,347,021
1984 $7,857,729,193 $1,387,809,615
1983 $11,006,712,650 $1,496,616,127
1982 $13,651,667,371 $1,680,304,773
1981 $12,537,821,038 $2,234,583,940
1980 $14,394,927,495 $2,704,362,789
1979 $15,068,422,236 $1,595,422,956
1978 $15,372,608,002 $1,222,702,573
1977 $12,344,424,764 $1,049,838,548
1976 $9,648,583,225 $939,228,017
1975 $10,237,343,174 $830,710,615
1974 $9,596,960,180 $538,747,340
1973 $7,870,239,461 $563,683,703
1972 $6,173,712,814 $486,617,280
1971 $5,594,770,359 $395,218,629
1970 $4,877,684,910 $359,772,315
1969 $5,032,434,970 $339,913,867
1968 $3,909,780,539 $343,771,973
1967 $3,384,063,372 $275,494,478
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/mali | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Mali by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $1,095 $3,315
2023 $660 $1,731 $1,044 $3,175
2022 $688 $1,590 $977 $3,014
2021 $596 $1,402 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $486 $1,089 $953 $2,724
2019 $504 $1,056 $972 $2,820
2018 $518 $1,049 $996 $2,684
2017 $431 $991 $924 $2,607
2016 $460 $950 $872 $2,532
2015 $496 $910 $838 $2,330
2014 $489 $859 $948 $2,185
2013 $460 $761 $902 $2,059
2012 $410 $648 $873 $1,990
2011 $373 $644 $938 $2,046
2010 $352 $606 $797 $2,012
2009 $280.2 $573 $787 $1,945
2008 $353 $584 $767 $1,893
2007 $294.1 $550 $671 $1,852
2006 $255.4 $508 $587 $1,832
2005 $214.5 $484 $549 $1,771
2004 $180.7 $456 $495 $1,730
2003 $161.5 $428 $442 $1,715
2002 $162.4 $410 $378 $1,581
2001 $142.7 $404 $346 $1,559
2000 $378 $417 $305 $1,357
1999 $96.3 $452 $364 $1,376
1998 $131.5 $481 $357 $1,332
1997 $132.3 $497 $321 $1,267
1996 $127.4 $526 $360 $1,224
1995 $127 $532 $331 $1,154
1994 $136.5 $540 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $263.3 $576 $372 $1,087
1992 $209.7 $674 $385 $1,039
1991 $253.8 $762 $382 $1,091
1990 $254.9 $832 $354 $956
1989 $254.2 - $314 -
1988 $257.7 - $307 -
1987 $230.1 - $280.7 -
1986 $250.9 - $250 -
1985 $230.1 - $190.4 -
1984 $259.8 - $169.1 -
1983 $376 - $186.3 -
1982 $482 - $213.8 -
1981 $456 - $290.5 -
1980 $539 - $359 -
1979 $582 - $216.3 -
1978 $615 - $169.1 -
1977 $509 - $148.1 -
1976 $408 - $134.9 -
1975 $445 - $121.5 -
1974 $428 - $80.2 -
1973 $361 - $85.4 -
1972 $290.5 - $75.1 -
1971 $270.3 - $62 -
1970 $242.2 - $57.3 -
1969 $257.1 - $55 -
1968 $205.6 - $56.5 -
1967 $183.3 - $46 -
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/mali | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $1,095 in Mali, ranking 173/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Mali
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$26.8B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
4.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$1,095
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$13.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
51.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$566
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
161/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$1,463
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
3.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
5.45%
2023
Population
117507801
26143152

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 24.7% 51.7%
2023 16.5% 27% 24.8% 51.9%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 24.4% 50.3%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 26.9% 51.6%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 26.1% 47.3%
2019 14% 19.4% 23.1% 40.7%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 20.3% 37.5%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 22.9% 38.2%
2016 14.3% 33% 22.3% 37.2%
2015 16% 25.5% 20.9% 30.7%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 20% 26.9%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 19.8% 26.4%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 15.5% 25.4%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 20.6% 24%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 20.3% 25.3%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 22.8% 21.9%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 18.8% 20.1%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 21.5% 18.5%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 22.1% 18.1%
2005 7.59% 112% 21.6% 46.6%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 21.8% 42.4%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 20.8% 44.1%
2002 4.17% 136% 19.9% 42.6%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 18.3% 77.5%
2000 2.49% 135% 19.4% 90.5%
1999 2.15% - - -
1998 2.78% - - -
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/mali | CC BY

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.61B, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 51.7% in Mali, ranking 172/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Mali
2024 -1.48% -2.57%
2023 -1.65% -3.57%
2022 -1.01% -4.75%
2021 -1.68% -4.91%
2020 -3.17% -5.42%
2019 -3.17% -1.68%
2018 -1.34% -4.74%
2017 -0.05% -2.86%
2016 -0.93% -3.95%
2015 -1.35% -1.82%
2014 3.73% -2.89%
2013 3.28% -2.37%
2012 1.71% -0.96%
2011 -0.94% -3.42%
2010 -0.95% -2.57%
2009 0.92% -3.71%
2008 -0.41% -1.97%
2007 1.12% -2.78%
2006 1.97% 27.8%
2005 1.3% -2.76%
2004 -0.17% -2.36%
2003 -3.92% -1.19%
2002 0.89% -3.09%
2001 -1.13% -2.8%
2000 -1.85% -2.64%
1999 -1.35% -
1998 -1.55% -
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/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $687M, or 2.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.41% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.76% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Mali
2024 - 3.2%
2023 - 2.1%
2022 - 9.7%
2021 - 3.8%
2020 - 0.5%
2019 - -3%
2018 - 1.9%
2017 - 2.4%
2016 2.89% -1.8%
2015 0.74% 1.4%
2014 1.24% 0.9%
2013 0.81% -0.6%
2012 9.72% 5.3%
2011 15.3% 3%
2010 7.1% 1.2%
2009 2.8% 2.4%
2008 17.3% 9.2%
2007 16.9% 1.4%
2006 13.1% 1.6%
2005 21.3% 6.4%
2004 3.99% -3.1%
2003 12.9% -1.3%
2002 31.5% 5%
2001 360% 5.2%
2000 514% -0.8%
1999 284.9% -1.2%
1998 29.1% 4.1%
1997 198.5% -0.7%

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/mali | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 1.88% in Mali. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 3.2% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $631K
Machinery & equipment $168K
Metals $100K
Wood & paper products $8K
Animal & marine products $3K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Mali
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.01M
Raw materials & minerals $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Animal & marine products $3K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Metals $1K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Mali
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
136/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-6.49%
2023
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$5.73B
2023
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$5.65B
2023
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$2.34B
2023
Service exports
$322M
2024
$475M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
27.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
22.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Mali
Economic freedom 47 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 150/197
Property rights 15.4 13.8
Government integrity 12.8 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 23.3
Tax burden 73.8 67.9
Government spending 91.2 81.8
Fiscal health 95.9 73.6
Business freedom 32.3 40.8
Labor freedom 54.2 54.1
Monetary freedom 58.6 78.2
Trade freedom 68.2 64
Investment freedom 30 65
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Mali
2026 47 52.1
2025 47.3 52.6
2024 47.6 52.5
2023 47.9 54.5
2022 47.6 55.9
2021 49 55.6
2020 49.5 55.9
2019 50.3 58.1
2018 52.1 57.6
2017 56.4 58.6
2016 46.4 56.5
2015 45 56.4
2014 40.6 55.5
2013 39.6 56.4
2012 41.1 55.8
2011 40.7 56.3
2010 41.4 55.6
2009 42.8 55.6
2008 - 55.6
2007 - 54.7
2006 - 54.1
2005 - 57.3
2004 - 56.6
2003 - 58.6
2002 - 61.1
2001 - 60.1
2000 34.8 60.3
1999 34 58.4
1998 40.6 57.3
1997 39.5 56.4
1996 39.5 57
1995 41.4 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Mali
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
23.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
33.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$3,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$673M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
1.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
19.5%
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/mali | 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 (2021–2023, 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.