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Economy of DR Congo vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 87/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

DR Congo vs Malta GDP by year

DR Congo
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Malta
2024 $70,962,185,791 $24,971,574,502
2023 $69,843,655,425 $22,610,561,526
2022 $70,422,346,142 $18,928,276,162
2021 $59,067,289,574 $19,739,875,611
2020 $46,691,989,749 $16,404,663,226
2019 $46,845,900,350 $16,337,793,531
2018 $46,659,954,092 $16,153,779,511
2017 $37,537,521,566 $14,161,366,724
2016 $38,600,224,214 $12,025,782,834
2015 $40,179,574,490 $11,340,795,042
2014 $38,352,980,553 $11,888,032,874
2013 $34,891,189,160 $10,796,782,636
2012 $30,029,369,929 $9,609,532,089
2011 $26,392,379,642 $9,789,361,703
2010 $24,161,641,931 $9,097,044,159
2009 $18,607,259,481 $8,734,745,698
2008 $22,723,488,723 $9,135,419,465
2007 $18,374,807,773 $7,908,412,306
2006 $15,484,044,535 $6,749,838,806
2005 $12,609,728,573 $6,393,234,993
2004 $10,297,483,481 $6,104,141,520
2003 $8,937,567,060 $5,418,315,224
2002 $8,728,038,525 $4,455,127,414
2001 $7,438,189,100 $4,070,867,133
2000 $19,088,046,306 $4,036,809,815
1999 $4,711,259,427 $4,111,857,809
1998 $6,217,805,821 $4,010,111,688
1997 $6,090,838,693 $3,787,023,707
1996 $5,771,456,952 $3,822,547,197
1995 $5,643,439,376 $3,709,396,045
1994 $5,820,382,248 $2,998,505,428
1993 $10,706,259,937 $2,709,193,538
1992 $8,227,343,907 $3,021,942,759
1991 $9,625,436,873 $2,750,216,747
1990 $9,349,764,580 $2,547,328,748
1989 $9,021,862,775 $2,118,655,677
1988 $8,861,299,977 $2,019,503,068
1987 $7,661,625,473 $1,751,293,461
1986 $8,095,367,168 $1,435,038,441
1985 $7,195,042,616 $1,117,797,439
1984 $7,857,729,193 $1,101,807,023
1983 $11,006,712,650 $1,165,729,707
1982 $13,651,667,371 $1,234,474,404
1981 $12,537,821,038 $1,243,509,394
1980 $14,394,927,495 $1,250,198,601
1979 $15,068,422,236 $1,001,288,847
1978 $15,372,608,002 $793,673,402
1977 $12,344,424,764 $625,563,171
1976 $9,648,583,225 $527,936,989
1975 $10,237,343,174 $474,618,321
1974 $9,596,960,180 $376,081,124
1973 $7,870,239,461 $345,616,106
1972 $6,173,712,814 $295,106,628
1971 $5,594,770,359 $264,578,485
1970 $4,877,684,910 $250,728,796
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/malta | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Malta by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $660 $1,731 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $688 $1,590 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $596 $1,402 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $486 $1,089 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $504 $1,056 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $518 $1,049 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $431 $991 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $460 $950 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $496 $910 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $489 $859 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $460 $761 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $410 $648 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $373 $644 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $352 $606 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $280.2 $573 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $353 $584 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $294.1 $550 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $255.4 $508 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $214.5 $484 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $180.7 $456 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $161.5 $428 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $162.4 $410 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $142.7 $404 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $378 $417 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $96.3 $452 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $131.5 $481 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $132.3 $497 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $127.4 $526 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $127 $532 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $136.5 $540 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $263.3 $576 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $209.7 $674 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $253.8 $762 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $254.9 $832 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $254.2 - $6,041 -
1988 $257.7 - $5,814 -
1987 $230.1 - $5,084 -
1986 $250.9 - $4,195 -
1985 $230.1 - $3,322 -
1984 $259.8 - $3,333 -
1983 $376 - $3,527 -
1982 $482 - $3,788 -
1981 $456 - $3,898 -
1980 $539 - $3,948 -
1979 $582 - $3,196 -
1978 $615 - $2,559 -
1977 $509 - $2,038 -
1976 $408 - $1,727 -
1975 $445 - $1,560 -
1974 $428 - $1,245 -
1973 $361 - $1,144 -
1972 $290.5 - $976 -
1971 $270.3 - $874 -
1970 $242.2 - $828 -
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/malta | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Malta
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.29B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
1.65%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
3.12%
2024
Population
117507801
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 16.5% 27% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 14% 19.4% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 14.3% 33% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 16% 25.5% 37.8% 55%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 40.1% 65%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 41.1% 66%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 41.2% 62%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 7.59% 112% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 42% 70.4%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 4.17% 136% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 44.4% 70%
2000 2.49% 135% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 2.15% - - 69.8%
1998 2.78% - - 66.4%
1997 2.51% - - 60.8%
1996 2.17% - - 51.5%
1995 - - - 45.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 172/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Malta
2024 -1.48% -3.58%
2023 -1.65% -4.65%
2022 -1.01% -5.31%
2021 -1.68% -6.95%
2020 -3.17% -8.72%
2019 -3.17% 0.72%
2018 -1.34% 1.86%
2017 -0.05% 3.4%
2016 -0.93% 1.1%
2015 -1.35% -0.84%
2014 3.73% -1.49%
2013 3.28% -2.19%
2012 1.71% -3.31%
2011 -0.94% -2.99%
2010 -0.95% -2.22%
2009 0.92% -3.11%
2008 -0.41% -4.06%
2007 1.12% -2.05%
2006 1.97% -2.46%
2005 1.3% -2.83%
2004 -0.17% -4.28%
2003 -3.92% -9.04%
2002 0.89% -5.62%
2001 -1.13% -6.5%
2000 -1.85% -5.83%
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/malta | 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 Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.41% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Malta
2024 - 1.65%
2023 - 5.09%
2022 - 6.15%
2021 - 1.5%
2020 - 0.64%
2019 - 1.64%
2018 - 1.16%
2017 - 1.36%
2016 2.89% 0.64%
2015 0.74% 1.1%
2014 1.24% 0.31%
2013 0.81% 1.18%
2012 9.72% 2.38%
2011 15.3% 2.96%
2010 7.1% 1.52%
2009 2.8% 2.08%
2008 17.3% 4.26%
2007 16.9% 1.25%
2006 13.1% 2.77%
2005 21.3% 3.01%
2004 3.99% 2.79%
2003 12.9% 1.3%
2002 31.5% 2.19%
2001 360% 2.93%
2000 514% 2.37%
1999 284.9% 2.13%
1998 29.1% 2.39%
1997 198.5% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 2.13% in Malta. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Malta
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.27M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.06M
Chemicals & pharma $728K
Raw materials & minerals $118K
Raw agricultural goods $29K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Malta
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
118.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Malta
Economic freedom 47 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 49/197
Property rights 15.4 85.5
Government integrity 12.8 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 80.2
Tax burden 73.8 68.5
Government spending 91.2 58.4
Fiscal health 95.9 63.2
Business freedom 32.3 83.2
Labor freedom 54.2 62.6
Monetary freedom 58.6 73.1
Trade freedom 68.2 79.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Malta
2026 47 68.2
2025 47.3 66.8
2024 47.6 64.5
2023 47.9 67.5
2022 47.6 71.5
2021 49 70.2
2020 49.5 69.5
2019 50.3 68.6
2018 52.1 68.5
2017 56.4 67.7
2016 46.4 66.7
2015 45 66.5
2014 40.6 66.4
2013 39.6 67.5
2012 41.1 67
2011 40.7 65.7
2010 41.4 67.2
2009 42.8 66.1
2008 - 66
2007 - 66.1
2006 - 67.3
2005 - 68.9
2004 - 63.3
2003 - 61.1
2002 - 62.2
2001 - 62.9
2000 34.8 58.3
1999 34 59.3
1998 40.6 61.2
1997 39.5 57.9
1996 39.5 55.8
1995 41.4 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Malta
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
19%
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/malta | 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 (1995–2024, 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.