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Economy of DR Congo vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 87/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

DR Congo vs Nicaragua GDP by year

DR Congo
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Nicaragua
2024 $70,962,185,791 $19,693,982,968
2023 $69,843,655,425 $17,805,842,284
2022 $70,422,346,142 $15,634,572,502
2021 $59,067,289,574 $14,209,020,362
2020 $46,691,989,749 $12,726,422,432
2019 $46,845,900,350 $12,699,023,614
2018 $46,659,954,092 $13,025,221,974
2017 $37,537,521,566 $13,785,893,007
2016 $38,600,224,214 $13,286,093,388
2015 $40,179,574,490 $12,756,696,261
2014 $38,352,980,553 $11,880,438,824
2013 $34,891,189,160 $10,982,988,249
2012 $30,029,369,929 $10,532,017,232
2011 $26,392,379,642 $9,774,329,333
2010 $24,161,641,931 $8,758,602,233
2009 $18,607,259,481 $8,298,702,489
2008 $22,723,488,723 $8,496,967,597
2007 $18,374,807,773 $7,423,375,015
2006 $15,484,044,535 $6,763,672,381
2005 $12,609,728,573 $6,321,324,279
2004 $10,297,483,481 $5,792,932,838
2003 $8,937,567,060 $5,322,228,351
2002 $8,728,038,525 $5,223,727,303
2001 $7,438,189,100 $5,351,752,034
2000 $19,088,046,306 $5,109,587,050
1999 $4,711,259,427 $4,856,026,259
1998 $6,217,805,821 $4,635,347,386
1997 $6,090,838,693 $4,389,973,490
1996 $5,771,456,952 $4,308,351,903
1995 $5,643,439,376 $4,140,470,000
1994 $5,820,382,248 $3,863,185,119
1993 $10,706,259,937 $1,756,454,248
1992 $8,227,343,907 $1,792,800,000
1991 $9,625,436,873 $1,488,804,124
1990 $9,349,764,580 $1,009,455,484
1989 $9,021,862,775 $1,013,184,756
1988 $8,861,299,977 $2,630,900,096
1987 $7,661,625,473 $3,851,200,118
1986 $8,095,367,168 $2,885,799,994
1985 $7,195,042,616 $2,683,699,935
1984 $7,857,729,193 $3,117,599,872
1983 $11,006,712,650 $2,753,100,058
1982 $13,651,667,371 $2,454,499,872
1981 $12,537,821,038 $2,474,700,227
1980 $14,394,927,495 $2,144,300,006
1979 $15,068,422,236 $1,567,599,982
1978 $15,372,608,002 $2,127,699,979
1977 $12,344,424,764 $2,226,999,874
1976 $9,648,583,225 $1,836,899,999
1975 $10,237,343,174 $1,581,599,959
1974 $9,596,960,180 $1,521,400,012
1973 $7,870,239,461 $1,092,900,015
1972 $6,173,712,814 $878,570,045
1971 $5,594,770,359 $828,569,953
1970 $4,877,684,910 $778,569,939
1969 $5,032,434,970 $750,000,003
1968 $3,909,780,539 $692,859,985
1967 $3,384,063,372 $657,140,011
1966 $4,532,660,182 $607,140,010
1965 $4,043,901,818 $564,290,020
1964 $2,881,545,273 $347,119,918
1963 $6,213,185,743 $297,324,163
1962 $3,779,841,429 $269,283,804
1961 $3,086,746,857 $244,144,237
1960 $3,359,404,118 $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Nicaragua by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $660 $1,731 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $688 $1,590 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $596 $1,402 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $486 $1,089 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $504 $1,056 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $518 $1,049 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $431 $991 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $460 $950 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $496 $910 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $489 $859 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $460 $761 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $410 $648 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $373 $644 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $352 $606 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $280.2 $573 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $353 $584 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $294.1 $550 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $255.4 $508 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $214.5 $484 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $180.7 $456 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $161.5 $428 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $162.4 $410 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $142.7 $404 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $378 $417 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $96.3 $452 $980 $2,672
1998 $131.5 $481 $949 $2,497
1997 $132.3 $497 $913 $2,418
1996 $127.4 $526 $911 $2,325
1995 $127 $532 $892 $2,187
1994 $136.5 $540 $849 $2,064
1993 $263.3 $576 $394 $1,998
1992 $209.7 $674 $411 $2,003
1991 $253.8 $762 $350 $1,995
1990 $254.9 $832 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $254.2 - $249.2 -
1988 $257.7 - $662 -
1987 $230.1 - $992 -
1986 $250.9 - $761 -
1985 $230.1 - $724 -
1984 $259.8 - $861 -
1983 $376 - $780 -
1982 $482 - $714 -
1981 $456 - $740 -
1980 $539 - $659 -
1979 $582 - $495 -
1978 $615 - $691 -
1977 $509 - $744 -
1976 $408 - $633 -
1975 $445 - $561 -
1974 $428 - $557 -
1973 $361 - $413 -
1972 $290.5 - $341 -
1971 $270.3 - $331 -
1970 $242.2 - $321 -
1969 $257.1 - $319 -
1968 $205.6 - $304 -
1967 $183.3 - $297.9 -
1966 $252.8 - $284 -
1965 $232 - $272.3 -
1964 $169.9 - $172.7 -
1963 $376 - $152.5 -
1962 $235.1 - $142.3 -
1961 $197.1 - $132.9 -
1960 $220.1 - $127.5 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$2,318
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
5.2%
2018
Population
117507801
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 16.5% 27% 26% 42.3%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 30% 48.4%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 14% 19.4% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 14.3% 33% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 16% 25.5% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 21.9% 26%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 7.59% 112% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 20.8% 84%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 4.17% 136% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 2.49% 135% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 2.15% - 22.1% 99.8%
1998 2.78% - 18.5% 86.5%
1997 2.51% - 17.9% 86.4%
1996 2.17% - 18% -
1995 - - 17.7% -
1994 - - 18.4% -
1993 - - 18.4% -
1992 - - 18.4% -
1991 - - 16.8% -
1990 - - 28.2% -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - 24.8% -
1987 - - - 266.6%
1986 - - 26.1% 159.2%
1985 - - 29.9% 218%
1984 - - 31.9% 198%
1983 - - 33.8% 211.6%
1982 - - 49.4% 159.1%
1981 - - 39.3% 149.1%
1980 - - 30.4% 152.1%
1979 - - 20.7% 116.3%
1978 - - 17.7% 76.9%
1977 - - 19.9% 62.7%
1976 - - 16.2% 59.5%
1975 - - 17.5% 57.8%
1974 - - 15.3% 40%
1973 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1972 - - 15.1% 30.2%
1971 - - 15.1% 31.6%
1970 - - 13.2% 35.4%
1969 - - 11.1% -
1968 - - 10.9% -
1967 - - 12.7% -
1966 - - 12.2% -
1965 - - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 - - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 172/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Nicaragua
2024 -1.48% 2.48%
2023 -1.65% 2.31%
2022 -1.01% 0.65%
2021 -1.68% -1.26%
2020 -3.17% -2.57%
2019 -3.17% -1.12%
2018 -1.34% -4.35%
2017 -0.05% -1.75%
2016 -0.93% -1.92%
2015 -1.35% -1.64%
2014 3.73% -0.89%
2013 3.28% -0.3%
2012 1.71% 0.22%
2011 -0.94% 0.59%
2010 -0.95% 0.69%
2009 0.92% -0.9%
2008 -0.41% 0.27%
2007 1.12% 1.88%
2006 1.97% 1.36%
2005 1.3% 1.72%
2004 -0.17% 1.69%
2003 -3.92% 1.3%
2002 0.89% 2.07%
2001 -1.13% 0.34%
2000 -1.85% 2.15%
1999 -1.35% -6.86%
1998 -1.55% -2.88%
1997 -1.06% -3.31%
1996 -0.56% -5%
1995 - -4.62%
1994 - -5.79%
1993 - -4.66%
1992 - -3.8%
1991 - -3.45%
1990 - -15.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -22.4%
1987 - -
1986 - -7.33%
1985 - -11.3%
1984 - -11.8%
1983 - -15.6%
1982 - -20.2%
1981 - -10.6%
1980 - -6.53%
1979 - -5.89%
1978 - -4.44%
1977 - -5.91%
1976 - -2.2%
1975 - -3.53%
1974 - -1.41%
1973 - 1.21%
1972 - -2.61%
1971 - -2.33%
1970 - -2.69%
1969 - -1.57%
1968 - -1.21%
1967 - -2.11%
1966 - -1.04%
1965 - 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 - 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/nicaragua | 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 Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.52% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Nicaragua
2024 - 4.6%
2023 - 8.4%
2022 - 10.5%
2021 - 4.9%
2020 - 3.7%
2019 - 5.4%
2018 - 4.9%
2017 - 3.9%
2016 2.89% 3.5%
2015 0.74% 4%
2014 1.24% 6%
2013 0.81% 7.1%
2012 9.72% 7.2%
2011 15.3% 8.1%
2010 7.1% 5.5%
2009 2.8% 3.7%
2008 17.3% 19.8%
2007 16.9% 11.1%
2006 13.1% 9.1%
2005 21.3% 9.6%
2004 3.99% 8.5%
2003 12.9% 5.3%
2002 31.5% 3.8%
2001 360% 7.4%
2000 514% 11.5%
1999 284.9% 11.2%
1998 29.1% 13%
1997 198.5% 9.2%

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/nicaragua | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 8.23% in Nicaragua. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.39M
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
40.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Nicaragua
Economic freedom 47 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 139/197
Property rights 15.4 23.8
Government integrity 12.8 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 8.8
Tax burden 73.8 74.5
Government spending 91.2 77.7
Fiscal health 95.9 96.9
Business freedom 32.3 54.4
Labor freedom 54.2 47.3
Monetary freedom 58.6 69.4
Trade freedom 68.2 67
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Nicaragua
2026 47 53.6
2025 47.3 54
2024 47.6 53.4
2023 47.9 54.9
2022 47.6 54.8
2021 49 56.3
2020 49.5 57.2
2019 50.3 57.7
2018 52.1 58.9
2017 56.4 59.2
2016 46.4 58.6
2015 45 57.6
2014 40.6 58.4
2013 39.6 56.6
2012 41.1 57.9
2011 40.7 58.8
2010 41.4 58.3
2009 42.8 59.8
2008 - 60.8
2007 - 62.7
2006 - 63.8
2005 - 62.5
2004 - 61.4
2003 - 62.6
2002 - 61.1
2001 - 58
2000 34.8 56.9
1999 34 54
1998 40.6 53.8
1997 39.5 53.3
1996 39.5 54.1
1995 41.4 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
24.7%
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/nicaragua | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.