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Economy of DR Congo vs Paraguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $44.5B for Paraguay, ranking 87/197 and 98/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $19.9B (44.8% of GDP) in Paraguay.

DR Congo vs Paraguay GDP by year

DR Congo
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Paraguay
2024 $70,962,185,791 $44,458,118,397
2023 $69,843,655,425 $43,118,053,175
2022 $70,422,346,142 $41,952,910,858
2021 $59,067,289,574 $39,950,899,939
2020 $46,691,989,749 $35,432,178,068
2019 $46,845,900,350 $37,925,338,329
2018 $46,659,954,092 $40,225,448,341
2017 $37,537,521,566 $38,997,129,474
2016 $38,600,224,214 $36,089,700,223
2015 $40,179,574,490 $36,211,447,840
2014 $38,352,980,553 $40,377,929,296
2013 $34,891,189,160 $38,501,122,141
2012 $30,029,369,929 $33,271,921,136
2011 $26,392,379,642 $33,756,238,766
2010 $24,161,641,931 $27,260,886,405
2009 $18,607,259,481 $22,355,151,162
2008 $22,723,488,723 $24,615,267,664
2007 $18,374,807,773 $17,856,393,235
2006 $15,484,044,535 $13,429,430,050
2005 $12,609,728,573 $10,737,500,188
2004 $10,297,483,481 $9,624,440,836
2003 $8,937,567,060 $7,691,367,471
2002 $8,728,038,525 $7,196,260,657
2001 $7,438,189,100 $8,495,806,432
2000 $19,088,046,306 $8,855,705,140
1999 $4,711,259,427 $8,837,070,236
1998 $6,217,805,821 $9,260,481,572
1997 $6,090,838,693 $9,965,225,678
1996 $5,771,456,952 $9,788,391,781
1995 $5,643,439,376 $9,062,131,475
1994 $5,820,382,248 $7,870,982,005
1993 $10,706,259,937 $7,249,533,620
1992 $8,227,343,907 $7,157,424,031
1991 $9,625,436,873 $6,984,367,763
1990 $9,349,764,580 $5,812,114,523
1989 $9,021,862,775 $4,757,732,200
1988 $8,861,299,977 $4,255,683,528
1987 $7,661,625,473 $3,971,044,724
1986 $8,095,367,168 $3,723,993,943
1985 $7,195,042,616 $3,282,449,236
1984 $7,857,729,193 $4,502,462,807
1983 $11,006,712,650 $5,673,248,726
1982 $13,651,667,371 $5,419,411,765
1981 $12,537,821,038 $5,624,515,873
1980 $14,394,927,495 $4,448,087,302
1979 $15,068,422,236 $3,416,777,778
1978 $15,372,608,002 $2,559,857,143
1977 $12,344,424,764 $2,092,158,730
1976 $9,648,583,225 $1,698,960,317
1975 $10,237,343,174 $1,511,420,635
1974 $9,596,960,180 $1,333,475,397
1973 $7,870,239,461 $995,531,746
1972 $6,173,712,814 $769,039,683
1971 $5,594,770,359 $664,571,429
1970 $4,877,684,910 $594,611,111
1969 $5,032,434,970 $556,293,651
1968 $3,909,780,539 $517,650,794
1967 $3,384,063,372 $492,674,603
1966 $4,532,660,182 $465,888,889
1965 $4,043,901,818 $443,587,302
1964 $2,881,545,273 $408,349,206
1963 $6,213,185,743 $383,904,762
1962 $3,779,841,429 $360,698,413
1961 $3,086,746,857 $322,053,713
1960 $3,359,404,118 $288,884,368

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Paraguay by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Paraguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $6,416 $18,524
2023 $660 $1,731 $6,300 $17,564
2022 $688 $1,590 $6,206 $16,347
2021 $596 $1,402 $5,977 $15,406
2020 $486 $1,089 $5,365 $14,309
2019 $504 $1,056 $5,821 $14,150
2018 $518 $1,049 $6,258 $14,139
2017 $431 $991 $6,152 $13,977
2016 $460 $950 $5,775 $13,329
2015 $496 $910 $5,879 $12,679
2014 $489 $859 $6,652 $12,607
2013 $460 $761 $6,436 $12,137
2012 $410 $648 $5,642 $10,954
2011 $373 $644 $5,805 $11,442
2010 $352 $606 $4,751 $10,893
2009 $280.2 $573 $3,942 $9,802
2008 $353 $584 $4,385 $9,867
2007 $294.1 $550 $3,212 $9,179
2006 $255.4 $508 $2,439 $8,561
2005 $214.5 $484 $1,971 $8,007
2004 $180.7 $456 $1,786 $7,686
2003 $161.5 $428 $1,444 $7,276
2002 $162.4 $410 $1,368 $6,924
2001 $142.7 $404 $1,638 $6,916
2000 $378 $417 $1,736 $6,937
1999 $96.3 $452 $1,766 $7,080
1998 $131.5 $481 $1,890 $7,227
1997 $132.3 $497 $2,079 $7,299
1996 $127.4 $526 $2,088 $7,040
1995 $127 $532 $1,979 $6,966
1994 $136.5 $540 $1,760 $6,542
1993 $263.3 $576 $1,662 $6,234
1992 $209.7 $674 $1,683 $5,952
1991 $253.8 $762 $1,685 $5,873
1990 $254.9 $832 $1,440 $5,637
1989 $254.2 - $1,211 -
1988 $257.7 - $1,114 -
1987 $230.1 - $1,069 -
1986 $250.9 - $1,031 -
1985 $230.1 - $935 -
1984 $259.8 - $1,319 -
1983 $376 - $1,710 -
1982 $482 - $1,680 -
1981 $456 - $1,793 -
1980 $539 - $1,457 -
1979 $582 - $1,149 -
1978 $615 - $883 -
1977 $509 - $740 -
1976 $408 - $616 -
1975 $445 - $562 -
1974 $428 - $508 -
1973 $361 - $389 -
1972 $290.5 - $308 -
1971 $270.3 - $272.1 -
1970 $242.2 - $249 -
1969 $257.1 - $238.2 -
1968 $205.6 - $226.8 -
1967 $183.3 - $220.9 -
1966 $252.8 - $213.9 -
1965 $232 - $208.7 -
1964 $169.9 - $197 -
1963 $376 - $189.9 -
1962 $235.1 - $182.8 -
1961 $197.1 - $167.1 -
1960 $220.1 - $153.4 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $6,416 in Paraguay, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Paraguay
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$44.5B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
98/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
4.25%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$6,416
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$19.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
44.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$2,872
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
103/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$6,136
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$313M
1999
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
35%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
21%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
3.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
5.69%
2024
Population
117507801
7120169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Paraguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Paraguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 21% 44.8%
2023 16.5% 27% 21.5% 41.1%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 20.2% 40.5%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 20.4% 37.5%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 14% 19.4% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 14.3% 33% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 16% 25.5% 18% 18.6%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 13.3% 13%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 11.8% 16%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 14.1% 21%
2005 7.59% 112% 14% 28.3%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 14% 36%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 4.17% 136% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 19% 37.1%
2000 2.49% 135% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 2.15% - 19.2% 32%
1998 2.78% - 18% 22.1%
1997 2.51% - 18.1% 18%
1996 2.17% - 16.9% 16.8%
1995 - - 15.7% 17.6%
1994 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1993 - - 12.9% 26.6%
1992 - - 13% 34.4%
1991 - - 11.4% 49.4%
1990 - - 10.5% 67%
1989 - - 11.8% 52.9%
1988 - - 9.75% 58.9%
1987 - - 10.1% 68.7%
1986 - - 9.25% 57.1%
1985 - - 11.4% 54.7%
1984 - - 13% 31%
1983 - - 13% 22.6%
1982 - - 13.2% 21.3%
1981 - - 13.3% 17.4%
1980 - - 11.6% 17.4%
1979 - - 11.7% 19.7%
1978 - - 11.9% 20.9%
1977 - - 11.2% 18.8%
1976 - - 9.8% 14.1%
1975 - - 10.5% 12.6%
1974 - - 9.44% 12.5%
1973 - - 11.2% 15.4%
1972 - - 12.5% 18.2%
1971 - - 12.3% 18.9%
1970 - - 13.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 14% -
1968 - - 13.5% -
1967 - - 12.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.33B, or 21% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 44.8% in Paraguay, ranking 172/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Paraguay
2024 -1.48% -2.12%
2023 -1.65% -3.81%
2022 -1.01% -2.64%
2021 -1.68% -3.39%
2020 -3.17% -5.72%
2019 -3.17% -2.44%
2018 -1.34% -1.01%
2017 -0.05% -0.44%
2016 -0.93% -0.37%
2015 -1.35% -0.44%
2014 3.73% -0.27%
2013 3.28% -1.16%
2012 1.71% -0.58%
2011 -0.94% 1.29%
2010 -0.95% 1.54%
2009 0.92% 0.59%
2008 -0.41% 2.29%
2007 1.12% 1.27%
2006 1.97% 0.91%
2005 1.3% 0.74%
2004 -0.17% 1.33%
2003 -3.92% -0.07%
2002 0.89% -1.89%
2001 -1.13% 0.07%
2000 -1.85% -0.55%
1999 -1.35% 2.67%
1998 -1.55% 4.28%
1997 -1.06% 3%
1996 -0.56% 2.43%
1995 - 2.78%
1994 - 4.59%
1993 - 4.27%
1992 - 3.1%
1991 - 3.41%
1990 - 7.56%
1989 - 5.48%
1988 - 3.01%
1987 - 2.68%
1986 - 3.08%
1985 - 0.85%
1984 - -0.42%
1983 - 0.27%
1982 - 1.52%
1981 - 0.15%
1980 - 3.4%
1979 - 4.13%
1978 - -3.42%
1977 - -0.19%
1976 - -0.06%
1975 - -1.24%
1974 - 1.67%
1973 - -0.91%
1972 - -2.51%
1971 - -1.25%
1970 - -1.26%
1969 - -1.62%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -1.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/paraguay | 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 Paraguay's deficit of $942M, or 2.12% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.15% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Paraguay
2024 - 3.84%
2023 - 4.63%
2022 - 9.77%
2021 - 4.79%
2020 - 1.77%
2019 - 2.76%
2018 - 3.98%
2017 - 3.6%
2016 2.89% 4.09%
2015 0.74% 3.13%
2014 1.24% 5.03%
2013 0.81% 2.68%
2012 9.72% 3.68%
2011 15.3% 8.25%
2010 7.1% 4.65%
2009 2.8% 2.59%
2008 17.3% 10.2%
2007 16.9% 8.13%
2006 13.1% 9.59%
2005 21.3% 6.81%
2004 3.99% 4.32%
2003 12.9% 14.2%
2002 31.5% 10.5%
2001 360% 7.27%
2000 514% 8.98%
1999 284.9% 6.75%
1998 29.1% 11.6%
1997 198.5% 6.95%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 6.97% in Paraguay. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 3.84% in Paraguay.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Paraguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.43M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $935K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Paraguay
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$1.53B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
133/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-3.44%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$15.8B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$14.9B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$2.54B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$2.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
39.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
37.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Paraguay
Economic freedom 47 66.4
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 61/197
Property rights 15.4 44.2
Government integrity 12.8 27.3
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 38.4
Tax burden 73.8 95.9
Government spending 91.2 86.9
Fiscal health 95.9 83
Business freedom 32.3 72
Labor freedom 54.2 44.1
Monetary freedom 58.6 76.5
Trade freedom 68.2 78.4
Investment freedom 30 80
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Paraguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Paraguay
2026 47 66.4
2025 47.3 65.2
2024 47.6 60.1
2023 47.9 61
2022 47.6 62.9
2021 49 62.6
2020 49.5 63
2019 50.3 61.8
2018 52.1 62.1
2017 56.4 62.4
2016 46.4 61.5
2015 45 61.1
2014 40.6 62
2013 39.6 61.1
2012 41.1 61.8
2011 40.7 62.3
2010 41.4 61.3
2009 42.8 61
2008 - 60
2007 - 58.3
2006 - 55.6
2005 - 53.4
2004 - 56.7
2003 - 58.2
2002 - 59.6
2001 - 60.3
2000 34.8 64
1999 34 63.7
1998 40.6 65.2
1997 39.5 67.3
1996 39.5 67.1
1995 41.4 65.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 66.4 for Paraguay, ranking 61/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Paraguay
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
48.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
32.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
10.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$17,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$9.89B
2023
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
76/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$335M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$166M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
22.8%
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/paraguay | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, 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 (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.