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Economy of DR Congo vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 87/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

DR Congo vs Poland GDP by year

DR Congo
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Poland
2024 $70,962,185,791 $917,767,106,147
2023 $69,843,655,425 $812,451,193,396
2022 $70,422,346,142 $695,607,470,875
2021 $59,067,289,574 $689,170,230,665
2020 $46,691,989,749 $605,914,237,904
2019 $46,845,900,350 $602,683,770,145
2018 $46,659,954,092 $594,616,687,350
2017 $37,537,521,566 $528,356,676,667
2016 $38,600,224,214 $473,259,583,970
2015 $40,179,574,490 $480,054,118,583
2014 $38,352,980,553 $542,134,167,179
2013 $34,891,189,160 $518,179,836,405
2012 $30,029,369,929 $498,148,649,703
2011 $26,392,379,642 $527,848,543,023
2010 $24,161,641,931 $478,111,630,684
2009 $18,607,259,481 $440,891,472,247
2008 $22,723,488,723 $535,612,030,672
2007 $18,374,807,773 $429,715,132,138
2006 $15,484,044,535 $345,897,630,736
2005 $12,609,728,573 $306,999,913,151
2004 $10,297,483,481 $256,268,656,145
2003 $8,937,567,060 $218,561,225,998
2002 $8,728,038,525 $199,694,463,256
2001 $7,438,189,100 $191,823,200,371
2000 $19,088,046,306 $172,953,527,033
1999 $4,711,259,427 $170,704,452,715
1998 $6,217,805,821 $175,282,269,667
1997 $6,090,838,693 $159,893,964,917
1996 $5,771,456,952 $160,813,026,223
1995 $5,643,439,376 $142,838,527,115
1994 $5,820,382,248 $110,803,635,288
1993 $10,706,259,937 $96,043,157,273
1992 $8,227,343,907 $94,337,050,693
1991 $9,625,436,873 $85,500,935,935
1990 $9,349,764,580 $65,977,748,211
1989 $9,021,862,775 -
1988 $8,861,299,977 -
1987 $7,661,625,473 -
1986 $8,095,367,168 -
1985 $7,195,042,616 -
1984 $7,857,729,193 -
1983 $11,006,712,650 -
1982 $13,651,667,371 -
1981 $12,537,821,038 -
1980 $14,394,927,495 -
1979 $15,068,422,236 -
1978 $15,372,608,002 -
1977 $12,344,424,764 -
1976 $9,648,583,225 -
1975 $10,237,343,174 -
1974 $9,596,960,180 -
1973 $7,870,239,461 -
1972 $6,173,712,814 -
1971 $5,594,770,359 -
1970 $4,877,684,910 -
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/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Poland by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $660 $1,731 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $688 $1,590 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $596 $1,402 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $486 $1,089 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $504 $1,056 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $518 $1,049 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $431 $991 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $460 $950 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $496 $910 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $489 $859 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $460 $761 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $410 $648 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $373 $644 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $352 $606 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $280.2 $573 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $353 $584 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $294.1 $550 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $255.4 $508 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $214.5 $484 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $180.7 $456 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $161.5 $428 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $162.4 $410 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $142.7 $404 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $378 $417 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $96.3 $452 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $131.5 $481 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $132.3 $497 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $127.4 $526 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $127 $532 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $136.5 $540 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $263.3 $576 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $209.7 $674 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $253.8 $762 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $254.9 $832 $1,731 $6,185
1989 $254.2 - - -
1988 $257.7 - - -
1987 $230.1 - - -
1986 $250.9 - - -
1985 $230.1 - - -
1984 $259.8 - - -
1983 $376 - - -
1982 $482 - - -
1981 $456 - - -
1980 $539 - - -
1979 $582 - - -
1978 $615 - - -
1977 $509 - - -
1976 $408 - - -
1975 $445 - - -
1974 $428 - - -
1973 $361 - - -
1972 $290.5 - - -
1971 $270.3 - - -
1970 $242.2 - - -
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/poland | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Poland
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$197B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
2.81%
2024
Population
117507801
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 16.5% 27% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 43.6% 53%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 14% 19.4% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 41% 48.2%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 14.3% 33% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 16% 25.5% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 46% 53.7%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 44% 46.6%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 7.59% 112% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 4.17% 136% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 2.49% 135% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 2.15% - 42.5% 39.4%
1998 2.78% - 44% 38.7%
1997 2.51% - 46.1% 42.7%
1996 2.17% - 50.7% 43.2%
1995 - - 47.5% 48.7%
1994 - - - 64.3%
1993 - - - 83.9%
1992 - - - 81.9%
1991 - - - 76.9%
1990 - - - 89.7%
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 172/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Poland
2024 -1.48% -6.59%
2023 -1.65% -5.27%
2022 -1.01% -3.44%
2021 -1.68% -1.75%
2020 -3.17% -6.85%
2019 -3.17% -0.73%
2018 -1.34% -0.24%
2017 -0.05% -1.49%
2016 -0.93% -2.38%
2015 -1.35% -2.59%
2014 3.73% -3.66%
2013 3.28% -4.25%
2012 1.71% -3.8%
2011 -0.94% -4.97%
2010 -0.95% -7.43%
2009 0.92% -7.24%
2008 -0.41% -3.6%
2007 1.12% -1.88%
2006 1.97% -3.53%
2005 1.3% -3.93%
2004 -0.17% -4.99%
2003 -3.92% -6.02%
2002 0.89% -4.8%
2001 -1.13% -4.73%
2000 -1.85% -4%
1999 -1.35% -2.3%
1998 -1.55% -4.25%
1997 -1.06% -4.61%
1996 -0.56% -4.84%
1995 - -4.39%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Poland
2024 - 3.78%
2023 - 11.5%
2022 - 14.4%
2021 - 5.06%
2020 - 3.37%
2019 - 2.23%
2018 - 1.81%
2017 - 2.08%
2016 2.89% -0.66%
2015 0.74% -0.87%
2014 1.24% 0.05%
2013 0.81% 0.99%
2012 9.72% 3.56%
2011 15.3% 4.24%
2010 7.1% 2.58%
2009 2.8% 3.8%
2008 17.3% 4.16%
2007 16.9% 2.46%
2006 13.1% 1.28%
2005 21.3% 2.18%
2004 3.99% 3.38%
2003 12.9% 0.68%
2002 31.5% 1.91%
2001 360% 5.41%
2000 514% 9.9%
1999 284.9% 7.15%
1998 29.1% 11.6%
1997 198.5% 14.9%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 3.94% in Poland. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $494K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Poland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $84.8M
Raw agricultural goods $39.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.48M
Machinery & equipment $1.99M
Chemicals & pharma $796K
Raw materials & minerals $546K
Wood & paper products $457K
Metals $362K
Textiles & consumer goods $219K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Poland
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Poland
Economic freedom 47 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 46/197
Property rights 15.4 71.8
Government integrity 12.8 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 62.5
Tax burden 73.8 72.7
Government spending 91.2 35.1
Fiscal health 95.9 74.8
Business freedom 32.3 77.5
Labor freedom 54.2 53.7
Monetary freedom 58.6 73.8
Trade freedom 68.2 79.4
Investment freedom 30 80
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Poland
2026 47 68.5
2025 47.3 67.1
2024 47.6 66
2023 47.9 67.7
2022 47.6 68.7
2021 49 69.7
2020 49.5 69.1
2019 50.3 67.8
2018 52.1 68.5
2017 56.4 68.3
2016 46.4 69.3
2015 45 68.6
2014 40.6 67
2013 39.6 66
2012 41.1 64.2
2011 40.7 64.1
2010 41.4 63.2
2009 42.8 60.3
2008 - 60.3
2007 - 58.1
2006 - 59.3
2005 - 59.6
2004 - 58.7
2003 - 61.8
2002 - 65
2001 - 61.8
2000 34.8 60
1999 34 59.6
1998 40.6 59.2
1997 39.5 56.8
1996 39.5 57.8
1995 41.4 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Poland
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
17.8%
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/poland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.