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Economy of DR Congo vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 87/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

DR Congo vs Romania GDP by year

DR Congo
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Romania
2024 $70,962,185,791 $382,564,217,989
2023 $69,843,655,425 $347,757,995,759
2022 $70,422,346,142 $295,319,437,557
2021 $59,067,289,574 $285,071,280,114
2020 $46,691,989,749 $250,625,048,304
2019 $46,845,900,350 $250,080,428,512
2018 $46,659,954,092 $241,791,427,224
2017 $37,537,521,566 $210,147,385,855
2016 $38,600,224,214 $185,290,759,249
2015 $40,179,574,490 $177,885,131,240
2014 $38,352,980,553 $199,722,319,676
2013 $34,891,189,160 $189,798,603,751
2012 $30,029,369,929 $179,117,323,107
2011 $26,392,379,642 $192,623,977,894
2010 $24,161,641,931 $170,064,350,672
2009 $18,607,259,481 $174,110,532,659
2008 $22,723,488,723 $214,315,932,061
2007 $18,374,807,773 $174,588,782,939
2006 $15,484,044,535 $122,023,735,993
2005 $12,609,728,573 $98,454,380,120
2004 $10,297,483,481 $74,973,656,852
2003 $8,937,567,060 $57,806,384,143
2002 $8,728,038,525 $46,065,502,703
2001 $7,438,189,100 $40,395,116,581
2000 $19,088,046,306 $37,253,739,511
1999 $4,711,259,427 $35,953,156,754
1998 $6,217,805,821 $41,696,091,974
1997 $6,090,838,693 $35,575,214,078
1996 $5,771,456,952 $36,937,074,278
1995 $5,643,439,376 $37,430,162,103
1994 $5,820,382,248 $30,072,805,104
1993 $10,706,259,937 $26,361,160,450
1992 $8,227,343,907 $25,121,666,667
1991 $9,625,436,873 $28,850,634,900
1990 $9,349,764,580 $38,247,882,300
1989 $9,021,862,775 $41,450,777,202
1988 $8,861,299,977 $40,424,528,302
1987 $7,661,625,473 $38,067,567,568
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/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Romania by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $660 $1,731 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $688 $1,590 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $596 $1,402 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $486 $1,089 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $504 $1,056 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $518 $1,049 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $431 $991 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $460 $950 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $496 $910 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $489 $859 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $460 $761 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $410 $648 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $373 $644 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $352 $606 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $280.2 $573 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $353 $584 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $294.1 $550 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $255.4 $508 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $214.5 $484 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $180.7 $456 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $161.5 $428 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $162.4 $410 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $142.7 $404 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $378 $417 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $96.3 $452 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $131.5 $481 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $132.3 $497 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $127.4 $526 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $127 $532 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $136.5 $540 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $263.3 $576 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $209.7 $674 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $253.8 $762 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $254.9 $832 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $254.2 - $1,790 -
1988 $257.7 - $1,753 -
1987 $230.1 - $1,659 -
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/romania | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Romania
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
5.43%
2024
Population
117507801
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 16.5% 27% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 37% 51.5%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 14% 19.4% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 31% 37.1%
2016 14.3% 33% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 16% 25.5% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 35% 32.6%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 35.3% 13%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 7.59% 112% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 4.17% 136% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 2.49% 135% 35% 29.6%
1999 2.15% - 35.1% 21.7%
1998 2.78% - 34.7% 16.5%
1997 2.51% - 33.5% 15%
1996 2.17% - 33.5% 11%
1995 - - 34.4% 6.91%
1994 - - 33.1% -
1993 - - 33.5% -
1992 - - 41.5% -
1991 - - 38.3% -
1990 - - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 172/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Romania
2024 -1.48% -8.68%
2023 -1.65% -5.61%
2022 -1.01% -5.83%
2021 -1.68% -6.7%
2020 -3.17% -9.54%
2019 -3.17% -4.55%
2018 -1.34% -2.74%
2017 -0.05% -2.86%
2016 -0.93% -2.5%
2015 -1.35% -1.35%
2014 3.73% -1.76%
2013 3.28% -2.44%
2012 1.71% -2.39%
2011 -0.94% -4.14%
2010 -0.95% -6.22%
2009 0.92% -6.86%
2008 -0.41% -4.6%
2007 1.12% -3.05%
2006 1.97% -1.36%
2005 1.3% -0.69%
2004 -0.17% -3.39%
2003 -3.92% -2.29%
2002 0.89% -2.59%
2001 -1.13% -3.2%
2000 -1.85% -3.99%
1999 -1.35% -3.58%
1998 -1.55% -5.33%
1997 -1.06% -5.19%
1996 -0.56% -4.74%
1995 - -3.32%
1994 - -2.2%
1993 - -0.35%
1992 - -4.55%
1991 - 3.23%
1990 - 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Romania 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 4.07% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Romania
2024 - 5.6%
2023 - 10.4%
2022 - 13.8%
2021 - 5%
2020 - 2.6%
2019 - 3.8%
2018 - 4.6%
2017 - 1.3%
2016 2.89% -1.6%
2015 0.74% -0.6%
2014 1.24% 1.1%
2013 0.81% 4%
2012 9.72% 3.3%
2011 15.3% 5.8%
2010 7.1% 6.1%
2009 2.8% 5.6%
2008 17.3% 7.8%
2007 16.9% 4.8%
2006 13.1% 6.6%
2005 21.3% 9%
2004 3.99% 11.9%
2003 12.9% 15.4%
2002 31.5% 22.5%
2001 360% 34.5%
2000 514% 45.7%
1999 284.9% 45.8%
1998 29.1% 59.1%
1997 198.5% 154.8%

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/romania | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 22.1% in Romania. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $234K
Raw materials & minerals $160K
Textiles & consumer goods $51K
Machinery & equipment $26K
Metals $11K
Wood & paper products $2K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $10.2M
Animal & marine products $398K
Machinery & equipment $233K
Textiles & consumer goods $162K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $138K
Chemicals & pharma $95K
Wood & paper products $69K
Raw materials & minerals $39K
Metals $30K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Romania
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Romania
Economic freedom 47 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 64/197
Property rights 15.4 81
Government integrity 12.8 50
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 67
Tax burden 73.8 89.1
Government spending 91.2 56.7
Fiscal health 95.9 21.4
Business freedom 32.3 74.4
Labor freedom 54.2 63.6
Monetary freedom 58.6 72.7
Trade freedom 68.2 79.4
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Romania
2026 47 65.4
2025 47.3 66.5
2024 47.6 64.4
2023 47.9 64.5
2022 47.6 67.1
2021 49 69.5
2020 49.5 69.7
2019 50.3 68.6
2018 52.1 69.4
2017 56.4 69.7
2016 46.4 65.6
2015 45 66.6
2014 40.6 65.5
2013 39.6 65.1
2012 41.1 64.4
2011 40.7 64.7
2010 41.4 64.2
2009 42.8 63.2
2008 - 61.7
2007 - 61.2
2006 - 58.2
2005 - 52.1
2004 - 50
2003 - 50.6
2002 - 48.7
2001 - 50
2000 34.8 52.1
1999 34 50.1
1998 40.6 54.4
1997 39.5 50.8
1996 39.5 46.2
1995 41.4 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Romania
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
25%
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/romania | 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 (1962–1999, 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 (2023–2024, 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.