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Economy of DR Congo vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 87/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

DR Congo vs Rwanda GDP by year

DR Congo
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Rwanda
2024 $70,962,185,791 $14,251,642,235
2023 $69,843,655,425 $14,331,722,703
2022 $70,422,346,142 $13,316,161,002
2021 $59,067,289,574 $11,078,787,090
2020 $46,691,989,749 $10,174,386,857
2019 $46,845,900,350 $10,349,300,277
2018 $46,659,954,092 $9,637,904,521
2017 $37,537,521,566 $9,252,833,891
2016 $38,600,224,214 $8,695,272,058
2015 $40,179,574,490 $8,543,760,200
2014 $38,352,980,553 $8,238,966,124
2013 $34,891,189,160 $7,819,964,030
2012 $30,029,369,929 $7,654,761,050
2011 $26,392,379,642 $6,884,913,658
2010 $24,161,641,931 $6,124,756,654
2009 $18,607,259,481 $5,674,476,969
2008 $22,723,488,723 $5,179,854,065
2007 $18,374,807,773 $4,070,507,895
2006 $15,484,044,535 $3,319,784,539
2005 $12,609,728,573 $2,933,819,766
2004 $10,297,483,481 $2,376,496,067
2003 $8,937,567,060 $2,138,237,279
2002 $8,728,038,525 $1,966,003,468
2001 $7,438,189,100 $1,966,600,715
2000 $19,088,046,306 $2,068,836,754
1999 $4,711,259,427 $2,157,108,263
1998 $6,217,805,821 $1,989,343,546
1997 $6,090,838,693 $1,851,558,197
1996 $5,771,456,952 $1,382,334,879
1995 $5,643,439,376 $1,293,535,193
1994 $5,820,382,248 $753,636,370
1993 $10,706,259,937 $1,971,525,712
1992 $8,227,343,907 $2,029,026,962
1991 $9,625,436,873 $1,911,600,237
1990 $9,349,764,580 $2,550,185,679
1989 $9,021,862,775 $2,405,022,593
1988 $8,861,299,977 $2,395,492,687
1987 $7,661,625,473 $2,157,432,668
1986 $8,095,367,168 $1,944,710,684
1985 $7,195,042,616 $1,715,626,331
1984 $7,857,729,193 $1,587,413,084
1983 $11,006,712,650 $1,479,687,587
1982 $13,651,667,371 $1,407,243,139
1981 $12,537,821,038 $1,407,062,527
1980 $14,394,927,495 $1,254,765,642
1979 $15,068,422,236 $1,109,346,131
1978 $15,372,608,002 $905,709,076
1977 $12,344,424,764 $746,650,613
1976 $9,648,583,225 $637,753,853
1975 $10,237,343,174 $571,863,500
1974 $9,596,960,180 $308,458,423
1973 $7,870,239,461 $290,746,157
1972 $6,173,712,814 $246,457,838
1971 $5,594,770,359 $222,952,504
1970 $4,877,684,910 $219,900,006
1969 $5,032,434,970 $188,700,037
1968 $3,909,780,539 $172,200,018
1967 $3,384,063,372 $159,560,018
1966 $4,532,660,182 $124,525,703
1965 $4,043,901,818 $148,799,980
1964 $2,881,545,273 $129,999,994
1963 $6,213,185,743 $128,000,000
1962 $3,779,841,429 $125,000,008
1961 $3,086,746,857 $122,000,016
1960 $3,359,404,118 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Rwanda by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $660 $1,731 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $688 $1,590 $975 $3,099
2021 $596 $1,402 $830 $2,733
2020 $486 $1,089 $779 $2,285
2019 $504 $1,056 $810 $2,336
2018 $518 $1,049 $772 $2,125
2017 $431 $991 $758 $1,968
2016 $460 $950 $730 $1,866
2015 $496 $910 $734 $1,781
2014 $489 $859 $725 $1,678
2013 $460 $761 $705 $1,512
2012 $410 $648 $707 $1,455
2011 $373 $644 $651 $1,413
2010 $352 $606 $594 $1,314
2009 $280.2 $573 $564 $1,241
2008 $353 $584 $528 $1,191
2007 $294.1 $550 $426 $1,079
2006 $255.4 $508 $357 $1,002
2005 $214.5 $484 $324 $914
2004 $180.7 $456 $269.5 $832
2003 $161.5 $428 $249 $775
2002 $162.4 $410 $234 $760
2001 $142.7 $404 $237.3 $670
2000 $378 $417 $251.9 $609
1999 $96.3 $452 $264.7 $554
1998 $131.5 $481 $246.2 $528
1997 $132.3 $497 $238.7 $500
1996 $127.4 $526 $206 $499
1995 $127 $532 $228 $514
1994 $136.5 $540 $111 $311
1993 $263.3 $576 $247 $521
1992 $209.7 $674 $264.1 $575
1991 $253.8 $762 $254 $542
1990 $254.9 $832 $346 $549
1989 $254.2 - $335 -
1988 $257.7 - $344 -
1987 $230.1 - $320 -
1986 $250.9 - $297.7 -
1985 $230.1 - $271.6 -
1984 $259.8 - $259.9 -
1983 $376 - $250.6 -
1982 $482 - $246.4 -
1981 $456 - $254.6 -
1980 $539 - $234.4 -
1979 $582 - $213.8 -
1978 $615 - $179.9 -
1977 $509 - $152.7 -
1976 $408 - $134.4 -
1975 $445 - $124.1 -
1974 $428 - $68.9 -
1973 $361 - $66.9 -
1972 $290.5 - $58.4 -
1971 $270.3 - $54.4 -
1970 $242.2 - $55.2 -
1969 $257.1 - $48.9 -
1968 $205.6 - $46 -
1967 $183.3 - $44 -
1966 $252.8 - $35.4 -
1965 $232 - $43.5 -
1964 $169.9 - $39 -
1963 $376 - $39.3 -
1962 $235.1 - $39.2 -
1961 $197.1 - $39.3 -
1960 $220.1 - $39.4 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.75B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
11.3%
2024
Population
117507801
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 16.5% 27% 27% 63.4%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 14% 19.4% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 14.3% 33% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 16% 25.5% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 7.59% 112% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 4.17% 136% 20.5% 92%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 19.1% 84%
2000 2.49% 135% 18.2% 86%
1999 2.15% - 22.4% 78.4%
1998 2.78% - 16.4% 70.1%
1997 2.51% - 17% 72.2%
1996 2.17% - 19.5% 83.4%
1995 - - 18% 100.8%
1994 - - 13.3% -
1993 - - 20.3% -
1992 - - 21.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 172/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Rwanda
2024 -1.48% -6.57%
2023 -1.65% -5.04%
2022 -1.01% -5.74%
2021 -1.68% -7%
2020 -3.17% -9.54%
2019 -3.17% -5.08%
2018 -1.34% -2.57%
2017 -0.05% -2.52%
2016 -0.93% -2.27%
2015 -1.35% -2.68%
2014 3.73% -3.92%
2013 3.28% -1.27%
2012 1.71% -2.38%
2011 -0.94% -0.86%
2010 -0.95% -0.64%
2009 0.92% 0.26%
2008 -0.41% 0.83%
2007 1.12% -1.56%
2006 1.97% -0.03%
2005 1.3% 1.12%
2004 -0.17% 2.27%
2003 -3.92% -1.23%
2002 0.89% -2.03%
2001 -1.13% -1.8%
2000 -1.85% -0.22%
1999 -1.35% -4.41%
1998 -1.55% -2.59%
1997 -1.06% -2.22%
1996 -0.56% -5.01%
1995 - -2.04%
1994 - -9.54%
1993 - -6.6%
1992 - -7.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Rwanda
2024 - 1.77%
2023 - 19.8%
2022 - 17.7%
2021 - -0.39%
2020 - 9.85%
2019 - 3.35%
2018 - -0.31%
2017 - 8.28%
2016 2.89% 7.17%
2015 0.74% 2.53%
2014 1.24% 2.35%
2013 0.81% 5.92%
2012 9.72% 10.3%
2011 15.3% 3.08%
2010 7.1% -0.25%
2009 2.8% 12.9%
2008 17.3% 15.4%
2007 16.9% 9.08%
2006 13.1% 8.88%
2005 21.3% 9.01%
2004 3.99% 12.3%
2003 12.9% 7.45%
2002 31.5% 1.99%
2001 360% 3.34%
2000 514% 3.9%
1999 284.9% -2.41%
1998 29.1% 6.21%
1997 198.5% 12%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 6.56% in Rwanda. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $11.3M
Raw agricultural goods $693K
Precious metals & jewellery $606K
Metals $277K
Wood & paper products $72K
Chemicals & pharma $63K
Machinery & equipment $59K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $54K
Animal & marine products $51K
Textiles & consumer goods $47K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $60.7M
Metals $28M
Raw materials & minerals $22.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $16.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.8M
Animal & marine products $10.5M
Chemicals & pharma $5.87M
Miscellaneous $2.97M
Machinery & equipment $2.6M
Wood & paper products $1.22M

Balance of trade

DR Congo Rwanda
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$991M
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Rwanda
Economic freedom 47 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 121/197
Property rights 15.4 60.3
Government integrity 12.8 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 27.5
Tax burden 73.8 80.6
Government spending 91.2 75.7
Fiscal health 95.9 37.5
Business freedom 32.3 60.1
Labor freedom 54.2 49.1
Monetary freedom 58.6 72.3
Trade freedom 68.2 61.8
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Rwanda
2026 47 56.5
2025 47.3 54.8
2024 47.6 51.6
2023 47.9 52.2
2022 47.6 57.1
2021 49 68.3
2020 49.5 70.9
2019 50.3 71.1
2018 52.1 69.1
2017 56.4 67.6
2016 46.4 63.1
2015 45 64.8
2014 40.6 64.7
2013 39.6 64.1
2012 41.1 64.9
2011 40.7 62.7
2010 41.4 59.1
2009 42.8 54.2
2008 - 54.2
2007 - 52.4
2006 - 52.8
2005 - 51.7
2004 - 53.3
2003 - 47.8
2002 - 50.4
2001 - 45.4
2000 34.8 42.3
1999 34 39.8
1998 40.6 39.1
1997 39.5 38.3
1996 39.5 -
1995 41.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
25.9%
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/rwanda | 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 (1992–2024, 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 (2022–2023, 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.