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Economy of DR Congo vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $16.4B for Rwanda, ranking 81/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (64.6% of GDP) in Rwanda.

DR Congo vs Rwanda GDP by year

DR Congo
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Rwanda
2025 $91,030,531,317 $16,372,132,990
2024 $75,716,176,105 $15,111,064,182
2023 $69,843,655,425 $14,806,501,437
2022 $70,422,346,142 $13,747,404,814
2021 $59,067,289,574 $11,252,894,910
2020 $46,691,989,749 $10,487,146,253
2019 $46,845,900,350 $10,519,272,170
2018 $46,659,954,092 $9,650,161,136
2017 $37,537,521,566 $9,164,345,443
2016 $38,600,224,214 $8,596,812,241
2015 $40,179,574,490 $8,447,064,079
2014 $38,352,980,553 $8,129,984,484
2013 $34,891,189,160 $7,714,276,920
2012 $30,029,369,929 $7,556,673,276
2011 $26,392,379,642 $6,802,676,034
2010 $24,161,641,931 $6,052,276,078
2009 $18,607,259,481 $5,603,399,015
2008 $22,723,488,723 $5,120,655,375
2007 $18,374,807,773 $4,017,977,507
2006 $15,484,044,535 $3,274,207,945
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $807 - $1,124 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $1,060 $3,711
2023 $660 $1,731 $1,061 $3,399
2022 $688 $1,590 $1,007 $3,099
2021 $596 $1,402 $843 $2,733
2020 $486 $1,089 $803 $2,285
2019 $504 $1,056 $823 $2,336
2018 $518 $1,049 $773 $2,125
2017 $431 $991 $751 $1,968
2016 $460 $950 $721 $1,866
2015 $496 $910 $726 $1,781
2014 $489 $859 $715 $1,678
2013 $460 $761 $695 $1,512
2012 $410 $648 $698 $1,455
2011 $373 $644 $643 $1,413
2010 $352 $606 $587 $1,314
2009 $280.2 $573 $557 $1,241
2008 $353 $584 $522 $1,191
2007 $294.1 $550 $421 $1,079
2006 $255.4 $508 $352 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $1,124 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
$91B
2025
$16.4B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
142/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
9.38%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
178/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
64.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$726
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
155/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$1,614
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.2B
2025
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
17.2%
2025
24.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
5.91%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
5.36%
2025
Population
118386491
15062056

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
2025 17.2% 20.2% 24.1% 64.6%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 27.1% 63.4%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 26.2% 61.4%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 28.7% 59%
2021 13.5% 14% 31% 66.2%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 32.5% 66.7%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 27.7% 52.8%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 26.3% 49.2%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 25.3% 46.1%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 25.4% 41.5%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 26.9% 33.5%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 27.8% 29.5%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 26.5% 27%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 24.9% 19.3%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 25% 18.9%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 24.1% 19%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 22.6% 18.7%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 22.7% 18.5%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 22.7% 22.4%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 20.9% 22.8%
2005 7.5% 112% 20.2% 59.8%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 18.1% 82.1%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 18.8% 80.7%
2002 4.17% 136% 20.7% 93.4%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 19.3% 85.2%
2000 2.49% 135% 18.5% 87.2%
1999 2.15% - 22.7% 79.5%
1998 2.78% - 16.6% 71.1%
1997 2.51% - 17.2% 73.3%
1996 2.17% - 19.8% 84.6%
1995 - - 18.3% 102.2%
1994 - - 13.5% -
1993 - - 20.6% -
1992 - - 21.8% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $3.95B, or 24.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 64.6% in Rwanda, ranking 173/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Rwanda
2025 -2.75% -4.49%
2024 -1.66% -6.19%
2023 -1.59% -4.88%
2022 -0.87% -5.56%
2021 -1.58% -6.89%
2020 -3.49% -9.26%
2019 -3.41% -5%
2018 -1.35% -2.57%
2017 -0.01% -2.54%
2016 -0.91% -2.3%
2015 -1.2% -2.71%
2014 3.87% -3.97%
2013 3.5% -1.29%
2012 1.93% -2.41%
2011 -0.71% -0.87%
2010 -0.8% -0.65%
2009 1.04% 0.26%
2008 -0.28% 0.84%
2007 1.21% -1.58%
2006 2.09% -0.03%
2005 1.38% 1.14%
2004 -0.17% 2.31%
2003 -3.92% -1.25%
2002 0.89% -2.06%
2001 -1.13% -1.83%
2000 -1.85% -0.22%
1999 -1.35% -4.48%
1998 -1.55% -2.63%
1997 -1.06% -2.25%
1996 -0.56% -5.08%
1995 - -2.07%
1994 - -9.68%
1993 - -6.7%
1992 - -7.31%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.51B, equivalent to 2.75% of GDP. This compares to Rwanda's deficit of $736M, or 4.49% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.61% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Rwanda
2025 - 5.91%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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 5.91% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $22.4M
Precious metals & jewellery $605K
Raw agricultural goods $375K
Chemicals & pharma $193K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $73K
Machinery & equipment $46K
Textiles & consumer goods $23K
Metals $12K
Wood & paper products $5K
Animal & marine products $1K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $277M
Raw materials & minerals $149M
Raw agricultural goods $149M
Animal & marine products $82.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $77.6M
Metals $46.2M
Chemicals & pharma $42.3M
Machinery & equipment $37.9M
Wood & paper products $9.38M
Miscellaneous $6.24M

Balance of trade

DR Congo Rwanda
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
136/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-12%
2024
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$991M
2024
Service exports
$548M
2025
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
35.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
21.6%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
48%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
20.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$16.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$4,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$1.96B
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
128/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$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
0.64%
2024
2.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
34.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.