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Economy of DR Congo vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $2.66B for Saint Lucia, ranking 81/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $2.05B (77.1% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

DR Congo vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

DR Congo
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Saint Lucia
2025 $91,030,531,317 $2,656,444,444
2024 $75,716,176,105 $2,605,148,148
2023 $69,843,655,425 $2,441,259,259
2022 $70,422,346,142 $2,319,888,889
2021 $59,067,289,574 $1,871,111,111
2020 $46,691,989,749 $1,521,740,741
2019 $46,845,900,350 $2,090,074,074
2018 $46,659,954,092 $2,060,955,556
2017 $37,537,521,566 $1,998,503,704
2016 $38,600,224,214 $1,868,544,444
2015 $40,179,574,490 $1,807,640,741
2014 $38,352,980,553 $1,749,185,185
2013 $34,891,189,160 $1,660,392,593
2012 $30,029,369,929 $1,598,207,407
2011 $26,392,379,642 $1,568,370,370
2010 $24,161,641,931 $1,482,385,185
2009 $18,607,259,481 $1,401,507,889
2008 $22,723,488,723 $1,437,731,111
2007 $18,374,807,773 $1,336,088,815
2006 $15,484,044,535 $1,268,319,185
2005 $12,609,728,573 $1,135,555,556
2004 $10,297,483,481 $1,066,666,667
2003 $8,937,567,060 $987,407,407
2002 $8,728,038,525 $900,000,000
2001 $7,438,189,100 $892,592,593
2000 $19,088,046,306 $932,592,593
1999 $4,711,259,427 $921,851,852
1998 $6,217,805,821 $877,407,407
1997 $6,090,838,693 $805,925,926
1996 $5,771,456,952 $788,888,889
1995 $5,643,439,376 $762,962,963
1994 $5,820,382,248 $713,703,704
1993 $10,706,259,937 $684,814,815
1992 $8,227,343,907 $674,074,074
1991 $9,625,436,873 $613,703,704
1990 $9,349,764,580 $579,629,630
1989 $9,021,862,775 $486,666,667
1988 $8,861,299,977 $429,629,630
1987 $7,661,625,473 $375,555,556
1986 $8,095,367,168 $340,000,000
1985 $7,195,042,616 $284,444,444
1984 $7,857,729,193 $251,481,481
1983 $11,006,712,650 $197,037,037
1982 $13,651,667,371 $183,333,333
1981 $12,537,821,038 $194,444,444
1980 $14,394,927,495 $170,370,370
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Saint Lucia by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $14,746 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $14,494 $27,567
2023 $660 $1,731 $13,617 $25,975
2022 $688 $1,590 $12,976 $24,599
2021 $596 $1,402 $10,481 $19,101
2020 $486 $1,089 $8,537 $14,912
2019 $504 $1,056 $11,764 $18,710
2018 $518 $1,049 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $431 $991 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $460 $950 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $496 $910 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $489 $859 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $460 $761 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $410 $648 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $373 $644 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $352 $606 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $280.2 $573 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $353 $584 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $294.1 $550 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $255.4 $508 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $214.5 $484 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $180.7 $456 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $161.5 $428 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $162.4 $410 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $142.7 $404 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $378 $417 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $96.3 $452 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $131.5 $481 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $132.3 $497 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $127.4 $526 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $127 $532 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $136.5 $540 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $263.3 $576 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $209.7 $674 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $253.8 $762 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $254.9 $832 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $254.2 - $3,565 -
1988 $257.7 - $3,182 -
1987 $230.1 - $2,819 -
1986 $250.9 - $2,591 -
1985 $230.1 - $2,202 -
1984 $259.8 - $1,979 -
1983 $376 - $1,576 -
1982 $482 - $1,489 -
1981 $456 - $1,605 -
1980 $539 - $1,428 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saint-lucia | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $14,746 in Saint Lucia, ranking 72/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$2.66B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
173/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
-0.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$14,746
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
72/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$2.05B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
77.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$11,365
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
53/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$12,464
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
25.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.03%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
7.66%
2025
Population
118386491
180676

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 25.2% 77.1%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 24.4% 76.7%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 25.3% 75.2%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 23.8% 73.9%
2021 13.5% 14% 26.7% 81.9%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 33.1% 94.4%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 24.6% 62.1%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 23.2% 60.3%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 23% 59.9%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 22.6% 60.2%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 22.1% 60.6%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 22.6% 61.9%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 24.3% 61.2%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 27.1% 60.2%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 26.9% 54.9%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 25.6% 52.2%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 24.2% 50.2%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 22.3% 46.9%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 24.4% 48%
2005 7.5% 112% 25.3% 50.4%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 22.5% 48.8%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 22.5% 44.7%
2002 4.17% 136% 23% 47.7%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 22% 38%
2000 2.49% 135% 20.9% 32.8%
1999 2.15% - 20.9% 28.8%
1998 2.78% - 18.6% 29.1%
1997 2.51% - 19% 26.6%
1996 2.17% - 18.8% 23.9%
1995 - - 19% 22.7%
1994 - - 18.7% 23.4%
1993 - - 21.6% 22.7%
1992 - - 18.3% 22.1%
1991 - - 18% 19.3%
1990 - - 16.5% 16.7%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $671M, or 25.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 77.1% in Saint Lucia, ranking 173/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Saint Lucia
2025 -2.75% -2.88%
2024 -1.66% -1.81%
2023 -1.59% -3.18%
2022 -0.87% -2.48%
2021 -1.58% -5.35%
2020 -3.49% -11.5%
2019 -3.41% -2.95%
2018 -1.35% -1.22%
2017 -0.01% -2.09%
2016 -0.91% -1.53%
2015 -1.2% -1.18%
2014 3.87% -2.29%
2013 3.5% -3.98%
2012 1.93% -6.93%
2011 -0.71% -5.35%
2010 -0.8% -4.11%
2009 1.04% -2.63%
2008 -0.28% -0.72%
2007 1.21% -1.59%
2006 2.09% -5.01%
2005 1.38% -6%
2004 -0.17% -2.58%
2003 -3.92% -3.17%
2002 0.89% -3.03%
2001 -1.13% -3.07%
2000 -1.85% -1.17%
1999 -1.35% 1.61%
1998 -1.55% 2.22%
1997 -1.06% -1.1%
1996 -0.56% -0.57%
1995 - -0.13%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - -0.25%
1992 - -0.66%
1991 - -0.42%
1990 - 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $76.5M, or 2.88% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.86% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Saint Lucia
2025 - 2.03%
2024 - -0.67%
2023 - 3.82%
2022 - 9.65%
2021 - 2.41%
2020 - -1.76%
2019 - 0.54%
2018 - 1.94%
2017 - 0.1%
2016 2.89% -3.08%
2015 0.74% -0.98%
2014 1.24% 3.52%
2013 0.81% 1.47%
2012 9.72% 4.18%
2011 15.3% 2.77%
2010 7.1% 3.25%
2009 2.8% -0.16%
2008 17.3% 5.55%
2007 16.9% 2.82%
2006 13.1% 2.4%
2005 21.3% 3.9%
2004 3.99% 1.46%
2003 12.9% 1.03%
2002 31.5% -0.26%
2001 360% 5.31%
2000 514% 3.71%
1999 284.9% 3.5%
1998 29.1% 3.2%
1997 198.5% -0.006%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 2.18% in Saint Lucia. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 2.03% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

DR Congo Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$166M
2025
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
89/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-6.26%
2025
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$834M
2025
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$144M
2025
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$672M
2025
Service exports
$548M
2025
$1.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
19%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 47 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 57/197
Property rights 15.4 64.3
Government integrity 12.8 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 77.3
Tax burden 73.8 77.7
Government spending 91.2 82.6
Fiscal health 95.9 80
Business freedom 32.3 71.9
Labor freedom 54.2 65.2
Monetary freedom 58.6 81
Trade freedom 68.2 60
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Saint Lucia
2026 47 67.5
2025 47.3 67
2024 47.6 62.2
2023 47.9 60.7
2022 47.6 64.3
2021 49 67.5
2020 49.5 68.2
2019 50.3 68.7
2018 52.1 67.6
2017 56.4 65
2016 46.4 70
2015 45 70.2
2014 40.6 70.7
2013 39.6 70.4
2012 41.1 71.3
2011 40.7 70.8
2010 41.4 70.5
2009 42.8 68.8
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 34.8 -
1999 34 -
1998 40.6 -
1997 39.5 -
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
73.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
1.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$2.42B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$26,180
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$447M
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
160/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$175M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
3.35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
n/a

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/saint-lucia | 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 (1990–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.