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

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 87/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% 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
2024 $70,962,185,791 $2,549,062,963
2023 $69,843,655,425 $2,430,166,667
2022 $70,422,346,142 $2,342,714,815
2021 $59,067,289,574 $1,867,185,185
2020 $46,691,989,749 $1,499,274,074
2019 $46,845,900,350 $2,095,344,444
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $649 $1,821 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $660 $1,731 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $688 $1,590 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $596 $1,402 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $486 $1,089 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $504 $1,056 $11,794 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. 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
$71B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$10,412
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
16.7%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
-0.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
10.1%
2024
Population
117507801
180638

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
2024 16.7% 22.5% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 16.5% 27% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 23% 74.4%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 27.4% 87%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 34.9% 100%
2019 14% 19.4% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 14.3% 33% 23% 61.3%
2015 16% 25.5% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 28% 60.8%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 27% 55.2%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 26% 53%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 24.5% 51%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 7.59% 112% 26% 51.9%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 4.17% 136% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 2.49% 135% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 2.15% - 20.9% 28.9%
1998 2.78% - 18.8% 29.4%
1997 2.51% - 19.5% 27.2%
1996 2.17% - 18.9% 24.1%
1995 - - 19.2% 22.9%
1994 - - 19.1% 23.8%
1993 - - 21.8% 22.9%
1992 - - 18.4% 22.2%
1991 - - 18.4% 19.8%
1990 - - 16.7% 17%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 172/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Saint Lucia
2024 -1.48% -2.13%
2023 -1.65% -3.09%
2022 -1.01% -1.67%
2021 -1.68% -5.1%
2020 -3.17% -12%
2019 -3.17% -3.51%
2018 -1.34% -1.03%
2017 -0.05% -1.14%
2016 -0.93% -0.79%
2015 -1.35% -2.35%
2014 3.73% -3.08%
2013 3.28% -4.84%
2012 1.71% -7.62%
2011 -0.94% -5.38%
2010 -0.95% -4.17%
2009 0.92% -2.67%
2008 -0.41% -0.72%
2007 1.12% -1.62%
2006 1.97% -5.07%
2005 1.3% -6.18%
2004 -0.17% -2.63%
2003 -3.92% -3.23%
2002 0.89% -3.1%
2001 -1.13% -3.08%
2000 -1.85% -1.16%
1999 -1.35% 1.62%
1998 -1.55% 2.25%
1997 -1.06% -1.13%
1996 -0.56% -0.58%
1995 - -0.13%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - -0.26%
1992 - -0.66%
1991 - -0.43%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.94% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Saint Lucia
2024 - -0.11%
2023 - 4.07%
2022 - 6.38%
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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 -0.11% 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
-$2.72B
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
19%
2025

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 2026-03-09).

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
46.6%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$187M
2024
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
0.69%
2024
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
n/a

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/saint-lucia | 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. 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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020, 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.