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Economy of DR Congo vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 81/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

DR Congo vs Samoa GDP by year

DR Congo
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Samoa
2025 $91,030,531,317 $1,287,936,622
2024 $75,716,176,105 $1,175,749,786
2023 $69,843,655,425 $1,044,909,500
2022 $70,422,346,142 $889,554,712
2021 $59,067,289,574 $859,724,936
2020 $46,691,989,749 $868,884,903
2019 $46,845,900,350 $912,950,466
2018 $46,659,954,092 $878,448,433
2017 $37,537,521,566 $884,844,384
2016 $38,600,224,214 $843,924,797
2015 $40,179,574,490 $824,150,499
2014 $38,352,980,553 $796,683,520
2013 $34,891,189,160 $797,736,334
2012 $30,029,369,929 $773,141,661
2011 $26,392,379,642 $744,097,050
2010 $24,161,641,931 $680,260,907
2009 $18,607,259,481 $628,006,115
2008 $22,723,488,723 $641,346,192
2007 $18,374,807,773 $573,548,460
2006 $15,484,044,535 $499,923,758
2005 $12,609,728,573 $476,801,793
2004 $10,297,483,481 $407,747,565
2003 $8,937,567,060 $333,426,188
2002 $8,728,038,525 $281,790,134
2001 $7,438,189,100 $266,299,591
2000 $19,088,046,306 $258,856,140
1999 $4,711,259,427 $255,408,060
1998 $6,217,805,821 $269,485,244
1997 $6,090,838,693 $285,475,592
1996 $5,771,456,952 $249,907,869
1995 $5,643,439,376 $224,865,731
1994 $5,820,382,248 $221,098,107
1993 $10,706,259,937 $133,122,897
1992 $8,227,343,907 $132,303,041
1991 $9,625,436,873 $125,597,205
1990 $9,349,764,580 $125,766,270
1989 $9,021,862,775 $122,888,610
1988 $8,861,299,977 $133,016,065
1987 $7,661,625,473 $111,713,922
1986 $8,095,367,168 $100,947,849
1985 $7,195,042,616 $95,572,173
1984 $7,857,729,193 $109,200,934
1983 $11,006,712,650 $111,862,824
1982 $13,651,667,371 $121,221,652
1981 $12,537,821,038 $118,190,655
1980 $14,394,927,495 $125,747,038
1979 $15,068,422,236 $122,257,393
1978 $15,372,608,002 $108,223,444
1977 $12,344,424,764 $98,295,671
1976 $9,648,583,225 $85,003,078
1975 $10,237,343,174 $93,489,283
1974 $9,596,960,180 $93,549,611
1973 $7,870,239,461 $82,452,985
1972 $6,173,712,814 $62,566,116
1971 $5,594,770,359 $53,719,569
1970 $4,877,684,910 $45,208,338
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/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Samoa by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $5,873 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $660 $1,731 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $688 $1,590 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $596 $1,402 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $486 $1,089 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $504 $1,056 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $518 $1,049 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $431 $991 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $460 $950 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $496 $910 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $489 $859 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $460 $761 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $410 $648 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $373 $644 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $352 $606 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $280.2 $573 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $353 $584 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $294.1 $550 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $255.4 $508 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $214.5 $484 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $180.7 $456 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $161.5 $428 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $162.4 $410 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $142.7 $404 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $378 $417 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $96.3 $452 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $131.5 $481 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $132.3 $497 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $127.4 $526 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $127 $532 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $136.5 $540 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $263.3 $576 $775 $2,323
1992 $209.7 $674 $777 $2,198
1991 $253.8 $762 $742 $2,166
1990 $254.9 $832 $744 $2,148
1989 $254.2 - $728 -
1988 $257.7 - $790 -
1987 $230.1 - $666 -
1986 $250.9 - $604 -
1985 $230.1 - $573 -
1984 $259.8 - $655 -
1983 $376 - $671 -
1982 $482 - $728 -
1981 $456 - $713 -
1980 $539 - $765 -
1979 $582 - $751 -
1978 $615 - $671 -
1977 $509 - $615 -
1976 $408 - $541 -
1975 $445 - $610 -
1974 $428 - $626 -
1973 $361 - $563 -
1972 $290.5 - $433 -
1971 $270.3 - $377 -
1970 $242.2 - $322 -
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/samoa | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Samoa
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$3,918
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
5.05%
2022
Population
118386491
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 31.1% 41%
2021 13.5% 14% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 30% 49.4%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 27.3% 49%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 7.5% 112% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 4.17% 136% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 30% 53.8%
2000 2.49% 135% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 2.15% - 33.8% 59.4%
1998 2.78% - 28.1% 58.9%
1997 2.51% - 31% -
1996 2.17% - 38.9% -
1995 - - 42.2% -
1994 - - 54.1% -
1993 - - 49.5% -
1992 - - 43.4% -

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

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 173/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Samoa
2025 -2.75% 4.68%
2024 -1.66% 9.29%
2023 -1.59% 2.7%
2022 -0.87% 5.03%
2021 -1.58% 1.71%
2020 -3.49% 5.41%
2019 -3.41% 1.51%
2018 -1.35% 0.06%
2017 -0.01% -1.98%
2016 -0.91% -0.35%
2015 -1.2% -3.79%
2014 3.87% -5.38%
2013 3.5% -3.82%
2012 1.93% -7.43%
2011 -0.71% -5.25%
2010 -0.8% -5.49%
2009 1.04% -2.98%
2008 -0.28% -0.36%
2007 1.21% 0.55%
2006 2.09% -0.44%
2005 1.38% 0.23%
2004 -0.17% -0.74%
2003 -3.92% -0.51%
2002 0.89% -1.77%
2001 -1.13% -1.96%
2000 -1.85% -0.62%
1999 -1.35% 0.27%
1998 -1.55% 1.64%
1997 -1.06% 1.92%
1996 -0.56% 1.21%
1995 - -5.82%
1994 - -9.51%
1993 - -13.2%
1992 - -9.89%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.22% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Samoa
2025 - 2.21%
2024 - 2.17%
2023 - 7.92%
2022 - 11%
2021 - 3.13%
2020 - -1.57%
2019 - 0.98%
2018 - 4.2%
2017 - 1.75%
2016 2.89% 1.3%
2015 0.74% 0.72%
2014 1.24% -0.41%
2013 0.81% 0.61%
2012 9.72% 2.05%
2011 15.3% 5.24%
2010 7.1% 0.78%
2009 2.8% 6.32%
2008 17.3% 11.6%
2007 16.9% 5.58%
2006 13.1% 3.7%
2005 21.3% 1.86%
2004 3.99% 16.3%
2003 12.9% 0.12%
2002 31.5% 8.05%
2001 360% 3.84%
2000 514% 0.97%
1999 284.9% 0.27%
1998 29.1% 2.22%
1997 198.5% 6.86%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 3.9% in Samoa. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 2.21% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

DR Congo Samoa
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$108M
2025
Service exports
$548M
2025
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Samoa
Economic freedom 47 68
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 52/197
Property rights 15.4 77.1
Government integrity 12.8 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 77.6
Tax burden 73.8 79.3
Government spending 91.2 75.2
Fiscal health 95.9 98.7
Business freedom 32.3 63.7
Labor freedom 54.2 73.7
Monetary freedom 58.6 69.4
Trade freedom 68.2 67.2
Investment freedom 30 40
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Samoa
2026 47 68
2025 47.3 66.6
2024 47.6 67.2
2023 47.9 68.3
2022 47.6 68.3
2021 49 61.9
2020 49.5 62.1
2019 50.3 62.2
2018 52.1 61.5
2017 56.4 58.4
2016 46.4 63.5
2015 45 61.9
2014 40.6 61.1
2013 39.6 57.1
2012 41.1 60.5
2011 40.7 60.6
2010 41.4 60.4
2009 42.8 59.5
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - 63.1
2000 34.8 60.8
1999 34 58.7
1998 40.6 49.9
1997 39.5 51.5
1996 39.5 47.6
1995 41.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Samoa
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
30%
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/samoa | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.