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Economy of DR Congo vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 81/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

DR Congo vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

DR Congo
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Saudi Arabia
2025 $91,030,531,317 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $75,716,176,105 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $69,843,655,425 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $70,422,346,142 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $59,067,289,574 $982,661,066,667
2020 $46,691,989,749 $767,951,200,000
2019 $46,845,900,350 $888,890,133,333
2018 $46,659,954,092 $886,564,800,000
2017 $37,537,521,566 $741,266,133,333
2016 $38,600,224,214 $689,279,466,667
2015 $40,179,574,490 $693,414,400,000
2014 $38,352,980,553 $787,153,066,667
2013 $34,891,189,160 $769,755,733,333
2012 $30,029,369,929 $751,921,333,333
2011 $26,392,379,642 $680,660,800,000
2010 $24,161,641,931 $528,207,466,667
2009 $18,607,259,481 $429,097,866,667
2008 $22,723,488,723 $519,796,800,000
2007 $18,374,807,773 $415,964,509,673
2006 $15,484,044,535 $376,900,133,511
2005 $12,609,728,573 $328,459,608,764
2004 $10,297,483,481 $258,742,133,333
2003 $8,937,567,060 $215,807,733,333
2002 $8,728,038,525 $189,605,866,667
2001 $7,438,189,100 $184,137,600,000
2000 $19,088,046,306 $189,514,933,333
1999 $4,711,259,427 $161,717,066,667
1998 $6,217,805,821 $146,775,466,667
1997 $6,090,838,693 $165,963,684,913
1996 $5,771,456,952 $158,662,483,311
1995 $5,643,439,376 $143,343,124,166
1994 $5,820,382,248 $135,174,899,866
1993 $10,706,259,937 $132,967,957,276
1992 $8,227,343,907 $137,087,850,467
1991 $9,625,436,873 $132,223,230,975
1990 $9,349,764,580 $117,630,173,565
1989 $9,021,862,775 $95,344,459,279
1988 $8,861,299,977 $88,256,074,766
1987 $7,661,625,473 $85,695,861,148
1986 $8,095,367,168 $86,961,922,765
1985 $7,195,042,616 $103,897,846,494
1984 $7,857,729,193 $119,624,858,116
1983 $11,006,712,650 $129,171,635,311
1982 $13,651,667,371 $153,240,313,858
1981 $12,537,821,038 $184,291,360,139
1980 $14,394,927,495 $164,539,660,725
1979 $15,068,422,236 $111,858,444,786
1978 $15,372,608,002 $80,266,516,687
1977 $12,344,424,764 $74,188,986,586
1976 $9,648,583,225 $64,005,665,722
1975 $10,237,343,174 $46,773,208,643
1974 $9,596,960,180 $45,412,957,746
1973 $7,870,239,461 $14,947,435,499
1972 $6,173,712,814 $9,664,267,087
1971 $5,594,770,359 $7,184,806,909
1970 $4,877,684,910 $5,377,333,333
1969 $5,032,434,970 $4,485,777,644
1968 $3,909,780,539 $4,187,777,711
1967 $3,384,063,372 $3,257,022,223
1966 $4,532,660,182 $2,920,555,557
1965 $4,043,901,818 $2,647,955,558
1964 $2,881,545,273 $2,371,808,713
1963 $6,213,185,743 $2,207,393,172
1962 $3,779,841,429 $2,130,606,532
1961 $3,086,746,857 $1,920,811,284
1960 $3,359,404,118 $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Saudi Arabia by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $34,537 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $660 $1,731 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $688 $1,590 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $596 $1,402 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $486 $1,089 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $504 $1,056 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $518 $1,049 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $431 $991 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $460 $950 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $496 $910 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $489 $859 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $460 $761 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $410 $648 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $373 $644 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $352 $606 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $280.2 $573 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $353 $584 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $294.1 $550 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $255.4 $508 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $214.5 $484 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $180.7 $456 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $161.5 $428 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $162.4 $410 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $142.7 $404 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $378 $417 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $96.3 $452 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $131.5 $481 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $132.3 $497 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $127.4 $526 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $127 $532 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $136.5 $540 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $263.3 $576 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $209.7 $674 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $253.8 $762 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $254.9 $832 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $254.2 - $9,414 -
1988 $257.7 - $9,165 -
1987 $230.1 - $9,386 -
1986 $250.9 - $10,078 -
1985 $230.1 - $12,745 -
1984 $259.8 - $15,541 -
1983 $376 - $17,810 -
1982 $482 - $22,454 -
1981 $456 - $28,703 -
1980 $539 - $27,206 -
1979 $582 - $19,612 -
1978 $615 - $14,914 -
1977 $509 - $14,595 -
1976 $408 - $13,313 -
1975 $445 - $10,266 -
1974 $428 - $10,503 -
1973 $361 - $3,640 -
1972 $290.5 - $2,474 -
1971 $270.3 - $1,929 -
1970 $242.2 - $1,509 -
1969 $257.1 - $1,313 -
1968 $205.6 - $1,276 -
1967 $183.3 - $1,032 -
1966 $252.8 - $961 -
1965 $232 - $904 -
1964 $169.9 - $840 -
1963 $376 - $812 -
1962 $235.1 - $813 -
1961 $197.1 - $760 -
1960 $220.1 - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
3.24%
2025
Population
118386491
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 29% 31.7%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 28.3% 23%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 13.5% 14% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 33% 8.43%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 37.1% 14%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 7.5% 112% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 4.17% 136% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 2.49% 135% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 2.15% - 30.3% 103%
1998 2.78% - 34.5% 101.5%
1997 2.51% - 35.6% 76.7%
1996 2.17% - 33.3% 75.2%
1995 - - 32.4% 74.2%
1994 - - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 - - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 - - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 - - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 - - 39.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 173/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Saudi Arabia
2025 -2.75% -5.77%
2024 -1.66% -2.46%
2023 -1.59% -1.77%
2022 -0.87% 2.24%
2021 -1.58% -1.99%
2020 -3.49% -10.2%
2019 -3.41% -3.96%
2018 -1.35% -5.21%
2017 -0.01% -8.57%
2016 -0.91% -13.2%
2015 -1.2% -14.9%
2014 3.87% -3.4%
2013 3.5% 5.47%
2012 1.93% 11.7%
2011 -0.71% 11.4%
2010 -0.8% 4.39%
2009 1.04% -5.38%
2008 -0.28% 29.8%
2007 1.21% 11.8%
2006 2.09% 20.8%
2005 1.38% 18%
2004 -0.17% 9.72%
2003 -3.92% 1.2%
2002 0.89% -5.91%
2001 -1.13% -3.91%
2000 -1.85% 3.18%
1999 -1.35% -5.99%
1998 -1.55% -8.88%
1997 -1.06% -2.51%
1996 -0.56% -3.25%
1995 - -5.12%
1994 - -8.31%
1993 - -9.33%
1992 - -8.12%
1991 - -3.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.74% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Saudi Arabia
2025 - 2.08%
2024 - 1.69%
2023 - 2.33%
2022 - 2.47%
2021 - 3.06%
2020 - 3.37%
2019 - -1.19%
2018 - 2.47%
2017 - -0.83%
2016 2.89% 2.05%
2015 0.74% 1.22%
2014 1.24% 2.24%
2013 0.81% 3.51%
2012 9.72% 2.87%
2011 15.3% 5.83%
2010 7.1% 5.34%
2009 2.8% 5.06%
2008 17.3% 9.87%
2007 16.9% 4.17%
2006 13.1% 2.21%
2005 21.3% 0.48%
2004 3.99% 0.52%
2003 12.9% 0.61%
2002 31.5% 0.25%
2001 360% -1.12%
2000 514% -1.12%
1999 284.9% -1.33%
1998 29.1% -0.37%
1997 198.5% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 2.12% in Saudi Arabia. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $496K
Raw materials & minerals $203K
Raw agricultural goods $130K
Machinery & equipment $129K
Animal & marine products $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $20.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.16M
Machinery & equipment $1.62M
Animal & marine products $1.24M
Raw materials & minerals $742K
Metals $676K
Wood & paper products $434K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $163K
Raw agricultural goods $47K
Miscellaneous $29K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$311B
2025
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$129B
2025
Service exports
$548M
2025
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 47 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 65/197
Property rights 15.4 51.4
Government integrity 12.8 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 38.2
Tax burden 73.8 99.2
Government spending 91.2 77
Fiscal health 95.9 97.9
Business freedom 32.3 71.2
Labor freedom 54.2 41.8
Monetary freedom 58.6 81.2
Trade freedom 68.2 73.8
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Saudi Arabia
2026 47 65.4
2025 47.3 64.4
2024 47.6 61.9
2023 47.9 58.3
2022 47.6 55.5
2021 49 66
2020 49.5 62.4
2019 50.3 60.7
2018 52.1 59.6
2017 56.4 64.4
2016 46.4 62.1
2015 45 62.1
2014 40.6 62.2
2013 39.6 60.6
2012 41.1 62.5
2011 40.7 66.2
2010 41.4 64.1
2009 42.8 64.3
2008 - 62.5
2007 - 60.9
2006 - 63
2005 - 63
2004 - 60.4
2003 - 63.2
2002 - 65.3
2001 - 62.2
2000 34.8 66.5
1999 34 65.5
1998 40.6 69.3
1997 39.5 68.7
1996 39.5 68.3
1995 41.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$27.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
31.6%
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/saudi-arabia | 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. TradeMap (2023–2025, 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.