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Economy of DR Congo vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 87/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

DR Congo vs Serbia GDP by year

DR Congo
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Serbia
2024 $70,962,185,791 $90,097,765,959
2023 $69,843,655,425 $81,343,999,280
2022 $70,422,346,142 $66,809,895,701
2021 $59,067,289,574 $66,159,884,073
2020 $46,691,989,749 $55,874,017,669
2019 $46,845,900,350 $53,864,693,665
2018 $46,659,954,092 $52,787,520,249
2017 $37,537,521,566 $45,972,834,714
2016 $38,600,224,214 $42,225,495,910
2015 $40,179,574,490 $41,297,410,635
2014 $38,352,980,553 $49,114,321,280
2013 $34,891,189,160 $50,455,529,604
2012 $30,029,369,929 $45,103,269,969
2011 $26,392,379,642 $51,251,098,408
2010 $24,161,641,931 $43,536,629,233
2009 $18,607,259,481 $46,955,984,410
2008 $22,723,488,723 $54,220,641,202
2007 $18,374,807,773 $44,888,028,946
2006 $15,484,044,535 $33,298,057,362
2005 $12,609,728,573 $28,334,256,181
2004 $10,297,483,481 $26,845,632,342
2003 $8,937,567,060 $23,593,044,418
2002 $8,728,038,525 $17,930,583,571
2001 $7,438,189,100 $13,599,378,662
2000 $19,088,046,306 $7,326,373,882
1999 $4,711,259,427 $20,878,694,851
1998 $6,217,805,821 $21,004,077,441
1997 $6,090,838,693 $27,153,408,995
1996 $5,771,456,952 $23,277,430,168
1995 $5,643,439,376 $17,921,892,655
1994 $5,820,382,248 -
1993 $10,706,259,937 -
1992 $8,227,343,907 -
1991 $9,625,436,873 -
1990 $9,349,764,580 -
1989 $9,021,862,775 -
1988 $8,861,299,977 -
1987 $7,661,625,473 -
1986 $8,095,367,168 -
1985 $7,195,042,616 -
1984 $7,857,729,193 -
1983 $11,006,712,650 -
1982 $13,651,667,371 -
1981 $12,537,821,038 -
1980 $14,394,927,495 -
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/serbia | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Serbia by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $660 $1,731 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $688 $1,590 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $596 $1,402 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $486 $1,089 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $504 $1,056 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $518 $1,049 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $431 $991 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $460 $950 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $496 $910 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $489 $859 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $460 $761 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $410 $648 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $373 $644 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $352 $606 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $280.2 $573 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $353 $584 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $294.1 $550 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $255.4 $508 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $214.5 $484 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $180.7 $456 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $161.5 $428 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $162.4 $410 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $142.7 $404 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $378 $417 $975 $6,416
1999 $96.3 $452 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $131.5 $481 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $132.3 $497 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $127.4 $526 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $127 $532 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $136.5 $540 - -
1993 $263.3 $576 - -
1992 $209.7 $674 - -
1991 $253.8 $762 - -
1990 $254.9 $832 - -
1989 $254.2 - - -
1988 $257.7 - - -
1987 $230.1 - - -
1986 $250.9 - - -
1985 $230.1 - - -
1984 $259.8 - - -
1983 $376 - - -
1982 $482 - - -
1981 $456 - - -
1980 $539 - - -
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/serbia | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Serbia
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
7.24%
2024
Population
117507801
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 16.5% 27% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 46% 54.3%
2019 14% 19.4% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 39% 51.1%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 14.3% 33% 40.3% 65%
2015 16% 25.5% 41% 67.1%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 40% 42%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 40.6% 30%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 41.3% 37%
2005 7.59% 112% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 4.17% 136% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 2.49% 135% 28% 200.6%
1999 2.15% - - -
1998 2.78% - - -
1997 2.51% - - -
1996 2.17% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 172/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Serbia
2024 -1.48% -1.75%
2023 -1.65% -1.21%
2022 -1.01% -0.14%
2021 -1.68% -3.16%
2020 -3.17% -6.91%
2019 -3.17% -0.004%
2018 -1.34% 0.78%
2017 -0.05% 1.32%
2016 -0.93% -1.08%
2015 -1.35% -3.25%
2014 3.73% -5.61%
2013 3.28% -4.79%
2012 1.71% -6.11%
2011 -0.94% -3.75%
2010 -0.95% -3.35%
2009 0.92% -3.3%
2008 -0.41% -4.25%
2007 1.12% -0.8%
2006 1.97% -0.9%
2005 1.3% 1.02%
2004 -0.17% 0.06%
2003 -3.92% -2.39%
2002 0.89% -2.33%
2001 -1.13% 0.32%
2000 -1.85% -0.15%
1999 -1.35% -
1998 -1.55% -
1997 -1.06% -
1996 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.41% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Serbia
2024 - 4.67%
2023 - 12.4%
2022 - 12%
2021 - 4.09%
2020 - 1.58%
2019 - 1.85%
2018 - 1.96%
2017 - 3.13%
2016 2.89% 1.12%
2015 0.74% 1.39%
2014 1.24% 2.08%
2013 0.81% 7.69%
2012 9.72% 7.33%
2011 15.3% 11.1%
2010 7.1% 6.14%
2009 2.8% 8.12%
2008 17.3% 12.4%
2007 16.9% 6.39%
2006 13.1% 11.7%
2005 21.3% 16.1%
2004 3.99% 11%
2003 12.9% 9.88%
2002 31.5% 19.5%
2001 360% 95%
2000 514% 71.1%
1999 284.9% 42.5%
1998 29.1% 30.2%
1997 198.5% 23.3%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 19.7% in Serbia. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K
Metals $1K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $6.62M
Weapons & explosives $2.01M
Textiles & consumer goods $313K
Machinery & equipment $216K
Raw materials & minerals $161K
Metals $90K
Wood & paper products $42K
Animal & marine products $21K
Chemicals & pharma $20K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Serbia
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Serbia
Economic freedom 47 65
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 68/197
Property rights 15.4 57.2
Government integrity 12.8 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 50.1
Tax burden 73.8 88
Government spending 91.2 48.2
Fiscal health 95.9 94.3
Business freedom 32.3 73.6
Labor freedom 54.2 61.8
Monetary freedom 58.6 73
Trade freedom 68.2 76.6
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Serbia
2026 47 65
2025 47.3 64.4
2024 47.6 62.7
2023 47.9 63.5
2022 47.6 65.2
2021 49 67.2
2020 49.5 66
2019 50.3 63.9
2018 52.1 62.5
2017 56.4 58.9
2016 46.4 62.1
2015 45 60
2014 40.6 59.4
2013 39.6 58.6
2012 41.1 58
2011 40.7 58
2010 41.4 56.9
2009 42.8 56.6
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - 43.5
2002 - 46.6
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/serbia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Serbia
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
25%
2024

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/serbia | 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 (1996–2024, 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.