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Economy of DR Congo vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $7.46B for Sierra Leone, ranking 81/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $3.38B (45.2% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

DR Congo vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

DR Congo
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Sierra Leone
2025 $91,030,531,317 $7,464,157,904
2024 $75,716,176,105 $6,971,127,234
2023 $69,843,655,425 $6,415,852,766
2022 $70,422,346,142 $7,121,125,277
2021 $59,067,289,574 $7,166,931,483
2020 $46,691,989,749 $6,688,307,706
2019 $46,845,900,350 $6,523,577,590
2018 $46,659,954,092 $6,390,514,689
2017 $37,537,521,566 $5,749,846,528
2016 $38,600,224,214 $6,084,297,211
2015 $40,179,574,490 $6,788,352,975
2014 $38,352,980,553 $7,686,138,791
2013 $34,891,189,160 $7,502,762,863
2012 $30,029,369,929 $6,141,666,509
2011 $26,392,379,642 $4,861,632,885
2010 $24,161,641,931 $4,262,805,967
2009 $18,607,259,481 $3,953,403,098
2008 $22,723,488,723 $4,157,895,298
2007 $18,374,807,773 $3,632,957,611
2006 $15,484,044,535 $3,263,697,467
2005 $12,609,728,573 $2,545,275,313
2004 $10,297,483,481 $2,237,350,687
2003 $8,937,567,060 $2,142,618,046
2002 $8,728,038,525 $1,933,863,911
2001 $7,438,189,100 $1,681,473,894
2000 $19,088,046,306 $635,866,404
1999 $4,711,259,427 $669,386,624
1998 $6,217,805,821 $672,368,187
1997 $6,090,838,693 $850,232,760
1996 $5,771,456,952 $941,709,423
1995 $5,643,439,376 $870,740,292
1994 $5,820,382,248 $911,853,802
1993 $10,706,259,937 $768,867,883
1992 $8,227,343,907 $679,940,814
1991 $9,625,436,873 $779,981,987
1990 $9,349,764,580 $649,644,098
1989 $9,021,862,775 $932,974,420
1988 $8,861,299,977 $1,055,083,933
1987 $7,661,625,473 $660,106,336
1986 $8,095,367,168 $490,181,457
1985 $7,195,042,616 $856,890,459
1984 $7,857,729,193 $1,087,471,862
1983 $11,006,712,650 $995,104,305
1982 $13,651,667,371 $1,295,361,886
1981 $12,537,821,038 $1,114,830,472
1980 $14,394,927,495 $1,100,685,845
1979 $15,068,422,236 $1,109,374,911
1978 $15,372,608,002 $960,728,339
1977 $12,344,424,764 $691,777,584
1976 $9,648,583,225 $594,895,942
1975 $10,237,343,174 $679,336,344
1974 $9,596,960,180 $648,590,643
1973 $7,870,239,461 $575,230,724
1972 $6,173,712,814 $465,381,340
1971 $5,594,770,359 $419,549,305
1970 $4,877,684,910 $434,410,974
1969 $5,032,434,970 $408,690,163
1968 $3,909,780,539 $329,859,732
1967 $3,384,063,372 $348,795,303
1966 $4,532,660,182 $375,479,850
1965 $4,043,901,818 $359,379,856
1964 $2,881,545,273 $371,847,461
1963 $6,213,185,743 $348,547,279
1962 $3,779,841,429 $342,721,416
1961 $3,086,746,857 $327,834,191
1960 $3,359,404,118 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Sierra Leone by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $846 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $807 $3,522
2023 $660 $1,731 $758 $3,368
2022 $688 $1,590 $860 $3,144
2021 $596 $1,402 $885 $2,849
2020 $486 $1,089 $845 $2,719
2019 $504 $1,056 $844 $2,704
2018 $518 $1,049 $846 $2,640
2017 $431 $991 $779 $2,501
2016 $460 $950 $844 $2,635
2015 $496 $910 $965 $2,560
2014 $489 $859 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $460 $761 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $410 $648 $938 $2,317
2011 $373 $644 $761 $2,043
2010 $352 $606 $685 $1,900
2009 $280.2 $573 $653 $1,814
2008 $353 $584 $705 $1,824
2007 $294.1 $550 $632 $1,770
2006 $255.4 $508 $580 $1,698
2005 $214.5 $484 $463 $1,615
2004 $180.7 $456 $418 $1,541
2003 $161.5 $428 $414 $1,458
2002 $162.4 $410 $389 $1,360
2001 $142.7 $404 $358 $1,121
2000 $378 $417 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $96.3 $452 $155 $1,167
1998 $131.5 $481 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $132.3 $497 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $127.4 $526 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $127 $532 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $136.5 $540 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $263.3 $576 $185 $1,269
1992 $209.7 $674 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $253.8 $762 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $254.9 $832 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $254.2 - $231.3 -
1988 $257.7 - $268.2 -
1987 $230.1 - $172.4 -
1986 $250.9 - $131.5 -
1985 $230.1 - $235.5 -
1984 $259.8 - $306 -
1983 $376 - $285.8 -
1982 $482 - $380 -
1981 $456 - $334 -
1980 $539 - $336 -
1979 $582 - $346 -
1978 $615 - $305 -
1977 $509 - $224.2 -
1976 $408 - $196.4 -
1975 $445 - $228.4 -
1974 $428 - $222.1 -
1973 $361 - $200.6 -
1972 $290.5 - $165.4 -
1971 $270.3 - $151.8 -
1970 $242.2 - $160.2 -
1969 $257.1 - $153.6 -
1968 $205.6 - $126.3 -
1967 $183.3 - $136.1 -
1966 $252.8 - $149.3 -
1965 $232 - $145.6 -
1964 $169.9 - $153.4 -
1963 $376 - $146.3 -
1962 $235.1 - $146.3 -
1961 $197.1 - $142.3 -
1960 $220.1 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/sierra-leone | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $846 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$7.46B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
160/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
4.61%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$846
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$3.38B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
45.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$383
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
173/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$1,418
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
16.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
7.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
16.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
1.65%
2018
Population
118386491
9090531

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 16.5% 45.2%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 17.6% 46.7%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 15.4% 49.4%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 16.7% 54%
2021 13.5% 14% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 15% 44.2%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 7.5% 112% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 4.17% 136% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 12% 113.5%
2000 2.49% 135% 10.3% -
1999 2.15% - - -
1998 2.78% - - -
1997 2.51% - - -
1996 2.17% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.23B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 45.2% in Sierra Leone, ranking 173/185 and 115/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Sierra Leone
2025 -2.75% -4.2%
2024 -1.66% -5.16%
2023 -1.59% -4.99%
2022 -0.87% -5.93%
2021 -1.58% -4.35%
2020 -3.49% -3.5%
2019 -3.41% -1.95%
2018 -1.35% -3.57%
2017 -0.01% -5.61%
2016 -0.91% -5.41%
2015 -1.2% -2.86%
2014 3.87% -2.77%
2013 3.5% -1.74%
2012 1.93% -3.41%
2011 -0.71% -2.78%
2010 -0.8% -3.09%
2009 1.04% -1.51%
2008 -0.28% -2.22%
2007 1.21% 12.6%
2006 2.09% -0.93%
2005 1.38% -1.17%
2004 -0.17% -1.46%
2003 -3.92% -2.78%
2002 0.89% -3.03%
2001 -1.13% -3.22%
2000 -1.85% -1.94%
1999 -1.35% -
1998 -1.55% -
1997 -1.06% -
1996 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $313M, or 4.2% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Sierra Leone
2025 - 7.6%
2024 - 28.4%
2023 - 47.7%
2022 - 27.2%
2021 - 11.9%
2020 - 13.4%
2019 - 14.8%
2018 - 16%
2017 - 18.2%
2016 2.89% 10.9%
2015 0.74% 6.7%
2014 1.24% 4.6%
2013 0.81% 5.5%
2012 9.72% 6.6%
2011 15.3% 6.8%
2010 7.1% 7.2%
2009 2.8% 7.5%
2008 17.3% 8.2%
2007 16.9% 17%
2006 13.1% 10.5%
2005 21.3% 13.7%
2004 3.99% 12.9%
2003 12.9% 4%
2002 31.5% 0.1%
2001 360% 2.6%
2000 514% -0.9%
1999 284.9% 34.1%
1998 29.1% 36%
1997 198.5% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 10.4% in Sierra Leone. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 7.6% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $552K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K
Chemicals & pharma $13K
Metals $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

DR Congo Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$984M
2024
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$2.4B
2024
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$1.55B
2024
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$514M
2024
Service exports
$548M
2025
$49.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
20.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 47 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 165/197
Property rights 15.4 32.9
Government integrity 12.8 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 42
Tax burden 73.8 88.2
Government spending 91.2 92.4
Fiscal health 95.9 54.1
Business freedom 32.3 44.8
Labor freedom 54.2 38.2
Monetary freedom 58.6 53.6
Trade freedom 68.2 63.6
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Sierra Leone
2026 47 49.6
2025 47.3 48
2024 47.6 44.6
2023 47.9 50.2
2022 47.6 52
2021 49 51.7
2020 49.5 48
2019 50.3 47.5
2018 52.1 51.8
2017 56.4 52.6
2016 46.4 52.3
2015 45 51.7
2014 40.6 50.5
2013 39.6 48.3
2012 41.1 49.1
2011 40.7 49.6
2010 41.4 47.9
2009 42.8 47.8
2008 - 48.3
2007 - 47
2006 - 45.2
2005 - 44.8
2004 - 43.6
2003 - 42.2
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 34.8 44.2
1999 34 47.2
1998 40.6 47.7
1997 39.5 45
1996 39.5 52.3
1995 41.4 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
41.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
25.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
29.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$7.34B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$3,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
161/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$122M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
23.2%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (1996–2025, 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 (2024–2025, 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.