Skip to content

Economy of DR Congo vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 81/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

DR Congo vs South Korea GDP by year

DR Congo
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo South Korea
2025 $91,030,531,317 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $75,716,176,105 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $69,843,655,425 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $70,422,346,142 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $59,067,289,574 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $46,691,989,749 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $46,845,900,350 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $46,659,954,092 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $37,537,521,566 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $38,600,224,214 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $40,179,574,490 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $38,352,980,553 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $34,891,189,160 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $30,029,369,929 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $26,392,379,642 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $24,161,641,931 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $18,607,259,481 $983,065,242,417
2008 $22,723,488,723 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $18,374,807,773 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $15,484,044,535 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $12,609,728,573 $971,740,329,984
2004 $10,297,483,481 $823,251,107,639
2003 $8,937,567,060 $728,516,494,684
2002 $8,728,038,525 $650,014,391,470
2001 $7,438,189,100 $567,564,806,235
2000 $19,088,046,306 $597,487,173,479
1999 $4,711,259,427 $515,697,079,289
1998 $6,217,805,821 $397,297,216,492
1997 $6,090,838,693 $589,202,526,424
1996 $5,771,456,952 $631,196,863,758
1995 $5,643,439,376 $586,286,469,401
1994 $5,820,382,248 $479,181,794,217
1993 $10,706,259,937 $405,705,302,846
1992 $8,227,343,907 $366,921,291,825
1991 $9,625,436,873 $340,851,946,804
1990 $9,349,764,580 $292,064,221,389
1989 $9,021,862,775 $254,236,243,100
1988 $8,861,299,977 $205,477,530,605
1987 $7,661,625,473 $152,240,393,646
1986 $8,095,367,168 $119,965,960,795
1985 $7,195,042,616 $103,764,281,281
1984 $7,857,729,193 $99,749,645,089
1983 $11,006,712,650 $89,621,208,322
1982 $13,651,667,371 $79,921,300,447
1981 $12,537,821,038 $74,287,368,087
1980 $14,394,927,495 $66,547,970,351
1979 $15,068,422,236 $68,083,884,298
1978 $15,372,608,002 $52,824,793,388
1977 $12,344,424,764 $39,064,462,810
1976 $9,648,583,225 $30,371,074,380
1975 $10,237,343,174 $22,126,033,058
1974 $9,596,960,180 $19,860,929,977
1973 $7,870,239,461 $14,067,523,813
1972 $6,173,712,814 $10,990,490,570
1971 $5,594,770,359 $10,005,257,131
1970 $4,877,684,910 $9,085,001,794
1969 $5,032,434,970 $7,743,940,189
1968 $3,909,780,539 $6,167,109,472
1967 $3,384,063,372 $4,895,076,718
1966 $4,532,660,182 $3,957,064,541
1965 $4,043,901,818 $3,141,131,708
1964 $2,881,545,273 $3,476,789,682
1963 $6,213,185,743 $4,007,692,308
1962 $3,779,841,429 $2,826,923,077
1961 $3,086,746,857 $2,427,244,761
1960 $3,359,404,118 $3,973,069,307

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs South Korea by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $36,227 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $660 $1,731 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $688 $1,590 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $596 $1,402 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $486 $1,089 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $504 $1,056 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $518 $1,049 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $431 $991 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $460 $950 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $496 $910 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $489 $859 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $460 $761 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $410 $648 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $373 $644 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $352 $606 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $280.2 $573 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $353 $584 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $294.1 $550 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $255.4 $508 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $214.5 $484 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $180.7 $456 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $161.5 $428 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $162.4 $410 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $142.7 $404 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $378 $417 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $96.3 $452 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $131.5 $481 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $132.3 $497 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $127.4 $526 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $127 $532 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $136.5 $540 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $263.3 $576 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $209.7 $674 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $253.8 $762 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $254.9 $832 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $254.2 - $5,989 -
1988 $257.7 - $4,889 -
1987 $230.1 - $3,658 -
1986 $250.9 - $2,911 -
1985 $230.1 - $2,543 -
1984 $259.8 - $2,469 -
1983 $376 - $2,246 -
1982 $482 - $2,032 -
1981 $456 - $1,918 -
1980 $539 - $1,746 -
1979 $582 - $1,814 -
1978 $615 - $1,429 -
1977 $509 - $1,073 -
1976 $408 - $847 -
1975 $445 - $627 -
1974 $428 - $572 -
1973 $361 - $412 -
1972 $290.5 - $328 -
1971 $270.3 - $304 -
1970 $242.2 - $281.8 -
1969 $257.1 - $245.5 -
1968 $205.6 - $200 -
1967 $183.3 - $162.5 -
1966 $252.8 - $134.4 -
1965 $232 - $109.4 -
1964 $169.9 - $124.2 -
1963 $376 - $147 -
1962 $235.1 - $106.6 -
1961 $197.1 - $94.2 -
1960 $220.1 - $158.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/south-korea | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

DR Congo South Korea
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
2.79%
2025
Population
118386491
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 24% 52.3%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 13.5% 14% 24.1% 48%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 18.6% 38%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 19% 36%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 18.7% 27%
2005 7.5% 112% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 4.17% 136% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 2.49% 135% 16% 16.1%
1999 2.15% - 16.1% 15.8%
1998 2.78% - 16% 13.8%
1997 2.51% - 13.9% 9.69%
1996 2.17% - 14% 7.81%
1995 - - 13.5% 8.48%
1994 - - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 - - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 - - 15.5% 11.6%
1991 - - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 - - 15.2% 12.8%
1989 - - 15% 12.4%
1988 - - 13.9% 12.7%
1987 - - 14.3% 15.3%
1986 - - 14.9% 14.5%
1985 - - 15.5% 16.2%
1984 - - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 - - 16% 19.3%
1982 - - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 - - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 - - 16.8% 18.6%
1979 - - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 - - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 - - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 - - 17% 20.4%
1975 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 - - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 - - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 - - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 - - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 - - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 - - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 - - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 - - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 - - 16% 4.44%
1965 - - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 - - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 - - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 - - 22.3% 13%
1961 - - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 - - 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 173/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo South Korea
2025 -2.75% -1.43%
2024 -1.66% -0.78%
2023 -1.59% -0.67%
2022 -0.87% -1.49%
2021 -1.58% -0.02%
2020 -3.49% -2.11%
2019 -3.41% 0.35%
2018 -1.35% 2.42%
2017 -0.01% 2.08%
2016 -0.91% 1.56%
2015 -1.2% 0.5%
2014 3.87% 0.57%
2013 3.5% 0.79%
2012 1.93% 1.63%
2011 -0.71% 1.72%
2010 -0.8% 1.61%
2009 1.04% 0.24%
2008 -0.28% 1.58%
2007 1.21% 2.49%
2006 2.09% 1.18%
2005 1.38% 0.95%
2004 -0.17% 0.09%
2003 -3.92% 1.51%
2002 0.89% 3.23%
2001 -1.13% 2.42%
2000 -1.85% 3.91%
1999 -1.35% 1.15%
1998 -1.55% 1.09%
1997 -1.06% 2.31%
1996 -0.56% 2.3%
1995 - 2.16%
1994 - 2.06%
1993 - 3.21%
1992 - 2.42%
1991 - 1.94%
1990 - 2.98%
1989 - 2.27%
1988 - 2.85%
1987 - 1.7%
1986 - 0.8%
1985 - 0.47%
1984 - 0.78%
1983 - 1.05%
1982 - -0.41%
1981 - 0.99%
1980 - 0.46%
1979 - 0.47%
1978 - -0.27%
1977 - -1.81%
1976 - -0.87%
1975 - -3.68%
1974 - -2.78%
1973 - -1.72%
1972 - -4.33%
1971 - -1.3%
1970 - -0.52%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.36%
1967 - -2.87%
1966 - -4.27%
1965 - -3.43%
1964 - -4.1%
1963 - -4.32%
1962 - -7.82%
1961 - -9.48%
1960 - -5.18%
1959 - -6.52%
1958 - -10%
1957 - -10.1%
1956 - -10.8%
1955 - -10.6%
1954 - -10.3%
1953 - -4.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/south-korea | 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 South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.04% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo South Korea
2025 - 2.12%
2024 - 2.32%
2023 - 3.6%
2022 - 5.09%
2021 - 2.5%
2020 - 0.54%
2019 - 0.38%
2018 - 1.48%
2017 - 1.94%
2016 2.89% 0.97%
2015 0.74% 0.71%
2014 1.24% 1.27%
2013 0.81% 1.3%
2012 9.72% 2.19%
2011 15.3% 4.03%
2010 7.1% 2.94%
2009 2.8% 2.76%
2008 17.3% 4.67%
2007 16.9% 2.53%
2006 13.1% 2.24%
2005 21.3% 2.75%
2004 3.99% 3.59%
2003 12.9% 3.51%
2002 31.5% 2.76%
2001 360% 4.07%
2000 514% 2.26%
1999 284.9% 0.81%
1998 29.1% 7.51%
1997 198.5% 4.44%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 2.87% in South Korea. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $105M
Animal & marine products $108K
Precious metals & jewellery $53K
Raw agricultural goods $31K
Textiles & consumer goods $23K
Machinery & equipment $15K
Wood & paper products $12K
Metals $2K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $12.2M
Machinery & equipment $9.71M
Raw materials & minerals $1.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.54M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.49M
Wood & paper products $998K
Metals $437K
Animal & marine products $272K
Miscellaneous $6K
Raw agricultural goods $3K

Balance of trade

DR Congo South Korea
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$719B
2025
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$185B
2025
Service exports
$548M
2025
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo South Korea
Economic freedom 47 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 24/197
Property rights 15.4 89.6
Government integrity 12.8 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 77.5
Tax burden 73.8 61.5
Government spending 91.2 82.6
Fiscal health 95.9 93.5
Business freedom 32.3 81.5
Labor freedom 54.2 55
Monetary freedom 58.6 79.3
Trade freedom 68.2 73
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo South Korea
2026 47 73.7
2025 47.3 74
2024 47.6 73.1
2023 47.9 73.7
2022 47.6 74.6
2021 49 74
2020 49.5 74
2019 50.3 72.3
2018 52.1 73.8
2017 56.4 74.3
2016 46.4 71.7
2015 45 71.5
2014 40.6 71.2
2013 39.6 70.3
2012 41.1 69.9
2011 40.7 69.8
2010 41.4 69.9
2009 42.8 68.1
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.8
2006 - 67.5
2005 - 66.4
2004 - 67.8
2003 - 68.3
2002 - 69.5
2001 - 69.1
2000 34.8 69.7
1999 34 69.7
1998 40.6 73.3
1997 39.5 69.8
1996 39.5 73
1995 41.4 72

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo South Korea
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
29.1%
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/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.