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

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 87/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

DR Congo vs South Sudan GDP by year

DR Congo
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo South Sudan
2024 $70,962,185,791 -
2023 $69,843,655,425 -
2022 $70,422,346,142 -
2021 $59,067,289,574 -
2020 $46,691,989,749 -
2019 $46,845,900,350 -
2018 $46,659,954,092 -
2017 $37,537,521,566 -
2016 $38,600,224,214 -
2015 $40,179,574,490 $11,997,800,760
2014 $38,352,980,553 $13,962,212,847
2013 $34,891,189,160 $18,426,469,017
2012 $30,029,369,929 $11,931,472,169
2011 $26,392,379,642 $14,907,308,933
2010 $24,161,641,931 $14,602,072,411
2009 $18,607,259,481 $12,231,264,525
2008 $22,723,488,723 $14,586,253,383
2007 $18,374,807,773 -
2006 $15,484,044,535 -
2005 $12,609,728,573 -
2004 $10,297,483,481 -
2003 $8,937,567,060 -
2002 $8,728,038,525 -
2001 $7,438,189,100 -
2000 $19,088,046,306 -
1999 $4,711,259,427 -
1998 $6,217,805,821 -
1997 $6,090,838,693 -
1996 $5,771,456,952 -
1995 $5,643,439,376 -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs South Sudan by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 - -
2023 $660 $1,731 - -
2022 $688 $1,590 - -
2021 $596 $1,402 - -
2020 $486 $1,089 - -
2019 $504 $1,056 - -
2018 $518 $1,049 - -
2017 $431 $991 - -
2016 $460 $950 - -
2015 $496 $910 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $489 $859 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $460 $761 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $410 $648 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $373 $644 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $352 $606 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $280.2 $573 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $353 $584 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $294.1 $550 - -
2006 $255.4 $508 - -
2005 $214.5 $484 - -
2004 $180.7 $456 - -
2003 $161.5 $428 - -
2002 $162.4 $410 - -
2001 $142.7 $404 - -
2000 $378 $417 - -
1999 $96.3 $452 - -
1998 $131.5 $481 - -
1997 $132.3 $497 - -
1996 $127.4 $526 - -
1995 $127 $532 - -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

DR Congo South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
87/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$16B
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$1,305
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
12.3%
2008
Population
117507801
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 16.5% 27% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 34.1% 49%
2019 14% 19.4% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 97% 178.3%
2016 14.3% 33% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 16% 25.5% 34% 58.6%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 20.8% -
2010 15.4% 31.8% - -
2009 12.4% 91.6% - -
2008 10.1% 80.3% - -
2007 8.07% 85.1% - -
2006 7.47% 107.5% - -
2005 7.59% 112% - -
2004 7.18% 164.1% - -
2003 8.87% 114.5% - -
2002 4.17% 136% - -
2001 4.16% 185.4% - -
2000 2.49% 135% - -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 172/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo South Sudan
2024 -1.48% 11.7%
2023 -1.65% 8.04%
2022 -1.01% 4.48%
2021 -1.68% -9.3%
2020 -3.17% -5.5%
2019 -3.17% 0.04%
2018 -1.34% -1.06%
2017 -0.05% 9.56%
2016 -0.93% -19.8%
2015 -1.35% -16.4%
2014 3.73% -9.07%
2013 3.28% -3.45%
2012 1.71% -14.8%
2011 -0.94% 4.57%
2010 -0.95% -
2009 0.92% -
2008 -0.41% -
2007 1.12% -
2006 1.97% -
2005 1.3% -
2004 -0.17% -
2003 -3.92% -
2002 0.89% -
2001 -1.13% -
2000 -1.85% -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, the DR Congo's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $544M, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 2 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual surplus equal to 1.29% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo South Sudan
2024 - 91.4%
2023 - 2.38%
2022 - -6.69%
2021 - 10.5%
2020 - 29.7%
2019 - 87.2%
2018 - 83.5%
2017 - 187.9%
2016 2.89% 380%
2015 0.74% 52.8%
2014 1.24% 1.67%
2013 0.81% -0.06%
2012 9.72% 45.5%
2011 15.3% 46.9%
2010 7.1% 1.17%
2009 2.8% 5.01%
2008 17.3% -
2007 16.9% -
2006 13.1% -
2005 21.3% -
2004 3.99% -
2003 12.9% -
2002 31.5% -
2001 360% -
2000 514% -
1999 284.9% -
1998 29.1% -
1997 198.5% -

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

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

Over the past 8 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.08%, compared with 66.6% in South Sudan. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

DR Congo South Sudan
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$322M
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo South Sudan
Economic freedom 47 41
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 186/197
Property rights 15.4 n/a
Government integrity 12.8 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 n/a
Tax burden 73.8 n/a
Government spending 91.2 n/a
Fiscal health 95.9 n/a
Business freedom 32.3 n/a
Labor freedom 54.2 n/a
Monetary freedom 58.6 n/a
Trade freedom 68.2 n/a
Investment freedom 30 n/a
Financial freedom 20 n/a

Other economic metrics

DR Congo South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
5.75%
2015

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/south-sudan | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.