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Economy of DR Congo vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 87/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

DR Congo vs Sudan GDP by year

DR Congo
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Sudan
2024 $70,962,185,791 $49,672,435,513
2023 $69,843,655,425 $39,898,289,821
2022 $70,422,346,142 $51,666,875,363
2021 $59,067,289,574 $34,229,513,775
2020 $46,691,989,749 $27,034,593,750
2019 $46,845,900,350 $32,338,079,165
2018 $46,659,954,092 $32,333,780,383
2017 $37,537,521,566 $41,283,617,976
2016 $38,600,224,214 $42,630,376,000
2015 $40,179,574,490 $51,726,758,677
2014 $38,352,980,553 $49,516,748,618
2013 $34,891,189,160 $43,024,018,082
2012 $30,029,369,929 $37,632,919,967
2011 $26,392,379,642 $55,018,567,211
2010 $24,161,641,931 $58,962,978,034
2009 $18,607,259,481 $51,621,044,077
2008 $22,723,488,723 $64,833,083,257
2007 $18,374,807,773 $59,440,139,775
2006 $15,484,044,535 $45,263,831,634
2005 $12,609,728,573 $35,182,711,988
2004 $10,297,483,481 $26,646,007,251
2003 $8,937,567,060 $21,355,298,460
2002 $8,728,038,525 $18,137,128,388
2001 $7,438,189,100 $15,716,361,792
2000 $19,088,046,306 $12,257,299,147
1999 $4,711,259,427 $10,682,028,340
1998 $6,217,805,821 $11,250,221,537
1997 $6,090,838,693 $11,681,175,864
1996 $5,771,456,952 $9,018,300,725
1995 $5,643,439,376 $13,830,363,900
1994 $5,820,382,248 $12,793,794,737
1993 $10,706,259,937 $8,881,005,436
1992 $8,227,343,907 $7,031,933,492
1991 $9,625,436,873 $44,171,194,366
1990 $9,349,764,580 $33,641,222,222
1989 $9,021,862,775 $21,408,111,111
1988 $8,861,299,977 $14,372,555,556
1987 $7,661,625,473 $12,093,333,333
1986 $8,095,367,168 $10,092,200,000
1985 $7,195,042,616 $8,075,259,600
1984 $7,857,729,193 $10,447,615,385
1983 $11,006,712,650 $8,230,153,846
1982 $13,651,667,371 $8,732,542,274
1981 $12,537,821,038 $10,753,888,154
1980 $14,394,927,495 $8,951,800,000
1979 $15,068,422,236 $8,418,407,787
1978 $15,372,608,002 $8,128,719,315
1977 $12,344,424,764 $7,499,005,639
1976 $9,648,583,225 $6,013,210,816
1975 $10,237,343,174 $4,823,090,192
1974 $9,596,960,180 $3,958,931,660
1973 $7,870,239,461 $3,077,254,460
1972 $6,173,712,814 $2,483,055,722
1971 $5,594,770,359 $2,288,340,041
1970 $4,877,684,910 $2,100,229,759
1969 $5,032,434,970 $1,847,501,441
1968 $3,909,780,539 $1,677,771,401
1967 $3,384,063,372 $1,607,409,539
1966 $4,532,660,182 $1,484,491,676
1965 $4,043,901,818 $1,446,869,619
1964 $2,881,545,273 $1,388,282,600
1963 $6,213,185,743 $1,351,234,926
1962 $3,779,841,429 $1,328,259,625
1961 $3,086,746,857 $1,222,860,429
1960 $3,359,404,118 $1,126,364,162

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Sudan by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $985 $2,116
2023 $660 $1,731 $797 $2,421
2022 $688 $1,590 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $596 $1,402 $712 $3,249
2020 $486 $1,089 $578 $3,349
2019 $504 $1,056 $710 $3,914
2018 $518 $1,049 $731 $4,199
2017 $431 $991 $967 $4,252
2016 $460 $950 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $496 $910 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $489 $859 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $460 $761 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $410 $648 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $373 $644 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $352 $606 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $280.2 $573 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $353 $584 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $294.1 $550 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $255.4 $508 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $214.5 $484 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $180.7 $456 $872 $3,215
2003 $161.5 $428 $714 $3,058
2002 $162.4 $410 $621 $2,898
2001 $142.7 $404 $551 $2,769
2000 $378 $417 $441 $2,616
1999 $96.3 $452 $394 $2,475
1998 $131.5 $481 $425 $2,428
1997 $132.3 $497 $453 $2,358
1996 $127.4 $526 $357 $2,006
1995 $127 $532 $561 $1,902
1994 $136.5 $540 $532 $1,805
1993 $263.3 $576 $379 $1,794
1992 $209.7 $674 $307 $1,710
1991 $253.8 $762 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $254.9 $832 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $254.2 - $992 -
1988 $257.7 - $680 -
1987 $230.1 - $584 -
1986 $250.9 - $497 -
1985 $230.1 - $406 -
1984 $259.8 - $534 -
1983 $376 - $431 -
1982 $482 - $472 -
1981 $456 - $605 -
1980 $539 - $525 -
1979 $582 - $515 -
1978 $615 - $518 -
1977 $509 - $497 -
1976 $408 - $413 -
1975 $445 - $343 -
1974 $428 - $291.5 -
1973 $361 - $235.8 -
1972 $290.5 - $198.2 -
1971 $270.3 - $189 -
1970 $242.2 - $179.6 -
1969 $257.1 - $163.5 -
1968 $205.6 - $153.7 -
1967 $183.3 - $152.4 -
1966 $252.8 - $145.6 -
1965 $232 - $146.8 -
1964 $169.9 - $145.7 -
1963 $376 - $146.6 -
1962 $235.1 - $148.9 -
1961 $197.1 - $141.6 -
1960 $220.1 - $134.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Sudan
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
7.53%
2022
Population
117507801
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 16.5% 27% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 14% 19.4% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 14.3% 33% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 16% 25.5% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 18.8% 71%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 7.59% 112% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 4.17% 136% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 2.49% 135% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 2.15% - 8.4% 160.5%
1998 2.78% - 7.79% 179.7%
1997 2.51% - 7.38% 167.7%
1996 2.17% - 9.31% 220.9%
1995 - - 12.9% 239%
1994 - - 19.6% 386%
1993 - - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 - - 50.4% 495%
1991 - - 45.7% -
1990 - - 31% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 172/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Sudan
2024 -1.48% -3.46%
2023 -1.65% -3.7%
2022 -1.01% -2.15%
2021 -1.68% -0.29%
2020 -3.17% -6.03%
2019 -3.17% -10.8%
2018 -1.34% -7.92%
2017 -0.05% -6.07%
2016 -0.93% -3.92%
2015 -1.35% -3.87%
2014 3.73% -4.72%
2013 3.28% -5.76%
2012 1.71% -7.37%
2011 -0.94% -2.33%
2010 -0.95% 0.11%
2009 0.92% -3.8%
2008 -0.41% 0.49%
2007 1.12% -2.84%
2006 1.97% -1.32%
2005 1.3% -1.88%
2004 -0.17% 0.16%
2003 -3.92% 0.77%
2002 0.89% -0.69%
2001 -1.13% -0.77%
2000 -1.85% -0.7%
1999 -1.35% -0.8%
1998 -1.55% -0.56%
1997 -1.06% -0.59%
1996 -0.56% -2.61%
1995 - -3.48%
1994 - -3.03%
1993 - -8.04%
1992 - -24.5%
1991 - -26.5%
1990 - -16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.87% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Sudan
2022 - 138.8%
2021 - 359%
2020 - 163.3%
2019 - 51%
2018 - 63.3%
2017 - 32.4%
2016 2.89% 17.8%
2015 0.74% 16.9%
2014 1.24% 36.9%
2013 0.81% 36.5%
2012 9.72% 35.6%
2011 15.3% 18.1%
2010 7.1% 13%
2009 2.8% 11.3%
2008 17.3% 14.3%
2007 16.9% 14.8%
2006 13.1% 7.2%
2005 21.3% 8.51%
2004 3.99% 9.66%
2003 12.9% 6.49%
2002 31.5% 22.2%
2001 360% 1.94%
2000 514% 7.12%
1999 284.9% 17.2%
1998 29.1% 24.6%
1997 198.5% 47.2%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 18.4% in Sudan. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

DR Congo Sudan
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$322M
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Sudan
Economic freedom 47 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 191/197
Property rights 15.4 6.5
Government integrity 12.8 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 2.4
Tax burden 73.8 84.7
Government spending 91.2 96.5
Fiscal health 95.9 64.6
Business freedom 32.3 27.3
Labor freedom 54.2 33.6
Monetary freedom 58.6 6.2
Trade freedom 68.2 29.6
Investment freedom 30 5
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Sudan
2026 47 32.5
2025 47.3 35.3
2024 47.6 33.9
2023 47.9 32.8
2022 47.6 32
2021 49 39.1
2020 49.5 45
2019 50.3 47.7
2018 52.1 49.4
2017 56.4 48.8
2016 46.4 -
2015 45 -
2014 40.6 -
2013 39.6 -
2012 41.1 -
2011 40.7 -
2010 41.4 -
2009 42.8 -
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 34.8 47.2
1999 34 39.6
1998 40.6 38.3
1997 39.5 39.9
1996 39.5 39.2
1995 41.4 39.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Sudan
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
2.89%
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/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 (1990–2024, 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 (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.