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Economy of DR Congo vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 87/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

DR Congo vs Tanzania GDP by year

DR Congo
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Tanzania
2024 $70,962,185,791 $78,844,405,385
2023 $69,843,655,425 $79,030,935,627
2022 $70,422,346,142 $75,749,121,843
2021 $59,067,289,574 $70,655,628,148
2020 $46,691,989,749 $66,068,737,786
2019 $46,845,900,350 $61,026,731,926
2018 $46,659,954,092 $57,003,712,892
2017 $37,537,521,566 $53,274,884,533
2016 $38,600,224,214 $49,774,409,374
2015 $40,179,574,490 $47,413,919,817
2014 $38,352,980,553 $49,986,726,461
2013 $34,891,189,160 $45,648,857,242
2012 $30,029,369,929 $39,650,394,363
2011 $26,392,379,642 $34,657,140,096
2010 $24,161,641,931 $32,012,892,919
2009 $18,607,259,481 $29,400,573,554
2008 $22,723,488,723 $27,947,821,398
2007 $18,374,807,773 $21,860,434,823
2006 $15,484,044,535 $18,619,859,795
2005 $12,609,728,573 $18,395,383,647
2004 $10,297,483,481 $16,673,062,473
2003 $8,937,567,060 $15,211,487,709
2002 $8,728,038,525 $14,129,651,896
2001 $7,438,189,100 $13,563,990,022
2000 $19,088,046,306 $13,371,767,082
1999 $4,711,259,427 $12,704,334,196
1998 $6,217,805,821 $12,172,790,056
1997 $6,090,838,693 $11,158,197,942
1996 $5,771,456,952 $9,433,528,150
1995 $5,643,439,376 $7,631,431,840
1994 $5,820,382,248 $6,550,480,484
1993 $10,706,259,937 $6,182,872,708
1992 $8,227,343,907 $6,681,997,469
1991 $9,625,436,873 $7,197,768,159
1990 $9,349,764,580 $6,184,384,225
1989 $9,021,862,775 $6,418,799,007
1988 $8,861,299,977 $7,406,614,407
1987 $7,661,625,473 $7,824,193,222
1986 $8,095,367,168 $10,840,864,521
1985 $7,195,042,616 $15,328,295,175
1984 $7,857,729,193 $12,906,635,133
1983 $11,006,712,650 $14,049,883,809
1982 $13,651,667,371 $13,927,383,240
1981 $12,537,821,038 $13,161,540,378
1980 $14,394,927,495 $11,409,228,087
1979 $15,068,422,236 $9,804,637,491
1978 $15,372,608,002 $9,261,675,710
1977 $12,344,424,764 $7,732,598,995
1976 $9,648,583,225 $6,472,511,988
1975 $10,237,343,174 $5,729,917,840
1974 $9,596,960,180 $4,977,337,978
1973 $7,870,239,461 $4,144,104,535
1972 $6,173,712,814 $3,472,787,266
1971 $5,594,770,359 $3,050,673,517
1970 $4,877,684,910 $2,851,419,386
1969 $5,032,434,970 $5,142,066,811
1968 $3,909,780,539 $4,895,251,824
1967 $3,384,063,372 $4,565,132,048
1966 $4,532,660,182 $4,377,998,825
1965 $4,043,901,818 $3,817,226,546
1964 $2,881,545,273 $3,748,840,925
1963 $6,213,185,743 $3,456,579,293
1962 $3,779,841,429 $3,101,589,993
1961 $3,086,746,857 $2,826,179,031
1960 $3,359,404,118 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Tanzania by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $660 $1,731 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $688 $1,590 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $596 $1,402 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $486 $1,089 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $504 $1,056 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $518 $1,049 $992 $2,728
2017 $431 $991 $957 $2,472
2016 $460 $950 $925 $2,435
2015 $496 $910 $911 $2,317
2014 $489 $859 $993 $2,221
2013 $460 $761 $935 $2,176
2012 $410 $648 $837 $2,083
2011 $373 $644 $753 $2,211
2010 $352 $606 $715 $2,069
2009 $280.2 $573 $674 $1,972
2008 $353 $584 $657 $1,908
2007 $294.1 $550 $528 $1,820
2006 $255.4 $508 $462 $1,707
2005 $214.5 $484 $469 $1,598
2004 $180.7 $456 $438 $1,482
2003 $161.5 $428 $410 $1,379
2002 $162.4 $410 $391 $1,302
2001 $142.7 $404 $385 $1,229
2000 $378 $417 $390 $1,164
1999 $96.3 $452 $382 $1,120
1998 $131.5 $481 $375 $1,082
1997 $132.3 $497 $353 $1,059
1996 $127.4 $526 $305 $1,026
1995 $127 $532 $251.2 $981
1994 $136.5 $540 $222.5 $958
1993 $263.3 $576 $218.2 $959
1992 $209.7 $674 $243.4 $955
1991 $253.8 $762 $268.8 $952
1990 $254.9 $832 $236.9 $925
1989 $254.2 - $252.3 -
1988 $257.7 - $299 -
1987 $230.1 - $326 -
1986 $250.9 - $466 -
1985 $230.1 - $681 -
1984 $259.8 - $593 -
1983 $376 - $667 -
1982 $482 - $683 -
1981 $456 - $665 -
1980 $539 - $595 -
1979 $582 - $527 -
1978 $615 - $515 -
1977 $509 - $446 -
1976 $408 - $387 -
1975 $445 - $355 -
1974 $428 - $320 -
1973 $361 - $276.1 -
1972 $290.5 - $239.8 -
1971 $270.3 - $218.4 -
1970 $242.2 - $211.3 -
1969 $257.1 - $394 -
1968 $205.6 - $388 -
1967 $183.3 - $374 -
1966 $252.8 - $370 -
1965 $232 - $333 -
1964 $169.9 - $337 -
1963 $376 - $320 -
1962 $235.1 - $295.7 -
1961 $197.1 - $277.4 -
1960 $220.1 - $267.8 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
2.43%
2024
Population
117507801
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 16.5% 27% 19% 47.8%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 14% 19.4% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 17.3% 42%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 14.3% 33% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 16% 25.5% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 19.6% 30%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 19% 28.4%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 7.59% 112% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 17% 44.5%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 4.17% 136% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 2.49% 135% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 2.15% - 12.8% 62.9%
1998 2.78% - 11.4% 62.2%
1997 2.51% - 12.8% 73.4%
1996 2.17% - 13.4% 89.6%
1995 - - 15.6% 111.1%
1994 - - 16.8% 126%
1993 - - 16.4% 129.2%
1992 - - 17.6% 117.6%
1991 - - 14.2% 106.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 172/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Tanzania
2024 -1.48% -3.03%
2023 -1.65% -3.67%
2022 -1.01% -3.92%
2021 -1.68% -3.55%
2020 -3.17% -2.56%
2019 -3.17% -2.06%
2018 -1.34% -2.01%
2017 -0.05% -1.14%
2016 -0.93% -2.08%
2015 -1.35% -3.17%
2014 3.73% -2.91%
2013 3.28% -3.76%
2012 1.71% -4%
2011 -0.94% -3.51%
2010 -0.95% -4.74%
2009 0.92% -4.46%
2008 -0.41% -1.92%
2007 1.12% -1.44%
2006 1.97% -3.38%
2005 1.3% -3.28%
2004 -0.17% -2.43%
2003 -3.92% -1.77%
2002 0.89% -0.73%
2001 -1.13% -0.41%
2000 -1.85% -0.73%
1999 -1.35% -1.14%
1998 -1.55% 0.13%
1997 -1.06% -0.03%
1996 -0.56% 1.57%
1995 - -2.12%
1994 - -3.74%
1993 - -2.02%
1992 - -4.96%
1991 - 0.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.28% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Tanzania
2024 - 3.06%
2023 - 3.8%
2022 - 4.35%
2021 - 3.69%
2020 - 3.29%
2019 - 3.46%
2018 - 3.49%
2017 - 5.32%
2016 2.89% 5.17%
2015 0.74% 5.59%
2014 1.24% 6.13%
2013 0.81% 7.87%
2012 9.72% 16%
2011 15.3% 12.7%
2010 7.1% 6.2%
2009 2.8% 12.1%
2008 17.3% 10.3%
2007 16.9% 7.03%
2006 13.1% 7.25%
2005 21.3% 5.03%
2004 3.99% 4.74%
2003 12.9% 5.3%
2002 31.5% 5.32%
2001 360% 5.15%
2000 514% 5.92%
1999 284.9% 7.89%
1998 29.1% 12.8%
1997 198.5% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 8.23% in Tanzania. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Metals $1.23B
Raw materials & minerals $110M
Wood & paper products $3.41M
Weapons & explosives $894K
Machinery & equipment $325K
Raw agricultural goods $265K
Chemicals & pharma $100K
Textiles & consumer goods $88K
Precious metals & jewellery $30K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $85.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $79.8M
Raw agricultural goods $36.3M
Machinery & equipment $32.4M
Metals $31.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $27M
Chemicals & pharma $12.6M
Wood & paper products $5.25M
Animal & marine products $2.35M
Miscellaneous $919K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Tanzania
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Tanzania
Economic freedom 47 59
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 106/197
Property rights 15.4 45.2
Government integrity 12.8 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 29.6
Tax burden 73.8 80.4
Government spending 91.2 89.1
Fiscal health 95.9 75
Business freedom 32.3 48.1
Labor freedom 54.2 62.3
Monetary freedom 58.6 73.4
Trade freedom 68.2 58.8
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Tanzania
2026 47 59
2025 47.3 59.3
2024 47.6 59.1
2023 47.9 60
2022 47.6 59.5
2021 49 61.3
2020 49.5 61.7
2019 50.3 60.2
2018 52.1 59.9
2017 56.4 58.6
2016 46.4 58.5
2015 45 57.5
2014 40.6 57.8
2013 39.6 57.9
2012 41.1 57
2011 40.7 57
2010 41.4 58.3
2009 42.8 58.3
2008 - 56.5
2007 - 56.8
2006 - 58.5
2005 - 56.3
2004 - 60.1
2003 - 56.9
2002 - 58.3
2001 - 54.9
2000 34.8 56
1999 34 60
1998 40.6 59.6
1997 39.5 59.3
1996 39.5 57.5
1995 41.4 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (1991–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.