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Economy of DR Congo vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $679M for Tonga, ranking 81/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $186M (27.4% of GDP) in Tonga.

DR Congo vs Tonga GDP by year

DR Congo
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Tonga
2025 $91,030,531,317 $679,218,219
2024 $75,716,176,105 $647,488,244
2023 $69,843,655,425 $591,139,734
2022 $70,422,346,142 $556,514,556
2021 $59,067,289,574 $519,306,339
2020 $46,691,989,749 $506,571,487
2019 $46,845,900,350 $506,031,248
2018 $46,659,954,092 $493,530,767
2017 $37,537,521,566 $459,976,847
2016 $38,600,224,214 $420,828,255
2015 $40,179,574,490 $437,525,539
2014 $38,352,980,553 $440,997,735
2013 $34,891,189,160 $451,788,498
2012 $30,029,369,929 $471,122,971
2011 $26,392,379,642 $414,143,828
2010 $24,161,641,931 $366,887,375
2009 $18,607,259,481 $312,415,028
2008 $22,723,488,723 $344,438,844
2007 $18,374,807,773 $298,519,623
2006 $15,484,044,535 $292,232,703
2005 $12,609,728,573 $261,823,805
2004 $10,297,483,481 $230,678,011
2003 $8,937,567,060 $202,246,591
2002 $8,728,038,525 $182,764,281
2001 $7,438,189,100 $181,117,230
2000 $19,088,046,306 $204,848,488
1999 $4,711,259,427 $199,208,718
1998 $6,217,805,821 $191,504,893
1997 $6,090,838,693 $214,991,452
1996 $5,771,456,952 $222,100,576
1995 $5,643,439,376 $208,871,666
1994 $5,820,382,248 $195,990,986
1993 $10,706,259,937 $138,489,884
1992 $8,227,343,907 $137,066,291
1991 $9,625,436,873 $132,201,141
1990 $9,349,764,580 $113,563,822
1989 $9,021,862,775 $106,344,855
1988 $8,861,299,977 $106,657,267
1987 $7,661,625,473 $81,667,133
1986 $8,095,367,168 $68,195,856
1985 $7,195,042,616 $60,058,663
1984 $7,857,729,193 $64,248,355
1983 $11,006,712,650 $60,863,964
1982 $13,651,667,371 $62,068,161
1981 $12,537,821,038 $62,242,013
1980 $14,394,927,495 $53,260,077
1979 $15,068,422,236 $44,667,002
1978 $15,372,608,002 $41,567,472
1977 $12,344,424,764 $34,139,388
1976 $9,648,583,225 $30,036,417
1975 $10,237,343,174 $32,506,742
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Tonga by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $6,547 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $6,215 -
2023 $660 $1,731 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $688 $1,590 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $596 $1,402 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $486 $1,089 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $504 $1,056 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $518 $1,049 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $431 $991 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $460 $950 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $496 $910 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $489 $859 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $460 $761 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $410 $648 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $373 $644 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $352 $606 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $280.2 $573 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $353 $584 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $294.1 $550 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $255.4 $508 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $214.5 $484 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $180.7 $456 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $161.5 $428 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $162.4 $410 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $142.7 $404 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $378 $417 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $96.3 $452 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $131.5 $481 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $132.3 $497 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $127.4 $526 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $127 $532 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $136.5 $540 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $263.3 $576 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $209.7 $674 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $253.8 $762 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $254.9 $832 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $254.2 - $1,070 -
1988 $257.7 - $1,078 -
1987 $230.1 - $830 -
1986 $250.9 - $696 -
1985 $230.1 - $613 -
1984 $259.8 - $656 -
1983 $376 - $621 -
1982 $482 - $633 -
1981 $456 - $636 -
1980 $539 - $545 -
1979 $582 - $458 -
1978 $615 - $428 -
1977 $509 - $353 -
1976 $408 - $315 -
1975 $445 - $349 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $6,547 in Tonga, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Tonga
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$679M
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
191/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
2.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$6,547
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
110/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$186M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
27.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$1,793
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
123/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$4,104
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
46.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
5.59%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
1.65%
2023
Population
118386491
103283

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 46.8% 27.4%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 44.3% 31.9%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 41.5% 37.2%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 41.3% 40.2%
2021 13.5% 14% 44.5% 43%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 37.1% 41.7%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 39% 41.8%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 39.3% 45.5%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 32% 60%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 24% 34%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 7.5% 112% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 20% 56.2%
2002 4.17% 136% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 2.49% 135% 20% 43.6%
1999 2.15% - 18.8% 38.4%
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $318M, or 46.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 27.4% in Tonga, ranking 173/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Tonga
2025 -2.75% 4.86%
2024 -1.66% 3.6%
2023 -1.59% 5.28%
2022 -0.87% -0.09%
2021 -1.58% -0.87%
2020 -3.49% 5.15%
2019 -3.41% 3.2%
2018 -1.35% 2.9%
2017 -0.01% 3.58%
2016 -0.91% 1.47%
2015 -1.2% -2.75%
2014 3.87% 6.38%
2013 3.5% -1.3%
2012 1.93% -1.74%
2011 -0.71% -6.02%
2010 -0.8% -1.22%
2009 1.04% 6.85%
2008 -0.28% 2.14%
2007 1.21% 5.39%
2006 2.09% 1.34%
2005 1.38% 4.23%
2004 -0.17% 4.23%
2003 -3.92% 2.37%
2002 0.89% 2.59%
2001 -1.13% 2.23%
2000 -1.85% 1.35%
1999 -1.35% 1.55%
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/tonga | 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 Tonga's surplus of $33M, or 4.86% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.49% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.1% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Tonga
2025 - 5.59%
2024 - 3.18%
2023 - 6.35%
2022 - 11%
2021 - 5.64%
2020 - -0.35%
2019 - 1.18%
2018 - 5.03%
2017 - 7.52%
2016 2.89% 2.58%
2015 0.74% -1.05%
2014 1.24% 2.51%
2013 0.81% 0.78%
2012 9.72% 1.15%
2011 15.3% 6.27%
2010 7.1% 3.53%
2009 2.8% 1.43%
2008 17.3% 10.4%
2007 16.9% 5.84%
2006 13.1% 6.15%
2005 21.3% 8.67%
2004 3.99% 11%
2003 12.9% 11.6%
2002 31.5% 10.4%
2001 360% 8.29%
2000 514% 6.33%
1999 284.9% 4.46%
1998 29.1% 3.27%
1997 198.5% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 5.29% in Tonga. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 5.59% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

DR Congo Tonga
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-6.72%
2024
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$161M
2024
Service exports
$548M
2025
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
60.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Tonga
Economic freedom 47 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 107/197
Property rights 15.4 71.1
Government integrity 12.8 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 64.9
Tax burden 73.8 85.6
Government spending 91.2 31
Fiscal health 95.9 97.3
Business freedom 32.3 59.2
Labor freedom 54.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 58.6 61
Trade freedom 68.2 75.4
Investment freedom 30 40
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Tonga
2026 47 58.9
2025 47.3 58.5
2024 47.6 59.2
2023 47.9 60
2022 47.6 60.8
2021 49 57.5
2020 49.5 58.8
2019 50.3 57.7
2018 52.1 63.1
2017 56.4 63
2016 46.4 59.6
2015 45 59.3
2014 40.6 58.2
2013 39.6 56
2012 41.1 57
2011 40.7 55.8
2010 41.4 53.4
2009 42.8 54.1
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 34.8 -
1999 34 -
1998 40.6 -
1997 39.5 -
1996 39.5 -
1995 41.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Tonga
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
49.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
17.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
18.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$709M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$9,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$413M
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
162/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
6.33%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
26.4%
2024

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/tonga | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.