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Economy of DR Congo vs Uganda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $53.9B for Uganda, ranking 87/197 and 89/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $27.8B (51.5% of GDP) in Uganda.

DR Congo vs Uganda GDP by year

DR Congo
Uganda
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Uganda
2024 $70,962,185,791 $53,911,907,086
2023 $69,843,655,425 $48,768,955,863
2022 $70,422,346,142 $45,565,333,211
2021 $59,067,289,574 $40,529,788,749
2020 $46,691,989,749 $37,600,368,242
2019 $46,845,900,350 $35,353,061,003
2018 $46,659,954,092 $32,927,025,620
2017 $37,537,521,566 $30,744,473,841
2016 $38,600,224,214 $29,203,988,696
2015 $40,179,574,490 $32,387,183,730
2014 $38,352,980,553 $32,612,397,257
2013 $34,891,189,160 $28,915,786,517
2012 $30,029,369,929 $27,305,915,911
2011 $26,392,379,642 $27,871,725,241
2010 $24,161,641,931 $26,673,441,431
2009 $18,607,259,481 $25,127,805,567
2008 $22,723,488,723 $14,440,404,132
2007 $18,374,807,773 $11,902,564,495
2006 $15,484,044,535 $9,977,647,683
2005 $12,609,728,573 $9,239,221,763
2004 $10,297,483,481 $7,939,487,548
2003 $8,937,567,060 $6,606,884,275
2002 $8,728,038,525 $6,178,563,591
2001 $7,438,189,100 $5,840,503,869
2000 $19,088,046,306 $6,193,246,837
1999 $4,711,259,427 $5,998,563,258
1998 $6,217,805,821 $6,584,815,847
1997 $6,090,838,693 $6,269,333,313
1996 $5,771,456,952 $6,044,585,327
1995 $5,643,439,376 $5,755,818,842
1994 $5,820,382,248 $3,990,430,447
1993 $10,706,259,937 $3,220,439,044
1992 $8,227,343,907 $2,857,457,762
1991 $9,625,436,873 $3,321,729,160
1990 $9,349,764,580 $4,304,399,310
1989 $9,021,862,775 $5,276,480,799
1988 $8,861,299,977 $6,508,931,652
1987 $7,661,625,473 $6,269,522,042
1986 $8,095,367,168 $3,923,244,050
1985 $7,195,042,616 $3,519,695,444
1984 $7,857,729,193 $3,615,647,477
1983 $11,006,712,650 $2,240,333,333
1982 $13,651,667,371 $2,177,500,000
1981 $12,537,821,038 $1,337,300,000
1980 $14,394,927,495 $1,244,610,000
1979 $15,068,422,236 $2,139,025,000
1978 $15,372,608,002 $2,420,260,870
1977 $12,344,424,764 $2,936,470,588
1976 $9,648,583,225 $2,447,300,000
1975 $10,237,343,174 $2,359,555,556
1974 $9,596,960,180 $2,098,944,967
1973 $7,870,239,461 $1,701,829,789
1972 $6,173,712,814 $1,490,970,181
1971 $5,594,770,359 $1,417,191,656
1970 $4,877,684,910 $1,259,554,809
1969 $5,032,434,970 $1,168,556,629
1968 $3,909,780,539 $1,037,379,252
1967 $3,384,063,372 $967,240,655
1966 $4,532,660,182 $925,381,492
1965 $4,043,901,818 $884,502,310
1964 $2,881,545,273 $589,247,687
1963 $6,213,185,743 $516,315,231
1962 $3,779,841,429 $449,158,233
1961 $3,086,746,857 $441,667,335
1960 $3,359,404,118 $423,145,605

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Uganda by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Uganda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $1,078 $3,273
2023 $660 $1,731 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $688 $1,590 $963 $2,919
2021 $596 $1,402 $883 $2,685
2020 $486 $1,089 $846 $2,532
2019 $504 $1,056 $822 $2,441
2018 $518 $1,049 $792 $2,312
2017 $431 $991 $765 $2,158
2016 $460 $950 $753 $2,165
2015 $496 $910 $863 $2,190
2014 $489 $859 $896 $2,134
2013 $460 $761 $818 $2,045
2012 $410 $648 $795 $2,032
2011 $373 $644 $836 $2,268
2010 $352 $606 $823 $2,092
2009 $280.2 $573 $799 $2,015
2008 $353 $584 $473 $1,931
2007 $294.1 $550 $401 $1,795
2006 $255.4 $508 $347 $1,660
2005 $214.5 $484 $330 $1,497
2004 $180.7 $456 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $161.5 $428 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $162.4 $410 $242 $1,255
2001 $142.7 $404 $236 $1,173
2000 $378 $417 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $96.3 $452 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $131.5 $481 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $132.3 $497 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $127.4 $526 $284.7 $969
1995 $127 $532 $278.5 $897
1994 $136.5 $540 $198.4 $809
1993 $263.3 $576 $165.6 $770
1992 $209.7 $674 $152.1 $719
1991 $253.8 $762 $183 $703
1990 $254.9 $832 $245 $666
1989 $254.2 - $310 -
1988 $257.7 - $395 -
1987 $230.1 - $393 -
1986 $250.9 - $253.6 -
1985 $230.1 - $234.3 -
1984 $259.8 - $247.5 -
1983 $376 - $157.5 -
1982 $482 - $157 -
1981 $456 - $98.6 -
1980 $539 - $93.8 -
1979 $582 - $164.5 -
1978 $615 - $190.7 -
1977 $509 - $237.6 -
1976 $408 - $203.3 -
1975 $445 - $201.2 -
1974 $428 - $183.7 -
1973 $361 - $152.7 -
1972 $290.5 - $137 -
1971 $270.3 - $133.5 -
1970 $242.2 - $122 -
1969 $257.1 - $116.7 -
1968 $205.6 - $106.9 -
1967 $183.3 - $102.8 -
1966 $252.8 - $101.4 -
1965 $232 - $100 -
1964 $169.9 - $68.6 -
1963 $376 - $62 -
1962 $235.1 - $55.5 -
1961 $197.1 - $56.2 -
1960 $220.1 - $55.4 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $1,078 in Uganda, ranking 176/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Uganda
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$53.9B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
89/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$1,078
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$3,273
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
176/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$27.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
51.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$555
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
163/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$1,466
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
34.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
18.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
9.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
3.42%
2021
Population
117507801
53170946

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Uganda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Uganda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 18.7% 51.5%
2023 16.5% 27% 19.3% 50.5%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 19.5% 50.2%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 22% 50.3%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 21.4% 46.3%
2019 14% 19.4% 18.3% 37.5%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 16.2% 34.9%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 16.3% 33.6%
2016 14.3% 33% 15.2% 31.3%
2015 16% 25.5% 14.9% 28%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 13.6% 24.8%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 13.3% 22.1%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 13.1% 19.5%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 13.2% 18%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 15.4% 18.4%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 11.8% 14.8%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 12.9% 15.7%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 13.2% 17%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 13.7% 27.8%
2005 7.59% 112% 14.5% 42.6%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 15.6% 49%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 16.5% 55.1%
2002 4.17% 136% 16.8% 54.7%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 16.2% 51.4%
2000 2.49% 135% 15.2% 48.5%
1999 2.15% - 14.7% 47.7%
1998 2.78% - 14% 45.1%
1997 2.51% - 13.9% 44.2%
1996 2.17% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Uganda spent $10.1B, or 18.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 51.5% in Uganda, ranking 172/185 and 103/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Uganda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Uganda
2024 -1.48% -3.99%
2023 -1.65% -4.87%
2022 -1.01% -5.45%
2021 -1.68% -7.76%
2020 -3.17% -7.76%
2019 -3.17% -4.82%
2018 -1.34% -3.02%
2017 -0.05% -3.83%
2016 -0.93% -2.64%
2015 -1.35% -2.59%
2014 3.73% -2.74%
2013 3.28% -3.19%
2012 1.71% -2.39%
2011 -0.94% -2.04%
2010 -0.95% -4.64%
2009 0.92% -1.61%
2008 -0.41% -1.99%
2007 1.12% -0.82%
2006 1.97% -0.64%
2005 1.3% -0.17%
2004 -0.17% 0.34%
2003 -3.92% -0.97%
2002 0.89% -2.07%
2001 -1.13% -0.99%
2000 -1.85% -0.62%
1999 -1.35% -1.24%
1998 -1.55% -0.7%
1997 -1.06% -0.83%
1996 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/uganda | 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 Uganda's deficit of $2.15B, or 3.99% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Uganda 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 2.64% of GDP for Uganda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Uganda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Uganda
2024 - 3.3%
2023 - 5.4%
2022 - 7.2%
2021 - 2.2%
2020 - 2.8%
2019 - 2.1%
2018 - 2.5%
2017 - 5.6%
2016 2.89% 5.2%
2015 0.74% 3.7%
2014 1.24% 4.3%
2013 0.81% 5.5%
2012 9.72% 14%
2011 15.3% 18.7%
2010 7.1% 4%
2009 2.8% 13%
2008 17.3% 12%
2007 16.9% 6.1%
2006 13.1% 7.2%
2005 21.3% 8.6%
2004 3.99% 3.7%
2003 12.9% 8.7%
2002 31.5% -0.3%
2001 360% 1.9%
2000 514% 3.4%
1999 284.9% 5.8%
1998 29.1% 5.8%
1997 198.5% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 6.95% in Uganda. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 3.3% in Uganda.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.9M
Metals $2.53M
Machinery & equipment $577K
Wood & paper products $486K
Raw agricultural goods $304K
Raw materials & minerals $271K
Chemicals & pharma $203K
Textiles & consumer goods $161K
Precious metals & jewellery $153K
Animal & marine products $134K
Uganda
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $150M
Machinery & equipment $99.9M
Metals $63.1M
Raw materials & minerals $54.8M
Chemicals & pharma $33M
Textiles & consumer goods $26.6M
Animal & marine products $23.6M
Raw agricultural goods $17.3M
Wood & paper products $7.33M
Weapons & explosives $2.93M

Balance of trade

DR Congo Uganda
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$4.29B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
164/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-7.96%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$8.67B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$4.38B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$2.39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
25.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
16.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Uganda
Economic freedom 47 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 149/197
Property rights 15.4 42.2
Government integrity 12.8 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 29.4
Tax burden 73.8 73.4
Government spending 91.2 89
Fiscal health 95.9 58.3
Business freedom 32.3 50.2
Labor freedom 54.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 58.6 77.1
Trade freedom 68.2 58
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Uganda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Uganda
2026 47 52.4
2025 47.3 51.3
2024 47.6 50.7
2023 47.9 51.4
2022 47.6 54.2
2021 49 58.6
2020 49.5 59.5
2019 50.3 59.7
2018 52.1 62
2017 56.4 60.9
2016 46.4 59.3
2015 45 59.7
2014 40.6 59.9
2013 39.6 61.1
2012 41.1 61.9
2011 40.7 61.7
2010 41.4 62.2
2009 42.8 63.5
2008 - 63.8
2007 - 63.1
2006 - 63.9
2005 - 62.9
2004 - 64.1
2003 - 60.1
2002 - 61
2001 - 60.4
2000 34.8 58.2
1999 34 64.8
1998 40.6 64.7
1997 39.5 66.6
1996 39.5 66.2
1995 41.4 62.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 52.4 for Uganda, ranking 149/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Uganda
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
43.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
24.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$3.36B
2018
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
114/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$3.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$3.26B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$400K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
2.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
20.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
22.4%
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/uganda | 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. 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 (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.