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Economy of DR Congo vs Ukraine compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $191B for Ukraine, ranking 87/197 and 57/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $171B (89.7% of GDP) in Ukraine.

DR Congo vs Ukraine GDP by year

DR Congo
Ukraine
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Ukraine
2024 $70,962,185,791 $190,741,262,415
2023 $69,843,655,425 $181,221,517,869
2022 $70,422,346,142 $161,989,520,721
2021 $59,067,289,574 $199,765,859,571
2020 $46,691,989,749 $156,617,722,013
2019 $46,845,900,350 $153,883,047,510
2018 $46,659,954,092 $130,891,088,294
2017 $37,537,521,566 $112,090,505,082
2016 $38,600,224,214 $93,355,869,404
2015 $40,179,574,490 $91,030,967,789
2014 $38,352,980,553 $133,503,871,862
2013 $34,891,189,160 $190,498,811,460
2012 $30,029,369,929 $182,591,753,828
2011 $26,392,379,642 $169,333,835,202
2010 $24,161,641,931 $141,209,170,427
2009 $18,607,259,481 $121,552,153,444
2008 $22,723,488,723 $188,110,390,660
2007 $18,374,807,773 $148,733,861,386
2006 $15,484,044,535 $111,884,752,475
2005 $12,609,728,573 $89,238,865,119
2004 $10,297,483,481 $67,220,154,164
2003 $8,937,567,060 $52,010,355,753
2002 $8,728,038,525 $43,956,163,612
2001 $7,438,189,100 $39,309,580,983
2000 $19,088,046,306 $32,375,083,935
1999 $4,711,259,427 $31,580,639,554
1998 $6,217,805,821 $41,882,523,345
1997 $6,090,838,693 $50,151,531,592
1996 $5,771,456,952 $44,558,831,005
1995 $5,643,439,376 $48,213,856,469
1994 $5,820,382,248 $52,549,580,265
1993 $10,706,259,937 $65,648,559,903
1992 $8,227,343,907 $73,945,908,384
1991 $9,625,436,873 $77,350,733,982
1990 $9,349,764,580 $81,393,558,423
1989 $9,021,862,775 $82,709,161,099
1988 $8,861,299,977 $74,703,517,903
1987 $7,661,625,473 $64,087,694,038
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/ukraine | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Ukraine by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ukraine
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Ukraine
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $5,038 $18,550
2023 $660 $1,731 $4,803 $17,665
2022 $688 $1,590 $3,946 $14,770
2021 $596 $1,402 $4,510 $17,846
2020 $486 $1,089 $3,505 $15,541
2019 $504 $1,056 $3,423 $14,217
2018 $518 $1,049 $2,895 $12,555
2017 $431 $991 $2,467 $11,536
2016 $460 $950 $2,047 $10,865
2015 $496 $910 $1,988 $9,922
2014 $489 $859 $2,904 $10,494
2013 $460 $761 $4,130 $10,904
2012 $410 $648 $3,951 $9,552
2011 $373 $644 $3,657 $9,127
2010 $352 $606 $3,040 $8,453
2009 $280.2 $573 $2,607 $7,995
2008 $353 $584 $4,018 $9,324
2007 $294.1 $550 $3,160 $8,900
2006 $255.4 $508 $2,366 $7,971
2005 $214.5 $484 $1,875 $7,142
2004 $180.7 $456 $1,401 $6,663
2003 $161.5 $428 $1,076 $5,764
2002 $162.4 $410 $903 $5,123
2001 $142.7 $404 $800 $4,747
2000 $378 $417 $653 $4,228
1999 $96.3 $452 $632 $3,871
1998 $131.5 $481 $831 $3,794
1997 $132.3 $497 $987 $3,794
1996 $127.4 $526 $870 $3,812
1995 $127 $532 $933 $4,124
1994 $136.5 $540 $1,009 $4,565
1993 $263.3 $576 $1,254 $5,766
1992 $209.7 $674 $1,413 $6,568
1991 $253.8 $762 $1,483 $7,148
1990 $254.9 $832 $1,564 $7,591
1989 $254.2 - $1,593 -
1988 $257.7 - $1,444 -
1987 $230.1 - $1,244 -
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/ukraine | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $5,038 in Ukraine, ranking 120/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Ukraine ranks 101st at $18,550.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Ukraine
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$191B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
57/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
2.91%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$5,038
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
120/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$18,550
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
101/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$171B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
89.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$4,520
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
86/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$5,370
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.42B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
21.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
4.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
71.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
6.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
15.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
9.83%
2021
Population
117507801
40125599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Ukraine
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Ukraine
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 71.3% 89.7%
2023 16.5% 27% 73.4% 81.2%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 65.4% 77.7%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 40.5% 48.9%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 45.6% 60.5%
2019 14% 19.4% 41.5% 50.5%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 41.9% 60.4%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 41.7% 71.6%
2016 14.3% 33% 40.8% 79.5%
2015 16% 25.5% 43% 79.3%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 44.8% 70.3%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 48.1% 40.5%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 49% 37.5%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 45.7% 36.9%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 49.2% 40.6%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 48.6% 35.4%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 47.1% 20.4%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 43.7% 12.3%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 44.6% 14.8%
2005 7.59% 112% 44.2% 17.7%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 41.6% 24.8%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 38.9% 29.4%
2002 4.17% 136% 37.9% 33.6%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 36.7% 36.7%
2000 2.49% 135% 35.5% 43.8%
1999 2.15% - 25.8% 59%
1998 2.78% - 37.1% 46.5%
1997 2.51% - 40.8% 28.9%
1996 2.17% - 36.9% 24.4%
1995 - - 41.3% 30.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Ukraine spent $136B, or 71.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 89.7% in Ukraine, ranking 172/185 and 33/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Ukraine
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Ukraine
2024 -1.48% -17.2%
2023 -1.65% -19.3%
2022 -1.01% -15.6%
2021 -1.68% -3.97%
2020 -3.17% -5.92%
2019 -3.17% -2.08%
2018 -1.34% -2.12%
2017 -0.05% -2.36%
2016 -0.93% -2.46%
2015 -1.35% -1.16%
2014 3.73% -4.46%
2013 3.28% -4.78%
2012 1.71% -4.31%
2011 -0.94% -2.76%
2010 -0.95% -5.77%
2009 0.92% -6.27%
2008 -0.41% -3.14%
2007 1.12% -1.97%
2006 1.97% -1.36%
2005 1.3% -2.28%
2004 -0.17% -4.41%
2003 -3.92% -0.89%
2002 0.89% -1.84%
2001 -1.13% -3.03%
2000 -1.85% -3.19%
1999 -1.35% 4.95%
1998 -1.55% -2.69%
1997 -1.06% -5.37%
1996 -0.56% -3.09%
1995 - -4.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/ukraine | 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 Ukraine's deficit of $32.8B, or 17.2% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Ukraine ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.44% of GDP for Ukraine.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Ukraine
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Ukraine
2024 - 6.5%
2023 - 12.9%
2022 - 20.2%
2021 - 9.4%
2020 - 2.7%
2019 - 7.9%
2018 - 10.9%
2017 - 14.4%
2016 2.89% 13.9%
2015 0.74% 48.7%
2014 1.24% 12.1%
2013 0.81% -0.3%
2012 9.72% 0.6%
2011 15.3% 8%
2010 7.1% 9.4%
2009 2.8% 15.9%
2008 17.3% 25.2%
2007 16.9% 12.8%
2006 13.1% 9.1%
2005 21.3% 13.5%
2004 3.99% 9%
2003 12.9% 5.2%
2002 31.5% 0.8%
2001 360% 12%
2000 514% 28.2%
1999 284.9% 22.7%
1998 29.1% 10.6%
1997 198.5% 15.9%

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/ukraine | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 13.7% in Ukraine. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 6.5% in Ukraine.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.58M
Weapons & explosives $1.34M
Raw materials & minerals $73K
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Metals $14K
Miscellaneous $11K
Ukraine
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.86M
Animal & marine products $2.72M
Metals $2.17M
Raw agricultural goods $1.32M
Machinery & equipment $116K
Wood & paper products $39K
Chemicals & pharma $35K
Textiles & consumer goods $34K
Miscellaneous $30K
Raw materials & minerals $4K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Ukraine
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$15.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
179/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-7.94%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$72.3B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$22.9B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$17.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
48.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
29.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Ukraine
Economic freedom 47 54.1
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 135/197
Property rights 15.4 21.6
Government integrity 12.8 35
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 28.2
Tax burden 73.8 83.7
Government spending 91.2 0
Fiscal health 95.9 3.9
Business freedom 32.3 57.4
Labor freedom 54.2 46.9
Monetary freedom 58.6 65.7
Trade freedom 68.2 73
Investment freedom 30 35
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Ukraine
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Ukraine
2026 47 -
2025 47.3 -
2024 47.6 -
2023 47.9 -
2022 47.6 54.1
2021 49 56.2
2020 49.5 54.9
2019 50.3 52.3
2018 52.1 51.9
2017 56.4 48.1
2016 46.4 46.8
2015 45 46.9
2014 40.6 49.3
2013 39.6 46.3
2012 41.1 46.1
2011 40.7 45.8
2010 41.4 46.4
2009 42.8 48.8
2008 - 51
2007 - 51.5
2006 - 54.4
2005 - 55.8
2004 - 53.7
2003 - 51.1
2002 - 48.2
2001 - 48.5
2000 34.8 47.8
1999 34 43.7
1998 40.6 40.4
1997 39.5 43.5
1996 39.5 40.6
1995 41.4 39.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 54.1 for Ukraine, ranking 135/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Ukraine
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
19%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
7.11%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$184B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$18,560
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$43.8B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
46/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$3.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$305M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
5.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
23.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
18.6%
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/ukraine | 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 (1995–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1996, 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.