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Economy of DR Congo vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 87/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

DR Congo vs United States GDP by year

DR Congo
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo United States
2024 $70,962,185,791 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $69,843,655,425 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $70,422,346,142 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $59,067,289,574 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $46,691,989,749 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $46,845,900,350 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $46,659,954,092 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $37,537,521,566 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $38,600,224,214 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $40,179,574,490 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $38,352,980,553 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $34,891,189,160 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $30,029,369,929 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $26,392,379,642 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $24,161,641,931 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $18,607,259,481 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $22,723,488,723 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $18,374,807,773 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $15,484,044,535 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $12,609,728,573 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $10,297,483,481 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $8,937,567,060 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $8,728,038,525 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $7,438,189,100 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $19,088,046,306 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $4,711,259,427 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $6,217,805,821 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $6,090,838,693 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $5,771,456,952 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $5,643,439,376 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $5,820,382,248 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $10,706,259,937 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $8,227,343,907 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $9,625,436,873 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $9,349,764,580 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $9,021,862,775 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $8,861,299,977 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $7,661,625,473 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $8,095,367,168 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $7,195,042,616 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $7,857,729,193 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $11,006,712,650 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $13,651,667,371 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $12,537,821,038 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $14,394,927,495 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $15,068,422,236 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $15,372,608,002 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $12,344,424,764 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $9,648,583,225 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $10,237,343,174 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $9,596,960,180 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $7,870,239,461 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $6,173,712,814 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $5,594,770,359 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $4,877,684,910 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $5,032,434,970 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $3,909,780,539 $940,225,000,000
1967 $3,384,063,372 $859,620,034,483
1966 $4,532,660,182 $813,032,758,621
1965 $4,043,901,818 $741,904,862,069
1964 $2,881,545,273 $684,144,620,690
1963 $6,213,185,743 $637,058,551,724
1962 $3,779,841,429 $603,639,413,793
1961 $3,086,746,857 $561,940,310,345
1960 $3,359,404,118 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs United States by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $660 $1,731 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $688 $1,590 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $596 $1,402 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $486 $1,089 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $504 $1,056 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $518 $1,049 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $431 $991 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $460 $950 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $496 $910 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $489 $859 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $460 $761 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $410 $648 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $373 $644 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $352 $606 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $280.2 $573 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $353 $584 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $294.1 $550 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $255.4 $508 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $214.5 $484 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $180.7 $456 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $161.5 $428 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $162.4 $410 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $142.7 $404 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $378 $417 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $96.3 $452 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $131.5 $481 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $132.3 $497 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $127.4 $526 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $127 $532 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $136.5 $540 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $263.3 $576 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $209.7 $674 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $253.8 $762 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $254.9 $832 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $254.2 - $22,857 -
1988 $257.7 - $21,417 -
1987 $230.1 - $20,039 -
1986 $250.9 - $19,071 -
1985 $230.1 - $18,237 -
1984 $259.8 - $17,121 -
1983 $376 - $15,544 -
1982 $482 - $14,434 -
1981 $456 - $13,976 -
1980 $539 - $12,613 -
1979 $582 - $11,674 -
1978 $615 - $10,565 -
1977 $509 - $9,453 -
1976 $408 - $8,592 -
1975 $445 - $7,801 -
1974 $428 - $7,226 -
1973 $361 - $6,726 -
1972 $290.5 - $6,094 -
1971 $270.3 - $5,609 -
1970 $242.2 - $5,234 -
1969 $257.1 - $5,020 -
1968 $205.6 - $4,685 -
1967 $183.3 - $4,326 -
1966 $252.8 - $4,136 -
1965 $232 - $3,818 -
1964 $169.9 - $3,565 -
1963 $376 - $3,366 -
1962 $235.1 - $3,236 -
1961 $197.1 - $3,059 -
1960 $220.1 - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/united-states | CC BY

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

DR Congo United States
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
4.02%
2024
Population
117507801
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 16.5% 27% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 43.2% 125%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 14% 19.4% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 14.3% 33% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 16% 25.5% 35% 105.4%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 35.8% 105%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 38.8% 100%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 7.59% 112% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 34% 59%
2002 4.17% 136% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 2.49% 135% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 2.15% - 32.2% 60.5%
1998 2.78% - 32.8% 64.2%
1997 2.51% - 33.7% 67.4%
1996 2.17% - 34.7% 69.9%
1995 - - 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 172/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo United States
2024 -1.48% -8.03%
2023 -1.65% -7.8%
2022 -1.01% -3.72%
2021 -1.68% -11.4%
2020 -3.17% -14.1%
2019 -3.17% -5.81%
2018 -1.34% -5.33%
2017 -0.05% -4.79%
2016 -0.93% -4.36%
2015 -1.35% -3.53%
2014 3.73% -4.03%
2013 3.28% -4.56%
2012 1.71% -8.11%
2011 -0.94% -9.72%
2010 -0.95% -11%
2009 0.92% -13.2%
2008 -0.41% -6.61%
2007 1.12% -2.91%
2006 1.97% -2.04%
2005 1.3% -3.07%
2004 -0.17% -4.24%
2003 -3.92% -4.77%
2002 0.89% -3.82%
2001 -1.13% -0.54%
2000 -1.85% 3.62%
1999 -1.35% 2.71%
1998 -1.55% 2.18%
1997 -1.06% 0.88%
1996 -0.56% -0.46%
1995 - -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while the United States 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 4.78% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo United States
2024 - 2.95%
2023 - 4.12%
2022 - 8%
2021 - 4.7%
2020 - 1.23%
2019 - 1.81%
2018 - 2.44%
2017 - 2.13%
2016 2.89% 1.26%
2015 0.74% 0.12%
2014 1.24% 1.62%
2013 0.81% 1.46%
2012 9.72% 2.07%
2011 15.3% 3.16%
2010 7.1% 1.64%
2009 2.8% -0.36%
2008 17.3% 3.84%
2007 16.9% 2.85%
2006 13.1% 3.23%
2005 21.3% 3.39%
2004 3.99% 2.68%
2003 12.9% 2.27%
2002 31.5% 1.59%
2001 360% 2.83%
2000 514% 3.38%
1999 284.9% 2.19%
1998 29.1% 1.55%
1997 198.5% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 2.16% in the United States. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.15M
Raw agricultural goods $742K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $687K
Precious metals & jewellery $431K
Machinery & equipment $295K
Textiles & consumer goods $187K
Animal & marine products $33K
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Metals $3K
United States
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $78.9M
Machinery & equipment $67.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $39.6M
Animal & marine products $29.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $11.8M
Chemicals & pharma $11.6M
Miscellaneous $8.67M
Metals $4.18M
Wood & paper products $823K
Raw materials & minerals $810K

Balance of trade

DR Congo United States
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo United States
Economic freedom 47 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 27/197
Property rights 15.4 91.6
Government integrity 12.8 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 76.4
Tax burden 73.8 75.3
Government spending 91.2 57.9
Fiscal health 95.9 18.5
Business freedom 32.3 88.6
Labor freedom 54.2 76.3
Monetary freedom 58.6 84.2
Trade freedom 68.2 67.6
Investment freedom 30 80
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo United States
2026 47 72.8
2025 47.3 70.2
2024 47.6 70.1
2023 47.9 70.6
2022 47.6 72.1
2021 49 74.8
2020 49.5 76.6
2019 50.3 76.8
2018 52.1 75.7
2017 56.4 75.1
2016 46.4 75.4
2015 45 76.2
2014 40.6 75.5
2013 39.6 76
2012 41.1 76.3
2011 40.7 77.8
2010 41.4 78
2009 42.8 80.7
2008 - 81
2007 - 81.2
2006 - 81.2
2005 - 79.9
2004 - 78.7
2003 - 78.2
2002 - 78.4
2001 - 79.1
2000 34.8 76.4
1999 34 75.5
1998 40.6 75.4
1997 39.5 75.6
1996 39.5 76.7
1995 41.4 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo United States
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
21.8%
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/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.