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

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $30.8T for the United States, ranking 81/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $38.1T (123.9% 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
2025 $91,030,531,317 $30,769,700,000,000
2024 $75,716,176,105 $29,298,013,000,000
2023 $69,843,655,425 $27,811,517,000,000
2022 $70,422,346,142 $26,054,614,000,000
2021 $59,067,289,574 $23,725,645,000,000
2020 $46,691,989,749 $21,375,281,000,000
2019 $46,845,900,350 $21,539,982,000,000
2018 $46,659,954,092 $20,656,516,000,000
2017 $37,537,521,566 $19,612,102,000,000
2016 $38,600,224,214 $18,804,913,000,000
2015 $40,179,574,490 $18,295,019,000,000
2014 $38,352,980,553 $17,608,138,000,000
2013 $34,891,189,160 $16,880,683,000,000
2012 $30,029,369,929 $16,253,970,000,000
2011 $26,392,379,642 $15,599,732,000,000
2010 $24,161,641,931 $15,048,971,000,000
2009 $18,607,259,481 $14,478,067,000,000
2008 $22,723,488,723 $14,769,862,000,000
2007 $18,374,807,773 $14,474,228,000,000
2006 $15,484,044,535 $13,815,583,000,000
2005 $12,609,728,573 $13,039,197,000,000
2004 $10,297,483,481 $12,217,196,000,000
2003 $8,937,567,060 $11,456,450,000,000
2002 $8,728,038,525 $10,929,108,000,000
2001 $7,438,189,100 $10,581,929,000,000
2000 $19,088,046,306 $10,250,952,000,000
1999 $4,711,259,427 $9,631,172,000,000
1998 $6,217,805,821 $9,062,817,000,000
1997 $6,090,838,693 $8,577,552,000,000
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $807 - $90,027 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $86,143 $85,810
2023 $660 $1,731 $83,041 $82,305
2022 $688 $1,590 $78,178 $77,861
2021 $596 $1,402 $71,486 $71,307
2020 $486 $1,089 $64,475 $64,402
2019 $504 $1,056 $65,605 $65,228
2018 $518 $1,049 $63,201 $62,876
2017 $431 $991 $60,322 $60,048
2016 $460 $950 $58,207 $57,977
2015 $496 $910 $57,040 $56,849
2014 $489 $859 $55,304 $55,153
2013 $460 $761 $53,410 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $90,027 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
$91B
2025
$30.8T
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
1/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$90,027
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
10/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$38.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
123.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$111,531
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
2/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$54,600
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$68.9T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
23,627,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
989
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
30.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
37.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
4.28%
2025
Population
118386491
344434632

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
2025 17.2% 20.2% 37.7% 123.9%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 37.7% 122.3%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 37.5% 120%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 13.5% 14% 43.2% 125%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 44.7% 132.6%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 35.3% 107.7%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 35% 105.4%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 35.8% 105%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 38.8% 100%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 39.8% 95.7%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 7.5% 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 (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while the United States spent $11.6T, or 37.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 123.9% in the United States, ranking 173/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo United States
2025 -2.75% -6.82%
2024 -1.66% -7.86%
2023 -1.59% -7.89%
2022 -0.87% -3.72%
2021 -1.58% -11.5%
2020 -3.49% -14.1%
2019 -3.41% -5.81%
2018 -1.35% -5.33%
2017 -0.01% -4.79%
2016 -0.91% -4.36%
2015 -1.2% -3.53%
2014 3.87% -4.03%
2013 3.5% -4.56%
2012 1.93% -8.11%
2011 -0.71% -9.72%
2010 -0.8% -11%
2009 1.04% -13.2%
2008 -0.28% -6.61%
2007 1.21% -2.91%
2006 2.09% -2.04%
2005 1.38% -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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.1T, or 6.82% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.85% 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 2026-07-08).

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
Raw materials & minerals $4.97M
Machinery & equipment $2.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.57M
Wood & paper products $458K
Raw agricultural goods $390K
Textiles & consumer goods $112K
Animal & marine products $19K
Metals $16K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Miscellaneous $7K
United States
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $61.1M
Machinery & equipment $59.3M
Raw agricultural goods $52.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17.4M
Chemicals & pharma $13.9M
Miscellaneous $8.24M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.19M
Wood & paper products $1.11M
Metals $606K
Raw materials & minerals $297K

Balance of trade

DR Congo United States
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
-$1.12T
2025
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
190/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$3.44T
2025
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$2.2T
2025
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$903B
2025
Service exports
$548M
2025
$1.23T
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
14%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
11%
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 2026-07-08).

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
48%
2025
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$30.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$89,490
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$1.39T
2025
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
2/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
$21.7B
2025
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
0.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
21.5%
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/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.