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Economy of DR Congo vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 87/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

DR Congo vs Uruguay GDP by year

DR Congo
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Uruguay
2024 $70,962,185,791 $80,961,511,074
2023 $69,843,655,425 $77,991,666,838
2022 $70,422,346,142 $70,594,110,920
2021 $59,067,289,574 $60,739,084,241
2020 $46,691,989,749 $53,559,359,262
2019 $46,845,900,350 $62,222,313,619
2018 $46,659,954,092 $65,344,577,416
2017 $37,537,521,566 $65,005,997,963
2016 $38,600,224,214 $57,480,787,465
2015 $40,179,574,490 $57,680,327,999
2014 $38,352,980,553 $61,496,186,974
2013 $34,891,189,160 $61,337,621,934
2012 $30,029,369,929 $54,232,266,359
2011 $26,392,379,642 $50,342,406,067
2010 $24,161,641,931 $41,950,361,212
2009 $18,607,259,481 $32,708,319,078
2008 $22,723,488,723 $31,119,602,539
2007 $18,374,807,773 $23,797,773,024
2006 $15,484,044,535 $19,741,420,740
2005 $12,609,728,573 $17,362,857,684
2004 $10,297,483,481 $13,686,329,890
2003 $8,937,567,060 $12,045,638,352
2002 $8,728,038,525 $13,606,515,723
2001 $7,438,189,100 $20,898,761,742
2000 $19,088,046,306 $22,823,270,892
1999 $4,711,259,427 $23,983,945,191
1998 $6,217,805,821 $25,385,886,978
1997 $6,090,838,693 $23,969,739,234
1996 $5,771,456,952 $20,515,458,114
1995 $5,643,439,376 $19,297,663,097
1994 $5,820,382,248 $17,474,588,896
1993 $10,706,259,937 $15,002,136,971
1992 $8,227,343,907 $12,878,148,791
1991 $9,625,436,873 $11,206,176,651
1990 $9,349,764,580 $9,298,807,850
1989 $9,021,862,775 $8,438,951,476
1988 $8,861,299,977 $8,213,538,369
1987 $7,661,625,473 $7,367,494,080
1986 $8,095,367,168 $5,880,112,788
1985 $7,195,042,616 $4,732,017,873
1984 $7,857,729,193 $4,850,238,550
1983 $11,006,712,650 $5,102,276,308
1982 $13,651,667,371 $9,178,780,077
1981 $12,537,821,038 $11,048,301,421
1980 $14,394,927,495 $10,163,020,116
1979 $15,068,422,236 $7,181,182,224
1978 $15,372,608,002 $4,910,254,566
1977 $12,344,424,764 $4,114,670,014
1976 $9,648,583,225 $3,667,161,241
1975 $10,237,343,174 $3,538,278,047
1974 $9,596,960,180 $4,090,209,682
1973 $7,870,239,461 $3,964,296,443
1972 $6,173,712,814 $2,189,418,689
1971 $5,594,770,359 $2,807,258,065
1970 $4,877,684,910 $2,137,096,774
1969 $5,032,434,970 $2,004,435,484
1968 $3,909,780,539 $1,593,674,185
1967 $3,384,063,372 $1,597,713,469
1966 $4,532,660,182 $1,809,185,094
1965 $4,043,901,818 $1,890,767,156
1964 $2,881,545,273 $1,975,701,816
1963 $6,213,185,743 $1,539,681,491
1962 $3,779,841,429 $1,710,004,407
1961 $3,086,746,857 $1,547,388,781
1960 $3,359,404,118 $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Uruguay by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $660 $1,731 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $688 $1,590 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $596 $1,402 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $486 $1,089 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $504 $1,056 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $518 $1,049 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $431 $991 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $460 $950 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $496 $910 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $489 $859 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $460 $761 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $410 $648 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $373 $644 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $352 $606 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $280.2 $573 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $353 $584 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $294.1 $550 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $255.4 $508 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $214.5 $484 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $180.7 $456 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $161.5 $428 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $162.4 $410 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $142.7 $404 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $378 $417 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $96.3 $452 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $131.5 $481 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $132.3 $497 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $127.4 $526 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $127 $532 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $136.5 $540 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $263.3 $576 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $209.7 $674 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $253.8 $762 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $254.9 $832 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $254.2 - $2,734 -
1988 $257.7 - $2,677 -
1987 $230.1 - $2,416 -
1986 $250.9 - $1,939 -
1985 $230.1 - $1,568 -
1984 $259.8 - $1,615 -
1983 $376 - $1,707 -
1982 $482 - $3,085 -
1981 $456 - $3,728 -
1980 $539 - $3,443 -
1979 $582 - $2,443 -
1978 $615 - $1,678 -
1977 $509 - $1,414 -
1976 $408 - $1,268 -
1975 $445 - $1,232 -
1974 $428 - $1,433 -
1973 $361 - $1,397 -
1972 $290.5 - $776 -
1971 $270.3 - $1,000 -
1970 $242.2 - $766 -
1969 $257.1 - $723 -
1968 $205.6 - $579 -
1967 $183.3 - $585 -
1966 $252.8 - $668 -
1965 $232 - $705 -
1964 $169.9 - $745 -
1963 $376 - $587 -
1962 $235.1 - $659 -
1961 $197.1 - $604 -
1960 $220.1 - $491 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
8.21%
2024
Population
117507801
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 16.5% 27% 30.5% 64%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 30% 59.9%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 14% 19.4% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 14.3% 33% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 16% 25.5% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 28.8% 50%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 7.59% 112% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 4.17% 136% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 2.49% 135% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 2.15% - 27.2% 24.1%
1998 2.78% - 27.3% 19.4%
1997 2.51% - 27.6% 18.8%
1996 2.17% - 26.5% 18.3%
1995 - - 26.2% 18.5%
1994 - - 29.5% 19.3%
1993 - - 27.7% 20%
1992 - - 23.6% 22.2%
1991 - - 22.2% 20.4%
1990 - - 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 172/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Uruguay
2024 -1.48% -3.22%
2023 -1.65% -3.13%
2022 -1.01% -2.52%
2021 -1.68% -2.61%
2020 -3.17% -4.64%
2019 -3.17% -2.71%
2018 -1.34% -1.89%
2017 -0.05% -2.51%
2016 -0.93% -2.68%
2015 -1.35% -1.86%
2014 3.73% -2.6%
2013 3.28% -1.72%
2012 1.71% -2.17%
2011 -0.94% -0.33%
2010 -0.95% -0.39%
2009 0.92% -1.39%
2008 -0.41% -1.31%
2007 1.12% -0.16%
2006 1.97% -0.64%
2005 1.3% -0.28%
2004 -0.17% -0.87%
2003 -3.92% -2.19%
2002 0.89% -3.19%
2001 -1.13% -2.85%
2000 -1.85% -2.76%
1999 -1.35% -2.76%
1998 -1.55% -0.76%
1997 -1.06% -0.97%
1996 -0.56% -1.32%
1995 - -1.08%
1994 - -2.37%
1993 - -0.47%
1992 - 0.6%
1991 - 0.88%
1990 - 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/uruguay | 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 Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.95% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Uruguay
2024 - 4.85%
2023 - 5.87%
2022 - 9.1%
2021 - 7.75%
2020 - 9.76%
2019 - 7.88%
2018 - 7.61%
2017 - 6.22%
2016 2.89% 9.64%
2015 0.74% 8.67%
2014 1.24% 8.88%
2013 0.81% 8.58%
2012 9.72% 8.1%
2011 15.3% 8.09%
2010 7.1% 6.7%
2009 2.8% 7.06%
2008 17.3% 7.88%
2007 16.9% 8.11%
2006 13.1% 6.4%
2005 21.3% 4.7%
2004 3.99% 9.16%
2003 12.9% 19.4%
2002 31.5% 14%
2001 360% 4.36%
2000 514% 4.76%
1999 284.9% 5.66%
1998 29.1% 10.8%
1997 198.5% 19.8%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 9.04% in Uruguay. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.51M
Textiles & consumer goods $370K
Weapons & explosives $284K
Metals $7K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $79K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Uruguay
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Uruguay
Economic freedom 47 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 39/197
Property rights 15.4 87.4
Government integrity 12.8 79
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 80.9
Tax burden 73.8 73.3
Government spending 91.2 72
Fiscal health 95.9 76.6
Business freedom 32.3 83.8
Labor freedom 54.2 61.7
Monetary freedom 58.6 70.2
Trade freedom 68.2 73.2
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Uruguay
2026 47 69.8
2025 47.3 70.2
2024 47.6 69.8
2023 47.9 70.2
2022 47.6 70
2021 49 69.3
2020 49.5 69.1
2019 50.3 68.6
2018 52.1 69.2
2017 56.4 69.7
2016 46.4 68.8
2015 45 68.6
2014 40.6 69.3
2013 39.6 69.7
2012 41.1 69.9
2011 40.7 70
2010 41.4 69.8
2009 42.8 69.1
2008 - 67.9
2007 - 68.4
2006 - 65.3
2005 - 66.9
2004 - 66.7
2003 - 69.8
2002 - 68.7
2001 - 70.7
2000 34.8 69.3
1999 34 68.5
1998 40.6 68.6
1997 39.5 67.5
1996 39.5 63.7
1995 41.4 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
15.6%
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/uruguay | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.