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Economy of DR Congo vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 87/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

DR Congo vs Venezuela GDP by year

DR Congo
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Venezuela
2024 $70,962,185,791 $119,802,963,258
2023 $69,843,655,425 $102,376,526,556
2022 $70,422,346,142 $89,013,255,585
2021 $59,067,289,574 $56,614,976,855
2020 $46,691,989,749 $42,838,020,721
2019 $46,845,900,350 $73,014,084,091
2018 $46,659,954,092 $102,021,093,965
2017 $37,537,521,566 $115,883,275,163
2016 $38,600,224,214 $112,915,034,262
2015 $40,179,574,490 $125,449,241,571
2014 $38,352,980,553 $214,689,614,733
2013 $34,891,189,160 $258,930,655,486
2012 $30,029,369,929 $372,592,062,768
2011 $26,392,379,642 $316,482,190,800
2010 $24,161,641,931 $393,192,354,511
2009 $18,607,259,481 $329,787,628,928
2008 $22,723,488,723 $315,953,388,511
2007 $18,374,807,773 $230,364,012,576
2006 $15,484,044,535 $183,477,522,124
2005 $12,609,728,573 $145,513,489,652
2004 $10,297,483,481 $112,451,400,425
2003 $8,937,567,060 $83,620,628,582
2002 $8,728,038,525 $92,893,587,734
2001 $7,438,189,100 $122,911,036,747
2000 $19,088,046,306 $117,146,466,003
1999 $4,711,259,427 $97,972,842,462
1998 $6,217,805,821 $91,336,763,255
1997 $6,090,838,693 $85,837,678,560
1996 $5,771,456,952 $70,543,211,119
1995 $5,643,439,376 $77,389,487,770
1994 $5,820,382,248 $58,418,666,667
1993 $10,706,259,937 $60,037,460,783
1992 $8,227,343,907 $60,416,519,620
1991 $9,625,436,873 $53,453,444,787
1990 $9,349,764,580 $48,606,952,195
1989 $9,021,862,775 $43,536,709,104
1988 $8,861,299,977 $60,226,413,793
1987 $7,661,625,473 $48,029,034,483
1986 $8,095,367,168 $60,516,123,711
1985 $7,195,042,616 $61,965,466,667
1984 $7,857,729,193 $59,867,743,468
1983 $11,006,712,650 $67,556,279,070
1982 $13,651,667,371 $67,736,744,186
1981 $12,537,821,038 $66,327,441,860
1980 $14,394,927,495 $59,116,511,628
1979 $15,068,422,236 $48,310,930,233
1978 $15,372,608,002 $39,316,279,070
1977 $12,344,424,764 $36,210,697,674
1976 $9,648,583,225 $31,419,534,884
1975 $10,237,343,174 $27,464,651,163
1974 $9,596,960,180 $26,100,930,233
1973 $7,870,239,461 $17,035,581,395
1972 $6,173,712,814 $13,977,727,273
1971 $5,594,770,359 $12,986,590,909
1970 $4,877,684,910 $11,561,111,111
1969 $5,032,434,970 $10,285,111,111
1968 $3,909,780,539 $10,034,444,444
1967 $3,384,063,372 $9,250,000,000
1966 $4,532,660,182 $8,781,333,333
1965 $4,043,901,818 $8,427,777,778
1964 $2,881,545,273 $8,192,413,793
1963 $6,213,185,743 $9,608,717,288
1962 $3,779,841,429 $8,814,309,884
1961 $3,086,746,857 $8,067,267,031
1960 $3,359,404,118 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Venezuela by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $4,218 -
2023 $660 $1,731 $3,617 -
2022 $688 $1,590 $3,155 -
2021 $596 $1,402 $2,005 -
2020 $486 $1,089 $1,506 -
2019 $504 $1,056 $2,523 -
2018 $518 $1,049 $3,423 -
2017 $431 $991 $3,791 -
2016 $460 $950 $3,670 -
2015 $496 $910 $4,103 -
2014 $489 $859 $7,096 -
2013 $460 $761 $8,656 -
2012 $410 $648 $12,607 -
2011 $373 $644 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $352 $606 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $280.2 $573 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $353 $584 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $294.1 $550 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $255.4 $508 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $214.5 $484 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $180.7 $456 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $161.5 $428 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $162.4 $410 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $142.7 $404 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $378 $417 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $96.3 $452 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $131.5 $481 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $132.3 $497 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $127.4 $526 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $127 $532 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $136.5 $540 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $263.3 $576 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $209.7 $674 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $253.8 $762 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $254.9 $832 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $254.2 - $2,250 -
1988 $257.7 - $3,191 -
1987 $230.1 - $2,611 -
1986 $250.9 - $3,376 -
1985 $230.1 - $3,549 -
1984 $259.8 - $3,520 -
1983 $376 - $4,079 -
1982 $482 - $4,202 -
1981 $456 - $4,228 -
1980 $539 - $3,874 -
1979 $582 - $3,257 -
1978 $615 - $2,727 -
1977 $509 - $2,585 -
1976 $408 - $2,309 -
1975 $445 - $2,078 -
1974 $428 - $2,034 -
1973 $361 - $1,367 -
1972 $290.5 - $1,155 -
1971 $270.3 - $1,106 -
1970 $242.2 - $1,015 -
1969 $257.1 - $932 -
1968 $205.6 - $938 -
1967 $183.3 - $893 -
1966 $252.8 - $876 -
1965 $232 - $869 -
1964 $169.9 - $874 -
1963 $376 - $1,060 -
1962 $235.1 - $1,007 -
1961 $197.1 - $954 -
1960 $220.1 - $939 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$16B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
7.53%
2020
Population
117507801
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 16.5% 27% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 11.2% 337%
2019 14% 19.4% 21% 206%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 14.3% 33% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 16% 25.5% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 38% 58.4%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 7.59% 112% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 32.2% 56%
2002 4.17% 136% 31% 48.2%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 2.49% 135% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 2.15% - 26.1% 29.6%
1998 2.78% - 28.8% 30.7%
1997 2.51% - 31% 34.8%
1996 2.17% - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 - - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 172/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Venezuela
2024 -1.48% -3.6%
2023 -1.65% -1.25%
2022 -1.01% -5.29%
2021 -1.68% -5.85%
2020 -3.17% -6.63%
2019 -3.17% -10.9%
2018 -1.34% -31%
2017 -0.05% -13.3%
2016 -0.93% -8.46%
2015 -1.35% -8.06%
2014 3.73% -9.81%
2013 3.28% -10.4%
2012 1.71% -9.86%
2011 -0.94% -8.24%
2010 -0.95% -4.74%
2009 0.92% -8.69%
2008 -0.41% -3.46%
2007 1.12% -2.82%
2006 1.97% -1.6%
2005 1.3% 4.09%
2004 -0.17% 2.47%
2003 -3.92% 0.17%
2002 0.89% -1.48%
2001 -1.13% -4.59%
2000 -1.85% 4.45%
1999 -1.35% 0.74%
1998 -1.55% -4.49%
1997 -1.06% 2.58%
1996 -0.56% 7.94%
1995 - -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.9% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Venezuela
2024 - 49%
2023 - 338%
2022 - 186.5%
2021 - 1,589%
2020 - 2,355%
2019 - 19,906%
2018 - 65,374%
2017 - 438%
2016 2.89% 254.9%
2015 0.74% 121.7%
2014 1.24% 62.2%
2013 0.81% 40.6%
2012 9.72% 21.1%
2011 15.3% 26.1%
2010 7.1% 28.2%
2009 2.8% 26%
2008 17.3% 31.4%
2007 16.9% 18.7%
2006 13.1% 13.7%
2005 21.3% 16%
2004 3.99% 21.7%
2003 12.9% 31.1%
2002 31.5% 22.4%
2001 360% 12.5%
2000 514% 16.2%
1999 284.9% 23.6%
1998 29.1% 35.8%
1997 198.5% 50%

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/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 43.7% in Venezuela. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Venezuela
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

DR Congo Venezuela
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$322M
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Venezuela
Economic freedom 47 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 194/197
Property rights 15.4 0
Government integrity 12.8 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 5.1
Tax burden 73.8 73.4
Government spending 91.2 93
Fiscal health 95.9 29.1
Business freedom 32.3 31.1
Labor freedom 54.2 35.5
Monetary freedom 58.6 0
Trade freedom 68.2 43.2
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Venezuela
2026 47 27.3
2025 47.3 27.6
2024 47.6 28.1
2023 47.9 25.8
2022 47.6 24.8
2021 49 24.7
2020 49.5 25.2
2019 50.3 25.9
2018 52.1 25.2
2017 56.4 27
2016 46.4 33.7
2015 45 34.3
2014 40.6 36.3
2013 39.6 36.1
2012 41.1 38.1
2011 40.7 37.6
2010 41.4 37.1
2009 42.8 39.9
2008 - 44.7
2007 - 47.9
2006 - 44.6
2005 - 45.2
2004 - 46.7
2003 - 54.8
2002 - 54.7
2001 - 54.6
2000 34.8 57.4
1999 34 56.1
1998 40.6 54
1997 39.5 52.8
1996 39.5 54.5
1995 41.4 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
4.9%
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/venezuela | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.