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Economy of DR Congo vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has a GDP of $71B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 87/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $16B in government debt (22.5% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

DR Congo vs Zambia GDP by year

DR Congo
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Zambia
2024 $70,962,185,791 $25,303,185,342
2023 $69,843,655,425 $27,577,956,471
2022 $70,422,346,142 $29,163,782,140
2021 $59,067,289,574 $22,096,416,932
2020 $46,691,989,749 $18,137,764,931
2019 $46,845,900,350 $23,308,667,781
2018 $46,659,954,092 $26,311,507,274
2017 $37,537,521,566 $25,873,601,261
2016 $38,600,224,214 $20,958,412,538
2015 $40,179,574,490 $21,251,216,799
2014 $38,352,980,553 $27,141,023,558
2013 $34,891,189,160 $28,037,239,463
2012 $30,029,369,929 $25,503,060,420
2011 $26,392,379,642 $23,459,515,276
2010 $24,161,641,931 $20,265,559,484
2009 $18,607,259,481 $15,328,342,304
2008 $22,723,488,723 $17,910,858,638
2007 $18,374,807,773 $14,056,957,976
2006 $15,484,044,535 $12,756,858,899
2005 $12,609,728,573 $8,331,870,169
2004 $10,297,483,481 $6,221,110,219
2003 $8,937,567,060 $4,901,869,764
2002 $8,728,038,525 $4,193,850,445
2001 $7,438,189,100 $4,094,441,301
2000 $19,088,046,306 $3,600,632,111
1999 $4,711,259,427 $3,404,284,891
1998 $6,217,805,821 $3,537,741,942
1997 $6,090,838,693 $4,303,288,480
1996 $5,771,456,952 $3,597,220,962
1995 $5,643,439,376 $3,806,983,413
1994 $5,820,382,248 $3,656,806,166
1993 $10,706,259,937 $3,273,505,344
1992 $8,227,343,907 $3,182,810,841
1991 $9,625,436,873 $3,376,806,697
1990 $9,349,764,580 $3,288,381,797
1989 $9,021,862,775 $3,994,673,161
1988 $8,861,299,977 $3,728,878,149
1987 $7,661,625,473 $2,265,250,972
1986 $8,095,367,168 $1,664,413,508
1985 $7,195,042,616 $2,252,454,500
1984 $7,857,729,193 $2,719,518,933
1983 $11,006,712,650 $3,321,048,451
1982 $13,651,667,371 $3,871,117,093
1981 $12,537,821,038 $4,008,126,497
1980 $14,394,927,495 $3,884,530,854
1979 $15,068,422,236 $3,353,445,378
1978 $15,372,608,002 $2,811,032,473
1977 $12,344,424,764 $2,515,296,940
1976 $9,648,583,225 $2,742,859,263
1975 $10,237,343,174 $2,442,672,141
1974 $9,596,960,180 $2,910,981,262
1973 $7,870,239,461 $2,434,255,237
1972 $6,173,712,814 $1,872,416,680
1971 $5,594,770,359 $1,653,259,341
1970 $4,877,684,910 $1,788,779,285
1969 $5,032,434,970 $1,926,399,230
1968 $3,909,780,539 $1,573,739,371
1967 $3,384,063,372 $1,340,639,464
1966 $4,532,660,182 $1,238,999,505
1965 $4,043,901,818 $1,061,199,576
1964 $2,881,545,273 $822,639,671
1963 $6,213,185,743 $704,339,719
1962 $3,779,841,429 $679,279,729
1961 $3,086,746,857 $682,359,727
1960 $3,359,404,118 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Zambia by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $649 $1,821 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $660 $1,731 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $688 $1,590 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $596 $1,402 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $486 $1,089 $952 $3,157
2019 $504 $1,056 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $518 $1,049 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $431 $991 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $460 $950 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $496 $910 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $489 $859 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $460 $761 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $410 $648 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $373 $644 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $352 $606 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $280.2 $573 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $353 $584 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $294.1 $550 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $255.4 $508 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $214.5 $484 $711 $2,213
2004 $180.7 $456 $549 $2,068
2003 $161.5 $428 $446 $1,942
2002 $162.4 $410 $394 $1,837
2001 $142.7 $404 $397 $1,785
2000 $378 $417 $359 $1,709
1999 $96.3 $452 $350 $1,654
1998 $131.5 $481 $373 $1,601
1997 $132.3 $497 $466 $1,631
1996 $127.4 $526 $400 $1,585
1995 $127 $532 $433 $1,501
1994 $136.5 $540 $426 $1,464
1993 $263.3 $576 $391 $1,607
1992 $209.7 $674 $389 $1,505
1991 $253.8 $762 $423 $1,534
1990 $254.9 $832 $422 $1,522
1989 $254.2 - $526 -
1988 $257.7 - $504 -
1987 $230.1 - $315 -
1986 $250.9 - $238.2 -
1985 $230.1 - $332 -
1984 $259.8 - $413 -
1983 $376 - $520 -
1982 $482 - $627 -
1981 $456 - $670 -
1980 $539 - $669 -
1979 $582 - $595 -
1978 $615 - $514 -
1977 $509 - $474 -
1976 $408 - $533 -
1975 $445 - $490 -
1974 $428 - $601 -
1973 $361 - $518 -
1972 $290.5 - $410 -
1971 $270.3 - $372 -
1970 $242.2 - $414 -
1969 $257.1 - $459 -
1968 $205.6 - $387 -
1967 $183.3 - $341 -
1966 $252.8 - $325 -
1965 $232 - $287.4 -
1964 $169.9 - $230 -
1963 $376 - $203.2 -
1962 $235.1 - $202.3 -
1961 $197.1 - $209.7 -
1960 $220.1 - $221.6 -

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

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $649, ranking 190/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Zambia
Gross domestic product
$71B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
87/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
6.13%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$649
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$16B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
22.5%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$146.4
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,693
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17.5%
2025
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
5.86%
2023
Population
117507801
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 22.5% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 16.5% 27% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 18.3% 23.8% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 13.8% 25.3% 30.5% 111%
2020 12.1% 23.7% 34% 140%
2019 14% 19.4% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 11.9% 19.3% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 10.7% 23.2% 25% 66.6%
2016 14.3% 33% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 16% 25.5% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 13.7% 22.8% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 11.9% 23.8% 24% 25.9%
2012 13.4% 25.1% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 13.7% 29.3% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 15.4% 31.8% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 12.4% 91.6% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 10.1% 80.3% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 8.07% 85.1% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 7.47% 107.5% 19.7% 25%
2005 7.59% 112% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 7.18% 164.1% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 8.87% 114.5% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 4.17% 136% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 4.16% 185.4% 28% 210.2%
2000 2.49% 135% 21.4% 261%
1999 2.15% - - -
1998 2.78% - - -
1997 2.51% - - -
1996 2.17% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the DR Congo's government spending was $11.9B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 22.5% in the DR Congo and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 172/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Zambia
2024 -1.48% -3.32%
2023 -1.65% -5.48%
2022 -1.01% -7.82%
2021 -1.68% -8.13%
2020 -3.17% -13.8%
2019 -3.17% -9.41%
2018 -1.34% -8.31%
2017 -0.05% -7.5%
2016 -0.93% -5.69%
2015 -1.35% -8.88%
2014 3.73% -5.43%
2013 3.28% -6.4%
2012 1.71% -3.16%
2011 -0.94% -1.78%
2010 -0.95% -2.43%
2009 0.92% -2.06%
2008 -0.41% -0.67%
2007 1.12% -1.04%
2006 1.97% 16.9%
2005 1.3% -2.37%
2004 -0.17% -2.51%
2003 -3.92% -5.31%
2002 0.89% -4.5%
2001 -1.13% -5.89%
2000 -1.85% 1.16%
1999 -1.35% -
1998 -1.55% -
1997 -1.06% -
1996 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.41% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Zambia
2024 - 15%
2023 - 10.9%
2022 - 11%
2021 - 22%
2020 - 15.7%
2019 - 9.2%
2018 - 7.5%
2017 - 6.6%
2016 2.89% 17.9%
2015 0.74% 10.1%
2014 1.24% 7.8%
2013 0.81% 7%
2012 9.72% 6.6%
2011 15.3% 8.7%
2010 7.1% 8.5%
2009 2.8% 13.4%
2008 17.3% 12.4%
2007 16.9% 10.7%
2006 13.1% 9%
2005 21.3% 18.3%
2004 3.99% 18%
2003 12.9% 21.4%
2002 31.5% 22.2%
2001 360% 21.4%
2000 514% 24.1%
1999 284.9% 23.9%
1998 29.1% 22.7%
1997 198.5% 21.4%

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/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 77.2%, compared with 15.3% in Zambia. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Metals $352M
Raw materials & minerals $330M
Machinery & equipment $4.14M
Chemicals & pharma $275K
Weapons & explosives $87K
Textiles & consumer goods $86K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $58K
Precious metals & jewellery $22K
Animal & marine products $9K
Raw agricultural goods $7K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $410M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $379M
Chemicals & pharma $155M
Machinery & equipment $103M
Metals $61.5M
Animal & marine products $48.2M
Weapons & explosives $17.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $15M
Miscellaneous $5.97M
Wood & paper products $5.25M

Balance of trade

DR Congo Zambia
Current account balance
-$2.72B
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.83%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$31B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$34.9B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$6.14B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$322M
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Zambia
Economic freedom 47 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 152/197
Property rights 15.4 43.9
Government integrity 12.8 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 45
Tax burden 73.8 74.3
Government spending 91.2 78.1
Fiscal health 95.9 30.9
Business freedom 32.3 53.4
Labor freedom 54.2 48.8
Monetary freedom 58.6 66.6
Trade freedom 68.2 62.8
Investment freedom 30 40
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Zambia
2026 47 51.9
2025 47.3 50.9
2024 47.6 48.4
2023 47.9 47.8
2022 47.6 48.7
2021 49 50.4
2020 49.5 53.5
2019 50.3 53.6
2018 52.1 54.3
2017 56.4 55.8
2016 46.4 58.8
2015 45 58.7
2014 40.6 60.4
2013 39.6 58.7
2012 41.1 58.3
2011 40.7 59.7
2010 41.4 58
2009 42.8 56.6
2008 - 56.2
2007 - 56.2
2006 - 56.8
2005 - 55
2004 - 54.9
2003 - 55.3
2002 - 59.6
2001 - 59.5
2000 34.8 62.8
1999 34 64.2
1998 40.6 62.7
1997 39.5 62.1
1996 39.5 59.6
1995 41.4 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Zambia
Services, % of GDP
46.6%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.64%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$72.7B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,760
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2023
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.92B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.69%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
23.8%
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/zambia | 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. 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.