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Economy of DR Congo vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The DR Congo has a GDP of $91B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 81/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

The DR Congo has $18.4B in government debt (20.2% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

DR Congo vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

DR Congo
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
DR Congo Zimbabwe
2025 $91,030,531,317 $51,215,643,906
2024 $75,716,176,105 $41,521,975,830
2023 $69,843,655,425 $35,871,781,303
2022 $70,422,346,142 $40,757,585,309
2021 $59,067,289,574 $41,287,852,524
2020 $46,691,989,749 $31,979,753,645
2019 $46,845,900,350 $33,360,632,553
2018 $46,659,954,092 $34,141,666,667
2017 $37,537,521,566 $51,035,657,371
2016 $38,600,224,214 $20,559,250,000
2015 $40,179,574,490 $19,973,250,000
2014 $38,352,980,553 $19,505,500,000
2013 $34,891,189,160 $19,100,750,000
2012 $30,029,369,929 $17,123,500,000
2011 $26,392,379,642 $14,109,000,000
2010 $24,161,641,931 $12,047,750,000
2009 $18,607,259,481 $9,670,750,000
2008 $22,723,488,723 $4,418,000,000
2007 $18,374,807,773 $5,294,750,000
2006 $15,484,044,535 $5,446,750,000
2005 $12,609,728,573 $5,758,250,000
2004 $10,297,483,481 $5,808,500,000
2003 $8,937,567,060 $5,730,500,000
2002 $8,728,038,525 $6,345,250,000
2001 $7,438,189,100 $6,780,750,000
2000 $19,088,046,306 $6,693,250,000
1999 $4,711,259,427 $6,861,500,000
1998 $6,217,805,821 $6,405,250,000
1997 $6,090,838,693 $8,534,000,000
1996 $5,771,456,952 $8,557,500,000
1995 $5,643,439,376 $7,115,000,000
1994 $5,820,382,248 $6,894,250,000
1993 $10,706,259,937 $6,567,250,000
1992 $8,227,343,907 $6,755,000,000
1991 $9,625,436,873 $8,646,000,000
1990 $9,349,764,580 $8,788,301,546
1989 $9,021,862,775 $8,290,553,535
1988 $8,861,299,977 $7,818,774,177
1987 $7,661,625,473 $6,744,657,033
1986 $8,095,367,168 $6,220,698,247
1985 $7,195,042,616 $5,640,137,575
1984 $7,857,729,193 $6,355,369,172
1983 $11,006,712,650 $7,768,031,182
1982 $13,651,667,371 $8,544,060,905
1981 $12,537,821,038 $8,015,464,252
1980 $14,394,927,495 $6,682,278,300
1979 $15,068,422,236 $5,180,102,910
1978 $15,372,608,002 $4,353,822,343
1977 $12,344,424,764 $4,366,610,469
1976 $9,648,583,225 $4,320,576,877
1975 $10,237,343,174 $4,373,532,601
1974 $9,596,960,180 $3,984,194,614
1973 $7,870,239,461 $3,311,043,292
1972 $6,173,712,814 $2,679,096,597
1971 $5,594,770,359 $2,179,828,710
1970 $4,877,684,910 $1,885,168,339
1969 $5,032,434,970 $1,748,891,294
1968 $3,909,780,539 $1,480,355,355
1967 $3,384,063,372 $1,397,715,282
1966 $4,532,660,182 $1,282,403,936
1965 $4,043,901,818 $1,312,105,394
1964 $2,881,545,273 $1,217,759,447
1963 $6,213,185,743 $1,160,103,724
1962 $3,779,841,429 $1,118,172,226
1961 $3,086,746,857 $1,097,206,526
1960 $3,359,404,118 $1,053,528,036

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in DR Congo vs Zimbabwe by year

DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
DR Congo Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $807 - $3,021 -
2024 $693 $1,821 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $660 $1,731 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $688 $1,590 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $596 $1,402 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $486 $1,089 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $504 $1,056 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $518 $1,049 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $431 $991 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $460 $950 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $496 $910 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $489 $859 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $460 $761 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $410 $648 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $373 $644 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $352 $606 $902 $2,661
2009 $280.2 $573 $736 $2,233
2008 $353 $584 $341 $1,987
2007 $294.1 $550 $414 $2,396
2006 $255.4 $508 $431 $2,454
2005 $214.5 $484 $461 $2,496
2004 $180.7 $456 $470 $2,591
2003 $161.5 $428 $468 $2,708
2002 $162.4 $410 $525 $3,238
2001 $142.7 $404 $566 $3,533
2000 $378 $417 $563 $3,429
1999 $96.3 $452 $582 $3,491
1998 $131.5 $481 $552 $3,527
1997 $132.3 $497 $751 $3,457
1996 $127.4 $526 $767 $3,372
1995 $127 $532 $648 $3,051
1994 $136.5 $540 $634 $3,012
1993 $263.3 $576 $605 $2,703
1992 $209.7 $674 $631 $2,651
1991 $253.8 $762 $831 $2,930
1990 $254.9 $832 $867 $2,757
1989 $254.2 - $840 -
1988 $257.7 - $816 -
1987 $230.1 - $726 -
1986 $250.9 - $693 -
1985 $230.1 - $649 -
1984 $259.8 - $757 -
1983 $376 - $959 -
1982 $482 - $1,096 -
1981 $456 - $1,069 -
1980 $539 - $949 -
1979 $582 - $779 -
1978 $615 - $665 -
1977 $509 - $677 -
1976 $408 - $687 -
1975 $445 - $717 -
1974 $428 - $674 -
1973 $361 - $579 -
1972 $290.5 - $483 -
1971 $270.3 - $406 -
1970 $242.2 - $361 -
1969 $257.1 - $346 -
1968 $205.6 - $302 -
1967 $183.3 - $294.4 -
1966 $252.8 - $278.7 -
1965 $232 - $294.3 -
1964 $169.9 - $281.9 -
1963 $376 - $277.1 -
1962 $235.1 - $275.7 -
1961 $197.1 - $279.2 -
1960 $220.1 - $276.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The DR Congo's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 187/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

DR Congo Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$91B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
81/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
5.76%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$807
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,821
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
190/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$18.4B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.2%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$163
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
183/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,203
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.7%
2020
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2020
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.89%
2015-2016
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
13.5%
2026
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.47%
2020
12.1%
2024
Population
118386491
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

DR Congo
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
DR Congo Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.2% 20.2% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 16.5% 15.8% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 15.9% 15.7% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 17.1% 14.7% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 13.5% 14% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 13.4% 11.6% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 15.2% 9.72% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 12.2% 9.19% 14.6% 33%
2017 11.2% 8.42% 21.1% 49%
2016 14.3% 10.6% 17% 35.1%
2015 15.9% 10.2% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 13.5% 8.74% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 11.7% 8.26% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 13.2% 7.58% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 13.5% 7.81% 16.5% 30%
2010 15.2% 31.8% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 12.3% 91.6% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 9.94% 80.3% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 7.98% 85.1% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 7.35% 107.5% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 7.5% 112% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 7.18% 164.1% - -
2003 8.87% 114.5% - -
2002 4.17% 136% - -
2001 4.16% 185.4% - -
2000 2.49% 135% - -
1999 2.15% - - -
1998 2.78% - - -
1997 2.51% - - -
1996 2.17% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the DR Congo's government spending was $15.6B, accounting for 17.2% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.2% in the DR Congo and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 173/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
DR Congo

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
DR Congo Zimbabwe
2025 -2.75% 0.08%
2024 -1.66% -0.76%
2023 -1.59% -9.45%
2022 -0.87% -1%
2021 -1.58% -1.83%
2020 -3.49% 0.53%
2019 -3.41% -0.06%
2018 -1.35% -4.55%
2017 -0.01% -8.68%
2016 -0.91% -4.99%
2015 -1.2% -1.61%
2014 3.87% -0.87%
2013 3.5% -1.21%
2012 1.93% -0.35%
2011 -0.71% -1.98%
2010 -0.8% -0.4%
2009 1.04% -1.48%
2008 -0.28% -1.22%
2007 1.21% -1.71%
2006 2.09% -1.46%
2005 1.38% -3.58%
2004 -0.17% -
2003 -3.92% -
2002 0.89% -
2001 -1.13% -
2000 -1.85% -
1999 -1.35% -
1998 -1.55% -
1997 -1.06% -
1996 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dr-congo/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, the DR Congo recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, the DR Congo posted an annual deficit equal to 0.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
DR Congo

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
DR Congo Zimbabwe
2025 - 81.4%
2024 - 736%
2023 - 667%
2022 - 193.4%
2021 - 98.5%
2020 - 557%
2019 - 255.3%
2018 - 10.6%
2017 - 0.9%
2016 2.89% -1.6%
2015 0.74% -2.4%
2014 1.24% -0.2%
2013 0.81% 1.6%
2012 9.72% 3.7%
2011 15.3% 3.5%
2010 7.1% 3%
2009 2.8% 6.2%
2008 17.3% -
2007 16.9% -
2006 13.1% -
2005 21.3% -
2004 3.99% -
2003 12.9% -
2002 31.5% -
2001 360% -
2000 514% -
1999 284.9% -
1998 29.1% -
1997 198.5% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 8 years, the DR Congo has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.08%, compared with 1.73% in Zimbabwe. In 2016, inflation was 2.89% in the DR Congo and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

DR Congo
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.88M
Machinery & equipment $391K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $123K
Textiles & consumer goods $73K
Wood & paper products $9K
Metals $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $15.3M
Metals $774K
Machinery & equipment $378K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $312K
Chemicals & pharma $56K

Balance of trade

DR Congo Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$3.94B
2025
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2025
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2025
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$33B
2025
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$35.9B
2025
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$5.02B
2025
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$548M
2025
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
2025
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

DR Congo Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 47 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 176/197 190/197
Property rights 15.4 19.4
Government integrity 12.8 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 11.7 16.8
Tax burden 73.8 73.6
Government spending 91.2 93.9
Fiscal health 95.9 52.4
Business freedom 32.3 42
Labor freedom 54.2 33.3
Monetary freedom 58.6 0
Trade freedom 68.2 50.4
Investment freedom 30 10
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

DR Congo
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
DR Congo Zimbabwe
2026 47 35.2
2025 47.3 35.1
2024 47.6 38.2
2023 47.9 39
2022 47.6 33.1
2021 49 39.5
2020 49.5 43.1
2019 50.3 40.4
2018 52.1 44
2017 56.4 44
2016 46.4 38.2
2015 45 37.6
2014 40.6 35.5
2013 39.6 28.6
2012 41.1 26.3
2011 40.7 22.1
2010 41.4 21.4
2009 42.8 22.7
2008 - 29.5
2007 - 32
2006 - 33.5
2005 - 35.2
2004 - 34.4
2003 - 36.7
2002 - 36.7
2001 - 38.8
2000 34.8 48.7
1999 34 47.2
1998 40.6 44.6
1997 39.5 48
1996 39.5 46.7
1995 41.4 48.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the DR Congo is 47, ranking 176/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

DR Congo Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
48%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
39.7%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.93%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,850
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.1B
2023
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2023
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.92B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$198M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2020
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
2025
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.