Republic of the Congo Economy

Sub-Saharan Africa · Lower middle income · Capital: Brazzaville

Updated 17 Oct 2026

GDP Annual Growth Rate in the Republic of the Congo increased to 3.08 percent in 2025 from 2.10 percent in 2024. Inflation Rate in the Republic of the Congo decreased to 2.40 percent in 2025 from 3.09 percent in 2024.

GDP Growth Rate

Real GDP, annual % change. Hatched bars are IMF projections.

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Inflation Rate

Annual data, %. Source: World Bank.

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Key Highlights

  • Real GDP grew 3.1% in 2025 (previous year: 2.1%).
  • Consumer price inflation was 2.4% in 2025, compared with 3.1% in the previous period.
  • The unemployment rate was 19.9% in 2025 (previous: 19.9%).
  • General government debt was 100.4% of GDP in 2025.
  • The IMF projects real GDP growth of 3.5% for 2026 (World Economic Outlook projection).

Main Indicators

IndicatorLastPreviousPeriodTrendSource
GDP Annual Growth Rate3.1%2.1%2025World Bank
Inflation Rate2.4%3.1%2025World Bank
Unemployment Rate19.9%19.9%2025World Bank
Government Debt to GDP100.4%93.8%2025IMF
Balance of Trade$0.7B$1.9B2025World Bank
Current Account to GDP-5.1%-1.3%2025IMF
GDP$16.3B$15.7B2025World Bank

GDP

IndicatorLastPreviousPeriodTrendSource
GDP per Capita$2,515$2,4822025World Bank
GDP per Capita PPP$7,248$7,0042025World Bank
Gross National Income$14.6B$14.2B2025World Bank
GDP from Agriculture10.1%9.4%2025World Bank
GDP from Industry35.6%40.1%2025World Bank
GDP from Manufacturing12.9%9.6%2020World Bank
GDP from Services54.3%45.0%2025World Bank
Gross Fixed Capital Formation29.1%26.5%2025World Bank
Household Consumption to GDP51.3%47.4%2025World Bank

Labour

IndicatorLastPreviousPeriodTrendSource
Youth Unemployment Rate40.5%40.6%2025World Bank
Labour Force Participation Rate67.8%67.8%2025World Bank
Employment Rate54.3%54.3%2025World Bank
Population6.48M6.33M2025World Bank

Prices

IndicatorLastPreviousPeriodTrendSource
GDP Deflator Growth-3.4%0.5%2025World Bank

Money

IndicatorLastPreviousPeriodTrendSource
Deposit Interest Rate2.45%2.45%2016World Bank
Broad Money Growth9.6%8.9%2023World Bank
Foreign Exchange Reserves$0.8B$0.7B2024World Bank

Trade

IndicatorLastPreviousPeriodTrendSource
Current Account$1.7B$1.4B2021World Bank
Exports$7.8B$8.3B2025World Bank
Imports$7.1B$6.4B2025World Bank
Foreign Direct Investment$0.60B$0.60B2025World Bank
External Debt$6.7B$6.9B2024World Bank
Remittances$0.04B$0.01B2021World Bank
Terms of Trade108.2110.42024World Bank
Tourist Arrivals0.16M0.15M2018World Bank
Tourism Revenues$0.04B$0.05B2016World Bank

Government

IndicatorLastPreviousPeriodTrendSource
Government Budget0.7%3.5%2025IMF
Government Revenues to GDP25.3%26.5%2024IMF
Government Spending to GDP21.7%20.7%2024IMF
Tax Revenue to GDP6.5%8.3%2021World Bank
Military Expenditure1.31%1.23%2025World Bank

Republic of the Congo economy explained in simple words

Size of the economy

The economy of the Republic of the Congo produced goods and services worth $16.3B in 2025, making it the 144th largest of 214 economies with data.

With a population of about 6.5 million, GDP per person is $2,515. The World Bank classifies Republic of the Congo as a “lower middle income” economy.

Economic growth

Real GDP grew 3.1% in 2025, compared with world growth of 3.5% (IMF).

Over the last 10 years growth averaged -1.2% a year, ranging from -8.7% to 3.1%.

The IMF projects growth of 3.5% in 2026.

Prices and interest rates

Consumer price inflation was 2.4% in 2025.

Jobs

The unemployment rate was 19.9% in 2025 (world: 4.8%).

About 67.8% of people aged 15 and over are in the labour force (working or looking for work).

Government finances

General government debt was 100.4% of GDP in 2025, compared with a median of 52.9% across 191 economies.

The government budget balance was 0.7% of GDP (2025) — a surplus, meaning revenue exceeded spending.

Trade and external position

The current account was -5.1% of GDP in 2025 — a deficit with the rest of the world.

Exports of goods and services were $7.8B and imports $7.1B.

Foreign exchange reserves (including gold) stood at $0.8B.

Structure of the economy

By sector, value added is split roughly as: services 54.3%, industry 35.6%, agriculture 10.1% of GDP.

How to read this page

The four boxes at the top show the most-watched numbers: GDP growth (how fast the economy is expanding), inflation (how fast prices are rising), the central bank policy rate (the base cost of borrowing) and unemployment (the share of job-seekers without work). The small arrow shows the change from the previous reading.

The tabs group all available indicators by topic — GDP, labour, prices, money, trade, government and housing. Each row shows the latest value, the previous value, the period it refers to, a small trend line and the source. Click any indicator to open its full history, chart, statistics and comparison with other countries.

Monthly and quarterly figures come from national statistics offices and central banks — via the OECD, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and, for India, the Ministry of Statistics (MoSPI); annual figures come from the World Bank and the IMF. Different indicators are published at different times, so the periods shown can differ.

Frequently asked questions

What is the GDP growth rate of Republic of the Congo?
The latest GDP growth rate of Republic of the Congo is 3.1% (2025), compared with 2.1% in the previous period. Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators.
What is the inflation rate of Republic of the Congo?
The latest inflation rate of Republic of the Congo is 2.4% (2025), compared with 3.1% in the previous period. Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators.
What is the unemployment rate of Republic of the Congo?
The latest unemployment rate of Republic of the Congo is 19.9% (2025), compared with 19.9% in the previous period. Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators.
What is the government debt to GDP ratio of Republic of the Congo?
The latest government debt to GDP ratio of Republic of the Congo is 100.4% (2025), compared with 93.8% in the previous period. Source: IMF — World Economic Outlook.

Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.