DR Congo GDP Growth Rate (2026)
DR Congo has a resource-rich African economy supported by mining, agriculture, services, and investment. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+5.9%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#18
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+0.2 pp
2025: +5.7%
Africa Rank
#11
Out of 54 countries
1. DR Congo GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Economic growth is strongly influenced by copper and cobalt production, mining investment, infrastructure, and external demand. Security conditions and commodity prices also play major roles.
2. DR Congo GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
The country’s growth history has been shaped by mining cycles, foreign investment, conflict, and infrastructure limitations. Mineral exports remain central to national economic performance.
3. DR Congo GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +5.9% | +0.2 pp |
| 2025 | +5.7% | -0.4 pp |
| 2024 | +6.1% | -2.4 pp |
| 2023 | +8.5% | -0.8 pp |
| 2022 | +9.3% | +2.9 pp |
| 2021 | +6.4% | +5.6 pp |
| 2020 | +0.8% | +0.2 pp |
| 2019 | +0.6% | -5.5 pp |
| 2018 | +6.1% | +1.9 pp |
| 2017 | +4.2% | +3.8 pp |
| 2016 | +0.4% | -6.0 pp |
| 2015 | +6.4% | -0.9 pp |
| 2014 | +7.3% | -2.3 pp |
| 2013 | +9.6% | +0.9 pp |
| 2012 | +8.7% | +1.1 pp |
| 2011 | +7.6% | -0.2 pp |
| 2010 | +7.8% | +7.2 pp |
| 2009 | +0.6% | -6.8 pp |
| 2008 | +7.4% | -1.1 pp |
| 2007 | +8.5% | +3.4 pp |
| 2006 | +5.1% | -4.7 pp |
| 2005 | +9.8% | +2.1 pp |
| 2004 | +7.7% | +1.1 pp |
| 2003 | +6.6% | +3.7 pp |
| 2002 | +2.9% | +5.0 pp |
| 2001 | -2.1% | +6.0 pp |
| 2000 | -8.1% | -4.3 pp |
| 1999 | -3.8% | +0.1 pp |
| 1998 | -3.9% | +3.9 pp |
| 1997 | -7.8% | -5.9 pp |
| 1996 | -1.9% | -4.7 pp |
| 1995 | +2.8% | +8.9 pp |
| 1994 | -6.1% | +7.4 pp |
| 1993 | -13.5% | -3.0 pp |
| 1992 | -10.5% | -2.1 pp |
| 1991 | -8.4% | -1.8 pp |
| 1990 | -6.6% | -5.3 pp |
| 1989 | -1.3% | -1.8 pp |
| 1988 | +0.5% | -2.2 pp |
| 1987 | +2.7% | -2.0 pp |
| 1986 | +4.7% | +4.2 pp |
| 1985 | +0.5% | -4.3 pp |
| 1984 | +4.8% | +3.4 pp |
| 1983 | +1.4% | +1.9 pp |
| 1982 | -0.5% | -1.4 pp |
| 1981 | +0.9% | -1.5 pp |
| 1980 | +2.4% | — |
4. DR Congo GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+5.9%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+7.1%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+5.4%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+5.9%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from vast mineral resources and strong demand for battery-related metals. Weak infrastructure, governance challenges, and conflict continue to limit broader development.
5. DR Congo GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
DR Congo
+5.9%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
3.0%
5.9%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
DR Congo’s GDP growth rate is approximately
1.8 pp
above the
Africa average
and
3.1 pp
above the world average.
6. DR Congo GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #7 | Libya | +6.7% |
| #8 | Ivory Coast | +6.2% |
| #9 | Djibouti | +6.0% |
| #10 | Tanzania | +5.9% |
| #11 | DR Congo | +5.9% |
| #12 | Mali | +5.5% |
| #13 | Chad | +5.2% |
| #14 | Gambia | +5.1% |
| #15 | Liberia | +5.1% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in DR Congo
DR Congo GDP (Nominal)
$123.4 Billion
(2026)
DR Congo GDP Growth Rate
+5.9%
(2026)
DR Congo can grow faster than many economies when mining investment is strong. However, growth is highly concentrated and does not always translate into broad-based improvements across the economy.
Explore more:
DR Congo GDP
9. DR Congo GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on mining investment, commodity demand, infrastructure, and political stability. Security risks and weak institutions remain major challenges.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +5.4% | -0.5 pp |
| 2028 | +5.4% | 0.0 pp |
| 2029 | +5.4% | 0.0 pp |
| 2030 | +5.4% | 0.0 pp |
10. DR Congo GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
DR Congo GDP growth rate is estimated at +5.9% in 2026.
It ranks #18 globally and #11 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 0.2 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +7.1%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +5.4%.
The current rate is 1.8 percentage points above the Africa average.
The current rate is 3.1 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +5.4% in 2030, 0.5 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. DR Congo GDP Growth Rate FAQs
DR Congo GDP growth rate is estimated at +5.9% in 2026.
DR Congo ranks #18 globally and #11 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +5.9% in 2026.
DR Congo GDP growth rate was +6.4% in 2015.
DR Congo GDP growth rate is 1.8 percentage points above the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.