Congo GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Congo has a resource-based Central African economy supported by oil, services, agriculture, and public spending. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+2.8%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#100
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+0.4 pp
2025: +2.4%
Africa Rank
#39
Out of 54 countries
1. Congo GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Congolese economic growth is strongly influenced by oil production, energy prices, government spending, and domestic demand. Diversification remains an important policy objective.
2. Congo GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Congo’s growth history has been shaped by hydrocarbon development, commodity cycles, public investment, and debt pressures. Oil remains the dominant source of export earnings.
3. Congo GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +2.8% | +0.4 pp |
| 2025 | +2.4% | +0.3 pp |
| 2024 | +2.1% | +0.1 pp |
| 2023 | +2.0% | +0.2 pp |
| 2022 | +1.8% | +0.7 pp |
| 2021 | +1.1% | +7.4 pp |
| 2020 | -6.3% | -7.4 pp |
| 2019 | +1.1% | +3.4 pp |
| 2018 | -2.3% | +3.3 pp |
| 2017 | -5.6% | -0.6 pp |
| 2016 | -5.0% | -1.4 pp |
| 2015 | -3.6% | -10.3 pp |
| 2014 | +6.7% | +7.4 pp |
| 2013 | -0.7% | -10.6 pp |
| 2012 | +9.9% | +7.7 pp |
| 2011 | +2.2% | -7.7 pp |
| 2010 | +9.9% | -1.7 pp |
| 2009 | +11.6% | +5.3 pp |
| 2008 | +6.3% | +12.9 pp |
| 2007 | -6.6% | -14.6 pp |
| 2006 | +8.0% | -1.2 pp |
| 2005 | +9.2% | +9.4 pp |
| 2004 | -0.2% | -0.7 pp |
| 2003 | +0.5% | -0.5 pp |
| 2002 | +1.0% | +5.8 pp |
| 2001 | -4.8% | -16.6 pp |
| 2000 | +11.8% | +15.5 pp |
| 1999 | -3.7% | -12.6 pp |
| 1998 | +8.9% | +9.9 pp |
| 1997 | -1.0% | -4.5 pp |
| 1996 | +3.5% | -0.5 pp |
| 1995 | +4.0% | +5.4 pp |
| 1994 | -1.4% | -2.7 pp |
| 1993 | +1.3% | -2.9 pp |
| 1992 | +4.2% | +0.8 pp |
| 1991 | +3.4% | +2.4 pp |
| 1990 | +1.0% | -20.3 pp |
| 1989 | +21.3% | -0.6 pp |
| 1988 | +21.9% | +19.6 pp |
| 1987 | +2.3% | 0.0 pp |
| 1986 | +2.3% | -0.1 pp |
| 1985 | +2.4% | 0.0 pp |
| 1984 | +2.4% | 0.0 pp |
| 1983 | +2.4% | 0.0 pp |
| 1982 | +2.4% | -0.2 pp |
| 1981 | +2.6% | -10.1 pp |
| 1980 | +12.7% | — |
4. Congo GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+2.8%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+2.2%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
-0.1%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+1.5%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from substantial energy resources, but heavy oil dependence and limited private-sector development constrain resilience.
5. Congo GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Congo
+2.8%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.1%
4.1%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Congo’s GDP growth rate is approximately
1.3 pp
below the
Africa average
and
0.0 pp
above the world average.
6. Congo GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #35 | Madagascar | +3.6% |
| #36 | Mauritius | +3.4% |
| #37 | Sao Tome & Principe | +3.4% |
| #38 | Cameroon | +3.3% |
| #39 | Congo | +2.8% |
| #40 | Eritrea | +2.8% |
| #41 | Gabon | +2.7% |
| #42 | Central African Republic | +2.6% |
| #43 | Somalia | +2.6% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Congo
Congo GDP (Nominal)
$17.0 Billion
(2026)
Congo GDP Growth Rate
+2.8%
(2026)
Congo’s growth often differs from regional averages because energy production has a large effect on national output. Commodity markets strongly influence relative performance.
Explore more:
Congo GDP
9. Congo GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on oil production, fiscal management, investment, and diversification. Debt pressures and commodity volatility remain important risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +3.2% | +0.4 pp |
| 2028 | +3.7% | +0.5 pp |
| 2029 | +3.7% | 0.0 pp |
| 2030 | +3.6% | -0.1 pp |
10. Congo GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Congo GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.8% in 2026.
It ranks #100 globally and #39 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 0.4 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +2.2%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is -0.1%.
The current rate is 1.3 percentage points below the Africa average.
The current rate is 0.0 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +3.6% in 2030, 0.8 percentage points above 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:
November 2026
13. Congo GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Congo GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.8% in 2026.
Congo ranks #100 globally and #39 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +2.8% in 2026.
Congo GDP growth rate was -3.6% in 2015.
Congo GDP growth rate is 1.3 percentage points below 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.