Congo, Democratic Republic of External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Congo, Democratic Republic of's external debt was $13.7B in 2025, ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 9.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Congo, Democratic Republic of's external debt stood at $13.7B in 2025, a rise of +$1.2B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $13.7B by 2025. Congo, Democratic Republic of ranked 62nd globally.
External debt in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen dramatically over the 56‑year series, expanding from a trough of 345,217,589.60 in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 13,689,748,147.73 in 2025, placing the country 62nd globally. This surge reflects a combination of fiscal deficits, infrastructure financing and debt‑financed commodity exports, and it now rivals the external liabilities of peers such as North Macedonia (13,699,501,073.68) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (13,766,240,337.58). The steep upward trajectory is evident when the 2025 figure is compared with the modest early‑1970s level, indicating that debt accumulation has accelerated markedly in recent decades. While the current stock remains high, any substantial improvement in fiscal consolidation, diversification of export revenues or enhanced debt‑service capacity could alter the path, potentially stabilising or reducing the debt burden in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $15.6B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $14.6B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $13.7B | - | - |
| 2025 | $13.7B | +$1.2B | #62 |
| 2024 | $12.5B | +$476.8M | #57 |
| 2023 | $12.0B | +$1.3B | #57 |
| 2022 | $10.7B | +$199.5M | #57 |
| 2021 | $10.5B | +$2.0B | #57 |
| 2020 | $8.5B | +$1.3B | #53 |
| 2019 | $7.2B | +$609.5M | #51 |
| 2018 | $6.6B | +$1.3B | #48 |
| 2017 | $5.3B | +$73.2M | #46 |
| 2016 | $5.2B | −$265.7M | #47 |
| 2015 | $5.5B | −$153.9M | #49 |
| 2014 | $5.6B | −$650.6M | #48 |
| 2013 | $6.3B | +$1.0B | #51 |
| 2012 | $5.3B | +$142.0M | #51 |
| 2011 | $5.1B | −$546.7M | #52 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Congo, Democratic Republic of matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2018. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Congo, Democratic Republic of's external debt was $13.7B in 2025. Ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 9.7% increase from the previous year.
Congo, Democratic Republic of's external debt peaked at $13.7B in 2025.
The lowest external debt in Congo, Democratic Republic of was $345.2M in 1970.
Congo, Democratic Republic of ranks 62nd globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Congo, Democratic Republic of's external debt is projected to reach $13.7B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Congo, Democratic Republic of's external debt was approximately 13.69 billion ($13.7B) in 2025.
The external debt of Congo, Democratic Republic of in 2025 was $13.7B. This ranks 62nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_congo-democratic-republic-of_external-debt,
title = {Congo, Democratic Republic of External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/congo-democratic-republic-of/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}