Updated
Overview
DR Congo has about 60% more people than Tanzania: 112.83 million against 70.55 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $91.03B for DR Congo and $90.14B for Tanzania.
Per person, Tanzania is the wealthier of the two: $1,319 against $807 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | DR Congo | Tanzania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $91.03B | $90.14B | 2025 | $70.75B / $78.78B |
| GDP per capita | $807 | Higher: $1,319 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 5.8% | Higher: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 3.3% | 2016 / 2025 | — / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 4.4% | Lower: 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 42 | 29 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $212 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $79 | $58 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 112.83 million | 70.55 million | 2025 | 119.04 million / 69.15 million |
| Population growth | 3.2% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 15.8 yrs | 17.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 5.90 | 4.47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 62.1 yrs | Higher: 67.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 45% | 37% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 20% | Higher: 31% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,344,858 km² | 945,087 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 48.1/km² | 74.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 5.90 Mt | 20 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.1 t | 0.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $899.19M | $920.85M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.2% | 1.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 134,000 | 28,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (5.8% for DR Congo, 5.9% for Tanzania).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.9% in DR Congo and 3.3% in Tanzania.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Tanzania: a price level of 29 versus 42 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 15.8 (DR Congo) and 17.5 (Tanzania).
Life expectancy is 5.1 years longer in Tanzania (67.2 vs 62.1).
Internet adoption is higher in Tanzania (31% vs 20% of the population).
Geography
By land area, DR Congo is 2.5 times the size of Tanzania: 2,344,858 km² versus 945,087 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $899.19M (DR Congo) and $920.85M (Tanzania).
DR Congo fields the larger armed forces: 134,000 personnel against 28,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is DR Congo bigger than Tanzania?
- DR Congo is larger by land area. DR Congo covers 2,344,858 km² while Tanzania covers 945,087 km², so DR Congo is 2.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, DR Congo or Tanzania?
- DR Congo has the larger population: 112.83 million versus 70.55 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is DR Congo richer than Tanzania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Tanzania is richer: $1,319 against $807. Total GDP tells a different story: $91.03B for DR Congo versus $90.14B for Tanzania.
- Who spends more on their military, DR Congo or Tanzania?
- Tanzania spends more: $920.85M versus $899.19M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).