Updated
Overview
DR Congo has 5.1 times the population of Zambia: 112.83 million people against 21.91 million (2025).
DR Congo's economy is 3.2 times the size of Zambia's, at $91.03B versus $28.88B.
Per person, Zambia is the wealthier of the two: $1,318 against $807 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | DR Congo | Zambia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $91.03B | $28.88B | 2025 | $70.75B / $26.33B |
| GDP per capita | $807 | Higher: $1,318 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.8% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 13.9% | 2016 / 2025 | — / 15.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.4% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 42 | 30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $170 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $79 | $50 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 112.83 million | 21.91 million | 2025 | 119.04 million / 22.02 million |
| Population growth | 3.2% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 15.8 yrs | 17.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 5.90 | 3.97 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 62.1 yrs | Higher: 66.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 45% | 46% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 20% | 17% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,344,858 km² | 752,612 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 48.1/km² | 29.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 5.90 Mt | 12 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.1 t | 0.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $899.19M | $349.67M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.2% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 134,000 | 16,000 | 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
DR Congo is growing faster: 5.8% annual GDP growth versus 3.8%.
Zambia runs the hotter price environment: 13.9% inflation versus 2.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Zambia: a price level of 30 versus 42 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
DR Congo is the younger society: median age 15.8 versus 17.9 years.
Life expectancy is 4.5 years longer in Zambia (66.5 vs 62.1).
Geography
By land area, DR Congo is 3.1 times the size of Zambia: 2,344,858 km² versus 752,612 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
DR Congo spends 2.6 times as much on defence as Zambia: $899.19M versus $349.67M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
DR Congo fields the larger armed forces: 134,000 personnel against 16,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is DR Congo bigger than Zambia?
- DR Congo is larger by land area. DR Congo covers 2,344,858 km² while Zambia covers 752,612 km², so DR Congo is 3.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, DR Congo or Zambia?
- DR Congo has the larger population: 112.83 million versus 21.91 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is DR Congo richer than Zambia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Zambia is richer: $1,318 against $807. Total GDP tells a different story: $91.03B for DR Congo versus $28.88B for Zambia.
- Who spends more on their military, DR Congo or Zambia?
- DR Congo spends more: $899.19M versus $349.67M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).