Inflation rates by country and year

-2.7%133.4%269.6%405.7%541.9%1,986.9%23,773.1%
-2.7%133.4%269.6%405.7%541.9%1,986.9%23,773.1%
196435.4%
199081.3%
20162.9%
Source: World Bank

Data: World Bank, annual %. For information only — not financial advice.

Year2016Inflation Rate2.9%

Behind the curve

Turning points in Congo, Dem. Rep.

  1. 1994↑ Upward pressure

    Conflict hollowed out the fiscal state — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    As political and economic collapse undermined revenue in the 1990s, the government financed its deficit by issuing money. The resulting depreciation and dollarization turned the franc crisis into hyperinflation.

    IMF Working Paper 04/114: Sources of Growth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
  2. 1998↑ Upward pressure

    War disrupted prices and exchange markets — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    The Second Congo War damaged output and state finances. In September 1998 the authorities replaced the float with exchange controls, pushing transactions into parallel markets and adding pressure to prices and the franc.

    IMF Staff Country Report 01/123: Democratic Republic of the Congo—Recent Economic Developments
  3. 2000↑ Upward pressure

    Security spending was paid for with money creation — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    By late 2000, war-related security spending and an uncontrolled deficit were being monetized. Currency depreciation and dollarization fed a renewed hyperinflation cycle, with annual inflation above 500 percent.

    IMF: The Democratic Republic of the Congo—Lessons and Challenges for a Country Emerging From War, Chapter 2
  4. 2004↓ Downward pressure

    Reconstruction replaced the inflationary spiral — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Postwar stabilization programs focused on ending hyperinflation, rebuilding institutions and restoring basic economic management. The shift from emergency monetary financing helped bring the annual inflation rate down sharply in the early 2000s.

    IMF Staff Country Report 07/329: Democratic Republic of the Congo—Selected Issues and Statistical Appendix
  5. 2008↑ Upward pressure

    Conflict spending strained monetary control — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Renewed insecurity raised government spending while weak revenue and central-bank financing increased excess liquidity. The resulting franc depreciation and domestic monetary pressure amplified the 2008–09 rise in prices.

    IMF Public Information Notice 09/136: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2009 Article IV Consultation with the Democratic Republic of the Congo

These are selected historical influences, not a complete account of inflation. An upward-pressure event can coincide with a peak when its inflationary effect has already occurred or when other forces begin pushing inflation lower. The markers show the years in which events occurred, although their effects may extend into later years.

What is the inflation in Congo, Dem. Rep.?

The annual inflation rate in Congo, Dem. Rep. was 2.9% in 2016, the most recent year in the World Bank dataset. That means prices rose 2.9% on average compared with the year before. Use the chart above to explore Congo, Dem. Rep.'s full inflation history from 1964 to 2016, and to compare it with any other country.

How inflation in Congo, Dem. Rep. has changed

Inflation in Congo, Dem. Rep. peaked at 23773.1% in 1994 and reached its lowest point at -2.7% in 1965. Averaged across the 53 years of available data (1964–2016), the rate has been 675.9% per year.

Frequently asked questions about inflation in Congo, Dem. Rep.

What is the current inflation rate in Congo, Dem. Rep.?

The latest available annual figure is 2.9% in 2016, from the World Bank. Because the figures are reported annually, they may not reflect the most recent monthly reading published by Congo, Dem. Rep.'s statistical office.

What was the highest inflation rate in Congo, Dem. Rep.?

The highest annual inflation rate on record is 23773.1%, reached in 1994.

What was the lowest inflation rate in Congo, Dem. Rep.?

The lowest annual inflation rate on record is -2.7%, recorded in 1965.

Where does the inflation data for Congo, Dem. Rep. come from?

All figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators (indicator FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG), which report annual consumer price inflation for more than 200 countries and territories from 1960 onward.