Despite its rich resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has battled violence, poverty and systemic corruption after gaining its independence from Belgium in 1960.

Congo's economy is growing at a relatively rapid clip of 6% to 7% a year as it recovers from years of internal conflict over the nation's substantial resources -- including tin ore and diamonds. But its total gross domestic product remains small at around $25 billion. Coupled with a population that exceeds 73 million, Congo occupies the final spot on the IMF's list of per capita gross domestic production, with a total production of just $231 per person.

Much of the nation's economic activity takes place in the informal sector, and is not counted in official GDP estimates.

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