DR Congo
DR Congo is a vast nation in Middle Africa with an estimated population of approximately 116 million people. Current estimates show a GDP per capita of 731 USD, reflecting a country with immense mineral wealth and a rapidly expanding demographic profile.
Where is DR Congo?
DR Congo
- Continent
- Africa
- Country
- DR Congo
- Coordinates
- 0.00°, 25.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 116M
- Area
- 2,344,858 km²
- Density per km²
- 50 / km²
- Growth rate
- +3.24%
- Annual growth
- +3.8M people
- Daily growth
- +10.3K people
- World population share
- 1.44%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for DR Congo
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Kinshasa
- Region
- Africa
- Area
- 2,344,858 km²
- Languages
- French, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, Swahili
- Currency
- Congolese franc (FC)
- Timezones
- UTC+01:00, UTC+02:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Neighboring Countries
Economy
The economy of DR Congo is currently experiencing significant expansion with an annual GDP growth rate of 6.1%. The latest ranking places the nation 88th globally in total nominal GDP and 12th within Africa. However, when adjusted for its large population, the country ranks 205th out of 212 for GDP per capita. Economic activity is heavily centered on natural resources like cobalt and copper, while recent data indicates an unemployment rate of 4.4%.
Society
Social indicators for the nation show a life expectancy at birth of approximately 62 years, which ranks 203rd globally. The latest available data indicates an adult literacy rate of 68.5%, placing the country at 142nd out of 170 measured nations. Digital connectivity is still developing, as approximately 19.7% of the population uses the internet, a figure that ranks 196th globally.
Climate & Environment
DR Congo features a tropical climate with consistent temperatures and high humidity, as the equator bisects the northern third of the country. Typical temperatures range from 20 °C (68 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F), supporting the second largest rainforest in the world and high annual rainfall in the central basin.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- semi-presidential republic
- Independence
- 1960-06-30 (Belgium)
DR Congo is a semi-presidential republic where executive power is shared between a president and a prime minister. The president serves as the head of state and is elected by popular vote, while the prime minister, appointed by the president from the parliamentary majority, acts as the head of government. The legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of a National Assembly and a Senate. Following its independence from Belgium on 30 June 1960, the political landscape has evolved through periods of centralized rule and modern democratic transitions. The country is administratively divided into 26 provinces, including the capital city of Kinshasa. The legal system is based on Belgian civil law and customary law. Current governance focuses on stabilizing the eastern regions and managing the nation's diverse ethnic landscape, which includes more than 200 groups. The military expenditure accounts for 1.22855267131451 percent of the GDP as the state works to maintain security and national sovereignty.
History
The history of DR Congo is marked by powerful pre-colonial entities such as the Kingdom of Kongo, which established complex trade networks long before European arrival. In the late 19th century, the region became the private property of King Leopold II of Belgium, known as the Congo Free State, where the brutal extraction of rubber led to international outcry. Control was transferred to the Belgian government in 1908, and the territory remained a colony until it gained independence on 30 June 1960. The post-independence era began with political instability, resulting in the assassination of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. In 1965, Mobutu Sese Seko seized power, later renaming the country Zaire and ruling for 32 years with a focus on cultural authenticity. His regime ended in 1997 during the First Congo War, which saw Laurent-Désiré Kabila take the presidency. This period was followed by the Second Congo War, often called the Great African War, involving multiple neighboring nations and resulting in significant loss of life. Modern development has been defined by the transition to a semi-presidential republic and efforts to rebuild national infrastructure. Despite historical challenges, the nation has maintained its territorial integrity across 2344858 km² (905355 sq mi) and continues to integrate into the global community, with a population that reached approximately 109 million in the official 2024 census.
Notable Facts
- The country is the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa by land area, covering 2344858 km² (905355 sq mi).
- It contains the world second-largest tropical rainforest, providing critical carbon sequestration and biodiversity for the planet.
- The highest point is Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema, which reaches an elevation of 5110 m (16765 ft).
- DR Congo is home to Virunga National Park, the oldest national park in Africa and a sanctuary for endangered mountain gorillas.
- The nation possesses a short but strategic coastline of 37 km (23 mi) along the Atlantic Ocean.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) (5,110 m)
- Lowest Point
- Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 37 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in DR CongoExplore weather and climate data for cities in DR Congo
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Kinshasa
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C / 23°C | 37°C / 28°C | 18days (129 mm) Wet | 9.8h Good | 83% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| February | 32°C / 24°C | 38°C / 28°C | 16days (109 mm) Wet | 9.7h Good | 81% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| March | 32°C / 24°C | 38°C / 28°C | 17days (132 mm) Wet | 9.6h Good | 80% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| April | 32°C / 24°C | 38°C / 29°C | 20days (147 mm) Wet | 9.2h Good | 82% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| May | 32°C / 24°C | 37°C / 28°C | 11days (64 mm) Wet | 10.1h Excellent | 81% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| June | 30°C / 22°C | 34°C / 25°C | 1days (3 mm) Excellent | 10.3h Excellent | 77% Humid | Fair | View Details |
| July best | 29°C / 21°C | 33°C / 23°C | 0days (1 mm) Excellent | 9.9h Good | 76% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 30°C / 21°C | 33°C / 23°C | 0days (2 mm) Excellent | 9.6h Good | 71% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| September | 32°C / 23°C | 35°C / 26°C | 4days (16 mm) Good | 9.6h Good | 69% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| October | 32°C / 24°C | 36°C / 28°C | 16days (103 mm) Wet | 9.3h Good | 75% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| November | 30°C / 23°C | 36°C / 28°C | 25days (223 mm) Wet | 8.6h Good | 83% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| December | 30°C / 23°C | 36°C / 28°C | 25days (188 mm) Wet | 9h Good | 84% Humid | Wet | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 31°C / 23°C . Feb: 32°C / 24°C . Mar: 32°C / 24°C . Apr: 32°C / 24°C . May: 32°C / 24°C . Jun: 30°C / 22°C . Jul: 29°C / 21°C . Aug: 30°C / 21°C . Sep: 32°C / 23°C . Oct: 32°C / 24°C . Nov: 30°C / 23°C . Dec: 30°C / 23°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 129 mm. Feb: 109 mm. Mar: 132 mm. Apr: 147 mm. May: 64 mm. Jun: 3 mm. Jul: 1 mm. Aug: 2 mm. Sep: 16 mm. Oct: 103 mm. Nov: 223 mm. Dec: 188 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of DR Congo is approximately 116M (2024).
The capital of DR Congo is Kinshasa.
DR Congo's GDP per capita is $731.39 (2024).
Life expectancy in DR Congo is 62.07 years (2024).
DR Congo covers 2,344,858 km² (905,354 sq mi).
DR Congo is sparsely populated, averaging 50 people per km², below the global average of 60.
DR Congo's population is growing rapidly at 3.2% per year — among the fastest in the world.
Based on GDP per capita, DR Congo falls in the low GDP-per-person tier at $731.39. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
DR Congo has 5 official languages: French, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, Swahili.
DR Congo uses the Congolese franc (FC) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit DR Congo are July, August, based on climate data for the capital.
The population of DR Congo is currently estimated at approximately 116 million people. This makes it the largest country in Middle Africa, ranking 1st in the subregion and 4th across the entire African continent. Globally, the latest data ranks the nation 15th in total population, supported by a 3.2% annual growth rate.
The latest ranking places DR Congo 88th globally in terms of nominal GDP and 12th within the African continent. Despite its large total output, the country ranks 205th out of 212 nations for GDP per capita, which is currently estimated at 731 USD. This disparity highlights the challenges of distributing wealth across its massive population.
Current estimates show that the life expectancy at birth in DR Congo is approximately 62 years. This figure ranks the nation 203rd out of 215 countries globally. Improving public health outcomes remains a key focus for the government as it addresses various infectious diseases and seeks to expand medical infrastructure.
The adult literacy rate in DR Congo is 68.5% according to the latest available data. This ranks the nation 142nd out of 170 countries worldwide. Education initiatives are critical for the country, which has more than 200 ethnic groups and uses French as its official language alongside four national languages.
Approximately 19.7% of the population in DR Congo uses the internet, according to recent estimates. The country currently ranks 196th globally for internet penetration. While urban areas like Kinshasa see increasing connectivity, infrastructure development in the vast 2,344,858 km² (905,355 sq mi) territory remains a significant barrier to digital access.
Recent data indicates that the unemployment rate in DR Congo is 4.4%. This figure ranks the country 114th out of 186 nations when ordered from lowest to highest unemployment. Many citizens are employed in the informal sector or within the mining industry, which exploits vast deposits of cobalt and diamonds.
The DR Congo currently ranks 15th worldwide out of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it is the 4th most populous nation in Africa and the largest in Middle Africa. Its high ranking is a result of sustained annual growth and a fertility rate that remains among the highest globally.
The DR Congo has an estimated 2026 population density of 51.4 people per km² (133.1 per sq mi). While this is relatively low globally, ranking 155th of 215, it is 35th within Africa. Population is unevenly distributed, with high concentrations in Kinshasa and the eastern highlands compared to the rainforest.
The population is growing rapidly at an annual rate of 3.24%. This growth is driven by a high crude birth rate of 40.885 per 1,000 people, which far exceeds the crude death rate of 8.424 per 1,000. Recent estimates show the nation adds over 3.5 million people to its total every year.
The latest official 2024 data indicates a fertility rate of 5.98 births per woman in the DR Congo. This is the 3rd highest fertility rate in the world. Such a high rate ensures continued rapid population growth for the foreseeable future, as each new generation is significantly larger than the previous one.
Approximately 44.7% of the population lives in urban areas according to latest official data. This places the DR Congo 160th in the world for urbanization. However, cities like Kinshasa are growing at an extraordinary pace, as rural-to-urban migration continues to reshape the country's demographic and economic landscape.
All Indicators
Explore DR Congo's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
Military & Security
Infrastructure
Geography
Last updated: