World · permanent entity record · CG

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Thirty-second orientation

Democratic Republic of the Congo at a glance

Capital: Kinshasa; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 112,832,473; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 2,344,858 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Congolese (singular and plural); adjective: Congolese or Congo; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: semi-presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: French (official), Lingala (a trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Democratic Republic of the Congo through time

1960-09-20
Admitted to the United Nations
Democratic Republic of the Congo became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	112,832,473World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 119,038,825 (2025 est.) male: 59,509,076 female: 59,529,749CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $91.0 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $807; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 62.1 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 45.1%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 22.5%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 19.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Kinshasa; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 2,344,858 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 112,832,473; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Congolese francs (CDF); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: French (official), Lingala (a trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Congolese (singular and plural); adjective: Congolese or Congo; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: semi-presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1960-09-20; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 37 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Christian 93/1% (Roman Catholic 29.9%, Protestant 26.7%, other Christian 36.5%), Kimbanguist 2.8%, Muslim 1.3%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 1.2%, none 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2014 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: blue, red, yellow; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: leopard; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) · 16,765 ft (5,110 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Bantu, Sudanic, and other migrants from West and Northeastern Africa arrived in the Congo River Basin between 2000 B.C. and A.D. 500. The territory that is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo has more than 200 ethnic groups that trace their histories to many communal organizations and kingdoms. The Kingdom of Kongo, for example, ruled the area around the mouth of the Congo River from the 14th to 19th centuries. Meanwhile, the Kingdoms of Luba and Lunda, located to the south and east, were also notable political groupings in the territory and ruled from the 16th and 17th centuries to the 19th century. European prospectors in the Congo Basin invaded and splintered these kingdoms in the late 1800’s, sponsored by King LEOPOLD II of Belgium, and the kingdoms were eventually forced to grant Leopold the rights to the Congo territory as his private property. During this period, known as the Congo Free State, the king's private colonial military forced the local population to produce rubber. From 1885 to 1908, millions of Congolese people died as a result of disease and inhumane treatment. International condemnation finally forced LEOPOLD to cede the land to the state of Belgium, creating the Belgian Congo. The Republic of the Congo gained its independence from Belgium in 1960, but its early years were marred by instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name to MOBUTU Sese Seko and the country's name to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years, using sham elections and brute force. In 1994, a massive inflow of refugees from conflict in neighboring Rwanda and Burundi sparked ethnic strife and civil war. A rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA toppled the MOBUTU regime in 1997. KABILA renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In 1998, another insurrection -- again backed by Rwanda and Uganda -- challenged the KABILA regime, but troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe helped quell the uprising. In 2001, KABILA was assassinated, and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In 2002, the new president negotiated the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying the eastern DRC; the remaining warring parties subsequently signed the Pretoria Accord to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. KABILA was elected as president in 2006 and 2011. The DRC constitution barred him from running for a third term, so in 2016, the DRC Government delayed national elections for two years. This fueled significant civil and political unrest, with sporadic street protests and exacerbation of tensions in the eastern DRC regions. The results of the 2018 elections were disputed, but opposition candidate Felix TSHISEKEDI, son of long-time opposition leader Etienne TSHISEKEDI, was announced as the election winner. This was the first transfer of power to an opposition candidate without significant violence or a coup since 1960. In 2023, the DRC held its fourth electoral cycle since independence; TSHISEKEDI was proclaimed the winner despite some allegations of fraud, with his Sacred Union alliance retaining a large parliamentary majority. The DRC continues to experience violence -- particularly in the East -- perpetrated by more than 100 armed groups active in the region, including the March 23 (M23) rebel group, the ISIS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF, or ISIS-DRC), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and assorted local militias known as Mai Mai militias. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) has operated in the region since 1999 and is the largest and most expensive UN peacekeeping mission in the world.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography21 fields

Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 2,344,858 sq km land: 2,267,048 sq km water: 77,810 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 11,027 km border countries (9): Angola 2,646 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province); Burundi 236 km; Central African Republic 1,747 km; Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Rwanda 221 km; South Sudan 714 km; Tanzania 479 km; Uganda 877 km; Zambia 2,332 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 37 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: since 2011, the DRC has had a Common Interest Zone agreement with Angola for the mutual development of off-shore resources; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 726 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber note 1: coltan, the industrial name for a columbite–tantalite mineral from which niobium and tantalum are extracted, is mainly artisanal and small-scale; tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold extracted from central Africa are considered "conflict minerals" and as such are subject to international monitoring note 2: the DROC is the World's leading producer of cobalt, accounting for as much as 70% of the World's supply; between 20-30% of this cobalt is produced in artisanal and small-scale mining operations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 15.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 6.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.9% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8% (2023 est.) forest: 61.6% (2023 est.) other: 22.9% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 110 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major lakes (area sq km): fresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Albert (shared with Uganda) - 5,590 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Zambia) - 4,350 sq km; Lac Mai-Ndombe - 2,300 sq km; Lake Kivu (shared with Rwanda) - 2,220 sq km; Lake Edward (shared with Uganda) - 2,150 sq km; Lac Tumba - 500 sq km; Lac Upemba - 530 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Zaïre (Congo) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, and Republic of Congo) - 2,920 km; Ubangi river mouth (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Republic of Congo) - 2,270 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major aquifers: Congo Basin; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: urban clusters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the northeast along the border with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; the largest city is the capital, Kinshasha, located in the west along the Congo River; the south is least densely populated, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); active volcanoes in the east along the Great Rift Valley volcanism: the active volcano Nyiragongo (3,470 m) poses a major threat to the city of Goma, home to a quarter of a million people; it produces unusually fast-moving lava, known to travel up to 100 km/hr; Nyiragongo has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; its neighbor Nyamuragira is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke is the only other historically active volcano; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: note 1: second-largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and largest country in sub-Saharan Africa; straddles the equator; dense tropical rainforest in central river basin and eastern highlands; the narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River is the DRC's only outlet to the South Atlantic Ocean note 2: the Congo River, most of which flows through the DRC, has never been accurately measured along much of its length because of its speed, cataracts, rapids, and turbulence; nonetheless, it is conceded to be the deepest river in the world, with estimates of the point of greatest depth varying between 220 and 250 meters; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society34 fields

Population: total: 119,038,825 (2025 est.) male: 59,509,076 female: 59,529,749; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: more than 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest groups - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) - make up about 45% of the population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: French (official), Lingala (a trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba major-language sample(s): Buku oyo ya bosembo ya Mokili Mobimba Ezali na Makanisi ya Liboso Mpenza. (Lingala) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Christian 93/1% (Roman Catholic 29.9%, Protestant 26.7%, other Christian 36.5%), Kimbanguist 2.8%, Muslim 1.3%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 1.2%, none 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2014 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.7% (male 26,584,268/female 26,208,891) 15-64 years: 51.8% (male 29,845,450/female 29,884,958) 65 years and over: 2.5% (2024 est.) (male 1,258,442/female 1,621,018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 92.1 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 87.3 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 4.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 20.8 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 16.9 years (2025 est.) male: 16.7 years female: 17 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 3.09% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 38.8 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 7.37 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: urban clusters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the northeast along the border with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; the largest city is the capital, Kinshasha, located in the west along the Congo River; the south is least densely populated, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 47.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 16.316 million KINSHASA (capital), 2.892 million Mbuji-Mayi, 2.812 million Lubumbashi, 1.664 million Kananga, 1.423 million Kisangani, 1.249 million Bukavu (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.9 years (2013/14 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 427 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 55.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 62.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.9 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.6 years (2024 est.) male: 60.7 years female: 64.6 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 5.42 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 2.67 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 59.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 13.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 35.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 40.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 86.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 64.9% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 3.8% of GDP (2021) 4% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 48.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 20.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 33.7% of population (2022 est.) urban: 51.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 79.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 66.3% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 6.7% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 0.56 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 10.4% (2025 est.) male: 18.8% (2025 est.) female: 2.3% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 25% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 58.2% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 8.4% (2018) women married by age 18: 29.1% (2018) men married by age 18: 5.6% (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 2.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 13.5% national budget (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 73.6% (2018 est.) male: 87.5% (2018 est.) female: 61.6% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment11 fields

Environmental issues: poaching; water pollution; deforestation from agriculture and wood used for fuel; soil erosion; damage from mining; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 15.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 6.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.9% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8% (2023 est.) forest: 61.6% (2023 est.) other: 22.9% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 47.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 5.883 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 731,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 5.152 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 33.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Methane emissions: energy: 780.6 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 567.3 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 499.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 214.3 kt (2019-2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 14.385 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6.4% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 464.9 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 146.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 71.9 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 1.283 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government25 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo conventional short form: DRC local long form: République démocratique du Congo local short form: RDC former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire abbreviation: DRC (or DROC) etymology: named for the Congo River, most of which lies within the DRC; the river name derives from Kongo, a Bantu kingdom in the area; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: semi-presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Kinshasa geographic coordinates: 4 19 S, 15 18 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: the DRC has two time zones etymology: founded as a trading post in 1881 and named Leopoldville in honor of King LEOPOLD II of the Belgians; in 1966, Leopoldville was renamed Kinshasa, a Bantu name of unknown meaning; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 26 provinces; Bas-Uele (Lower Uele), Equateur, Haut-Katanga (Upper Katanga), Haut-Lomami (Upper Lomami), Haut-Uele (Upper Uele), Ituri, Kasai, Kasai-Central, Kasai-Oriental (East Kasai), Kinshasa, Kongo Central, Kwango, Kwilu, Lomami, Lualaba, Mai-Ndombe, Maniema, Mongala, Nord-Kivu (North Kivu), Nord-Ubangi (North Ubangi), Sankuru, Sud-Kivu (South Kivu), Sud-Ubangi (South Ubangi), Tanganyika, Tshopo, Tshuapa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law system primarily based on Belgian law, but also customary and tribal law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 13 May 2005, approved by referendum 18-19 December 2005, promulgated 18 February 2006 amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic, by the government, by either house of Parliament, or by public petition; agreement on the substance of a proposed bill requires absolute majority vote in both houses; passage requires a referendum only if both houses in joint meeting fail to achieve three-fifths majority vote; constitutional articles, including the form of government, universal suffrage, judicial independence, political pluralism, and personal freedoms, cannot be amended; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Democratic Republic of the Congo dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Felix TSHISEKEDI (since 20 January 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Judith SUMINWA Tuluka (since 29 May 2024) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple majority vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president most recent election date: 20 December 2023 election results: 2023: Felix TSHISEKEDI reelected president; percent of vote - Felix TSHISEKEDI (UDPS) 73.3%, Moise KATUMBI (Ensemble) 18.8%, Martin FAYULU (ECIDE) 5.3%, other 2.6% 2018: Felix TSHISEKEDI elected president; percent of vote - Felix TSHISEKEDI (UDPS) 38.6%, Martin FAYULU (Lamuka coalition) 34.8%, Emmanuel Ramazani SHADARY (PPRD) 23.9%, other 2.7% expected date of next election: 20 December 2028; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Parlement (Parliament) legislative structure: bicameral; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) number of seats: 500 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 4/29/2024 to 5/26/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Union for Democracy and Social Progress/TSHISEKEDI (UDPS/TSHISEKEDI) (69); Action of Allies and Union for the Congolese Nation (A/A-UNC) (35); Alliance of Democratic Forces of Congo and Allies (AFDC-A) (35); Act and Build (AB) (26); Action of Allies/All for the Development of the Congo (2A/TDC) (21); Alliance of Stakeholders for the People (AAAP) (21); Alliance Bloc 50 (A/B50) (20); Congo Liberation Movement (MLC) (19); Other (131) percentage of women in chamber: 12.8% expected date of next election: December 2028; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name: Senate (Sénat) number of seats: 109 (all indirectly elected) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 12/20/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 15.8% expected date of next election: April 2029; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (consists of 26 justices and organized into legislative and judiciary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges nominated by the Judicial Service Council, an independent body of public prosecutors and selected judges of the lower courts; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by the president, 3 by the Judicial Service Council, and 3 by the legislature; judges appointed by the president to serve 9-year non-renewable terms with one third of the membership renewed every 3 years subordinate courts: State Security Court; Court of Appeals (organized into administrative and judiciary sections); Tribunal de Grande Instance; magistrates' courts; customary courts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Christian Democrat Party or PDC Congolese Rally for Democracy or RCD Convention of Christian Democrats or CDC Engagement for Citizenship and Development or ECIDE Forces of Renewal or FR Movement for the Liberation of the Congo or MLC Nouvel Elan Our Congo or CNB ("Congo Na Biso") People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy or PPRD Social Movement for Renewal or MSR Together for Change ("Ensemble") Unified Lumumbist Party or PALU Union for the Congolese Nation or UNC Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Michael SHAKU YUMI (since 1 August 2024) chancery: 1100 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690 FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 email address and website: ambassade@ambardcusa.org https://www.ambardcusa.org/ representative office: New York; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Susan TULLER (since January 2026) embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa, Gombe mailing address: 2220 Kinshasa Place, Washington DC 20521-2220 telephone: [243] 081 556-0151 FAX: [243] 81 556-0175 email address and website: ACSKinshasa@state.gov https://cd.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CEMAC, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC (observer), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 June (1960); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: sky-blue field divided diagonally from the lower-left corner to the upper-right corner by a red stripe bordered with two narrow yellow stripes; a five-pointed yellow star is in the upper-left corner meaning: blue stands for peace and hope, red for the blood of the country's martyrs, and yellow for the country's wealth and prosperity; the star symbolizes unity and a brilliant future for the country; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): leopard; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): sky blue, red, yellow; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Debout Congolaise" (Arise, Congolese) lyrics/music: Joseph LUTUMBA/Simon-Pierre BOKA di Mpasi Londi history: adopted 1960; replaced when the country was known as Zaire, but readopted in 1997; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 5 (all natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Garamba National Park; Kahuzi-Biega National Park; Okapi Wildlife Reserve; Salonga National Park; Virunga National Park; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy31 fields

Economic overview: very poor, large, natural resource-rich sub-Saharan country; possesses the world’s second largest rainforest; increasing Chinese extractive sector trade; massive decrease in government investments; increasing current account deficit and public debts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $164.367 billion (2024 est.) $154.081 billion (2023 est.) $141.867 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 6.7% (2024 est.) 8.6% (2023 est.) 8.9% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $1,500 (2024 est.) $1,500 (2023 est.) $1,400 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $70.749 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 41.5% (2017 est.) 2.9% (2016 est.) 0.7% (2015 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 17.1% (2024 est.) industry: 46.6% (2024 est.) services: 33% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 62.7% (2024 est.) government consumption: 8.1% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 32.9% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 46.6% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -50.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: cassava, plantains, sugarcane, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, root vegetables, bananas, sweet potatoes, groundnuts (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: mining (copper, cobalt, gold, diamonds, coltan, zinc, tin, tungsten), mineral processing, consumer products (textiles, plastics, footwear, cigarettes), metal products, processed foods and beverages, timber, cement, commercial ship repair; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 10.1% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 38.546 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 4.6% (2024 est.) 4.5% (2023 est.) 4.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 8.5% (2024 est.) male: 10.8% (2024 est.) female: 6.6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 56.2% (2020 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 44.7 (2020 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% (2020 est.) highest 10%: 35.7% (2020 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 4.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 5% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $11.568 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $13.026 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 16% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 11.4% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: -$3.883 billion (2023 est.) -$3.148 billion (2022 est.) -$587.407 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $29.65 billion (2023 est.) $28.753 billion (2022 est.) $22.354 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: China 69%, UAE 7%, India 3%, Spain 3%, Egypt 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: refined copper, cobalt, copper ore, raw copper, crude petroleum (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $33.68 billion (2023 est.) $31.699 billion (2022 est.) $22.193 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: China 35%, Zambia 12%, South Africa 12%, India 5%, Belgium 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: trucks, refined petroleum, stone processing machines, plastic products, sulphur (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $5.104 billion (2023 est.) $4.378 billion (2022 est.) $3.467 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $7.926 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: Congolese francs (CDF) per US dollar - 2,340.036 (2023 est.) 2,006.708 (2022 est.) 1,989.391 (2021 est.) 1,851.122 (2020 est.) 1,647.76 (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 21.5% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 45.3% electrification - rural areas: 1%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 3.229 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 16.069 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 62 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 1.473 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.242 billion kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: solar: 13.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 86% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: consumption: 304,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 304,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 987.999 million metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 19,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 35,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 180 million barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: production: 380,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 380,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 991.09 million cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 1.305 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: (2023 est.) Currently, operators holding fixed-line telephone licenses do not have an operational distribution network, which explains the low number of customers. subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 56.3 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: state-owned TV station with near-national coverage; more than a dozen privately owned TV stations, including 2 with near-national coverage; 2 state-owned radio stations and over 100 private radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .cd; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 31% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 33,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation6 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9Q; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 273 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Heliports: 1 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 4,007 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,882 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified) 125 1.000-mm gauge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 24 (2023) by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 17; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 2 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Banana, Boma, Matadi; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces (Forces Terrestres), National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard (Garde Républicaine, GR) Ministry of Interior: Congolese National Police (Police Nationale Congolaise, PNC) (2025) note: the Republican Guard is overseen by the office of the presidency rather than the FARDC; it focuses on protecting the president and government institutions and enforcing internal security note 2: community-based self-defense groups, known as Wazalendo militias, are also active in areas contested by illegal armed groups, such as M23; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 100-150,000 active FARDC (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FARDC is equipped mostly with Soviet-era and older French armaments; in recent years, it has received some more modern equipment, such as armored vehicles and armed drones, from China, South Africa, Turkey, and the UAE (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-35 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 18-45 years of age for compulsory military service for men; it is unclear how much conscription is used (2025) note: in eastern Congo, fighters from armed groups, including some associated with government security forces, have been accused of forced recruitment of child soldiers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the FARDC’s primary focus is internal security and conducting operations against rebels and other illegal armed groups (IOGs) operating in the DRC, particularly in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, where more than 15 significant and cohesive IOGs operate; there is also IOG-related violence in Maniema, Kasai, Kasai Central, and Tanganyika provinces; some estimates place over 100 IOGs operating in the country, including organized militias, such as the Nduma Defense of Congo-Renewal (NDC-R), which controls a large portion of North Kivu; Mai Mai groups (local militias that operate variously as self-defense networks and criminal rackets); and foreign-origin groups seeking safe haven and resources, such as the Ugandan-origin Allied Democratic Forces (ADF; aka Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the DRC), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), multiple groups originating from Burundi, the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), and the March 23 Movement (aka M23 or Congolese Revolutionary Army), which Rwanda has been accused of supporting militarily; the FARDC incorporates some non-state armed groups and has been accused of collaborating with some IOGs, such as the NDC-R the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has operated in the central and eastern parts of the country since 1999; its mandate had been extended to the end of 2026; MONUSCO includes a Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), the first ever UN peacekeeping force specifically tasked to carry out targeted offensive operations to neutralize and disarm groups considered a threat to state authority and civilian security (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – Democratic Republic of the Congo (ISIS-DRC) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 518,445 (2024 est.) IDPs: 6,895,648 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Trafficking in persons: tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the Democratic Republic of the Congo did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period and was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.

Democratic Republic of the Congo at a glance

Democratic Republic of the Congo through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile