Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a large country in Central Africa. It is the second-largest country in Africa and the 11th-largest in the world. With around 124 million people, it is the fourth-most populous country in Africa and the most populous Francophone country in the world. The official language is French, but there are over 200 indigenous languages, with Lingala being the most widely spoken. The capital and largest city is Kinshasa.

The DRC has a rich history, with early inhabitants living there around 90,000 years ago. Various kingdoms and empires, such as the Kingdom of Kongo, Luba, and Lunda, ruled different parts of the land before European colonization. After gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, the country faced many challenges, including wars and political changes.

Today, the DRC is rich in natural resources but remains one of the world's poorest countries due to ongoing instability, poor infrastructure, and corruption. Despite these difficulties, the country continues to work toward peace and development. It is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, the African Union, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Etymology

Further information: Congo River and Kongo people

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is named after the Congo River, which flows through the country. This river is the world's deepest and the third-largest by how much water it carries.

Long ago, European sailors named the river after the Kingdom of Kongo and its people, the Kongo people. The word "Kongo" comes from their language.

The country has had many names over time, including the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, the Republic of the Congo-Léopoldville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Zaire, before becoming the Democratic Republic of the Congo again.

History

Main article: History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has a long and complex history. Thousands of years ago, people lived in the area and developed new ways of living and working together. Important kingdoms like the Kingdom of Kongo, Luba, and Lunda grew up here.

From 1877 to 1908, a Belgian king controlled the area called the Congo Free State. Many people suffered because of harsh treatments and difficult working conditions. Later, from 1908 to 1960, Belgium governed the area as the Belgian Congo. After World War II, people wanted more say in how their country was run, leading to independence in 1960.

After independence, the country faced many challenges, including conflicts and changes in leadership. In 1965, Joseph Mobutu took control and ruled for many years, making many changes to the country's name and how it was governed. His time was marked by difficulties and struggles for many people.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the country was involved in big wars that caused a lot of suffering. Even after peace agreements, fighting continued in some areas. In 2018, new elections brought Félix Tshisekedi to the presidency, but the country still faces challenges, including conflicts and health issues like outbreaks of diseases. Recent years have seen efforts to make peace and improve the country, though difficulties remain.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Geology of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a large country in central sub-Saharan Africa. It is surrounded by many other countries, including the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, and the South Atlantic Ocean.

The country has a tropical climate with lots of rain, especially in the central area where the Congo rainforest grows. This rainforest is the second largest in the world. The Congo River runs through the country and is very important for transportation and the economy.

Climate change

Biodiversity and conservation

Main articles: Wildlife of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, and Environmental issues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Further information: List of ecoregions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has many different animals, including chimpanzee, bonobo, African forest elephant, mountain gorilla, okapi, and leopard. The country works hard to protect these animals and their homes. However, some animals are in danger because of hunting and loss of their forests.

Government and politics

Main articles: Politics of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Félix Tshisekedi,
president since 2019

Judith Suminwa,
prime minister since 2024

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a unitary and semi-presidential republic. The president is the head of state, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term, while the prime minister is the head of government appointed by the president. The prime minister and the cabinet are responsible to the parliament. The parliament has two parts: the Senate and the National Assembly. Deputies of the National Assembly are elected for five years, while senators are chosen by provincial legislatures.

The president leads the armed forces and appoints government officials. The constitution supports an independent judiciary, including the Constitutional Court, the Court of Cassation, and the Council of State.

The DRC's political system is often considered authoritarian. Despite having a constitution that separates powers, the president and close associates have held strong control. Reports show challenges with corruption, manipulation of elections, and human rights issues. Freedom House rates the country as "not free," and it ranks low in measures of democracy and fight against corruption. Local governments, especially in rural areas, often lack strength, making it hard to serve all people well.

From 2001 to 2019, Joseph Kabila was president. His time included delays in elections and questions about fairness. In 2019, Félix Tshisekedi became president in the country's first peaceful transition of power since independence, though some still question the election results. Tshisekedi was reelected in late 2023 and named Judith Suminwa as prime minister in 2024, the first woman in that role.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Territories of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Further information: Administrative divisions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The country includes the city-province of Kinshasa and 25 provinces. These provinces are divided into 145 territories and 33 cities. Before 2015, there were only 11 divisions.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The DRC is important globally because of its natural resources, especially cobalt, a key metal for many industrial uses and batteries. This has drawn interest and investment from countries like China and the United States. The DRC is part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and works with neighbors for regional stability.

Military

Main article: Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The military, called the FARDC, includes Land Forces, the Air Force, and the Navy. There is also a Republican Guard that reports directly to the president. In 2023, the military had around 134,250 personnel. Despite efforts at reform, challenges remain with organization, training, and corruption. The FARDC works to address many armed groups in eastern DRC and the Kasaï region.

Law enforcement, crime, and corruption

Main articles: Crime in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Corruption in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The main police force is the Congolese National Police, or PNC. The DRC uses a civil law system based on Belgian law, along with local customs. The country follows international agreements on serious crimes.

Corruption has been a long-standing problem. Leaders have often used public money for personal gain, weakening the economy and government services. In 2020, a top advisor to the president was found guilty of taking public money and served time in prison.

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Further information: Child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and International Criminal Court investigation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The DRC faces many human rights challenges. Many children have been used in fights by armed groups. The country also struggles with issues affecting women and the LGBT community. Efforts continue to improve rights and justice for all people.

Health

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has many challenges with healthcare. Problems come from conflicts and political instability, making it hard to move medical supplies and treatments. Some areas also struggle with money, so not everyone can get the help they need.

Recently, there has been a big drop in children getting medical care and vaccines. In early 2025, only half as many young children visited clinics compared to the same time last year. The number of children getting vaccines also fell sharply.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

See also: Poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has grown a lot from 2003 to 2024. Back in 2003, after a big war, its economy was worth about $9 billion. By 2024, it had grown to about $72 billion. The country makes a lot of money from minerals like cobalt and copper, which made up 80% of its exports in 2023. China is its biggest trading partner, taking about 41% of the DRC’s exports.

Even though the DRC is rich in minerals, most people still live in poverty. About 73.5% of people earn less than $2.15 a day. Many people work in farming or other jobs without formal pay. The country also struggles with not having enough roads, railways, and electricity. Only 15% of people have access to electricity.

Mining

Main article: Mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The DRC is very important for mining. It makes the most cobalt in the world and is also a big producer of copper and diamonds. The country has lots of valuable minerals like coltan, which is used in electronics, and diamonds. Most of the diamonds come from places like Kasaï and Katanga provinces.

Mining helps the economy grow, but it also causes problems. Some mining happens in ways that are not reported, and some minerals are smuggled out of the country. There have also been issues with how money from mining is used or lost.

Transportation

Main article: Transport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Further information: Rail transport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The DRC has many roads, but only a small part of them are paved. It also has railways, but many are old and not well kept. Because the country has thick forests and many rivers, traveling by air or river is often easier. There are several airlines, and the main airport is in Kinshasa. Rivers are also very important for moving goods and people.

Energy

Main article: Energy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Further information: Renewable energy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The DRC has big dams on the Congo River that could make a lot of electricity, but only 15% of people have power. The country also has lots of sunshine, so there is growing use of solar power to help provide electricity to more people.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Further information: Poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Child marriage in Democratic Republic of Congo

Population

The CIA World Factbook estimated the population to be over 115 million as of 2024. Between 1950 and 2000, the country's population nearly quadrupled from 12.2 million to 46.9 million. Since 2000, it has maintained a high growth rate of about 3–3.5% per year, growing from 47 million to an estimated 112 million.

Ethnic groups

Over 250 ethnic groups and 450 tribes (ethnic subgroups) populate the DRC. They are in the Bantu, Sudanic, Nilotic, Ubangian and Pygmy linguistic groups. Because of this diversity, there is no dominant ethnic group in the Congo, however the following ethnic groups account for 51.5% of the population:

• Luba-Kasaï
• Kongo
• Mongo
• Lubakat
• Lulua
• Tetela
• Nande
• Ngbandi
• Ngombe
• Yaka
• Ngbaka

In 2021, the UN estimated the country's population to be 96 million, a rapid increase from 39.1 million in 1992 despite the ongoing war. As many as 250 ethnic groups have been identified and named. About 600,000 Pygmies live in the DRC.

Largest cities

Migration

Given the often unstable situation in the country and the condition of state structures, it is extremely difficult to obtain reliable migration data. However, evidence suggests that DRC continues to be a destination country for immigrants, in spite of recent declines in their numbers. Immigration is very diverse in nature; refugees and asylum-seekers – products of the numerous and violent conflicts in the Great Lakes Region – constitute an important subset of the population. Additionally, the country's large mine operations attract migrant workers from Africa and beyond. There is also considerable migration for commercial activities from other African countries and the rest of the world, but these movements are not well studied. Transit migration towards South Africa and Europe also plays a role.

Immigration to the DRC has decreased steadily over the past two decades, most likely as a result of the armed violence that the country has experienced. According to the International Organization for Migration, the number of immigrants in the DRC has fallen from just over one million in 1960, to 754,000 in 1990, to 480,000 in 2005, to an estimated 445,000 in 2010. Official figures are unavailable, partly due to the predominance of the informal economy in the DRC. Data are also lacking on irregular immigrants, however given neighbouring countries' ethnic links to DRC nationals, irregular migration is assumed to be a significant phenomenon.

Figures for Congolese nationals abroad vary greatly depending on the source; sources believe there are between three and six million Congolese living abroad. This discrepancy is due to a lack of official, reliable data. Emigrants from the DRC are above all long-term emigrants, the majority of whom live in Africa and to a lesser extent in Europe; 79.7% and 15.3% respectively, according to estimated 2000 data. New destination countries include South Africa and various points en route to Europe. The DRC has produced a considerable number of refugees and asylum-seekers located in the region and beyond. These numbers peaked in 2004 when, according to UNHCR, there were more than 460,000 refugees from the DRC; in 2008, Congolese refugees numbered 367,995 in total, 68% of whom were living in other African countries.

Since 2003, more than 400,000 Congolese migrants have been expelled from Angola.

Europeans and Asians makeup a significant part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's migrant population. Most Europeans and Asians went to the country for temporary employment.

Forced displacement and refugees

Main articles: Internally displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Refugees of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

the Democratic Republic of the Congo has around 6.9 million people displaced within its borders, more than five million of whom are in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. In addition, over 990,000 Congolese refugees and asylum seekers live elsewhere on the African continent.

Languages

Main article: Languages of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

French is the official language of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is culturally accepted as the lingua franca, facilitating communication among the many different ethnic groups of the Congo. According to a 2018 OIF report, 49 million Congolese people (51% of the population) could read and write French. A 2021 survey found that 74% of the population could speak French, making it the most widely spoken language in the country.

In Kinshasa, 67% of the population in 2014 could read and write French, and 68.5% could speak and understand it.

In 2024, there were around 12 million native French speakers in the country.

Approximately 242 languages are spoken in the country, of which four have the status of national languages: Kituba (Kikongo), Lingala, Tshiluba, and Swahili (Congo Swahili). Although some limited number of people speak these as first languages, most of the population speak them as a second language, after the native language of their own ethnic group. Lingala was the official language of the Force Publique under Belgian colonial rule and remains to this day the predominant language of the armed forces. Since the recent rebellions, a good part of the army in the east also uses Swahili, where it competes to be the regional lingua franca.

Under Belgian rule, the Belgians instituted the teaching and use of the four Bantu languages in primary schools, making it one of the few African nations to have literacy in local languages during the European colonial period. This trend was reversed after independence, when French became the sole language of education at all levels. Since 1975, the four national languages have been reintroduced in the first two years of primary education, with French becoming the sole language of education from the third year onward, but in practice many primary schools in urban areas solely use French from the first year of school onward.

Portuguese is taught in public schools as a foreign language due to the Angolan, and to a lesser extent Mozambican immigrant and refugee communities. Brazil has also been promoting the language in Africa. The lexical similarity and comparable phonology of French to Portuguese makes it a relatively easy language for people to learn. Many of the roughly 175,000 Portuguese speakers in the DRC are Angolans who fled violence during the Angolan War of Independence and Angolan Civil War of the late 20th century. Most of them have been repatriated back since the war ended in 2002.

Religion

Main article: Religion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Christianity is the predominant religion of the DRC. A 2013–14 survey, conducted by the Demographic and Health Surveys Program in 2013–2014 indicated that Christians constituted 93.7% of the population (with Catholics making up 29.7%, Protestants 26.8%, and other Christians 37.2%). A new Christian religious movement, Kimbanguism, had the adherence of 2.8%, while Muslims made up 1%. Other recent estimates have found Christianity the majority religion, followed by 95.8% of the population according to a 2010 Pew Research Center estimate, while the CIA World Factbook reports this figure to be 95.9%. The proportion of followers of Islam is variously estimated from 1% to 12%.

There are about 35 million Catholics in the country with six archdioceses and 41 dioceses. The impact of the Catholic Church is difficult to overestimate. Schatzberg has called it the country's "only truly national institution apart from the state". Its schools have educated over 60% of the nation's primary school students and more than 40% of its secondary students. The church owns and manages an extensive network of hospitals, schools, and clinics, as well as many diocesan economic enterprises, including farms, ranches, stores, and artisans' shops.^{[citation needed]}

Sixty-two Protestant denominations are federated under the umbrella of the Church of Christ in the Congo. It is often referred to as the Protestant Church, since it covers most of the DRC Protestants. With more than 25 million members, it constitutes one of the largest Protestant bodies in the world.

Kimbanguism was seen as a threat to the colonial regime and was banned by the Belgians. Kimbanguism, officially "the church of Christ on Earth by the prophet Simon Kimbangu", has about three million members, primarily among the Bakongo of Kongo Central and Kinshasa.

Islam has been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the 18th century, brought by Arab traders. However, most Muslims are native to the land. Today, Muslims constitute approximately 1% of the Congolese population according to the Pew Research Center. The majority are Sunni Muslims.^{[citation needed]}

The first members of the Baháʼí Faith to live in the country came from Uganda in 1953. Four years later, the first local administrative council was elected. In 1970, the National Spiritual Assembly (national administrative council) was first elected. Though the religion was banned in the 1970s and 1980s, due to misrepresentations of foreign governments, the ban was lifted by the end of the 1980s. In 2012, plans were announced to build a national Baháʼí House of Worship in the country.^{[citation needed]}

Traditional religions embody such concepts as monotheism, animism, vitalism, spirit and ancestor worship, witchcraft, and sorcery and vary widely among ethnic groups. The syncretic sects often merge elements of Christianity with traditional beliefs and rituals and are not recognized by mainstream churches as part of Christianity. New variants of ancient beliefs have become widespread, led by US-inspired Pentecostal churches which have been in the forefront of witchcraft accusations, particularly against children and the elderly.^{[clarification needed]}

Education

Main article: Education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In 2014, the literacy rate for the population between the ages of 15 and 49 was estimated to be 75.9% (88.1% male and 63.8% female) according to a DHS nationwide survey. The education system is governed by three government ministries: the Ministère de l'Enseignement Primaire, Secondaire et Professionnel (MEPSP, the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et Universitaire (MESU) and the Ministère des Affaires Sociales (MAS). Primary education is neither free nor compulsory,^{[citation needed]} even though the Congolese constitution says it should be (Article 43 of the 2005 Congolese Constitution).

As a result of the First and Second Congo Wars in the late 1990s—early 2000s, over 5.2 million children in the country did not receive any education. Since the end of the civil war, the situation has improved tremendously, with the number of children enrolled in primary schools rising from 5.5 million in 2002 to 16.8 million in 2018, and the number of children enrolled in secondary schools rising from 2.8 million in 2007 to 4.6 million in 2015 according to UNESCO.

Actual school attendance has also improved greatly in recent years, with primary school net attendance estimated to be 82.4% in 2014 (82.4% of children ages 6–11 attended school; 83.4% for boys, 80.6% for girls).

Health

Main article: Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

See also: HIV/AIDS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) include the General Hospital of Kinshasa. The DRC has the world's second-highest rate of infant mortality (after Chad). In April 2011, through aid from Global Alliance for Vaccines, a new vaccine to prevent pneumococcal disease was introduced around Kinshasa. In 2012, it was estimated that about 1.1% of adults aged 15–49 were living with HIV/AIDS. Malaria and yellow fever are problems. In May 2019, the death toll from the Ebola outbreak in DRC surpassed 1,000.

The incidence of yellow fever-related fatalities in DRC is relatively low. According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) report in 2021, only two individuals died due to yellow fever in DRC.

According to the World Bank Group, in 2016, 26,529 people died on the roads in DRC due to traffic accidents.

Maternal health is poor in DRC. According to 2010 estimates, DRC has the 17th highest maternal mortality rate in the world. According to UNICEF, 43.5% of children under five are stunted.

United Nations emergency food relief agency warned that amid the escalating conflict and worsening situation following COVID-19 in the DRC, millions of lives were at risk as they could die of hunger. According to the data of the World Food Programme, in 2020, four in ten people in Congo lacked food security and about 15.6 million were facing a potential hunger crisis.

Air pollution levels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are very unhealthy. In 2020, annual average air pollution in the DRC stood at 34.2 μg/m³, which is almost 6.8 times the World Health Organization PM2.5 guideline (5 μg/m³: set in September 2021). These pollution levels are estimated to reduce the life expectancy of an average citizen of the DRC by almost 2.9 years. Currently, the DRC does not have a national ambient air quality standard.

Culture

Main article: Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is very rich and varied, showing the many different groups of people who live there. From the coast along the River Congo, through rainforests and grasslands, to the busy mountain areas in the east, each place has its own traditions. Over time, these traditions have changed because of history, but many customs remain strong today. Most people live in the countryside, while about 30% live in cities, where they see more outside influences.

Literature

Congolese authors use writing to help people feel connected as one nation.

Music

Main article: Music of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Further information: Congolese rumba, Soukous, and Ndombolo

Music in Congo has deep roots in old rhythms and dances. One of the earliest popular dances was Maringa, which came from the Kingdom of Loango and included special instruments like a bass drum and an accordion. Later, new styles like Congolese rumba developed, influenced by music from other places.

In later years, new music styles such as Zaïko Langa Langa and soukous became popular. These styles continue to be important parts of Congo's culture. Many musicians from Congo have traveled the world, sharing their music and inspiring others.

Media

Main article: Mass media in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has many newspapers, such as L'Avenir, Le Phare, and Le Potentiel. The national broadcaster is Radio Télévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC), which broadcasts in Lingala and French.

Sports

Further information: Football in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rugby union in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Many sports are enjoyed in the DRC, such as football, basketball, and rugby. The country has produced famous athletes who have played around the world, including in basketball and football. The national football team has won the African Cup of Nations twice.