2012 Edition

Background

Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo was once one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.

Area

342,000 sq km 341,500 sq km 500 sq km

total

342,000 sq km

water

500 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Montana

Climate

tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

Coastline

169 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Berongou 903 m

highest point

Mount Berongou 903 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.03 cu km/yr (59%/29%/12%) 8 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

8 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.03 cu km/yr (59%/29%/12%)

Geographic coordinates

1 00 S, 15 00 E

Geography - note

about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them

Irrigated land

20 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

5,504 km Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km

border countries

Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km

total

5,504 km

Land use

1.45% 0.15% 98.4% (2005)

arable land

1.45%

other

98.4% (2005)

permanent crops

0.15%

Location

Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

200 nm

territorial sea

200 nm

Natural hazards

seasonal flooding

Natural resources

petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

Terrain

coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

Total renewable water resources

832 cu km (1987)

Age structure

45.3% (male 996,811/ female 982,859) 51.9% (male 1,128,973/ female 1,137,082) 2.8% (male 49,366/ female 71,175) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

45.3% (male 996,811/ female 982,859)

15-64 years

51.9% (male 1,128,973/ female 1,137,082)

65 years and over

2.8% (male 49,366/ female 71,175) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

40.09 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

11.8% (2005)

Death rate

11.25 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups

Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%

Health expenditures

3% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.4% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

77,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.6 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

74.22 deaths/1,000 live births 79.58 deaths/1,000 live births 68.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

68.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

74.22 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Life expectancy at birth

55.27 years 53.95 years 56.62 years (2012 est.)

female

56.62 years (2012 est.)

total population

55.27 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 83.8% 89.6% 78.4% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

78.4% (2003 est.)

male

89.6%

total population

83.8%

Major cities - population

BRAZZAVILLE (capital) 1.292 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) rabies schistosomiasis (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)

water contact disease

schistosomiasis (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

560 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

17.1 years 16.9 years 17.3 years (2012 est.)

female

17.3 years (2012 est.)

male

16.9 years

total

17.1 years

Nationality

Congolese (singular and plural) Congolese or Congo

adjective

Congolese or Congo

noun

Congolese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.095 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

4,366,266 (July 2012 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

2.849% (2012 est.)

Religions

Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 31% of population rural: 29% of population total: 30% of population urban: 69% of population rural: 71% of population total: 70% of population

rural

71% of population

total

70% of population

urban

69% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 11 years 10 years (2005)

female

10 years (2005)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.69 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

5.59 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

62% of total population (2010) 3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

62% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha

Capital

Brazzaville 4 15 S, 15 17 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

4 15 S, 15 17 E

name

Brazzaville

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved by referendum 20 January 2002

Country name

Republic of the Congo Congo (Brazzaville) Republique du Congo none Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo

conventional long form

Republic of the Congo

conventional short form

Congo (Brazzaville)

former

Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo

local long form

Republique du Congo

local short form

none

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Christopher W. MURRAY 70-83 Section D, Maya-Maya Boulevard, Brazzaville; B.P. 1015, Brazzaville [242] 612-6000

chief of mission

Ambassador Christopher W. MURRAY

embassy

70-83 Section D, Maya-Maya Boulevard, Brazzaville;

mailing address

B.P. 1015, Brazzaville

telephone

[242] 612-6000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 726-5500 [1] (202) 726-1860

chancery

4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011

chief of mission

Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI

FAX

[1] (202) 726-1860

telephone

[1] (202) 726-5500

Executive branch

President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997); note - the position of prime minister was abolished in September 2009 Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 July 2009 (next to be held in 2016) Denis SASSOU-Nguesso reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-Nguesso 78.6%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 7.5%, Nicephore Fylla de SAINT-EUDES 7%, other 6.9%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Denis SASSOU-Nguesso reelected president; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-Nguesso 78.6%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU 7.5%, Nicephore Fylla de SAINT-EUDES 7%, other 6.9%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 July 2009 (next to be held in 2016)

head of government

President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997); note - the position of prime minister was abolished in September 2009

Flag description

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

republic

Independence

15 August 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Legal system

mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (72 seats; members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (139 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held on 5 August 2008 (next to be held in July 2013); National Assembly - last held on 15 July and 5 August 2012 (next to be held in 2017) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RMP 33, FDU 23, UPADS 2, independents 7, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT (and allies) 117, UPADS 7, independents 12, vacant 3

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RMP 33, FDU 23, UPADS 2, independents 7, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT (and allies) 117, UPADS 7, independents 12, vacant 3

elections

Senate - last held on 5 August 2008 (next to be held in July 2013); National Assembly - last held on 15 July and 5 August 2012 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"La Congolaise" (The Congolese) Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE originally adopted 1959, restored 1991

lyrics/music

Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE

name

"La Congolaise" (The Congolese)

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 August (1960)

National symbol(s)

lion; elephant

Political parties and leaders

Action Movement for Renewal or MAR; Congolese Labour Party or PCT; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally of the Presidential Majority or RMP; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR; United Democratic Forces or FDU [Sebastian EBAO]; many smaller parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products

Budget

$6.719 billion $4.475 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$4.475 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$6.719 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

16.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009) 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.8% (31 December 2012 est.) 15% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$1.277 billion (2012 est.) $1.85 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$4.225 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.865 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

The economy is a mixture of subsistence agriculture, an industrial sector based largely on oil and support services, and government spending. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. Characterized by budget problems and overstaffing, the government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans that have contributed to a growing debt burden and chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. However, the reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. The drop in oil prices during the global crisis reduced oil revenue by about 30%, but the subsequent recovery of oil prices has boosted the economy's GDP and near-term prospects. In March 2006, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo, which received $1.9 billion in debt relief under the program in 2010.

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 511.4 (2012 est.) 471.87 (2011 est.) 495.28 (2010 est.) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008)

Exports

$12.35 billion (2012 est.) $12.38 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds

Exports - partners

China 38.5%, US 20.3%, Australia 6.4%, France 6.1%, Spain 4.9%, Italy 4.4%, Netherlands 4.4% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

4.2% 71.3% 24.5% (2012 est.)

agriculture

4.2%

industry

71.3%

services

24.5% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,700 (2012 est.) $4,600 (2011 est.) $4,600 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.9% (2012 est.) 3.4% (2011 est.) 8.8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$13.74 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$19.27 billion (2012 est.) $18.36 billion (2011 est.) $17.75 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 37.1% (2005)

highest 10%

37.1% (2005)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$4.751 billion (2012 est.) $4.917 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

France 17.2%, China 12.5%, India 9.2%, Italy 7.5%, Brazil 7.3%, US 5.8% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

12% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.5% (2012 est.) 1.9% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

45.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

1.514 million (2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$6.033 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.658 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$3.753 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $2.882 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.392 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.982 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.341 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $3.341 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

48.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

6.518 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

269,800 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

308,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1.6 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

563 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

19.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

80.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

440 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

148,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

502 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

930 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

930 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

10,710 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

5,146 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,326 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

10,460 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV and 3 state-owned radio stations; several privately-owned TV and radio stations; satellite TV service is available; rebroadcasts of several international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.cg

Internet hosts

45 (2012)

Internet users

245,200 (2009)

Telephone system

primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable with services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order fixed-line infrastructure inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged to 90 per 100 persons country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

fixed-line infrastructure inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged to 90 per 100 persons

general assessment

primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable with services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order

international

country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

14,200 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.885 million (2011)

Airports

25 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

over 3,047 m

2

total

7

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

8

914 to 1,523 m

9

total

18

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

1 (Democratic Republic of the Congo 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

1 (Democratic Republic of the Congo 1) (2010)

Pipelines

gas 65 km; oil 273 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire

Railways

886 km 886 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

total

886 km

Roadways

17,289 km 864 km 16,425 km (2004)

total

17,289 km

unpaved

16,425 km (2004)

Waterways

1,120 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers above Brazzaville; there are many ferries across the river to Kinshasa; the Congo south of Brazzaville-Kinshasa to the coast is not navigable because of rapids, thereby necessitating a rail connection to Pointe Noire; other rivers are used for local traffic only) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

928,664 914,265 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

914,265 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

928,664

Manpower fit for military service

577,944 566,587 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

566,587 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

577,944

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

50,000 49,641 (2010 est.)

female

49,641 (2010 est.)

male

50,000

Military branches

Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise); Gendarmerie; Special Presidential Security Guard (GSSP) (2011)

Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC)

Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise); Gendarmerie; Special Presidential Security Guard (GSSP) (2011)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; women can serve in the Armed Forces (2012)

Disputes - international

the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is undefined except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area

Refugees and internally displaced persons

131,648 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 8,374 (Rwanda) (2011) 7,800 (multiple civil wars since 1992) (2009)

IDPs

7,800 (multiple civil wars since 1992) (2009)

refugees (country of origin)

131,648 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 8,374 (Rwanda) (2011)

Trafficking in persons

Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor or, to a lesser extent, sex trafficking; most child trafficking victims are from Benin, though Togo, Mali, Guinea, Cameroon, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are also sources of victims subjected to forced domestic labor, market vending, and fishing, as well as commercial sexual exploitation Tier 2 Watch List - the Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons; the government enacted the Child Protection Code in June 2010, informally referred victims to foster care, and continued implementation of its 2009-10 National Action Plan; a lack of trained law enforcement personnel and adequate, consistent funding for prevention efforts seriously limited the government's ability to address trafficking and assist victims (2008)

current situation

Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor or, to a lesser extent, sex trafficking; most child trafficking victims are from Benin, though Togo, Mali, Guinea, Cameroon, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are also sources of victims subjected to forced domestic labor, market vending, and fishing, as well as commercial sexual exploitation

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons; the government enacted the Child Protection Code in June 2010, informally referred victims to foster care, and continued implementation of its 2009-10 National Action Plan; a lack of trained law enforcement personnel and adequate, consistent funding for prevention efforts seriously limited the government's ability to address trafficking and assist victims (2008)