2013 Edition

Background

Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the then-Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several sham elections, as well as through brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second insurrection again backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support KABILA's regime. In January 2001, KABILA was assassinated and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying the eastern DRC; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003; it held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005 and elections for the presidency, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures took place in 2006. In 2009, following a resurgence of conflict in the eastern DRC, the government signed a peace agreement with the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), a primarily Tutsi rebel group. An attempt to integrate CNDP members into the Congolese military failed, prompting their defection in 2012 and the formation of the M23 armed group - named after the 23 March 2009 peace agreements. Renewed conflict has lead to the displacement of large numbers of persons and significant human rights abuses. As of February 2013, peace talks between the Congolese government and the M23 were on-going. In addition, the DRC continues to experience violence committed by other armed groups including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and Mai Mai groups. In the most recent national elections, held in November 2011, disputed results allowed Joseph KABILA to be reelected to the presidency.

Area

2,344,858 sq km 2,267,048 sq km 77,810 sq km

total

2,344,858 sq km

water

77,810 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US

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)

Coastline

37 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m

highest point

Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage

Environment - international agreements

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

party to

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

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.68 cu km/yr (68%/21%/11%) 11.25 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

11.25 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.68 cu km/yr (68%/21%/11%)

Geographic coordinates

0 00 N, 25 00 E

Geography - note

straddles equator; has narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands; second largest country in Africa (after Algeria)

Irrigated land

105 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

10,730 km Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, South Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km

border countries

Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, South Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km

total

10,730 km

Land use

2.9% 0.32% 96.78% (2011)

arable land

2.9%

other

96.78% (2011)

permanent crops

0.32%

Location

Central Africa, northeast of Angola

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm boundaries with neighbors

exclusive economic zone

boundaries with neighbors

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); active volcanoes in the east along the Great Rift Valley Nyiragongo (elev. 3,470 m), which erupted in 2002 and is experiencing ongoing activity, poses a major threat to the city of Goma, home to a quarter million people; the volcano 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, which erupted in 2010, is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke is the only other historically active volcano

volcanism

Nyiragongo (elev. 3,470 m), which erupted in 2002 and is experiencing ongoing activity, poses a major threat to the city of Goma, home to a quarter million people; the volcano 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, which erupted in 2010, is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke is the only other historically active volcano

Natural resources

cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber

Terrain

vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east

Total renewable water resources

1,283 cu km (2011)

Age structure

43.5% (male 16,549,895/female 16,303,497) 21.3% (male 8,055,525/female 8,014,205) 29.1% (male 10,955,261/female 11,003,910) 3.5% (male 1,247,479/female 1,420,102) 2.6% (male 822,168/female 1,135,266) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

43.5% (male 16,549,895/female 16,303,497)

15-24 years

21.3% (male 8,055,525/female 8,014,205)

25-54 years

29.1% (male 10,955,261/female 11,003,910)

55-64 years

3.5% (male 1,247,479/female 1,420,102)

65 years and over

2.6% (male 822,168/female 1,135,266) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

36.34 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

8,284,395 42 % (2010 est.)

percentage

42 % (2010 est.)

total number

8,284,395

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

28.2% (2007)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

17.7% (2010)

Death rate

10.54 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

91.9 % 86.4 % 5.5 % 18.2 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

5.5 %

potential support ratio

18.2 (2013)

total dependency ratio

91.9 %

youth dependency ratio

86.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 79% of population rural: 27% of population total: 45% of population urban: 21% of population rural: 73% of population total: 55% of population (2010 est.)

rural

73% of population

total

55% of population (2010 est.)

urban

21% of population

Education expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population

Health expenditures

8.5% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

74.87 deaths/1,000 live births 78.56 deaths/1,000 live births 71.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

71.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

74.87 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba

Life expectancy at birth

56.14 years 54.66 years 57.66 years (2013 est.)

female

57.66 years (2013 est.)

total population

56.14 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba 66.8% 76.9% 57% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba

female

57% (2010 est.)

male

76.9%

total population

66.8%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and trypanosomiasis-gambiense (African sleeping sickness) schistosomiasis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria, dengue fever, and trypanosomiasis-gambiense (African sleeping sickness)

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

KINSHASA (capital) 8.798 million; Lubumbashi 1.543 million; Mbuji-Mayi 1.488 million; Kananga 878,000; Kisangani 812,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

540 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

17.7 years 17.5 years 17.9 years (2013 est.)

female

17.9 years (2013 est.)

male

17.5 years

total

17.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.2 (2007 est.)

Nationality

Congolese (singular and plural) Congolese or Congo

adjective

Congolese or Congo

noun

Congolese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

1.7% (2008)

Physicians density

0.11 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

75,507,308 (July 2013 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

2.54% (2013 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 24% of population rural: 24% of population total: 24% of population urban: 76% of population rural: 76% of population total: 76% of population (2010 est.)

rural

76% of population

total

76% of population (2010 est.)

urban

76% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

8 years 10 years 7 years (2011)

female

7 years (2011)

male

10 years

total

8 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.87 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.72 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.95 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Urbanization

34.3% of total population (2011) 4.19% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.19% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

34.3% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and 1 city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo (Lower Congo), Equateur, Kasai-Occidental (West Kasai), Kasai-Oriental (East Kasai), Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu (North Kivu), Orientale, Sud-Kivu (South Kivu) according to the Constitution adopted in December 2005, the current administrative divisions were to be subdivided into 26 new provinces by 2009 but this has yet to be implemented

Capital

Kinshasa 4 19 S, 15 18 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

4 19 S, 15 18 E

name

Kinshasa

time difference

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

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 13 May 2005, approved by referendum 18-19 December 2005, promulgated 18 February 2006; revised 2011 (2011)

Country name

Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC Republique Democratique du Congo RDC Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire DRC

abbreviation

DRC

conventional long form

Democratic Republic of the Congo

conventional short form

DRC

former

Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire

local long form

Republique Democratique du Congo

local short form

RDC

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador James C. SWAN (since 5 September 2013) 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa Unit 2220, DPO AE 09828 [243] (081) 556-0151 [243] (081) 556-0175

chief of mission

Ambassador James C. SWAN (since 5 September 2013)

embassy

310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa

FAX

[243] (081) 556-0175

mailing address

Unit 2220, DPO AE 09828

telephone

[243] (081) 556-0151

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Faida Maramuke MITIFU (since 3 February 2000) Suite 601, 1726 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036 [1] (202) 234-7690 through 7691 [1] (202) 234-2609 New York

chancery

Suite 601, 1726 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Faida Maramuke MITIFU (since 3 February 2000)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 234-2609

telephone

[1] (202) 234-7690 through 7691

Executive branch

President Joseph KABILA (since 17 January 2001) Prime Minister Augustin MATATA PONYO Mapon (since 18 April 2012) Ministers of State appointed by the president under the new constitution the president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 28 November 2011 (next to be held in November 2016); prime minister appointed by the president Joseph KABILA reelected president; percent of vote - Joseph KABILA 49%, Etienne TSHISEKEDI 32.3%, other 18.7%; note - election marred by serious voting irregularities Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, following the latter's assassination in January 2001; negotiations with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitional government in July 2003 with free elections held on 30 July 2006 and a run-off on 29 October 2006 confirming Joseph KABILA as president

cabinet

Ministers of State appointed by the president

chief of state

President Joseph KABILA (since 17 January 2001)

election results

Joseph KABILA reelected president; percent of vote - Joseph KABILA 49%, Etienne TSHISEKEDI 32.3%, other 18.7%; note - election marred by serious voting irregularities

elections

under the new constitution the president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 28 November 2011 (next to be held in November 2016); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Augustin MATATA PONYO Mapon (since 18 April 2012)

Flag description

sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner; blue represents peace and hope, red the blood of the country's martyrs, and yellow the country's wealth and prosperity; the star symbolizes unity and the brilliant future for the country

Government type

republic

Independence

30 June 1960 (from Belgium)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice (organized into legislative and judiciary sections and consists of 26 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) Supreme Court of Justice judges nominated by the Judicial Service Council, an independent body of public prosecutors and selected judges of the lower courts; judges 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 State Security Court; Court of Appeals (organized into administrative and judiciary sections); Tribunal de Grande; magistrates' courts; customary courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Justice (organized into legislative and judiciary sections and consists of 26 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court of Justice judges nominated by the Judicial Service Council, an independent body of public prosecutors and selected judges of the lower courts; judges 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

subordinate courts

State Security Court; Court of Appeals (organized into administrative and judiciary sections); Tribunal de Grande; magistrates' courts; customary courts

Legal system

civil legal system based on Belgian version of French civil law

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of a Senate (108 seats; members elected by provincial assemblies to serve five-year terms) and a National Assembly (500 seats; 61 members elected by majority vote in single-member constituencies, 439 members elected by open list proportional-representation in multi-member constituencies to serve five-year terms) Senate - last held on 19 January 2007 (next scheduled for 5 June 2013; though likely to be delayed); National Assembly - last held on 28 November 2011 (next to be held in 2016) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 22, MLC 14, FR 7, RCD 7, PDC 6, CDC 3, MSR 3, PALU 2, independents 26, others 18 (political parties that won a single seat); National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 62, UDPS 41, PPPD 29, MSR 27, MLC 22, PALU 19, UNC 17, ARC 16, AFDC 15, ECT 11, RRC 11, independents 16, others 214 (includes numerous political parties that won 10 or fewer seats and 2 constituencies where voting was halted); note - the November 2011 elections were married by violence including the destruction of ballots in two constituencies resulting in the closure of polling sites; election results were delayed three months, stongly contested, and continue to be unresolved

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 22, MLC 14, FR 7, RCD 7, PDC 6, CDC 3, MSR 3, PALU 2, independents 26, others 18 (political parties that won a single seat); National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 62, UDPS 41, PPPD 29, MSR 27, MLC 22, PALU 19, UNC 17, ARC 16, AFDC 15, ECT 11, RRC 11, independents 16, others 214 (includes numerous political parties that won 10 or fewer seats and 2 constituencies where voting was halted); note - the November 2011 elections were married by violence including the destruction of ballots in two constituencies resulting in the closure of polling sites; election results were delayed three months, stongly contested, and continue to be unresolved

elections

Senate - last held on 19 January 2007 (next scheduled for 5 June 2013; though likely to be delayed); National Assembly - last held on 28 November 2011 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Debout Congolaise" (Arise Congolese) Joseph LUTUMBA/Simon-Pierre BOKA di Mpasi Londi adopted 1960; the anthem was replaced during the period in which the country was known as Zaire, but was readopted in 1997

lyrics/music

Joseph LUTUMBA/Simon-Pierre BOKA di Mpasi Londi

name

"Debout Congolaise" (Arise Congolese)

National holiday

Independence Day, 30 June (1960)

National symbol(s)

leopard

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democrat Party or PDC [Jose ENDUNDO] Congolese Rally for Democracy or RCD [Azarias RUBERWA] Convention of Christian Democrats or CDC Forces of Renewal or FR [Mbusa NYAMWISI] Movement for the Liberation of the Congo or MLC [Jean-Pierre BEMBA] People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy or PPRD [Joseph KABILA] Social Movement for Renewal or MSR [Pierre LUMBI] Unified Lumumbist Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA] Union for the Congolese Nation or UNC [Vital KAMERHE] Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI] Union of Mobutuist Democrats or UDEMO [MOBUTU Nzanga]

Political pressure groups and leaders

FARDC (Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo) - Army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which commits atrocities on citizens FDLR (Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda) - Rwandan militia group made up of some of the perpetrators of Rwanda's Genocide in 1994 CNDP (National Congress for the Defense of the People) - mainly Congolese Tutsis who want refugees returned and more representation in government M23 - rebel group comprised largely from ex-CNDP forces

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, cotton, cocoa, quinine, cassava (manioc), bananas, plantains, peanuts, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products

Budget

$5.104 billion $5.537 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$5.537 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$5.104 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4% (31 December 2012 est.) 20% (31 December 2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

28.45% (31 December 2012 est.) 43.75% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-2.254 billion (2012 est.) $-1.665 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$6.087 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.448 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast natural resource wealth - is slowly recovering after decades of decline. Systemic corruption since independence in 1960, combined with country-wide instability and conflict that began in the mid-90s has dramatically reduced national output and government revenue and increased external debt. With the installation of a transitional government in 2003 after peace accords, economic conditions slowly began to improve as the transitional government reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, and President KABILA began implementing reforms. Progress has been slow to reach the interior of the country although clear changes are evident in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. An uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of transparency in government policy are long-term problems for the mining sector and for the economy as a whole. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector and is not reflected in GDP data. Renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most export income, has boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth in recent years. The global recession cut economic growth in 2009 to less than half its 2008 level, but growth returned to around 7% per year in 2010-12. The DRC signed a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF in 2009 and received $12 billion in multilateral and bilateral debt relief in 2010, but the IMF at the end of 2012 suspended the last three payments under the loan facility - worth $240 million - because of concerns about the lack of transparency in mining contracts. In 2012, the DRC updated its business laws by adhering to OHADA, the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa. The country marked its tenth consecutive year of positive economic expansion in 2012.

Exchange rates

Congolese francs (CDF) per US dollar - 920.25 (2012 est.) 916.25 (2011 est.) 905.91 (2010 est.) 472.19 (2009) 559 (2008)

Exports

$8.872 billion (2012 est.) $9.472 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, copper, gold, cobalt, wood products, crude oil, coffee

Exports - partners

China 54.3%, Zambia 22.6%, Belgium 5.7% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

65.9% 12.5% 28.2% 1% 57.2% -63.8% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

57.2%

government consumption

12.5%

household consumption

65.9%

imports of goods and services

-63.8%

investment in fixed capital

28.2%

investment in inventories

1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

46.3% 20.8% 32.9% (2012 est.)

agriculture

46.3%

industry

20.8%

services

32.9% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$400 (2012 est.) $400 (2011 est.) $300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.2% (2012 est.) 6.9% (2011 est.) 7.2% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$17.01 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$27.29 billion (2012 est.) $25.47 billion (2011 est.) $23.83 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.3% 34.7% (2006)

highest 10%

34.7% (2006)

lowest 10%

2.3%

Imports

$8.187 billion (2012 est.) $8.916 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels

Imports - partners

South Africa 22.3%, China 15.3%, Belgium 8%, Zambia 6.9%, Zimbabwe 5.6%, France 4.9%, Kenya 4.7% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.5% (2012 est.) 15.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

34.12 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

71% (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.633 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.268 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$3.087 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.654 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.708 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.861 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$986.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) $862.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

30% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.721 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

22,240 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

20,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

180 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

6.197 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

916 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

1.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

98.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

161 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.437 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

7.804 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

991.1 million cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

10,240 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

16,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned TV broadcast station with near national coverage; more than a dozen privately owned TV stations with 2 having near national coverage; 2 state-owned radio stations are supplemented by more than 100 private radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.cd

Internet hosts

2,515 (2012)

Internet users

290,000 (2008)

Telephone system

barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations; inadequate fixed line infrastructure state-owned operator providing less than 1 fixed-line connection per 1000 persons; given the backdrop of a wholly inadequate fixed-line infrastructure, the use of mobile-cellular services has surged and mobile teledensity is roughly 20 per 100 persons country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

state-owned operator providing less than 1 fixed-line connection per 1000 persons; given the backdrop of a wholly inadequate fixed-line infrastructure, the use of mobile-cellular services has surged and mobile teledensity is roughly 20 per 100 persons

general assessment

barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations; inadequate fixed line infrastructure

international

country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

58,200 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

19.487 million (2012)

Airports

198 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

17

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

3

total

26

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

65 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

20

914 to 1,523 m

87

total

172

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

petroleum tanker 1 1 (Republic of the Congo 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

1 (Republic of the Congo 1) (2010)

total

1

Pipelines

gas 62 km; oil 77 km; refined products 756 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Banana Boma, Bumba, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka (Congo); Kindu (Lualaba); Bukavu, Goma (Lake Kivu); Kalemie (Lake Tanganyika)

major seaport(s)

Banana

river or lake port(s)

Boma, Bumba, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka (Congo); Kindu (Lualaba); Bukavu, Goma (Lake Kivu); Kalemie (Lake Tanganyika)

Railways

4,007 km 3,882 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

4,007 km

Roadways

153,497 km 2,794 km 150,703 km (2004)

total

153,497 km

unpaved

150,703 km (2004)

Waterways

15,000 km (including the Congo, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

15,980,106 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

15,980,106 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

10,168,258 10,331,693 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

10,331,693 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

10,168,258

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

877,684 871,880 (2010 est.)

female

871,880 (2010 est.)

male

877,684

Military branches

Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2011)

Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC)

Army, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC) (2011)

Military expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-45 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2012)

Disputes - international

heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16,500 uniformed peacekeepers; members of Uganda's Lords Resistance Army forces continue to seek refuge in Congo's Garamba National Park as peace talks with the Uganda government evolve; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area; Uganda and DRC dispute Rukwanzi Island in Lake Albert and other areas on the Semliki River with hydrocarbon potential; boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda River claimed by Zambia near the DRC village of Pweto; DRC accuses Angola of shifting monuments

Illicit drugs

one of Africa's biggest producers of cannabis, but mostly for domestic consumption; traffickers exploit lax shipping controls to transit pseudoephedrine through the capital; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

50,736 (Rwanda); 9,368 (Burundi) (2012); 47,000 (Central African Republic) (2013) 2,669,069 (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2012)

IDPs

2,669,069 (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

50,736 (Rwanda); 9,368 (Burundi) (2012); 47,000 (Central African Republic) (2013)

Trafficking in persons

Democratic Republic of the Congo is a source, destination, and possibly a transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of this trafficking is internal, and much of it is perpetrated by armed groups and government forces outside government control within the country's unstable eastern provinces; Congolese women and children have been exploited internally as domestic servants, while others migrate to Angola, South Africa, Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan, as well as East African, Middle Eastern, and European nations where they are subjected to forced prostitution, domestic servitude, and forced labor in agriculture and diamond mines; indigenous and foreign armed groups (including the Lord's Resistance Army) abduct and forcibly recruit Congolese adults and children to serve as laborers, porters, domestics, combatants, and sex slaves; some commanders of the Congolese national army also recruit, at times through force, men and children for use as combatants, escorts, and porters Tier 3 - The Democratic Republic of the Congo does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government signed a UN-backed action plan to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers within its armed forces but has not applied legal sanctions against those who recruit and use child soldiers and has not reported any law enforcement efforts to combat any other forms of trafficking; besides child soldiers, the government has not reported identifying any other victims of forced labor or sex trafficking or providing protective services or referrals to NGO-operated care facilities; NGOs continue to provide the vast majority of the limited shelter, legal, medical, and psychological services available to victims (2013)

current situation

Democratic Republic of the Congo is a source, destination, and possibly a transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of this trafficking is internal, and much of it is perpetrated by armed groups and government forces outside government control within the country's unstable eastern provinces; Congolese women and children have been exploited internally as domestic servants, while others migrate to Angola, South Africa, Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan, as well as East African, Middle Eastern, and European nations where they are subjected to forced prostitution, domestic servitude, and forced labor in agriculture and diamond mines; indigenous and foreign armed groups (including the Lord's Resistance Army) abduct and forcibly recruit Congolese adults and children to serve as laborers, porters, domestics, combatants, and sex slaves; some commanders of the Congolese national army also recruit, at times through force, men and children for use as combatants, escorts, and porters

tier rating

Tier 3 - The Democratic Republic of the Congo does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government signed a UN-backed action plan to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers within its armed forces but has not applied legal sanctions against those who recruit and use child soldiers and has not reported any law enforcement efforts to combat any other forms of trafficking; besides child soldiers, the government has not reported identifying any other victims of forced labor or sex trafficking or providing protective services or referrals to NGO-operated care facilities; NGOs continue to provide the vast majority of the limited shelter, legal, medical, and psychological services available to victims (2013)