Capital: Kinshasa
Population
Total Population:
109,276,265
Natural Increase:
3.2%
Density:
45 Inhabitants/km²
Urban Population:
48.1%
Population of main cities including suburbs:
Kinshasa (7,274,000); Lubumbashi (1,283,400); Mbuji-Mayi (1,213,800); Kananga (720,400); Kisangani (682,600); Bukavu (471,800); Kolwezi (456,500); Likasi (367,300); Tshikapa (366,500)
Ethnic Origins:
Over 200 African ethnic groups exist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the majority of which are Bantu, the others are Sudanese, Nilotic and Pygmy. The four largest tribes in the country are Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu) and Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic).
Official Language:
French
Other Languages Spoken:
It is estimated that a total of 242 languages are spoken in the country. Four indigenous languages have the status of national language: Kituba (also referred to as "Kikongo"), Lingala, Swahili and Tshiluba.
Business Language(s):
English
Religion:
Christian 93%, Kimbanguist 2.8%, Muslim 1.3%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 1.2%, none 1.3%, unspecified 0.4%
Literacy Rate:
67.2%
Local Time:
It is %T:%M %A In Kinshasa
It is %T:%M %A In Lubumbashi
Exchange Rate on
:
National Currency: Congolese Franc (CDF)
Country Overview
Area:
2,344,860 km²
Type of State:
Semi-presidential republic.
Type of Economy:
Low income, primarily agricultural economy dependent on international aid..
The DRC is growing, driven mainly by commodity prices, but growth is uneven due to political instability and governance challenges.
HDI*:
0.522/1
HDI (World Rank):
172/192
Note: (*) The HDI, Human Development Index, measures a country's development in terms of quality of life. It mainly takes into account life expectancy, level of education and GDP per capita.
Telecommunication
Telephone Code:
To call from the Democratic Republic of Congo, dial 00
To call the Democratic Republic of Congo, dial +243
Internet Suffix:
.cd
Households with a computer:
5.3 per 100 Inhabitants
Telephone Lines:
0.1 per 100 Inhabitants
Internet Users:
30.5 per 100 Inhabitants
Access to Electricity:
22.1% of the Population
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Latest Update: October 2025
Democratic Republic of Congo: Introducció
