Angola

Republic of Angola

Africa Luanda

Population

38.98M

Area

1,246,700 km²

GDP

$80.40B

GDP Per Capita

$7,300

Pop. Density

31/km²

Quick Facts

Currency

KzAngolan kwanza(AOA)

Calling Code

+244

Timezone

UTC+01:00

Languages

Portuguese

Driving Side

right

Demonym

Angolan

Background

Bantu-speaking people settled in the area now called Angola in 6th century A.D.; by the 10th century various Bantu groups had established kingdoms, of which Kongo became the most powerful. From the late-14th to the mid-19th century, a Kingdom of Kongo stretched across central Africa from present-day northern Angola into the current Congo republics. It traded heavily with the Portuguese who, beginning in the 16th century, established coastal colonies and trading posts and introduced Christianity. Angola became a major hub of the transatlantic slave trade conducted by the Portuguese and other European powers -- often in collaboration with local kingdoms, including the Kongo. The Angola area is estimated to have lost as many as 4 million people as a result of the slave trade. The Kingdom of Kongo’s main rival was the Kingdom of Ndongo to its south, whose most famous leader was Nzingha Mbande, the 17th century diplomat to the Portuguese and later Queen, who successfully fought off Portuguese encroachment during her nearly 40-year reign. Smaller kingdoms, such as the Matamba and Ngoyo, often came under the control of the Kongo or Ndongo Kingdoms. During the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, Portugal and other European powers set Angola’s modern borders, but the Portuguese did not fully control large portions of the territory. Portugal gained control of the Kingdom of Kongo in 1888 when Kongo’s King Pedro V sought Portuguese military assistance in exchange for becoming a vassal. After a revolt in 1914, Portugal imposed direct rule over the colony and abolished the Kongo Kingdom.

The Angolan National Revolution began in 1961, and in 1975, Angola won its independence when Portugal’s dictatorship fell, a collapse that occurred in part because of growing discontent over conflict in Angola and other colonies. Angola’s multiple independence movements soon clashed, with the Popular Movement for Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Agostinho NETO, taking power and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, emerging as its main competitor. After NETO’s death in 1979, Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, also of the MPLA, became president. Over time, the Angolan civil war escalated and became a major Cold War conflict, with the Soviet Union and Cuba supporting the MPLA and the US and South Africa supporting UNITA. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost -- and 4 million people displaced -- during the more than a quarter-century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and cemented the MPLA's hold on power. DOS SANTOS did not seek reelection in 2017 and supported Joao LOURENCO’s successful bid to become president. LOURENCO was reelected in 2022. Angola scores low on human development indexes despite using its large oil reserves to rebuild since 2002.

Historical Trends

GDP (USD)

↑72.2% since 2006

$59B (2006)$101B (2024)

Population

↑89.3% since 2006

20.0M (2006)37.9M (2024)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Latest: 64.6 years

2006: 53.0 years2023: 64.6 years

Data source: World Bank Open Data

Geography20

Location

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total : 1,246,700 sq km
land: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

about eight times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries

total: 5,369 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,646 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province); Republic of the Congo 231 km; Namibia 1,427 km; Zambia 1,065 km

Coastline

1,600 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Terrain

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Elevation

highest point: Moco 2,620 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 1,112 m

Natural resources

petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium

Land use

agricultural land

36.9% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 4.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 32.4% (2023 est.)

forest

51.6% (2023 est.)

other

11.5% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

860 sq km (2014)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) (shared with Zambia [s], Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Rio Cubango (Okavango) river source (shared with Namibia and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

Major aquifers

Congo Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Population distribution

most people live in the western half of the country; urban areas account for the highest concentrations of people, particularly the capital of Luanda

Natural hazards

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Geography - note

the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

People & Society33

Population

total: 38,984,796 (2025 est.)
male: 19,115,781
female: 19,869,015

Nationality

noun: Angolan(s)
adjective: Angolan

Ethnic groups

Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, Mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

Languages

Portuguese 71.2% (official), Umbundu 23%, Kikongo 8.2%, Kimbundu 7.8%, Chokwe 6.5%, Nhaneca 3.4%, Nganguela 3.1%, Fiote 2.4%, Kwanhama 2.3%, Muhumbi 2.1%, Luvale 1%, other 3.6% (2014 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 41.1%, Protestant 38.1%, other 8.6%, none 12.3% (2014 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 46.9% (male 8,752,419/female 8,701,422)
15-64 years: 50.7% (male 9,076,080/female 9,795,035)
65 years and over: 2.4% (2024 est.) (male 367,559/female 509,546)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 95.1 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 90 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 5.1 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 19.6 (2025 est.)

Median age

total: 16.6 years (2025 est.)
male: 15.8 years
female: 16.8 years

Population growth rate

3.32% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

39.75 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

6.73 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

0.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

most people live in the western half of the country; urban areas account for the highest concentrations of people, particularly the capital of Luanda

Urbanization

urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 4.04% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

9.292 million LUANDA (capital), 959,000 Lubango, 905,000 Cabinda, 809,000 Benguela, 783,000 Malanje  (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.4 years (2015/16 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

183 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 46.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 60.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 50.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 62.9 years (2024 est.)
male: 60.8 years
female: 65.1 years

Total fertility rate

5.45 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

2.68 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

urban: 71.7% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 27.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 57.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 28.3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 72.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 42.3% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 3% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 6.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.24 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Hospital bed density

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

urban: 93.7% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 30.3% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 73.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 6.3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 69.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 26.5% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

8.2% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 5.84 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.78 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 1.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

57.2% (2016 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 7.9% (2016)
women married by age 18: 30.3% (2016)
men married by age 18: 6% (2016)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 6.5% national budget (2025 est.)

Literacy

total population: 66.2% (2015 est.)
male: 83.8% (2015 est.)
female: 51.9% (2015 est.)

Government23

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Angola

conventional short form

Angola

local long form

Republica de Angola

local short form

Angola

former

People's Republic of Angola

etymology

in the 15th century, Portuguese explorers derived the name from the title "N'gola," which was held by kings of the Ndongo

Government type

presidential republic

Capital

name: Luanda
geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 13 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: does not observe daylight savings time
etymology: the Portuguese named the city São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda (Saint Paul of the Assumption of Loanda); over time, it was shortened to "Luanda," which may derive from a Bantu word meaning "tax" or "duty," in reference to local people paying their dues to the king of the Congo

Administrative divisions

21 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando, Cubango, Cuanza-Norte, Cuanza-Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Icolo e Bengo, Luanda, Lunda-Norte, Lunda-Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Moxico Leste, Namibe, Uige, Zaire

Legal system

civil legal system based on Portuguese civil law; no judicial review of legislation

Constitution

history: previous 1975, 1992; latest passed by National Assembly 21 January 2010, adopted 5 February 2010
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by at least one third of the National Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly subject to prior Constitutional Court review if requested by the president of the republic

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Angola
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

President Joao Manuel Goncalves LOURENCO (since 26 September 2017)

head of government

President Joao Manuel Goncalves LOURENCO (since 26 September 2017)

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

election/appointment process

the candidate of the winning party or coalition in the last legislative election becomes the president; president serves a 5-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term)

most recent election date

24 August 2022

election results

Joao Manuel Goncalves LOURENCO (MPLA) elected president by then winning party following the 24 August 2022 general election

expected date of next election

2027

Legislative branch

legislature name

National Assembly (Assembleia nacional)

legislative structure

unicameral

number of seats

220 (all directly elected)

electoral system

proportional representation

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

most recent election date

8/24/2022

parties elected and seats per party

Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) (124); National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) (90); Other (6)

percentage of women in chamber

39.1%

expected date of next election

August 2027

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 16 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 11 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, an 18-member body chaired by the president; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges - 4 nominated by the president, 4 elected by National Assembly, 2 elected by Supreme National Council, 1 elected by competitive submission of curricula; judges serve single 7-year terms
subordinate courts: provincial and municipal courts

Political parties

Broad Convergence for the Salvation of Angola Electoral Coalition or CASA-CE
Humanist Party of Angola or PHI
National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA; note - party has two factions
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party)
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA; note- ruling party in power since 1975
Social Renewal Party or PRS

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Agostinho de Carvalho dos Santos VAN-DÚNEM (since 30 June 2023)

chancery

2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone

[1] (202) 785-1156

FAX

[1] (202) 822-9049

email address and website

info@angola.org

https://angola.org/

consulate(s) general

Houston, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Shannon Nagy CAZEAU (since 2 October 2025)

embassy

Rua Houari Boumedienne, #32, Luanda

mailing address

2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550

telephone

[244] (222) 64-1000

FAX

[244] (222) 64-1000

email address and website

Consularluanda@state.gov

https://ao.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, 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, OAS (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Flag

description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem of a five-pointed star inside half a cogwheel, crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)

meaning: red stands for liberty and black for the African continent; the emblem symbolizes workers and peasants

National symbol(s)

giant black sable antelope (Palanca negra gigante)

National color(s)

red, black, yellow

National anthem(s)

title: "Angola Avante" (Forward Angola)
lyrics/music: Manuel Rui Alves MONTEIRO/Rui Alberto Vieira Dias MINGAO
history: adopted 1975

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Mbanza-Kongo

Economy32

Economic overview

middle-income, oil-dependent African economy; widespread poverty; rising inflation and currency depreciation; seeking diversification through agricultural production; significant corruption in public institutions; major infrastructure investments from China and US; exited OPEC in 2023

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $278.239 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $266.452 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $263.61 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024: 4.4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 1.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 3% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024: $7,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $7,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $7,400 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$80.397 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 28.2% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 13.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 21.4% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 16.4% (2024 est.)
industry: 44.2% (2024 est.)
services: 39.3% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

55.3% (2024 est.)

government consumption

6.3% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

25% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

0% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

37.9% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-24.4% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

cassava, bananas, maize, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, tomatoes, pineapples, onions, potatoes, citrus fruits (2023)

Industries

petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair

Industrial production growth rate

5% (2024 est.)

Labor force

15.961 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024: 14.5% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 14.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 14.7% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 27.9% (2024 est.)
male: 30.2% (2024 est.)
female: 25.7% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

32.3% (2018 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018: 51.3 (2018 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 50% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 1.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.3% (2018 est.)
highest 10%: 39.6% (2018 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2024: 0% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023: 0% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0% of GDP (2022 est.)

Budget

revenues: $18.117 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures: $13.871 billion (2019 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016: 75.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

10.1% (of GDP) (2019 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024: $6.31 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: $4.185 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $11.763 billion (2022 est.)

Exports

Exports 2024: $36.924 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $36.961 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $50.12 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners

China 40%, India 9%, UAE 6%, Spain 6%, Netherlands 5% (2023)

Exports - commodities

crude petroleum, diamonds, natural gas, ships, refined petroleum (2023)

Imports

Imports 2024: $22.683 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $23.688 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $28.564 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners

China 19%, Portugal 10%, UAE 7%, India 6%, USA 5% (2023)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, wheat, ships, cars, trucks (2023)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $14.243 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $13.942 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $13.655 billion (2022 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023: $45.299 billion (2023 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

kwanza (AOA) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

869.846 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

685.02 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

460.568 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

631.442 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

578.259 (2020 est.)

Energy7

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 48.5% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 76.2%
electrification - rural areas: 7.3% (2018 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 7.6 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 16.214 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.725 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 23.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 74% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

imports: 3,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 1.175 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 121,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 7.783 billion barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

production: 5.984 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 1.244 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 4.928 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 343.002 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 9.146 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications6

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 80,300 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2024 est.) less than 1

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 26.4 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 70 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned media dominate; only four privately owned newspapers still exist in print form; state-run Radio Nacional de Angola (RNA) is the only outlet to offer programs in local languages such as Bantu; private stations operate in cities, including Catholic Radio Ecclesia, but RNA is the only radio broadcaster with near-national coverage (2023)

Internet country code

.ao

Internet users

percent of population: 45% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 137,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1

Transportation6

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

107 (2025)

Heliports

2 (2025)

Railways

total: 2,761 km (2022)
narrow gauge: 2,638 km (2022) 1.067-m gauge

Merchant marine

total: 64 (2023)
by type: general cargo 13, oil tanker 8, other 43

Ports

total ports

21 (2024)

large

medium

small

very small

ports with oil terminals

key ports

Cabinda, Estrela Oil Field, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo Oil Terminal, Namibe, Palanca Terminal, Takula Terminal

Military & Security6

Military and security forces

Angolan Armed Forces (Forcas Armadas Angolanas, FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA)

Ministry of Interior: National Police, Border Guard Police (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024: 1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 100,000 active duty Armed Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

most Angolan military weapons and equipment are of Russian or Soviet-era origin; there are smaller quantities of items originating from such suppliers as China, Brazil, Israel, Italy, South Africa, and the UAE (2025)

Military service age and obligation

20-45 years of age for compulsory and 18-45 years for voluntary military service for men; 20-45 years of age for voluntary service for women; 24-month conscript service obligation; the Navy is entirely staffed with volunteers (2025)

Military - note

the Angolan Armed Forces were created in 1991 under the Bicesse Accords signed between the Angolan Government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA); the current force is responsible for country’s external defense but also has some domestic security responsibilities, such as border protection; it participates in multinational exercises, as well as regional peacekeeping operations, including the deployment of several hundred troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023; in recent years, the military has placed additional emphasis on maritime security and protecting offshore resources (2025)

Transnational Issues1

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 55,542 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 75,308 (2024 est.)

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