Congo (Brazzaville)

Republic of the Congo

Africa Brazzaville

Population

6.10M

Area

342,000 km²

GDP

$15.72B

GDP Per Capita

$6,200

Pop. Density

18/km²

Quick Facts

Currency

FrCentral African CFA franc(XAF)

Calling Code

+242

Timezone

UTC+01:00

Languages

French, Kikongo, Lingala

Driving Side

right

Demonym

Congolese

Background

Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. From 1968 to 1992, the country was named the People’s Republic of the Congo. A quarter-century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990, and a democratically elected government took office in 1992, at which time the country reverted to "the Republic of the Congo" name. A two-year civil war that ended in 1999 restored to power former President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, who had ruled from 1979 to 1992. A new constitution adopted three years later provided for a multi-party system and a seven-year presidential term, and the next elections retained SASSOU-Nguesso. After a year of renewed fighting, SASSOU-Nguesso and southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in 2003. SASSOU-Nguesso was reelected in 2009 and, after passing a constitutional referendum allowing him to run for additional terms, was reelected again in 2016 and 2021. The Republic of the Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers.

Historical Trends

GDP (USD)

↑94.7% since 2006

$8B (2006)$16B (2024)

Population

↑65.0% since 2006

3.8M (2006)6.3M (2024)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Latest: 65.8 years

2006: 59.5 years2023: 65.8 years

Data source: World Bank Open Data

Geography20

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

1 00 S, 15 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total : 342,000 sq km
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Montana; about twice the size of Florida

Land boundaries

total: 5,554 km
border countries: Angola 231 km; Cameroon 494 km; Central African Republic 487 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Gabon 2,567 km

Coastline

169 km

Maritime claims

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

Climate

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

Terrain

coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

Elevation

highest point: Mont Nabeba 1,020 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 430 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

agricultural land

31.2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 29.3% (2023 est.)

forest

63.9% (2023 est.)

other

4.9% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

20 sq km (2012)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Oubangui (Ubangi) (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 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)

Major aquifers

Congo Basin

Population distribution

the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

seasonal flooding

Geography - note

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

People & Society30

Population

total: 6,097,665 (2024 est.)
male: 3,045,973
female: 3,051,692

Nationality

noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo

Ethnic groups

Kongo (Bakongo) 40.5%, Teke 16.9%, Mbochi 13.1%, foreigner 8.2%, Sangha 5.6%, Mbere/Mbeti/Kele 4.4%, Punu 4.3%, Pygmy 1.6%, Oubanguiens 1.6%, Duma 1.5%, Makaa 1.3%, other and unspecified 1% (2014-15 est.)

Languages

Languages: French (official), French Lingala and Monokutuba (trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
major-language sample(s):
Buku oyo ya bosembo ya Mokili Mobimba Ezali na Makanisi ya Liboso Mpenza. (Lingala)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions

Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening Churches/Christian Revival 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Salutiste 2.2%, Muslim 1.6%, Kimbanguist 1.5%, other 8.1%, none 11.3% (2007 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 37.8% (male 1,162,298/female 1,143,668)
15-64 years: 57.8% (male 1,770,337/female 1,756,925)
65 years and over: 4.3% (2024 est.) (male 113,338/female 151,099)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 72.9 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 65.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 7.5 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 13.3 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 20.9 years (2025 est.)
male: 20.5 years
female: 20.9 years

Population growth rate

2.36% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Net migration rate

-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville, as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization

urban population: 69.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

2.638 million BRAZZAVILLE (capital), 1.336 million Pointe-Noire (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.6 years (2011/12 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Infant mortality rate

total: 29.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 33.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 72.9 years (2024 est.)
male: 71.5 years
female: 74.3 years

Total fertility rate

3.72 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.83 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 3.9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 3.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

9.6% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 5.74 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 5.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 15.8% (2025 est.)
male: 30% (2025 est.)
female: 1.7% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

51.8% (2023 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 6.9% (2015)
women married by age 18: 27.3% (2015)
men married by age 18: 5.6% (2018 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 3.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 14.7% national budget (2023 est.)

Government25

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of the Congo

conventional short form

Congo (Brazzaville)

local long form

République du Congo

local short form

Congo

former

French Congo, Middle Congo, People's Republic of the Congo, Congo/Brazzaville

etymology

named for the Congo River, which makes up much of the country's eastern border; the river name derives from Kongo, a Bantu kingdom in the area

Government type

presidential republic

Capital

name: Brazzaville
geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: named after the Italian-born French explorer and humanitarian, Pierre Savorgnan de BRAZZA (1852-1905), who founded the town in 1883

Administrative divisions

15 departments; Bouenza, Brazzaville, Congo-Oubangui, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Djoue-Lefini, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Nkeni-Alima, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha

Legal system

mixed system of French civil law and customary law

Constitution

history: several previous; latest approved by referendum 25 October 2015
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; passage of presidential proposals requires Supreme Court review followed by approval in a referendum; such proposals may also be submitted directly to Parliament, in which case passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote of both houses in joint session; proposals by Parliament require three-fourths majority vote of both houses in joint session; constitutional articles including those affecting the country’s territory, republican form of government, and secularity of the state are not amendable

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 1997)

head of government

Prime Minister Anatole Collinet MAKOSSO (since 12 May 2021)

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

election/appointment process

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms)

most recent election date

21 March 2021

election results

2021: Denis SASSOU-Nguesso reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (PCT) 88.4%, Guy Price Parfait KOLELAS (MCDDI) 8.0%, other 3.6%

2016: Denis SASSOU-Nguesso reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (PCT) 60.4%, Guy Price Parfait KOLELAS (MCDDI) 15.1%, Jean-Marie MOKOKO (independent) 13.9%, Pascal Tsaty MABIALA (UPADS) 4.4%, other 6.2%

expected date of next election

21 March 2026

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament (Parlement)
legislative structure: bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)

number of seats

151 (all directly elected)

electoral system

plurality/majority

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

most recent election date

8/20/2023

parties elected and seats per party

Congolese Workers Party (PCT) (112); Other (39)

percentage of women in chamber

14.6%

expected date of next election

July 2026

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

Senate (Sénat)

number of seats

72 (all indirectly elected)

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

6 years

most recent election date

7/10/2022 to 7/31/2022

percentage of women in chamber

31.9%

expected date of next election

August 2029

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges elected by Parliament and serve until age 65; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president of the republic - 3 directly by the president and 6 nominated by Parliament; members appointed for renewable 9-year terms with one third of the membership renewed every 3 years
subordinate courts: Court of Audit and Budgetary Discipline; courts of appeal; regional and district courts; employment tribunals; juvenile courts

Political parties

Alliance of the Presidential Majority or AMP
Action Movement for Renewal or MAR
Citizen's Rally or RC
Congolese Labour Party or PCT
Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI
Congo on the Move or LCEM
Movement for Unity, Solidarity, and Work or MUST
Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS
Club 2002-Party for the Unity and the Republic or Club 2002
Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress or UPDP
Perspectives and Realities Club or CPR
Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS
Republican and Liberal Party or PRL
Union of Democratic Forces or UDF
Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR
Union of Humanist Democrats or UDH-YUKI
Union for the Republic or UR

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Firmine BOUITY (since 6 September 2025)
chancery: 1720 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
email address and website:
info@ambacongo-us.org

http://www.ambacongo-us.org/en-us/home.aspx

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Amanda S. JACOBSEN (since 18 July 2025)
embassy: 70-83 Section D, Boulevard Denis Sassou N'Guesso, Brazzaville
mailing address: 2090 Brazzaville Place, Washington DC 20521-2090
telephone: [242] 06 612-2000, [242] 05 387-9700
email address and website:
BrazzavilleACS@state.gov

https://cg.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

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

Independence

15 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 August (1960)

Flag

description: divided diagonally from the lower-left side by a wide yellow band; the upper triangle (left side) is green, and the lower triangle is red

meaning: green stands for agriculture and forests, and yellow for the people's friendship and nobility; the meaning of the red color is not noted but has been associated with the struggle for independence

National symbol(s)

lion, elephant

National color(s)

green, yellow, red

National anthem(s)

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

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 2 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Sangha Trinational Forest; Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua

Economy28

Economic overview

primarily an oil- and natural resources-based economy; recovery from mid-2010s oil devaluation has been slow and curtailed by COVID-19; extreme poverty increasing, particularly in southern rural regions; attempting to implement recommended CEMAC reforms; increasing likelihood of debt default

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $39.147 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $38.163 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $37.448 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024: 2.6% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 1.9% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 1.5% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024: $6,200 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $6,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $6,200 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.72 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 3.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 4.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 3% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 9.4% (2024 est.)
industry: 40.1% (2024 est.)
services: 45% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

47.4% (2024 est.)

government consumption

13.4% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

26.5% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

0.3% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

52.8% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-40.4% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

cassava, sugarcane, oil palm fruit, bananas, plantains, root vegetables, game meat, vegetables, mangoes/guavas, fruits (2023)

Industries

petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

Industrial production growth rate

0.3% (2024 est.)

Labor force

2.563 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024: 19.7% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 19.9% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 20.2% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 40% (2024 est.)
male: 41% (2024 est.)
female: 39% (2024 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2023: 0.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

Budget

revenues: $2.393 billion (2020 est.)
expenditures: $3.231 billion (2020 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016: 128.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

6.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2021: $1.716 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2020: $1.441 billion (2020 est.)
Current account balance 2019: $1.632 billion (2019 est.)

Exports

Exports 2021: $7.752 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2020: $4.67 billion (2020 est.)
Exports 2019: $7.855 billion (2019 est.)

Exports - partners

China 46%, UAE 23%, India 6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Portugal 3% (2023)

Exports - commodities

crude petroleum, refined copper, gold, wood, refined petroleum (2023)

Imports

Imports 2021: $4.487 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2020: $3.279 billion (2020 est.)
Imports 2019: $4.945 billion (2019 est.)

Imports - partners

China 24%, Angola 20%, Gabon 9%, France 6%, UAE 5% (2023)

Imports - commodities

ships, poultry, garments, iron pipes, refined petroleum (2023)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $715.391 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $835.649 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021: $828.56 million (2021 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023: $6.36 billion (2023 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

606.345 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

606.57 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

623.76 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

554.531 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

575.586 (2020 est.)

Energy7

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 50.6% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 67.5%
electrification - rural areas: 12.4%

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 842,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 2.832 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 31 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 30.588 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 2.335 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 79.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 20.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

imports: 65 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 267,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.882 billion barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

production: 425 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 425 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 283.99 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 7.351 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications6

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 17,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 5,875,800 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 96 (2024 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

Internet country code

.cg

Internet users

percent of population: 38% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 78,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)

Transportation5

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

56 (2025)

Railways

total: 510 km (2014)
narrow gauge: 510 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

Merchant marine

total: 11 (2023)
by type: oil tanker 1, other 10

Ports

total ports

5 (2024)

large

medium

small

very small

ports with oil terminals

key ports

Djeno Terminal, Dussafu Terminal, N'kossa Terminal, Pointe Noire, Yombo Terminal

Military & Security7

Military and security forces

Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force, National Gendarmerie

Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024: 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 2.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 12-14,000 active FAC, including Gendarmerie (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the FAC has a mixed inventory of Chinese, French, Italian, Russian/Soviet, and South African armaments (2025)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (2025)

Military deployments

has about 175 mostly police personnel deployed to the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)

Military - note

the FAC's primary focuses are internal and maritime security; since its creation in 1961, the FAC has had a turbulent history; it has been sidelined by some national leaders in favor of personal militias, endured an internal rebellion (1996), and clashed with various rebel groups and political or ethnic militias (1993-1996, 2002-2005, 2017); during the 1997-1999 civil war, the military generally split along ethnic lines, with most northern officers supporting eventual winner SASSOU-Nguesso, and most southerners backing the rebels; others joined ethnic-based factions loyal to regional warlords; forces backing SASSOU-Nguesso were supported by Angolan troops and received some French assistance; the FAC also has undergone at least three reorganizations that included the incorporation of former rebel combatants and various ethnic and political militias; in recent years, France has provided some advice and training, and a military cooperation agreement was signed with Russia in 2019 (2025)

Transnational Issues2

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 69,766 (2024 est.)

Trafficking in persons

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the Republic of the Congo does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; therefore, the Republic of the Congo was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 and remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/republic-of-the-congo/

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