Quick facts
DR Congo population overview
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the 4th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 114,629,380 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +3.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 9,823 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 4,562,249 births (39.8 per 1,000 people) and 939,961 deaths (8.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 22,926 people. The infant mortality rate is 47.4 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 15,264,846 in 1960 to 112,832,473 in 2025 — a change of +639.2%, or +3.1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 15.9 years; life expectancy at birth is 62.4 years; women have on average 6 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 45.9% of residents are under 15 and 3.1% are 65 or older (2025); 45.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Kinshasa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo covers 2,344,860 km², giving a population density of about 50.1 people per km². GDP was $91.03B in 2025 — about $807 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
DR Congo population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) #15 of 238 → | 117,501,247 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 114,629,380 |
| World rank | #15 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #4 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 1.4% |
| Annual growth rate #4 of 238 → | +3.1% |
| Births per year est. | 4,562,249 |
| Deaths per year est. | 939,961 |
| Net migration per year est. · #116 of 238 → | -22,926 |
| Birth rate #5 of 216 → | 39.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate #74 of 216 → | 8.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality #16 of 238 → | 47.4 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio #116 of 238 → | 98.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age #233 of 238 → | 15.9 years |
| Life expectancy #204 of 216 → | 62.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 · #3 of 216 → | 6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 · #161 of 216 → | 45.1% |
| Surface area 2023 · #11 of 215 → | 2,344,860 km² |
| Population density #152 of 215 → | 50.1 per km² |
| Capital | Kinshasa |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 · #82 of 212 → | $91.03B |
| GDP per capita 2025 · #203 of 212 → | $807 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
DR Congo population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 117,501,247 | – | – |
| 2025 | 112,832,473 | +3,556,208 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | 109,276,265 | +3,486,534 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | 105,789,731 | +3,392,763 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | 102,396,968 | +3,248,036 | +3.3% |
| 2021 | 99,148,932 | +3,158,934 | +3.3% |
| 2020 | 95,989,998 | +14,954,467 | +3.4% |
| 2015 | 81,035,531 | +12,472,493 | +3.4% |
| 2010 | 68,563,038 | +9,787,314 | +3.1% |
| 2005 | 58,775,724 | +8,268,282 | +3.1% |
| 2000 | 50,507,442 | +6,073,738 | +2.6% |
| 1995 | 44,433,704 | +7,749,641 | +3.9% |
| 1990 | 36,684,063 | +5,419,247 | +3.2% |
| 1985 | 31,264,816 | +4,553,717 | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 26,711,099 | +3,689,998 | +3% |
| 1975 | 23,021,101 | +2,883,665 | +2.7% |
| 1970 | 20,137,436 | +2,709,634 | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 17,427,802 | +2,162,956 | +2.7% |
| 1960 | 15,264,846 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
Largest cities in DR Congo
| # | City | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinshasa Capital | 16,000,000 | 13.6% |
| 2 | Lubumbashi | 2,221,925 | 1.9% |
| 3 | Mbuji-Mayi | 2,101,332 | 1.8% |
| 4 | Kisangani | 1,602,144 | 1.4% |
| 5 | Kananga | 1,271,704 | 1.1% |
| 6 | Bukavu | 816,811 | 0.7% |
| 7 | Kolwezi | 790,248 | 0.7% |
| 8 | Likasi | 635,768 | 0.5% |
Kinshasa is the largest city with 16,000,000 people and is also the capital. City figures are the latest official estimates for the city proper, so shares are approximate. Full list of DR Congo cities →
About Democratic Republic of the Congo
Population over time
- From 15,264,846 in 1960 to 117,501,247 today — up 669.8%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +3.4% per year.
- World rank: Population #15 of 238 · Population growth rate #4 of 238.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 62.1 years (2024), up 21.3 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 6 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
- World rank: Life expectancy #204 of 216 · Fertility rate #3 of 216.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 40.9 births vs 8.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 32.5 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
- World rank: Birth rate #5 of 216 · Death rate #74 of 216.
Age structure
- 45.9% of the population is under 15 and 3.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
- World rank: Population under 15 #5 of 216 · Population aged 65+ #190 of 216 · Median age #233 of 238.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 6.21 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.06 t in 2024, vs 0.15 t in 1970.
- World rank: CO₂ emissions #130 of 203 · CO₂ emissions per capita #193 of 203.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 409.4 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 27.3% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 96.3% of final energy in 2021 (+4.3 points since 1990).
- World rank: Energy use per capita #129 of 150 · Renewable energy share #1 of 212.
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 54.2% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 66.4% to 54.2% since 1990 — roughly 287,313 km² of forest lost.
- World rank: Forest area #41 of 213.
Urban population (% of total)
- 45.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 22.3% in 1960 (+22.8 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
- World rank: Urban population #161 of 216.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 8,789 m³ in 2022, down 84.7% since 1961.
- World rank: Freshwater resources per capita #52 of 183 · Water stress #173 of 177.
Economy
- GDP: $91.03B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 126.6% since 2015.
- That works out to $807 per person.
- World rank: GDP #82 of 212 · GDP per capita #203 of 212.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 4.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.9% in 2016.
- World rank: Unemployment rate #114 of 186 · Inflation rate #100 of 191.
Internet & mobile
- 19.7% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 58.5 per 100 people (2024).
- World rank: Internet users #194 of 209 · Mobile subscriptions #196 of 210.
Democratic Republic of the Congo in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has an estimated population of 117,501,247. The United Nations estimated 114,629,380 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +3.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +3.1% per year — roughly 9,823 more people every day. Each year there are about 4,562,249 births and 939,961 deaths, with net migration of -22,926.
What is the population density of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
About 50.1 people per square kilometre: 117,501,247 people living on 2,344,860 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The median age is 15.9 years, and life expectancy at birth is 62.4 years. 45.9% of the population is under 15 and 3.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Democratic Republic of the Congo rank by population?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the 15th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 4th in Africa, with 1.4% of the global population.
How has the population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 15,264,846; by 2025 it had grown to 112,832,473 (+639.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Egypt
Tanzania
Philippines
Japan
Vietnam
MexicoCite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). DR Congo Population 2026 — Live Counter. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/country/dr-congo/<a href="https://glostats.com/country/dr-congo/">DR Congo Population 2026 — Live Counter</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
Sources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+3.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.