Quick facts
Republic of the Congo population overview
The Republic of the Congo is the 36th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 6,561,392 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.3% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 419 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 196,186 births (29.9 per 1,000 people) and 40,681 deaths (6.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 3,281 people. The infant mortality rate is 26.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,056,732 in 1960 to 6,484,437 in 2025 — a change of +513.6%, or +2.8% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 18.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 66.4 years; women have on average 4.1 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 39.9% of residents are under 15 and 3.1% are 65 or older (2025); 64.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Brazzaville. The Republic of the Congo covers 342,000 km², giving a population density of about 19.5 people per km². GDP was $16.31B in 2025 — about $2,515 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Republic of the Congo population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 6,683,310 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 6,561,392 |
| World rank | #112 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #36 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.081% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.3% |
| Births per year est. | 196,186 |
| Deaths per year est. | 40,681 |
| Net migration per year est. | -3,281 |
| Birth rate | 29.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 26.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 99.9 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 18.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 66.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 4.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 64.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 342,000 km² |
| Population density | 19.5 per km² |
| Capital | Brazzaville |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $16.31B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $2,515 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Republic of the Congo population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 6,683,310 | – | – |
| 2025 | 6,484,437 | +151,476 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | 6,332,961 | +150,076 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | 6,182,885 | +147,781 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 6,035,104 | +142,921 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | 5,892,183 | +139,392 | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 5,752,791 | +655,210 | +2.4% |
| 2015 | 5,097,581 | +635,291 | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 4,462,290 | +765,897 | +3.8% |
| 2005 | 3,696,393 | +545,048 | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 3,151,345 | +401,884 | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 2,749,461 | +368,901 | +2.9% |
| 1990 | 2,380,560 | +321,249 | +2.9% |
| 1985 | 2,059,311 | +230,326 | +2.4% |
| 1980 | 1,828,985 | +201,953 | +2.4% |
| 1975 | 1,627,032 | +229,394 | +3.1% |
| 1970 | 1,397,638 | +189,758 | +3% |
| 1965 | 1,207,880 | +151,148 | +2.7% |
| 1960 | 1,056,732 | – | – |
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.
About Congo
Population over time
- From 1,056,732 in 1960 to 6,683,310 today — up 532.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 66 years (2024), up 18.4 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4.1 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 30.4 births vs 6.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 24.2 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 39.9% of the population is under 15 and 3.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 3.5% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 8.46 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 12.88 Mt in 1974 — down 34.4% since.
- Per person: 1.34 t in 2024, vs 1.29 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 576 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 74.2% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 71.4% of final energy in 2021 (+6 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 64.1% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 65.3% to 64.1% since 1990 — roughly 4,146 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 64.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 36.7% in 1960 (+27.4 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1983.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 36,785 m³ in 2022, down 82% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $16.31B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 31.1% since 2015.
- That works out to $2,515 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 19.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 47.3% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 95.5 per 100 people (2024).
Congo in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Republic of the Congo in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Republic of the Congo has an estimated population of 6,683,310. The United Nations estimated 6,561,392 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Republic of the Congo growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.3% per year — roughly 419 more people every day. Each year there are about 196,186 births and 40,681 deaths, with net migration of -3,281.
What is the population density of the Republic of the Congo?
About 19.5 people per square kilometre: 6,683,310 people living on 342,000 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Republic of the Congo?
The median age is 18.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 66.4 years. 39.9% of the population is under 15 and 3.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Republic of the Congo rank by population?
The Republic of the Congo is the 112th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 36th in Africa, with 0.081% of the global population.
How has the population of the Republic of the Congo changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,056,732; by 2025 it had grown to 6,484,437 (+513.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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NicaraguaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.3%); 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 2026-10-19. More about our data.