“The country has a high need score due to limited access to basic services, a high under-5 mortality rate, and a low stability score reflecting governance and peace concerns. Despite a growing economy, DR Congo struggles with poverty, inequality, and a lack of infrastructure. The country's economic growth is hindered by its low level of bank account ownership and limited access to electricity and internet.”
49/100
Need
Humanitarian pressure
32/100
Opportunity
Growth potential
28/100
Stability
Governance score
AI Brief
CODUpdated today
DR Congo faces significant humanitarian and economic challenges
The country has a high need score due to limited access to basic services, a high under-5 mortality rate, and a low stability score reflecting governance and peace concerns. Despite a growing economy, DR Congo struggles with poverty, inequality, and a lack of infrastructure. The country's economic growth is hindered by its low level of bank account ownership and limited access to electricity and internet.
•Only 39.21% of the population has a bank account, limiting access to financial services
•The country has a low level of electricity access, with only 13% of the population connected to the grid
•Despite a growing economy, DR Congo's GDP per capita remains low at $806.78 USD
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Did you know?
The Congo River Basin, which includes DR Congo, is home to the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering an area of over 2 million square kilometers
High under-5 mortality rate of 89.70 per 1k, indicating a significant public health risk
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Key Indicators
Bank Account Ownership
39.21%
% of adults with a bank or mobile money account. Africa average: ~55%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Agricultural Land
15.48% land
% of land used for crops or livestock. Africa average: ~43%.
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Government Education Expenditure
2.84% GDP
World Bank (2022)Updated today
Electricity Access
13%
Share of population with access to electricity. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~47%.
UN SDG (2010)Updated today
Energy Use per Capita
409.43kg oil eq
World Bank (2023)Updated today
FDI Inflows
2.05% GDP
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Female Labour Force Participation
48.88%
Share of women ages 15+ who are employed or seeking work. Global average: ~47%.
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Forest Area
54.19% land
% of land covered by forest. Africa average: ~22%.
World Bank (2023)Updated today
GDP Growth
5.76%
Annual % change in national economic output. Global average: ~3%.
World Bank (2025)Updated today
GDP per Capita
806.78USD
GDP per person in current USD. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~$1,700.
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Current Health Expenditure
3.68% GDP
Government + private health spending as % of GDP. Global average: ~10%.
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Internally Displaced Persons
6 215 000people
People displaced within their own country. Africa hosts the most IDPs globally. Source: UNHCR.
UNHCR (2024)Updated today
Internet Access
19.67%
Share of population using the internet. Africa average: ~43%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Life Expectancy
63.91years
Average years a newborn is expected to live. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~62 years.
WHO GHO (2021)Updated today
Adult Literacy Rate
68.5%
Share of adults (15+) who can read and write. Africa average: ~70%.
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Marine Protected Areas
0.5% waters
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Maternal Mortality
427.05per 100k
Deaths per 100,000 live births. Global average: 223; sub-Saharan Africa: ~450.
WHO GHO (2023)Updated today
4G Mobile Network Coverage
50%
UN SDG (2010)Updated today
Mobile Subscriptions
58.53per 100
SIM cards per 100 people (can exceed 100 due to multiple SIMs). Africa average: ~85.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Under-5 Mortality
89.7per 1k
Deaths per 1,000 live births before age 5. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~65.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
NCD Premature Mortality (30–70)
25.1%
WHO GHO (2021)Updated today
Obesity Prevalence
6.69%
WHO GHO (2024)Updated today
Medical Doctors
2.08per 10k
Medical doctors per 10,000 people. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~2.2.
WHO GHO (2022)Updated today
Political Stability Index
-2.04/100
World Governance Indicators score 0–100. Higher = more stable. Normalized from -2.5/+2.5 scale.
World Bank WGI (2023)Updated today
Population
112 832 473
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Primary Completion Rate
75.71%
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Protected Areas
14.9% total
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Renewable Electricity Output
90.43%
% of electricity from renewable sources (hydro, solar, wind, geothermal).
World Bank (2021)Updated today
Safe Sanitation Access
13.08%
Share using safely managed sanitation. Global average: ~57%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Population in Slums
78.36% urban
World Bank (2022)Updated today
Stunting, Children Under 5
44.7%
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Undernourishment Prevalence
38.5%
Share of population with insufficient food intake. Africa average: ~20%.
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Unemployment Rate
4.43%
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Urban Population Share
45.11%
Share of population living in urban areas. Africa average: ~44%.
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Safe Drinking Water Access
11.87%
Share using safely managed drinking water. Global average: ~74%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Women in Parliament
12.8%
Share of parliamentary seats held by women. Global average: ~27%.
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Trusted Actions
DonateVerified A
Emergency medical response — DR Congo
Médecins Sans Frontières — Africa
MSF teams provide trauma surgery and cholera treatment in conflict-affected areas of eastern DRC. No strings attached — funding goes where it's most needed.