In 2007, the National Institute of Statistics (INS) estimated the Congolese population at 65.8 million inhabitants of which nearly 7.9 million lived in the only city of Kinshasa, the capital of the country. The population of the DRC is characterized by its extreme youth. In fact, 48% of the population is under 15 years old, and 4% over 60 years old. From the point of view of the distribution of population by place of residence, the 1984 data indicated that about 70% of the Congolese population lived in rural areas, compared to about 30% in the cities. But with the multiple population movements occasioned by armed conflict in recent years, the proportion of the population living in urban areas is currently 43% 1. In terms of ethnic composition, the DRC has some 40 ethnic groups that can be categorized into four main groups: Bantu (majority), Nilotic, Sudanese and Pygmy. French is the official language in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, there are four national languages: Kikongo (spoken in the West), Lingala (spoken in Kinshasa and North-West), Chiluba (spoken in South Center) and Swahili (spoken in the East).
The DRC is the third most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa with an estimated population of 64.420 million, but disproportionately spread over the territory. According to the 1-2-3 Survey (2005), 69.6% of the population lives in rural areas compared with 30.4% in urban areas. The country is underpopulated with only 24 inhabitants per km2. It is worth noting that the city of Kinshasa has a very high density, with 577 inhabitants per km2 as a result of the concentration of economic, school, university and health infrastructures, as well as administrative and political institutions, the rural exodus linked to conflicts and the deterioration of living conditions in rural areas. This creates for the population the idea of having a better job offer in the capital than in the province.
The DRC is experiencing a lack of necessary basic data on its population since the last general census took place in 1984. And yet, the statistics are necessary for the knowledge of the economic and social situation of a country. They are essential for the design, monitoring and evaluation of development policies and programs. This led the government to develop the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics and to adopt a 2013-2017 priority action plan for its implementation.
However, according to estimates the DRC is the third most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa with a population estimated at 64.420 million inhabitants, but disproportionately distributed in the territory. According to the 1-2-3 Survey (2005), 69.6% of the population lives in rural areas compared with 30.4% in urban areas. The country is underpopulated with only 24 inhabitants per km2. It should be particularly emphasized that the city province of Kinshasa a very high density, with 577 inhabitants per km2 due to the concentration of economic, educational facilities, academics and health as well as administrative and political institutions, the rural exodus linked to conflicts and the deterioration of living conditions in rural areas. This creates for the population the idea of having a better job offer in the capital than in the province. In relation to its size, the Democratic Republic of Congo is sparsely populated: 30 inhabitants per km2. The population is concentrated on the plateaus, in the savannah near rivers and lakes; the north and the center of the country, domain of the jungle, are almost empty. The rural exodus has inflated the cities. The largest cities are Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi, Kananga, Kisangani, Bukavu.
Age distribution
0-14 years: 44.4% (men 16,031,347 / women 15,811,818) 15-64 years: 53% (men 18,919,942 / women 19,116,204) 65 years old and over: 2,6% (men 767 119 / women 1,066,437) (2011)
Median age
Total: 17.4 years old Men: 17.2 years old Women: 17.6 years old (2011)
Birth rate
The DRC has the 18th highest birth rate in the world, with 37.74 births / 1,000 people. Death rate The DRC has the 36th highest death rate in the world, with 11.06 deaths / 1,000 people (July 2011). Ratio sex At birth: 1.03 men / women Under 15 years: 1.01 men / women 15-64 years: 0.99 men / women 65 years and over: 0.69 men / women Total population: 0 , 99 man / woman (2011)
Fertility rate
The DRC has the 15th highest fertility rate in the world, with 5.24 children per woman (in 2011).
Maternal mortality rate
The DRC has the 16th highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 670 deaths / 100,000 births (in 2008).
Child mortality rate
The DRC has the 14th highest infant mortality rate in the world. Total: 78.43 deaths / 1,000 births Men: 82.2 deaths / 1,000 births Women: 74.55 deaths / 1,000 births (2011)
Life expectancy
The DRC has the 198th life expectancy rate of the world. Total population: 55.33 years old Men: 53.9 years old Women: 56.8 years old (2011)