World Factbook
Congo, Republic of the
Introduction
Background
Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A two-year civil war that ended in 1999 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, who had ruled from 1979 to 1992, and sparked a short period of ethnic and political unrest that was resolved by a peace agreement in late 1999. A new constitution adopted three years later provided for a multi-party system and a seven-year presidential term, and elections arranged shortly thereafter installed SASSOU-Nguesso. Following a year of renewed fighting, President SASSOU-Nguesso and southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003. SASSOU-Nguesso was reeelected in 2009 and, after passing a referendum allowing him to run for a third term, was reelected again in 2016. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.
Geography
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
country comparison to the world: 65
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Montana; about twice the size of Florida
Land boundaries
total: 5,008 km
border countries (5): Angola 231 km, Cameroon 494 km, Central African Republic 487 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1229 km, Gabon 2567 km
Coastline
169 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
contiguous zone: 24nm
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
mean elevation: 430 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m
Natural resources
petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Land use
agricultural land: 31.1% (2011 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0.2% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 29.3% (2011 est.)
forest: 65.6% (2011 est.)
other: 3.3% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land
20 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville
Natural hazards
seasonal flooding
Environment - current issues
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation; wildlife protection
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
People and Society
Population
5,062,021 (July 2018 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
country comparison to the world: 122
Nationality
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups
Kongo 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
French (official), French Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Religions
Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening Churches/Christian Revival 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Salutiste 2.2%, Muslim 1.6%, Kimbanguiste 1.5%, other 8.1%, none 11.3% (2010 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 41.75%(male 1,066,474 /female 1,046,924)
15-24 years: 16.99%(male 431,279 /female 428,999)
25-54 years: 33.77%(male 857,596 /female 851,712)
55-64 years: 4.39%(male 112,669 /female 109,429)
65 years and over: 3.1%(male 69,621 /female 87,318) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 84.5 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 78.3 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 6.2 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 16.1 (2015 est.)
Median age
total: 19.6 years (2018 est.)
male: 19.4 years
female: 19.8 years
country comparison to the world: 199
Population growth rate
2.17% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Birth rate
33.7 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Death rate
9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Net migration rate
-2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Population distribution
the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville
Urbanization
urban population: 67.4% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 3.28% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population
2.308 million BRAZZAVILLE (capital), 1.176 million Pointe-Noire (2019)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.8 years (2011/12 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality rate
378 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Infant mortality rate
total: 53.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 58.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 48.5 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 23
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 60.3 years (2018 est.)
male: 59 years
female: 61.6 years
country comparison to the world: 208
Total fertility rate
4.26 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Contraceptive prevalence rate
30.1% (2014/15)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 95.8% of population
rural: 40% of population
total: 76.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 4.2% of population
rural: 60% of population
total: 23.5% of population (2015 est.)
Current Health Expenditure
4.6% (2016)
Physicians density
0.12 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 20% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 5.6% of population (2015 est.)
total: 15% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 80% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 94.4% of population (2015 est.)
total: 85% of population (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
2.6% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
89,000 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
HIV/AIDS - deaths
4,000 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: very high (2016)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever (2016)
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis (2016)
animal contact diseases: rabies (2016)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
9.6% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 143
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
12.3% (2015)
country comparison to the world: 54
Education expenditures
4.6% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 82
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 79.3%
male: 86.4%
female: 72.9% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2012)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)
local long form: Republique 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 that occupied its mouth at the time of Portuguese discovery in the late 15th century and whose name stems from its people the Bakongo, meaning "hunters"
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 promoted French colonial interests in central Africa and worked against slavery and the abuse of African laborers
Administrative divisions
12 departments (departments, singular - department); Bouenza, Brazzaville, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha
Independence
15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution
history: several previous; latest approved by referendum 25 October 2015
amendments: 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 (2017)
Legal system
mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
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 25 October 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Clement MOUAMBA (since 24 April 2016); note - a constitutional referendum held in 2015 approved the change of the head of government from the president to the prime minister (2019)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms); election last held on 20 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021)
election results: 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%
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of:
Senate (72 seats; members indirectly elected by regional councils by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms with one-half of membership renewed every 3 years)
National Assembly (151 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms)
elections:
Senate - last held on 31 August 2017 for expiry of half the seats (next to be held in 2020)
National Assembly - last held on 16 and 30 July 2017 (next to be held in July 2022)
election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, independent 12, MAR 2, RDPS 2, UPADS 2, DRD 1, FP 1, MCDDI 1, PRL 1, Pulp 1, PUR 1, RC 1; composition - men 58, women 14, percent of women 19.4%
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 96, UPADS 8, MCDDI 4, other 23 (less than 4 seats) independent 20; composition - men 134, women 17, percent of women 11.3%; note - total Parliament percent of women 13.9%
Judicial branch
highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members); note - a High Court of Justice, outside the judicial authority, tries cases involving treason by the president of the republic
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 and leaders
Action Movement for Renewal or MAR [Roland BOUITI-VIAUDO]
Citizen's Rally or RC [Claude Alphonse NSILOU]
Congolese Labour Party or PCT [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO]
Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Guy Price Parfait KOLELAS]
Movement for Unity, Solidarity, and Work or MUST [Claudine MUNARI]
Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Pascal Tsaty MABIALA]
Party for the Unity of the Republic or PUR
Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress or UPDP [Auguste-Celestin GONGARD NKOUA]
Prospects and Realities Club or CPR
Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Bernard BATCHI]
Rally of the Presidential Majority or RMP
Republican and Liberal Party or PRL [Bonaventure MIZIDY]
Union for the Republic or UR
Union of Democratic Forces or UDF
Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR
many smaller parties
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), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI (since 31 July 2001)
chancery: 1720 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Todd P. HASKELL (since July 2017)
telephone: [242] 06 612-2000
embassy: 70-83 Section D, Maya-Maya Boulevard, Brazzaville
mailing address: B.P. 1015, Brazzaville
Flag description
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National symbol(s)
lion, elephant; national colors: green, yellow, red
National anthem
name: "La Congolaise" (The Congolese)
lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE
note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991
Economy
Economy - overview
The Republic of the Congo’s economy is a mixture of subsistence farming, an industrial sector based largely on oil and support services, and government spending. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. Natural gas is increasingly being converted to electricity rather than being flared, greatly improving energy prospects. New mining projects, particularly iron ore, which entered production in late 2013, may add as much as $1 billion to annual government revenue. The Republic of the Congo is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and shares a common currency – the Central African Franc – with five other member states in the region.The current administration faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. The drop in oil prices that began in 2014 has constrained government spending; lower oil prices forced the government to cut more than $1 billion in planned spending. The fiscal deficit amounted to 11% of GDP in 2017. The government’s inability to pay civil servant salaries has resulted in multiple rounds of strikes by many groups, including doctors, nurses, and teachers. In the wake of a multi-year recession, the country reached out to the IMF in 2017 for a new program; the IMF noted that the country’s continued dependence on oil, unsustainable debt, and significant governance weakness are key impediments to the country’s economy. In 2018, the country’s external debt level will approach 120% of GDP. The IMF urged the government to renegotiate debts levels to sustainable levels before it agreed to a new macroeconomic adjustment package.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$29.39 billion (2017 est.)
$30.33 billion (2016 est.)
$31.22 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 133
GDP (official exchange rate)
$8.718 billion (2017 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
-3.1% (2017 est.)
-2.8% (2016 est.)
2.6% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$6,800 (2017 est.)
$7,200 (2016 est.)
$7,500 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 161
Gross national saving
19.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
-12.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
6.6% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 47.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 9.6% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 42.5% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 62.9% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -62.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 9.3% (2017 est.)
industry: 51% (2017 est.)
services: 39.7% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - products
cassava (manioc, tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products
Industries
petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate
-3% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Labor force
2.055 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 35.4%
industry: 20.6%
services: 44% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate
36% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Population below poverty line
46.5% (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 37.1% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
48.9 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Budget
revenues: 1.965 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 2.578 billion (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
22.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Public debt
130.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
128.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Fiscal year
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
0.5% (2017 est.)
3.2% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Central bank discount rate
4.25% (31 December 2009)
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 92
Commercial bank prime lending rate
14.6% (31 December 2017 est.)
14% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Stock of narrow money
$2.585 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.456 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Stock of broad money
$2.585 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.456 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Stock of domestic credit
$3.036 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.901 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Market value of publicly traded shares
NA
Current account balance
-$1.128 billion (2017 est.)
-$5.735 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Exports
$4.193 billion (2017 est.)
$4.116 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Exports - partners
China 53.8%, Angola 6.2%, Gabon 5.7%, Italy 5.4%, Spain 5.4%, Australia 4.8% (2017)
Exports - commodities
petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds
Imports
$2.501 billion (2017 est.)
$5.639 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Imports - commodities
capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs
Imports - partners
France 15%, China 14%, Belgium 12.2%, Norway 8.1% (2017)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$505.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$727.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Debt - external
$4.605 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$4.721 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
NA
Exchange rates
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
579.8 (2017 est.)
593.01 (2016 est.)
593.01 (2015 est.)
591.45 (2014 est.)
494.42 (2013 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
population without electricity: 2 million (2017)
electrification - total population: 56.6% (2016)
electrification - urban areas: 74.2% (2016)
electrification - rural areas: 22.6% (2016)
Electricity - production
1.696 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - consumption
912 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - exports
22 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - imports
18 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Electricity - installed generating capacity
591,500 kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - from fossil fuels
64% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
36% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - from other renewable sources
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Crude oil - production
340,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Crude oil - exports
254,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Crude oil - imports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Crude oil - proved reserves
1.6 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Refined petroleum products - production
15,760 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Refined petroleum products - consumption
17,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Refined petroleum products - exports
5,766 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Refined petroleum products - imports
7,162 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Natural gas - production
1.387 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Natural gas - consumption
1.387 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - proved reserves
90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
5.239 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 17,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 5.056 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 102 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Telephone system
general assessment: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable with services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order (2018)
domestic: fixed-line infrastructure inadequate, providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed-line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged to 102 per 100 persons (2018)
international: country code - 242; WACS submarine cables to Europe and Western and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
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
total: 362,000
percent of population: 7.6% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Military and Security
Military expenditures
2.55% of GDP (2018)
4.27% of GDP (2017)
6.38% of GDP (2016)
5% of GDP (2014)
4.61% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 32
Military and security forces
Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise); Gendarmerie; Presidential Guard (2019)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in the Armed Forces (2012)
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 3 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 657,926 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2,987,493mt-km (2015)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TN (2016)
Airports
27 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 124
Airports - with paved runways
total: 8 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 19 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)
under 914 m: 2 (2013)
Pipelines
232 km gas, 4 km liquid petroleum gas, 982 km oil (2013)
Railways
total: 510 km (2014)
narrow gauge: 510 km1.067-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 112
Roadways
total: 23,324 km (2017)
paved: 3,111 km (2017)
unpaved: 20,213 km (2017)
note: road network in Congo is composed of 23,324 km of which 17,000 km are classified as national, departmental, and routes of local interest: 6,324 km are non-classified routes
country comparison to the world: 106
Waterways
1,120 km(commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui Rivers above Brazzaville; there are many ferries across the river to Kinshasa; the Congo south of Brazzaville-Kinshasa to the coast is not navigable because of rapids, necessitating a rail connection to Pointe Noire; other rivers are used for local traffic only) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 61
Merchant marine
total: 16
by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 2, other 11 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 142
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Pointe-Noire
oil terminal(s): Djeno
river port(s): Brazzaville (Congo)
Impfondo (Oubangi)Ouesso (Sangha)Oyo (Alima)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is undefined except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 22,198 (Central African Republic), 20,289 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2019)
IDPs: 107,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992) (2018)
Trafficking in persons
current situation: the Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for children, men, and women, subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; most trafficking victims are from Benin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and, to a lesser extent, other neighboring countries and are subjected to domestic servitude and market vending by West African and Congolese nationals; adults and children, the majority from the DRC, are also sex trafficked in Congo, mainly Brazzaville; internal trafficking victims, often from rural areas, are exploited as domestic servants or forced to work in quarries, bakeries, fishing, and agriculture
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the Republic of the Congo does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the country drafted an action plan based on anti-trafficking legislation, which remains pending in the Supreme Court; the government made minimal anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts in 2014, failing to prosecute or convict suspected traffickers from cases dating back to 2010; serious allegations of official complicity continue to be reported; the government lacks a systematic means of identifying victims and relies on NGOs and international organizations to identify victims and NGOs and foster families to provide care to victims; the quality of care varied widely because the foster care system was allegedly undermined by inadequate security and official complicity (2015)
