Country Profile: Angola

Angola is located in Southern Africa, bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean and neighboring Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With a population approaching 39 million, it is a culturally rich nation primarily composed of various Bantu ethnic groups. The economy is heavily reliant on oil, which has led to significant wealth disparities and widespread poverty despite its middle-income status. Angola operates as a presidential republic, where governance has been shaped by a history of colonialism, civil conflict, and post-independence rebuilding efforts.

Geography

Angola's geography includes a semi-arid climate in the south and a more temperate climate in the northern regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. The country's terrain consists of a narrow coastal plain rising to a vast interior plateau, with the highest point at Moco reaching 2,620 meters. The province of Cabinda is an exclave bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Major rivers include the Zambezi and Cubango, contributing to the country's complex watershed.

1,246,700 sq km - Total area, making it about eight times the size of Georgia.
1,600 km - Length of coastline along the South Atlantic Ocean.
5,369 km - Total length of land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Namibia, and Zambia.

People and Society

The population of Angola is around 38.98 million (2025 estimate), with a youthful demographic where nearly half are under the age of 15. The predominant ethnic groups include Ovimbundu, Kimbundu, and Bakongo, while Portuguese serves as the official language. Religion is diverse, with significant Roman Catholic and Protestant communities. Urbanization is on the rise, with over 68% of the population living in urban areas, particularly concentrated in the capital, Luanda.

Median age - 16.6 years (2025 estimate), reflecting a young population.
39.75 births/1,000 - Birth rate (2025 estimate), indicating high fertility.
46.1 deaths/1,000 live births - Infant mortality rate (2025 estimate), showing health challenges.

Economy

Angola has a middle-income economy heavily dependent on oil, which constitutes a large portion of its GDP. Despite significant oil reserves, the country faces challenges such as widespread poverty and inflation. The government is attempting to diversify the economy by boosting agricultural production and investing in infrastructure, primarily supported by international partnerships.

$280 billion - Estimated GDP (purchasing power parity) for 2024.
44.2% - Contribution of industry to GDP (2024 estimate).
14.5% - Unemployment rate (2024 estimate).

Government

Angola is a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The President, currently Joao Lourenço, serves as both the head of state and government. The country has faced significant political challenges since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, with recent elections marking attempts at democratic consolidation. The National Assembly is unicameral, and the legal system is based on Portuguese civil law.

1 - Year of independence from Portugal: 1975.
220 - Number of seats in the National Assembly.
39.1% - Percentage of women in the National Assembly.

Military and Security

The Angolan Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Angola maintains a compulsory military service for men and a voluntary service for women. The military has focused on external defense and domestic security, particularly in border protection and anti-terror operations.

100,000 - Estimated active duty personnel in the armed forces as of 2025.
1% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 estimate).

Energy

Angola has a growing energy sector driven by oil and natural gas production. However, electricity access remains limited, particularly in rural areas. The country is harnessing its hydroelectric potential, which makes up the majority of its energy generation, yet faces challenges in transmission and distribution efficiency.

1.175 million bbl/day - Total petroleum production (2023 estimate).
48.5% - Electrification rate for the total population (2022 estimate).
74% - Hydroelectricity's share of installed electricity capacity (2023 estimate).

Environment

Angola faces significant environmental issues, including deforestation and soil erosion, primarily driven by agricultural practices and urban expansion. The country is actively involved in international environmental agreements, addressing climate change and biodiversity protection.

51.6% - Forest area as a percentage of land use (2023 estimate).
4.214 million tons - Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024 estimate).
19% - Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 estimate).

Transportation

Angola's transportation infrastructure includes a network of railways and ports, which are vital for trade. However, the country continues to work on improving road networks and air travel capabilities. The capital city, Luanda, is a central hub for transport logistics.

107 - Total number of airports (2025 estimate).
2,761 km - Length of railway lines as of 2022.
21 - Total number of ports (2024 estimate).

Communications

Angola's communication infrastructure is developing, with increasing mobile phone and internet penetration, although fixed-line subscriptions remain low. Most media is state-owned, with limited private sector participation.

26.4 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 estimate).
80,300 - Total fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2024 estimate).
45% - Percentage of the population using the internet (2023 estimate).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	38,984,796	2025 estimate
Area	1,246,700 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$278.239 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	14.5%	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	9.146 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	39.75 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy at Birth	62.9 years	Estimated for 2024
Urban Population	68.7%	2023 estimate
Electricity Access	48.5%	Total population (2022 estimate)
Military Expenditure	1% of GDP	Estimated for 2024