Country Profile: Angola

Angola is a strategic nation located in Southern Africa, bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country has a population of approximately 39 million people, with a diverse ethnic composition and a significant urban concentration in its capital, Luanda. Angola has an oil-dependent economy that has faced challenges such as widespread poverty and inflation, yet it strives for diversification through agriculture and infrastructure investments. Governed as a presidential republic, Angola's political landscape has been shaped by its tumultuous history, including a long civil conflict that ended in the early 2000s.

Geography

Angola spans an area of 1,246,700 sq km, making it about eight times the size of Georgia. The terrain features a narrow coastal plain that rises to a vast interior plateau, with the highest point being Moco at 2,620 m. The country has a diverse climate, with a semi-arid south and a northern region experiencing both cool dry and hot rainy seasons.

5,369 km of land borders with neighboring countries
1,600 km of coastline
36.9% of land used for agriculture (2023 est.)
51.6% forest area (2023 est.)
Major rivers include the Rio Zambeze and Rio Cubango

People and Society

Angola's estimated population is 38,984,796 (2025 est.), with a youthful median age of 16.6 years. The ethnic composition includes 37% Ovimbundu, 25% Kimbundu, and 13% Bakongo. Portuguese is the official language, while a variety of indigenous languages are also prevalent. The country faces notable social challenges, including limited healthcare access and high rates of poverty.

68.7% urban population (2023)
39.75 births/1,000 population birth rate (2025 est.)
32.3% of the population below the poverty line (2018)
62.9 years life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
46.1 deaths/1,000 live births infant mortality rate (2025 est.)

Economy

Angola's economy is largely reliant on oil, contributing to a GDP of $80.397 billion (2024 est.) and a per capita GDP of $7,300 (2024 est.). The nation exited OPEC in 2023 while aiming for economic diversification beyond oil. The agricultural sector accounts for 16.4% of GDP, yet widespread corruption and inflation continue to pose challenges.

1.1% GDP growth rate (2023 est.)
14.5% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
32.3% inflation rate (2023 est.)
$36.924 billion in exports (2024 est.)
$22.683 billion in imports (2024 est.)

Government

Angola is a presidential republic, with the capital being Luanda. The current president is Joao Manuel Goncalves LOURENCO, having taken office in 2017. The legislative body is a unicameral National Assembly, and the country has a civil legal system influenced by Portuguese law.

220 members in the National Assembly
5 years presidential term
38.5% representation of women in government (2022)
Independence in 1975 from Portugal
21 provinces in total

Military and Security

The Angolan Armed Forces, comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force, are tasked with national defense as well as domestic security functions. The military maintains an active duty strength of approximately 100,000 personnel and has placed emphasis on maritime security and offshore resource protection.

1% of GDP allocated to military expenditures (2024 est.)
24-month conscription service obligation for men
Participation in regional peacekeeping missions, including deployments to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Military equipment primarily of Russian origin (2025)

Energy

Angola has significant energy resources, chiefly from petroleum and hydroelectric power. The installed electricity generation capacity is 7.6 million kW, with a substantial reliance on hydroelectricity, which accounts for 74% of total capacity.

1.175 million bbl/day petroleum production (2023 est.)
48.5% overall electrification rate (2022 est.)
5.984 billion cubic meters natural gas production (2023 est.)
16.214 billion kWh electricity consumption (2023 est.)

Environment

Angola faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, and biodiversity loss. The country is party to multiple international environmental agreements, but significant issues, such as inadequate potable water supplies, remain prevalent.

51.6% of land covered by forests (2023 est.)
4.214 million tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
Participation in the Climate Change-Paris Agreement and other environmental treaties
19% of municipal waste recycled (2022 est.)

Transportation

Angola's transportation infrastructure includes roadways, railways, and ports, with 2,761 km of railway and 107 airports. The country is enhancing its transportation capacity to facilitate trade and connectivity.

64 vessels in the merchant marine (2023)
21 total ports, with 17 having oil terminals
2 heliports (2025)

Communications

Angola's communication sector is developing, with a notable number of mobile cellular subscriptions reaching 26.4 million. However, fixed-line subscriptions remain low. The state dominates broadcast media, with limited privately-owned outlets.

45% of the population using the internet (2023 est.)
137,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 est.)
Telecommunications primarily dominated by state-owned media

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	38,984,796	2025 estimate
Area	1,246,700 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$80.397 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	14.5%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	39.75 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	62.9 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	48.5%	Total population electrified (2022)
Infant Mortality Rate	46.1 deaths/1,000 live births	2025 estimate
Agricultural Land Use	36.9%	2023 estimate
Military Expenditures	1% of GDP	2024 estimate