Country Profile: Congo, Republic of the

The Republic of the Congo, situated in Central Africa, boasts a tropical climate and diverse geography, including coastal plains and plateaus. With an estimated population of over 6 million, the country is primarily urban, concentrated around the capital, Brazzaville. The economy is heavily reliant on oil production, although it experiences challenges such as rising poverty and debt. Governed as a presidential republic, the nation has a politically active history marked by civil strife and sustained governance under President Denis Sassou-Nguesso.

Geography

The Republic of the Congo is located in Central Africa, bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean and sharing land boundaries with five countries, including Angola and Gabon. The country's terrain features a coastal plain and plateaus, while its climate is tropical, characterized by a rainy season from March to June and a dry season from June to October.

Total area: 342,000 sq km
Land boundaries: 5,554 km with Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon.
Highest point: Mont Nabeba at 1,020 m
Population distribution: Approximately 70% reside in urban areas, primarily between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.
Natural resources include petroleum, timber, and minerals.

People and Society

The Republic of the Congo has a diverse population of about 6.1 million people, with a significant portion residing in urban areas. The largest ethnic group is Kongo, making up 40.5% of the population, and French is the official language. The median age is relatively young, at around 20.7 years.

Urban population: 69.2% of the total population as of 2023.
Life expectancy: 72.9 years (2024 estimate).
Major religions: Over 33% Roman Catholic and about 22% belong to Awakening Churches.
Population growth rate: 2.38% (2024).
Infant mortality rate: 30.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024).

Economy

The economy of the Republic of the Congo is primarily based on oil and natural resources, experiencing slow recovery after a significant oil price drop in the mid-2010s. The GDP is estimated to be around $39.147 billion in purchasing power parity, with a real GDP growth rate of 2.6% for 2024.

GDP per capita: $6,200 (2024 estimate).
Unemployment rate: 19.7% (2024).
Inflation rate: 3.1% (2024).
Agricultural sector: Contributes approximately 9.4% to the GDP.
Main exports: Crude petroleum, refined copper, and gold.

Government

The Republic of the Congo operates as a presidential republic, with a political system influenced by past Marxist ideologies. The current president, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, has held power since 1997. The nation’s constitution mandates a multi-party system and periodic elections.

Capital: Brazzaville.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age.
Last presidential election: March 21, 2021, with Sassou-Nguesso receiving 88.4% of the vote.
Legislature: Bicameral Parliament.
Judicial branch: Includes the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court.

Military and Security

The Congolese Armed Forces are responsible for the country's defense, focusing on internal and maritime security. Military expenditures account for 1.2% of GDP in 2024, and the armed forces consist of approximately 12-14,000 active personnel.

Military service age: Voluntary service between 18-25 years.
Military deployments: About 190 personnel are active in the Central African Republic under UN missions.
Military equipment: Primarily consists of Soviet-era armaments with some acquisitions from Chinese and French suppliers.

Energy

Energy production in the Republic of the Congo is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with an installed electricity generation capacity of 842,000 kW. The nation faces significant challenges with electricity access, especially in rural areas.

Electricity access: 50.6% of the total population (2022 estimate).
Total petroleum production: 267,000 barrels/day (2023).
Natural gas production: 425 million cubic meters (2023).
Renewable energy sources: Hydroelectricity accounts for 20.2% of total capacity.

Environment

The Republic of the Congo faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation and pollution. Despite these issues, the country is a signatory to multiple international environmental agreements.

Deforestation: Significant environmental concern, exacerbated by logging and agricultural expansion.
Air quality: Air pollution mainly stems from vehicle emissions.
Water resources: Total renewable water resources are estimated at 832 billion cubic meters.

Transportation

The Republic of the Congo has a developing transportation infrastructure that includes several airports and a limited railway system. The ports are crucial for trade, particularly for oil-related activities.

Airports: 56 (by 2025).
Railways: 510 km (narrow gauge).
Merchant marine: 11 vessels, primarily oil tankers.
Key ports: Pointe Noire is the main port for oil and trade.

Communications

Telecommunications in the Republic of the Congo include a mix of fixed and mobile services, with increasing internet penetration.

Mobile subscriptions: Approximately 5.87 million (2023).
Internet users: 38% of the population (2023).
Fixed broadband subscriptions: 78,000 (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,097,665	(2024 estimate)
Area	342,000 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$39.147 billion	(2024 estimate)
Unemployment Rate	19.7%	(2024 estimate)
Life Expectancy	72.9 years	(2024 estimate)
Birth Rate	28.7 births/1,000 population	(2024 estimate)
Energy Consumption per Capita	7.351 million Btu/person	(2023 estimate)
Electricity Access	50.6%	(2022 estimate)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	2.66 million metric tonnes	(2023 est.)
Agricultural Land Usage	31.3%	(2022 estimate)