Congo, Republic of the

Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. From 1968 to 1992, the country was named the People’s Republic of the Congo.  A quarter-century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990, and a democratically elected government took office in 1992, at which time the country reverted to "the Republic of the Congo" name.  A two-year civil war that ended in 1999 restored to power former President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, who had ruled from 1979 to 1992. A new constitution adopted three years later provided for a multi-party system and a seven-year presidential term, and the next elections retained SASSOU-Nguesso. After a year of renewed fighting, SASSOU-Nguesso and southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in 2003. SASSOU-Nguesso was reelected in 2009 and, after passing a constitutional referendum allowing him to run for additional terms, was reelected again in 2016 and 2021. The Republic of the Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers.

1 00 S, 15 00 E

seasonal flooding

slightly smaller than Montana; about twice the size of Florida

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; tap water not potable; deforestation; wildlife protection

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

169 km

Total: 5,554 km

Border countries (5): Angola 231 km; Cameroon 494 km; Central African Republic 487 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Gabon 2,567 km

Agricultural land: 31.2% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture: 29.3% (2023 est.)

Forest: 63.9% (2023 est.)

Other: 4.9% (2023 est.)

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them

coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon

Africa

20 sq km (2012)

832 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville, as shown in this population distribution map

Highest point: Mont Nabeba 1,020 m

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Mean elevation: 430 m

Congo Basin

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)

Oubangui (Ubangi) (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km

Note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Total : 342,000 sq km

Land: 341,500 sq km

Water: 500 sq km

0-14 years: 37.8% (male 1,162,298/female 1,143,668)

15-64 years: 57.8% (male 1,770,337/female 1,756,925)

65 years and over: 4.3% (2024 est.) (male 113,338/female 151,099)

At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Congolese (singular and plural)

Adjective: Congolese or Congo

Urban population: 69.2% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 3.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

2.638 million BRAZZAVILLE (capital), 1.336 million Pointe-Noire (2023)

19.6 years (2011/12 est.)

Note: Data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49

Total dependency ratio: 72.9 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 65.4 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 7.5 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 13.3 (2024 est.)

Kongo (Bakongo) 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.)

Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening Churches/Christian Revival 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Salutiste 2.2%, Muslim 1.6%, Kimbanguist 1.5%, other 8.1%, none 11.3% (2007 est.)

French (official), French Lingala and Monokutuba (trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Major-language sample(s):
Buku oyo ya bosembo ya Mokili Mobimba Ezali na Makanisi ya Liboso Mpenza. (Lingala)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

3.9% of GDP (2021)

3.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

Women married by age 15: 6.9% (2015)

Women married by age 18: 27.3% (2015)

Men married by age 18: 5.6% (2018 est.)

1.87 (2024 est.)

51.8% (2023 est.)

Total: 40% (2024 est.)

Male: 41% (2024 est.)

Female: 39% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 20.7 years (2024 est.)

Male: 20.5 years

Female: 20.9 years

241 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

3.79 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 6,097,665 (2024 est.)

Male: 3,045,973

Female: 3,051,692

Total: 30.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 33.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 27.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 15.8% (2025 est.)

Male: 30% (2025 est.)

Female: 1.7% (2025 est.)

9.6% (2016)

4.8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

28.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 5.74 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 5.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 0.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 0.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 72.9 years (2024 est.)

Male: 71.5 years

Female: 74.3 years

3.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

14.7% national budget (2023 est.)

2.38% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 63.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial: 24 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Agricultural: 4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 451,200 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.2% (2022 est.)

36.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

2.66 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 1.826 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From consumed natural gas: 834,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

7.351 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Amanda S. JACOBSEN (since 18 July 2025)

Embassy: 70-83 Section D, Boulevard Denis Sassou N'Guesso, Brazzaville

Mailing address: 2090 Brazzaville Place, Washington DC 20521-2090

Telephone: [242] 06 612-2000, [242] 05 387-9700

Email address and website:
BrazzavilleACS@state.gov

https://cg.usembassy.gov/

15 departments; Bouenza, Brazzaville, Congo-Oubangui, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Djoue-Lefini, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Nkeni-Alima, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha

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 founded the town in 1883

History: Several previous; latest approved by referendum 25 October 2015

Amendment process: 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

Chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 1997)

Head of government: Prime Minister Anatole Collinet MAKOSSO (since 12 May 2021)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Election/appointment process: President directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms)

Most recent election date: 21 March 2021

Election results:
2021: Denis SASSOU-Nguesso reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (PCT) 88.4%, Guy Price Parfait KOLELAS (MCDDI) 8.0%, other 3.6%

2016: 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%

Expected date of next election: 21 March 2026

Description: Divided diagonally from the lower-left side by a wide yellow band; the upper triangle (left side) is green, and the lower triangle is red

Meaning: Green stands for agriculture and forests, and yellow for the people's friendship and nobility; the meaning of the red color is not noted but has been associated with the struggle for independence

History: Uses the colors of the Pan-African movement

15 August 1960 (from France)

Highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)

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

Note: a High Court of Justice, outside the judicial authority, tries cases involving treason by the President of the Republic

mixed system of French civil law and customary law

Legislature name: Parliament (Parlement)

Legislative structure: Bicameral

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), LCBC (observer), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence Day, 15 August (1960)

Alliance of the Presidential Majority or AMP
Action Movement for Renewal or MAR 
Citizen's Rally or RC 
Congolese Labour Party or PCT 
Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI 
Congo on the Move or LCEM 
Movement for Unity, Solidarity, and Work or MUST 
Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS 
Club 2002-Party for the Unity and the Republic or Club 2002 
Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress or UPDP 
Perspectives and Realities Club or CPR 
Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS 
Republican and Liberal Party or PRL 
Union of Democratic Forces or UDF 
Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR
Union of Humanist Democrats or UDH-YUKI 
Union for the Republic or UR 

18 years of age; universal

presidential republic

Conventional long form: Republic of the Congo

Conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)

Local long form: République 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 in the area

Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Firmine BOUITY (since 6 September 2025)

Chancery: 1720 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

Telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500

FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860

Email address and website:
Info@ambacongo-us.org

http://www.ambacongo-us.org/en-us/home.aspx

Title: "La Congolaise" (The Congolese)

Lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE

History: Originally adopted 1959, restored 1991

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

lion, elephant

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

Total World Heritage Sites: 2 (natural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Sangha Trinational Forest; Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua

green, yellow, red

crude petroleum, refined copper, gold, wood, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

China 46%, UAE 23%, India 6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Portugal 3% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

cassava, sugarcane, oil palm fruit, bananas, plantains, root vegetables, game meat, vegetables, mangoes/guavas, fruits (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $2.393 billion (2020 est.)

Expenditures: $3.231 billion (2020 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

ships, poultry, garments, iron pipes, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
606.345 (2024 est.)
606.57 (2023 est.)
623.76 (2022 est.)
554.531 (2021 est.)
575.586 (2020 est.)

petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

primarily an oil- and natural resources-based economy; recovery from mid-2010s oil devaluation has been slow and curtailed by COVID-19; extreme poverty increasing, particularly in southern rural regions; attempting to implement recommended CEMAC reforms; increasing likelihood of debt default

$15.72 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 47.4% (2024 est.)

Government consumption: 13.4% (2024 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 26.5% (2024 est.)

Investment in inventories: 0.3% (2024 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 52.8% (2024 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -40.4% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

China 24%, Angola 20%, Gabon 9%, France 6%, UAE 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

0.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

2.563 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$6.36 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

$715.391 million (2023 est.)
$835.649 million (2022 est.)
$828.56 million (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

19.7% (2024 est.)
19.9% (2023 est.)
20.2% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

6.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$39.147 billion (2024 est.)
$38.163 billion (2023 est.)
$37.448 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

3.1% (2024 est.)
4.3% (2023 est.)
3% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

$1.716 billion (2021 est.)
$1.441 billion (2020 est.)
$1.632 billion (2019 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$6,200 (2024 est.)
$6,200 (2023 est.)
$6,200 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$4.487 billion (2021 est.)
$3.279 billion (2020 est.)
$4.945 billion (2019 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$7.752 billion (2021 est.)
$4.67 billion (2020 est.)
$7.855 billion (2019 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

2.6% (2024 est.)
1.9% (2023 est.)
1.5% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

0.3% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 9.4% (2024 est.)

Industry: 40.1% (2024 est.)

Services: 45% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 50.6% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas: 67.5%

Electrification - rural areas: 12.4%

Imports: 65 metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 79.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 20.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Production: 425 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Consumption: 425 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Proven reserves: 283.99 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Total petroleum production: 267,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Crude oil estimated reserves: 2.882 billion barrels (2021 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 842,000 kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 2.832 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Exports: 31 million kWh (2023 est.)

Imports: 30.588 million kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 2.335 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 38% (2023 est.)

.cg

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

Total subscriptions: 5.87 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 97 (2021 est.)

Total: 78,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 17,000 (2020 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

Total: 510 km (2014)

Narrow gauge: 510 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

TN

56 (2025)

Total: 11 (2023)

By type: Oil tanker 1, other 10

18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription ended in 1969 (2024)

1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
2% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
2.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force, National Gendarmerie

Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025)

Note: The National Gendarmerie (GN) is a paramilitary force with domestic law enforcement and security responsibilities; it is under the Ministry of Defense, but also reports to the Ministry of Interior; the GN nominally includes the Republican Guard (GR), which is responsible for presidential security and has a separate command structure

the FAC's primary focuses are internal and maritime security; since its creation in 1961, the FAC has had a turbulent history; it has been sidelined by some national leaders in favor of personal militias, endured an internal rebellion (1996), and clashed with various rebel groups and political or ethnic militias (1993-1996, 2002-2005, 2017); during the 1997-1999 civil war, the military generally split along ethnic lines, with most northern officers supporting eventual winner SASSOU-Nguesso, and most southerners backing the rebels; others joined ethnic-based factions loyal to regional warlords; forces backing SASSOU-Nguesso were supported by Angolan troops and received some French assistance; the FAC also has undergone at least three reorganizations that included the incorporation of former rebel combatants and various ethnic and political militias; in recent years, France has provided some advice and training, and a military cooperation agreement was signed with Russia in 2019 (2025)

approximately 12-14,000 active FAC, including Gendarmerie (2025)

has about 175 mostly police personnel deployed to the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)

the FAC has a mixed inventory of Chinese, French, Italian, Russian/Soviet, and South African armaments (2025)

Refugees: 69,766 (2024 est.)

Tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the Republic of the Congo does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; therefore, the Republic of the Congo was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 and remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/republic-of-the-congo/

Total ports: 5 (2024)

Large: 0

Medium: 0

Small: 1

Very small: 4

Ports with oil terminals: 4

Key ports: Djeno Terminal, Dussafu Terminal, N'kossa Terminal, Pointe Noire, Yombo Terminal

Chamber name: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)

Number of seats: 151 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Plurality/majority

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 8/20/2023

Parties elected and seats per party: Congolese Workers Party (PCT) (112); Other (39)

Percentage of women in chamber: 14.6%

Expected date of next election: July 2026

Chamber name: Senate (Sénat)

Number of seats: 72 (all indirectly elected)

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 6 years

Most recent election date: 7/10/2022 to 7/31/2022

Percentage of women in chamber: 31.9%

Expected date of next election: August 2029

Energy: 308.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)

Agriculture: 19.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste: 25.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Other: 11.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)