Republic of the Congo

Quick Facts

🇨🇬
Capital:
Brazzaville
Official Language(s):
French, Kikongo, Lingala
Currency:
Central African CFA franc (Fr)
Population:
5,657,000

Overview

The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic or simply the Congo, is a country located on the western coast of Central Africa to the west of the Congo River. It is bordered to the west by Gabon, to the northwest by Cameroon, to the northeast by the Central African Republic, to the southeast by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south by the Angolan exclave of Cabinda, and to the southwest by the Atlantic Ocean.

Institutional Framework

The strength of a country's institutions directly impacts its economic development and stability. Strong institutions reduce uncertainty, protect property rights, and enable efficient markets through:
  • Rule of law and contract enforcement
  • Control of corruption
  • Government effectiveness and regulatory quality

* Indicators normalized to 0-100 scale

Economic Structure

The composition of an economy reveals its strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential for growth. Understanding the balance between sectors (agriculture, industry, services) and their sophistication helps assess economic resilience and development opportunities.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic Scale & Power

An economy with $14,825,690,210.916B(2021) GDP, showing moderate growth at 1.0%(2021). Emerging economy with development potential.

GDP Growth
1.0%(2021)
GDP PPP
$36,903,988,991.087

Economic Structure

Economic structure shows 42.6%(2021) in services, 42.9%(2021) in industry, and 9.1%(2021) in agriculture. Industry-driven economy.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic health indicators show 22.0%(2021) unemployment and 1.7%(2021) inflation. Trade profile with 52.8%(2021) exports and 32.7%(2021) imports as % of GDP.

Unemployment
22.0%(2021)
Inflation
1.7%(2021)
Exports/GDP
52.8%(2021)
Imports/GDP
32.7%(2021)

Innovation & Competitiveness

Innovation capacity determines a country's ability to compete in the global knowledge economy. Key indicators like R&D investment, patent applications, and high-tech exports reveal the potential for sustainable economic growth and value creation.

High-Tech Exports

6.5

% of manufactured exports

ICT Exports

0.1

% of total goods exports

Digital Adoption

32.7

% of population using internet

Mobile Connectivity

96.8

Subscriptions per 100 people

Manufacturing Value

N/A

% of GDP

International Position

A country's integration into global markets affects its economic opportunities and risks. Trade relationships, financial flows, and geographic advantages or constraints shape its development trajectory and resilience to external shocks.

Financial & Trade Geography

Trade Profile

Trade represents 85.55%(2021) of GDP, with a trade balance of 20.13%(2021).

FDI Inflows
-2.16%(2021)
FDI Outflows
0.07%(2021)

Financial Security

External Debt

57.96%(2021)

Foreign Reserves

$0.83B(2021)(1.6 months of imports)

Supply Chain & Technology

Technology Trade

ICT Imports
1.55%(2021)
High-Tech Exports
6.54%(2021)

Economic Structure

Manufacturing
N/A
Services
42.60%(2021)

Trade Agreements & Dependencies

Trade Agreements

No major trade agreements

Critical Dependencies

    Growth Trajectory

    Understanding growth patterns helps predict future economic performance and development challenges. Key factors include productivity trends, investment levels, and structural transformation progress, which together determine long-term prosperity potential.

    Growth Potential Indicators

    Human Capital

    Education and workforce development

    34.0/100

    Trade Position

    International trade and competitiveness

    12.2/100

    Economic Structure

    Sectoral balance and sophistication

    29.9/100

    Demographics & Human Capital

    Demographics are fundamental to understanding a country's economic potential and challenges. The population structure influences everything from labor force availability to social security systems and public spending priorities.

    Demographics

    Population Overview

    Total population of 5,892,183(2021) with 2.4%(2021) annual growth. Median age is N/A with fertility rate at 4.171 births/woman(2021).

    Life Expectancy
    63.519 years(2021)
    Birth Rate
    30.691 per 1,000(2021)

    Age Structure

    Working-age population (55.7%(2021)) with youth at 41.5%(2021) and elderly at 2.8%(2021). Total dependency ratio: 79.7%(2021).

    Young Dependency
    74.6%(2021)
    Old Dependency
    5.0%(2021)

    Gender & Migration

    Population is 50.0%(2021) female and 50.0%(2021) male, with sex ratio of 1.026 males/female(2021) at birth. Net migration: -4,476(2021).

    Male Mortality
    305.437/1,000(2021)
    Female Mortality
    258.57/1,000(2021)

    Development Indicators

    Urban population growing at 3.1%(2021) annually, with 31.7%(2021) in rural areas. Literacy rate: 80.6%(2021).

    Urbanization
    68.3%(2021)
    Infant Mortality
    32.1 per 1,000(2021)

    Population Structure

    The population pyramid visualizes the age and gender distribution, revealing crucial insights about economic sustainability. A balanced pyramid with a strong working-age population (typically ages 15-64) indicates greater economic potential, as this group supports both the younger and older generations through:
    • Labor force participation and productivity
    • Tax contributions to support social services
    • Innovation and economic growth

    An aging population (top-heavy pyramid) or youth bulge (bottom-heavy) can create demographic pressures on social systems and economic stability.

    Source: World Bank Development Indicators

    Security Context

    Security considerations fundamentally affect economic development and investment attractiveness. Both geographic factors and military capabilities influence a country's stability and its ability to protect economic interests and maintain sustainable growth.

    Geographic & Resource Security

    Food & Agriculture

    Arable land comprises 1.6%(2021) of territory, with 31.3%(2021) total agricultural land. Cereal yield: 887.4 kg/hectare(2021).

    Food Production Index
    105.06(2021)
    Cereal Production
    30,097.38 MT(2021)

    Energy Security

    Net energy imports at N/A of consumption. Renewable energy makes up 49.7%(2021) of total. Electricity access: N/A.

    Resource Rents
    N/A

    Water Resources

    Fresh water resources of 1,646 m³/capita(2021) per person. Annual precipitation: 64.22 mm(2021).

    Forest Area
    2.3%(2021)

    Environmental Vulnerability

    37677.0%(2021) of population affected by climate disasters. Forest coverage at 2.3%(2021) providing natural buffer.

    Annual Rainfall
    64.22 mm(2021)

    Military & Security

    Military Capabilities

    Military expenditure at N/A of GDP. Armed forces personnel: 3,000,000(2021) ( N/A of labor force).

    Arms Exports
    40,765 USD(2021)
    Arms Imports
    N/A

    Strategic Status

    Military Alliances

    No major military alliances

    Nuclear Status

    Non-Nuclear State

    Security Environment

    Recorded 134,000(2021) battle-related deaths.Refugee population: 437,565(2021)Internally displaced: 422,047(2021)

    Strategic Geography

    Strategic Features

    • Borders 5 countries