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.
Geography
Location
Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates
1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area
total : 342,000 sq km
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km
comparison ranking: total 65
Area – comparative
slightly smaller than Montana; about twice the size of Florida
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
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
Coastline
169 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain
coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Elevation
highest point: Mont Nabeba 1,020 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 430 m
Natural resources
petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Land use
agricultural land: 31.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.4% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 29.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 64.2% (2022 est.)
other: 4.5% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
20 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in 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
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Major aquifers
Congo Basin
Population distribution
the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville, as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards
seasonal flooding
Geography – note
about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
People and Society
Population
total: 6,097,665 (2024 est.)
male: 3,045,973
female: 3,051,692
comparison rankings: total 113; female 113; male 112
Nationality
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups
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.)
Languages
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.
Lingala audio sample:
Religions
Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening Churches/Christian Revival 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Salutiste 2.2%, Muslim 1.6%, Kimbanguiste 1.5%, other 8.1%, none 11.3% (2007 est.)
Age structure
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)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
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.)
Median age
total: 20.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 20.5 years
female: 20.9 years
comparison ranking: total 200
Population growth rate
2.38% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 23
Birth rate
28.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 30
Death rate
4.8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 203
Net migration rate
-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 97
Population distribution
the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville, as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization
urban population: 69.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
2.638 million BRAZZAVILLE (capital), 1.336 million Pointe-Noire (2023)
Sex ratio
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.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
19.6 years (2011/12 est.)
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49
Maternal mortality ratio
282 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 30
Infant mortality rate
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
comparison ranking: total 48
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 72.9 years (2024 est.)
male: 71.5 years
female: 74.3 years
comparison ranking: total population 156
Total fertility rate
3.79 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 29
Gross reproduction rate
1.87 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
30.1% (2014/15)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 97.5% of population
rural: 56.4% of population
total: 84.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.5% of population
rural: 43.6% of population
total: 15.8% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
3.9% of GDP (2021)
3.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 73.4% of population
rural: 15.1% of population
total: 54.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 26.6% of population
rural: 84.9% of population
total: 45.3% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
9.6% (2016)
comparison ranking: 143
Alcohol consumption per capita
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.)
comparison ranking: total 75
Tobacco use
total: 15.8% (2025 est.)
male: 30% (2025 est.)
female: 1.7% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 99
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
51.8% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
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.)
Education expenditure
3.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
14.7% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 138
Literacy
total population: 80.6%
male: 85.9%
female: 75.4% (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2012)
Environment
Environment – current issues
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; tap water not potable; deforestation; wildlife protection
Environment – international agreements
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
Climate
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Land use
agricultural land: 31.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.4% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 29.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 64.2% (2022 est.)
other: 4.5% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 69.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 29.48 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 3.28 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 2.24 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 451,200 tons (1993 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 118,214 tons (2005 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 26.2% (2005 est.)
Major rivers (by length in 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
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Major aquifers
Congo Basin
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 60 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources
832 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
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
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
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
Administrative divisions
12 departments; Bouenza, Brazzaville, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha
Legal system
mixed system of French civil law and customary law
Constitution
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
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
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms); election last held on 21 March 2021 (next to be held on 21 March 2026)
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%
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament (Parlement)
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch – lower chamber
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: 7/10/2022 to 7/31/2022
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
Legislative branch – upper chamber
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: 8/20/2023
percentage of women in chamber: 31.9%
expected date of next election: August 2029
Judicial branch
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
Political parties
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI (since 31 July 2001)
chancery: 1720 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
email address and website:
[email protected]
http://www.ambacongo-us.org/en-us/home.aspx
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Eugene S. YOUNG (since 30 March 2022)
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:
[email protected]
https://cg.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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
15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
Flag description
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, and yellow the friendship and nobility of the people; the meaning of the red color is not noted but has been associated with the struggle for independence
note: uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National symbol(s)
lion, elephant
National colors
green, yellow, red
National anthem
name: “La Congolaise” (The Congolese)
lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE
note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 2 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Sangha Trinational Forest; Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua
Economy
Economic overview
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$38.163 billion (2023 est.)
$37.448 billion (2022 est.)
$36.904 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 140
Real GDP growth rate
1.91% (2023 est.)
1.48% (2022 est.)
1.02% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 143
Real GDP per capita
$6,200 (2023 est.)
$6,200 (2022 est.)
$6,300 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 169
GDP (official exchange rate)
$15.321 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.3% (2023 est.)
3% (2022 est.)
1.7% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 135
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 9% (2023 est.)
industry: 45.2% (2023 est.)
services: 40.4% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 195; industry 19; agriculture 82
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 44.1% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 13.1% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 24.9% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.3% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 56.9% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -39.3% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
cassava, sugarcane, oil palm fruit, bananas, plantains, root vegetables, game meat, vegetables, mangoes/guavas, fruits (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate
0.75% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 136
Labor force
2.563 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 122
Unemployment rate
19.7% (2024 est.)
19.9% (2023 est.)
20.1% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 193
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 40% (2024 est.)
male: 41% (2024 est.)
female: 39% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 11
Remittances
0.29% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.28% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $2.393 billion (2020 est.)
expenditures: $2.409 billion (2020 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
130.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 9
Taxes and other revenues
6.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 196
Current account balance
$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
comparison ranking: 48
Exports
$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
comparison ranking: 125
Exports – partners
China 46%, UAE 23%, India 6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Portugal 3% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
crude petroleum, refined copper, gold, wood, refined petroleum (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$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
comparison ranking: 155
Imports – partners
China 24%, Angola 20%, Gabon 9%, France 6%, UAE 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
ships, poultry, garments, iron pipes, refined petroleum (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$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
comparison ranking: 156
Debt – external
$6.36 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 65
Exchange rates
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.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 50.6% (2022 est.)
electrification – urban areas: 67.5%
electrification – rural areas: 12.4%
Electricity
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.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 129; imports 120; exports 95; consumption 144; installed generating capacity 137
Electricity generation sources
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.)
Coal
imports: 65 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
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.)
Natural gas
production: 425 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 425 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 283.99 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
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.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 153
Energy consumption per capita
7.351 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 161
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 17,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 177
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 5.87 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 97 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 122
Broadcast media
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
Internet country code
.cg
Internet users
percent of population: 38% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 78,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 140
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TN
Airports
56 (2025)
comparison ranking: 81
Railways
total: 510 km (2014)
narrow gauge: 510 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Merchant marine
total: 11 (2023)
by type: oil tanker 1, other 10
comparison ranking: total 159
Ports
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
Military and Security
Military and security forces
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
Military expenditures
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.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 12-14,000 active FAC, including Gendarmerie (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the FAC has mostly Soviet-era armaments, with a small mix of Chinese, French, and South African equipment (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription ended in 1969 (2024)
Military deployments
has about 190 mostly police personnel deployed to the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2024)
Military – note
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)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 33,593 (Central African Republic), 29,785 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2024)
IDPs: 27,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992) (2022)
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore the Republic of the Congo remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/republic-of-the-congo/
