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Democratic Republic of the Congo Population 2023
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as DR Congo, and historically Zaire, is a country in Central Africa. It’s the second-largest in all of Africa (after Algeria), and the 4th-most populous country in Africa (after Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt), and the 16th-most populous country in the world.
As per the World Population Prospects, 2022 by the United Nations, the estimated population of DR Congo in 2022 is 102,262,809 (10 Crore or 100 million)
Source: World Population Prospects 2022
read about Top Countries in Africa by population
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has a population growth rate of 3.18% during 2022-2023. Its population is equivalent to 1.15% of the total world population. The total Land Area of DR Congo is 22,267,048 sq. km (875,312 sq. mi) & the Population Density of DR Congo is 40 per Km2 (103 people per mi2).
DR Congo | 2022 Population |
Total Population | 99,010,212 (99 million) |
Global Rank | 16th |
Share of World Pop. | 1.15% |
Land Area | 2,267,048 sq. km (875,312 sq. mi) |
Area Rank | 11th |
Pop. Density | 40 person/sq. km |
Capital City | Kinshasa |
Fertility Rate* | 5.96 |
Infant mortality rate** | 59.7 |
Median Age | 17 years |
Life Expectancy | 61.60 years |
Urban Population | 45.6% |
Source: United Nation World Populations Prospects
*Fertility rate, average number of children born to women during their reproductive years.
**Infant mortality rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 live births of children under one year of age.
Source: World Population Prospects 2019
Religion in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Christianity is the main Religion religion in DR Congo. Christians make up 93.7% of the population and DR Congo has the second-largest Christain population in Africa. Among Christians, Catholics are 45%, Protestants at 40%, and other Christians at 10%. Other Christian groups include Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Greek Orthodox Church.
Traditional African religions and faiths are followed by 2.5% of the Population and followers of Islam are variously estimated around 1-2%.
Religion Percentage in DR Congo is as follows
Religion/ Affiliations | Percentage |
Christianity | 94.9% |
– Roman Catholic | 45% |
– Protestants | 40% |
– Other Christian | 10% |
Islam | 2% |
Traditional faiths | 2.50% |
No religion | 0.50% |
Others | < 1% |
Source: Estimates
Top Cities in DR Congo by Population
# | City | Province | Population |
1 | Kinshasa | Kinshasa | 8,900,721 |
2 | Lubumbashi | Katanga | 1,630,186 |
3 | Mbuji-Mayi (Bakwanga) | Kasai-Oriental | 1,559,073 |
4 | Bukavu | Sud-Kivu | 1,012,053 |
5 | Kananga | Kasai-Occidental | 967,007 |
6 | Kisangani | Orientale | 868,672 |
7 | Tshikapa | Kasai-Occidental | 524,293 |
8 | Kolwezi | Katanga | 451,168 |
9 | Likasi | Katanga | 422,535 |
10 | Goma | Nord-Kivu | 377,112 |
11 | Kikwit | Bandundu | 370,328 |
12 | Uvira | Sud-Kivu | 337,488 |
13 | Bunia | Orientale | 327,837 |
14 | Mbandaka (Coquilhatville) | Équateur | 324,236 |
15 | Matadi | Bas-Congo | 291,338 |
16 | Butembo | Nord-Kivu | 204,452 |
17 | Kabinda | Kasai-Oriental | 192,364 |
18 | Mwene-Ditu | Kasai-Oriental | 190,718 |
19 | Boma | Bas-Congo | 167,326 |
20 | Kindu | Maniema | 163,587 |
21 | Kamina | Katanga | 143,753 |
22 | Gandajika (Ngandajika) | Kasai-Oriental | 140,556 |
23 | Bandundu | Bandundu | 137,460 |
24 | Gemena | Équateur | 132,971 |
25 | Kipushi | Katanga | 121,831 |