CapitalBrazzaville
Population6,097,665
Area342,000 km²
GDP per capita$6,200
LanguagesFrench serves as the official language, while Lingala and Monokutuba are utilized as trade languages
CurrencyCooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs
Life Expectancy72.9 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
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
Area
land
341,500 sq km
water
500 sq km
total
342,000 sq km
Climate
Characterized by a tropical climate, the country experiences a rainy season from March to June and a dry season from June to October, with consistently high temperatures and humidity levels, resulting in a particularly exhausting atmosphere along the Equator.
Terrain
coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Land use
other
4.9% (2023 est.)
forest
63.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
31.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 29.3% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Central Africa, it borders the South Atlantic Ocean, positioned between Angola and Gabon.
Coastline
169 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Mont Nabeba 1,020 m
mean elevation
430 m
Irrigated land
20 sq km (2012)
Major aquifers
Congo Basin
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
5,554 km
border countries
Angola 231 km; Cameroon 494 km; Central African Republic 487 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Gabon 2,567 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
seasonal flooding
Geography - note
Approximately 70% of the populace resides in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railway connecting these cities.
Natural resources
petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Area - comparative
Slightly less extensive than Montana; roughly twice the area of Florida.
Geographic coordinates
1 00 S, 15 00 E
Population distribution
The majority of the population is situated in the southern region, particularly in and around the capital, Brazzaville, as depicted in the accompanying population distribution map.
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
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] indicates the river source after the country name; [m] signifies the river mouth after the country name.
People & Society
Languages
Languages
French serves as the official language, while Lingala and Monokutuba are utilized as trade languages; numerous local languages and dialects exist, with Kikongo being the most prevalent.
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.
Religions
Roman Catholics account for 33.1%, followed by Awakening Churches/Christian Revival at 22.3%, Protestants at 19.9%, Salutiste at 2.2%, Muslims at 1.6%, Kimbanguists at 1.5%, others at 8.1%, and those identifying as none at 11.3% (estimates from 2007).
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
total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.75 male(s)/female
Birth rate
28.34 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
20.5 years
total
20.9 years (2025 est.)
female
20.9 years
Population
male
3,045,973
total
6,097,665 (2024 est.)
female
3,051,692
Nationality
noun
Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective
Congolese or Congo
Tobacco use
male
30% (2025 est.)
total
15.8% (2025 est.)
female
1.7% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
69.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)
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.)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
5.6% (2018 est.)
women married by age 15
6.9% (2015)
women married by age 18
27.3% (2015)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
72.9 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
65.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
13.3 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
7.5 (2024 est.)
Physician density
0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
3.9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
3.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
3.72 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
14.7% national budget (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
33.5 deaths/1,000 live births
total
29.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
27.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
2.36% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.83 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The majority of the population is concentrated in the southern region, particularly in and around the capital city of Brazzaville, which is illustrated in this population distribution map.
Life expectancy at birth
male
71.5 years
female
74.3 years
total population
72.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
241 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
5.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
5.74 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.)
Major urban areas - population
2.638 million BRAZZAVILLE (capital), 1.336 million Pointe-Noire (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
9.6% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.6 years (2011/12 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
51.8% (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical climate; wet season (March to June); dry season (June to October); consistently high temperatures and humidity; notably exhausting weather conditions along the Equator
Land use
other
4.9% (2023 est.)
forest
63.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
31.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 29.3% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
69.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
11.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
25.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
308.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
19.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
451,200 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
17.2% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
air contamination due to automotive exhaust; water contamination from untreated sewage; non-potable tap water; deforestation issues; wildlife conservation challenges
Total water withdrawal
municipal
63.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
24 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
2.66 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
834,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
1.826 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
36.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
832 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental 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
Government
Flag
description: features a diagonal division from the lower-left corner with a broad yellow stripe; the upper triangle (to the left) is green, while the lower triangle is red
meaning: green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow represents the friendship and nobility of the people; the interpretation of the red hue is not specified but is often linked to the fight for independence
Capital
name
Brazzaville
etymology
named after the Italian-born French explorer and humanitarian, Pierre Savorgnan de BRAZZA (1852-1905), who established the town in 1883
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
4 15 S, 15 17 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
Constitution
history
several previous versions; the most recent was approved via referendum on 25 October 2015
amendment process
initiated by the president of the republic or by Parliament; presidential proposals must undergo Supreme Court scrutiny followed by a referendum for approval; such proposals can also be directly presented to Parliament, requiring a three-quarters majority vote from both houses in a joint session; proposals from Parliament also necessitate a three-fourths majority vote from both houses in a joint session; constitutional articles relating to the country's territory, republican government structure, and secular nature of the state are immutable
Country name
former
French Congo, Middle Congo, People's Republic of the Congo, Congo/Brazzaville
etymology
named after the Congo River, which forms a significant portion of the nation's eastern boundary; the river's name is derived from Kongo, a Bantu kingdom in the region
local long form
République du Congo
local short form
Congo
conventional long form
Republic of the Congo
conventional short form
Congo (Brazzaville)
Independence
15 August 1960 (from France)
Legal system
a mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (composed of NA judges); Constitutional Court (comprised of 9 members)
subordinate courts
Court of Audit and Budgetary Discipline; appellate courts; regional and district courts; labor courts; juvenile courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court justices are elected by Parliament and serve until the age of 65; members of the Constitutional Court are appointed by the president of the republic - 3 directly by the president and 6 nominated by Parliament; appointees serve renewable terms of 9 years, with one-third of the members renewed every 3 years
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state
President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 1997)
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%
head of government
Prime Minister Anatole Collinet MAKOSSO (since 12 May 2021)
most recent election date
21 March 2021
election/appointment process
the president is elected through a direct absolute majority popular vote in two rounds, if necessary, for a term of 5 years (eligible for 2 additional terms)
expected date of next election
21 March 2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
National color(s)
green, yellow, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Sangha Trinational Forest; Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua
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
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Parlement)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"La Congolaise" (The Congolese)
history
originally adopted 1959, restored 1991
lyrics/music
Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE
National symbol(s)
lion, elephant
Administrative divisions
15 departments; Bouenza, Brazzaville, Congo-Oubangui, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Djoue-Lefini, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Nkeni-Alima, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
151 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
8/20/2023
expected date of next election
July 2026
percentage of women in chamber
14.6%
parties elected and seats per party
Congolese Workers Party (PCT) (112); Other (39)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Sénat)
term in office
6 years
number of seats
72 (all indirectly elected)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
7/10/2022 to 7/31/2022
expected date of next election
August 2029
percentage of women in chamber
31.9%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 726-1860
chancery
1720 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 726-5500
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Firmine BOUITY (since 6 September 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
http://www.ambacongo-us.org/en-us/home.aspx
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
70-83 Section D, Boulevard Denis Sassou N'Guesso, Brazzaville
telephone
[242] 06 612-2000, [242] 05 387-9700
mailing address
2090 Brazzaville Place, Washington DC 20521-2090
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Amanda S. JACOBSEN (since 18 July 2025)
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
International law organization participation
has not issued an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; acknowledges ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$2.393 billion (2020 est.)
expenditures
$3.231 billion (2020 est.)
Exports
Exports 2019
$7.855 billion (2019 est.)
Exports 2020
$4.67 billion (2020 est.)
Exports 2021
$7.752 billion (2021 est.)
Imports
Imports 2019
$4.945 billion (2019 est.)
Imports 2020
$3.279 billion (2020 est.)
Imports 2021
$4.487 billion (2021 est.)
Industries
extraction of petroleum, cement production, lumbering, brewing, sugar production, palm oil, soap manufacturing, flour milling, cigarette manufacturing
Labor force
2.563 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
128.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
0.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
575.586 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
554.531 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
623.76 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
606.57 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
606.345 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$6.36 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
the economy is predominantly reliant on oil and natural resources; the recovery from the oil price decline in the mid-2010s has been sluggish and further hindered by COVID-19; there is a rising trend of extreme poverty, especially in rural areas of the south; efforts are underway to adopt suggested CEMAC reforms; the risk of debt default is increasing
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
20.2% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
19.9% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
19.7% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 46%, UAE 23%, India 6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Portugal 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 24%, Angola 20%, Gabon 9%, France 6%, UAE 5% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$6,200 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$6,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$6,200 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
1.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
1.9% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
2.6% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
cassava, sugarcane, oil palm fruit, bananas, plantains, root vegetables, game meat, assorted vegetables, mangoes/guavas, various fruits (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude oil, refined copper, gold, timber, refined oil (2023)
Imports - commodities
ships, poultry, clothing, iron pipes, refined oil (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2019
$1.632 billion (2019 est.)
Current account balance 2020
$1.441 billion (2020 est.)
Current account balance 2021
$1.716 billion (2021 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
6.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$15.72 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
47.4% (2024 est.)
government consumption
13.4% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0.3% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
26.5% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
52.8% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-40.4% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
4.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
3.1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
0.3% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$37.448 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$38.163 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$39.147 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
41% (2024 est.)
total
40% (2024 est.)
female
39% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$828.56 million (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$835.649 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$715.391 million (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
40.1% (2024 est.)
services
45% (2024 est.)
agriculture
9.4% (2024 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
65 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
267,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
2.882 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
13,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
31 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports
30.588 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
2.832 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
842,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
2.335 billion kWh (2023 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.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
12.4%
electrification - urban areas
67.5%
electrification - total population
50.6% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
7.351 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
79.4% 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.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
38% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
One state-operated television channel and three state-operated radio stations exist; in addition, there are numerous privately owned television and radio stations; satellite television services are accessible; retransmissions of various international broadcasters can be received.
Internet country code
.cg
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
17,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
5,875,800 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
96 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
78,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Djeno Terminal, Dussafu Terminal, N'kossa Terminal, Pointe Noire, Yombo Terminal
very small
4
total ports
5 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
4
Airports
56 (2025)
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
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TN
Military & Security
Military - note
The primary objectives of the FAC encompass both internal and maritime security. Since its establishment in 1961, the FAC has experienced a tumultuous history, having been marginalized by certain national leaders in favor of personal militias, facing an internal insurrection in 1996, and engaging in conflicts with various rebel factions as well as political or ethnic militias from 1993 to 1996, 2002 to 2005, and in 2017. Throughout the civil war from 1997 to 1999, the military largely fragmented along ethnic lines, with a majority of northern officers aligning with the eventual victor, SASSOU-Nguesso, while most southern officers supported the insurgents; others affiliated with ethnic factions loyal to regional warlords. The forces allied with SASSOU-Nguesso received backing from Angolan military personnel and some support from France. Additionally, the FAC has experienced at least three reorganizations, which included the integration of former rebel fighters and diverse ethnic and political militias. In recent years, France has provided advisory services and training, and a military cooperation agreement was formalized with Russia in 2019 (2025).
Military deployments
has about 175 mostly police personnel deployed to the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
2.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force, National Gendarmerie
Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Individuals aged 18 to 25 are eligible for voluntary military service, applicable to both men and women (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The FAC possesses a varied array of armaments from China, France, Italy, Russia/Soviet Union, and South Africa (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The active personnel of the FAC is estimated to be around 12,000 to 14,000, including those in the Gendarmerie (2025).
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — although the Republic of the Congo does not completely satisfy the minimum criteria for eradicating trafficking, the government has allocated adequate resources towards a documented strategy that, if executed, would represent substantial efforts to fulfill the minimum requirements; consequently, the Republic of the Congo received a waiver under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, preventing an obligatory downgrade to Tier 3, thus remaining on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third year in a row; for additional information, visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/republic-of-the-congo/
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
69,766 (2024 est.)
