DRC Facts File
DRC: Fact file - Updated November 2010
Name: République Démocratique du Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC)
Area: 2 344 885 sq km
Capital: Kinshasa
Major cities: Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi, Kolwezi, Kisangani, Kananga, Likasi (Frame 2008, 323)
Boundaries: Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola
Population: 67.827 million, 2010 est (UN Statistics Division 2009a)
Natural pop growth: 2.76 %, 2005-2010 est (UN Statistics Division 2009b)
Urbanisation: 33.3%, 2007 est (UN Statistics Division undated)
Life expectancy: Female 49.0 yrs, male 45.9 yrs; 2005-2010 est (UN Statistics Division 2009c, 2009d)
Infant mortality: 117/1000, 2005-2010 est (UN Statistics Division 2009e)
HIV/AIDS prevalence: 4.04%, adults, 2007 est (Programme National Multisectoriel 2008, 11)
Adult literacy rate: 67%; 2003-2008 est (UN Statistics Division 2010a)
Military expenditure: no data (UN Statistics Division 2010b)
Health expenditure: 4.2% of GDP; 2005 (UN Statistics Division 2008)
Legal system: Belgian and customary law (Zongwe et al 2007)
Independence: June 30, 1960 (Belgium)
GDP: US$11.588 billion, 2008 est (UN Statistics Division 2010c)
GDP per capita: US$181, 2008 est (UN Statistics Division 2009g)
GDP growth rate: 6.2%, 2008 est (UN Statistics Division 2010d)
Main exports: Diamonds, oil, cobalt, copper (Frame 2008, 326)
Currency: Franc Congolais (FC)
Unemployment: 58%, 2009 (AFDB/OECD 2010)
Inflation rate: 19.5%, 2008 (UN Statistics Division 2010e)
External debt ratio: 47.5% of GDP, 2009 (IMF 2010, 95)
Roads: 157,000 km, 33 00 main; in very poor condition; river main means of transport (Frame 2008, 314, 315)
Rail: 5,138 km (SADC 2007)
Airports: 230, of which 25 are paved (SADC 2007)
Ethnic groups: More than 200; major groups Mongo, Luba, Kongo and Mangbetu-Azande 45% population (SADC 2007).
Languages: French (official); national languages Lingala, Kingwana (form of Swahili), Kikongo and Tshiluba (SADC 2007)
Religion: 70% Christian (50% Roman Catholic, 20% Protestant), 10% Muslim and 20% Traditional African Religions (SADC 2007)