Country Summary: Congo (Republic of the Congo)

Country Name: Congo (Republic of the Congo)

Capital: Brazzaville

Government Type: presidential republic

Background: Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo.From 1968-1992, 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 name Republic of the Congo.  A two-year civil war that ended in 1999 restored former President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, who had ruled from 1979 to 1992, and sparked a short period of ethnic and political unrest that was resolved by a peace agreement in late 1999. A new constitution adopted three years later provided for a multi-party system and a seven-year presidential term, and elections arranged shortly thereafter retained SASSOU-Nguesso. Following a year of renewed fighting, President SASSOU-Nguesso and southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 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, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.

Continent: Africa

Population: 5,677,493 (2023 est.)

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 (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

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.)

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

Currency: Central African CFA Franc (XAF)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $828.56 million (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $21.913 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Real GDP Growth Rate: 1.48% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per Capita: $3,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Exports: 

• $4.67 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 140

Export Commodities: copper, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, lumber, tin (2021)

Export Partners: China 49%, United Arab Emirates 15%, India 6%, Italy 5% (2019)

Imports: 

• $3.279 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 159

Import Commodities: ships, chicken products, refined petroleum, processed fish, packaged medicines (2019)

Import Partners: China 15%, France 12%, Belgium 6%, Angola 5% (2019)

Natural Resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

Agricultural Products: cassava, sugar cane, oil palm fruit, cassava leaves, bananas, plantains, roots/tubers, game meat, vegetables, mangoes/guavas

Industries: petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

Industrial Production Growth Rate: 

• -0.62% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

• Comparison Ranking: 174

Labor Force: 2.384 million (2022 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 20.48% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Natural Hazards: seasonal flooding 

Geography:

• Total: 342,000 sq km

• Land: 341,500 sq km

• Water: 500 sq km

(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)

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