Country explorer: Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen gradual improvements in GDP per capita, a mixed but generally high poverty rate across different thresholds, a stable unemployment rate in contrast to both regional lows and highs experienced by its peers, and significant strides in reducing hyperinflation to more manageable levels, mirroring challenges and achievements common to many low-income countries but distinguished by its recovery from extreme inflation rates.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced significant population growth, relatively high fertility rates, and oscillating net migration and life expectancy trends, indicative of both demographic robustness and challenges akin to many low-income countries, yet with a distinct trajectory of recovery and growth in life expectancy more pronounced than some of its peers.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced modest but consistent improvements in access to clean cooking fuels and electricity, while facing persistent challenges in access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation, subtly highlighting the complex interplay between advancements and stagnation within its basic needs sector compared to its peers.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has shown gradual but consistent improvements in human development indicators such as the Human Development Index (HDI), child mortality rate, and literacy rate, underscoring a slow yet ongoing transformation towards better living standards and educational outcomes, albeit with challenges comparable to those in other low-income countries.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a consistent decrease in forest area, indicative of deforestation, alongside increasing renewable freshwater resources per capita but faces challenges with varying CO₂ emissions and a predominant reliance on hydroelectric power, reflecting a complex interplay of environmental stewardship and energy challenges similar to and yet distinct from its low-income peers due to its vast natural resources and biodiversity.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has witnessed steady growth in internet usage and mobile phone subscriptions, reflecting broader technological adoption, although its achievements in research and development and scientific publications remain modest compared to regional counterparts, illustrating a focus on foundational technological access and utilization over advanced innovation outputs.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen gradual improvements in gender equality and life satisfaction amidst enduring high age dependency ratios and a stable share of the population born abroad, mirroring the slowly evolving societal foundation common to low-income countries.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced gradual improvements in the rule of law, political civil liberties, and somewhat in combating corruption, signifying modest governance progress, though pace and consistency of change varies, reflecting challenges akin to those in other low-income countries.