What we do

Democratic Republic of Congo

The fourth-most-populous and largest Francophone country in Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) possesses vast natural resources that give it the potential to become a driver of African growth. Its recent history, however, has been one of civil war, political instability and corruption. The war claimed up to six million lives as a direct result of the fighting and because of the resultant disease and malnutrition. The most recent World Bank estimates put the extreme poverty rate at 73% (2018), which is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, the country has been grappling with an Ebola outbreak in its North Kivu and Ituri provinces since August 2018. The prevalent instability and insecurity in this region are hampering the Ebola response.

total population (thousands)

84,068

GNI per capita

467.1$

Life expectancy at birth

60 years

Human Development Index

176 (out of 189)

Under-5 mortality rate

88‰

Primary school net enrolment

na%

Adult HIV prevalence (% of the population)

0.8%

People of all ages living with HIV (thousands)

450

improved access to safe water (% of the population)

43%

moderate-severe underweight (% children under-5)

43%