DR Congo Country Profile

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the third largest country in Africa and borders with nine countries. Civil wars and poor governance have devastated the DRC and left its people desperately poor.

The mineral resources found within the country could make the country one of the most prosperous in the continent, and following the 2006 democratic elections, the first for 40 years, there is hope that the country can finally escape the cycle of conflict and suffering and realise its human potential, but also concern that continuing conflict and corruption will prevent this.

The Facts

Capital: Kinshasa
Major religions: Christianity, Islam
Main Languages: French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Key exports: diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt
Government: Alliance for the Presidential Majority
Prime Minister: Joseph Kabila
Most recent Presidential/National Assembly elections: 2006/2006
Next scheduled Presidential/National Assembly elections: 2011/2011

The Figures

HIV prevalence: 5.3% aged 15-49 (UK: 0.2%)
Adult literacy rate: 67% aged 15 and older (UK: >99%)
GDP per capita: US$327 (UK: US$34,340)
Life expectancy at birth: 48 years (UK: 80 years)
Under-five mortality rate: 199 per 1,000 live births (UK: 6 per 1,000 live births)
2010 Human Development Index Ranking (out of 169 countries): 168

For information on the Democratic Republic of Congo's history, politics, economy and more, view ACTSA's full Democratic Republic of Congo Country Profile.

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Democratic Republic of Congo Profile