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Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. From 1968 to 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 Republic of the Congo" name. A two-year civil war that ended in 1999 restored to power former President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, who had ruled from 1979 to 1992. A new constitution adopted three years later provided for a multi-party system and a seven-year presidential term, and the next elections retained SASSOU-Nguesso. After a year of renewed fighting, SASSOU-Nguesso and southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in 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.
Area: 342,000 sq km km2
Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
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 (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%, Kimbanguist 1.5%, other 8.1%, none 11.3% (2007 est.)
Capital: Brazzaville
Government type: presidential republic
Chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 1997)
Head of government: Prime Minister Anatole Collinet MAKOSSO (since 12 May 2021)
Description: Parliament (Parlement) - bicameral
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
petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 9.4% (2024 est.), Industry: 40.1% (2024 est.), Services: 45% (2024 est.)
Export partners: China 46%, UAE 23%, India 6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Portugal 3% (2023)
Export commodities: crude petroleum, refined copper, gold, wood, refined petroleum (2023)
Import partners: China 24%, Angola 20%, Gabon 9%, France 6%, UAE 5% (2023)
Import commodities: ships, poultry, garments, iron pipes, refined petroleum (2023)
Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Military expenditure: 2024: 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.