The Democratic Republic of the Congo is preparing to conduct a national census for the first time since 1984, according to authorities and statements from residents and government officials. The World Bank estimates the country’s current population at approximately 112 million people with an annual growth rate near 3.2 percent. The absence of a census for more than four decades reflects the nation’s experience with political instability, armed conflict, and systemic challenges that have prevented comprehensive population counts.
The census initiative addresses multiple needs for the country’s population. Many Congolese citizens, including those born within the nation, lack official documents confirming their identity or citizenship status. Voter registration cards have served as primary forms of identification for decades due to the unavailability of national identity documents. Officials within the National Institute of Statistics and the Central Census Office indicate that the process will employ digital technology, utilizing tablets and smartphones for data collection rather than paper-based methods. A preliminary mapping phase began in June with recruitment of field workers tasked with identifying and locating inhabited areas across the country’s expansive 2.3 million square kilometers.
Significant obstacles remain for completing a comprehensive count. Much of the eastern region experiences ongoing armed group activity and population displacement, making access to certain communities difficult. Poor infrastructure, limited roads, and insecurity compound logistical challenges across the territory. Activists and civil society representatives have raised concerns about whether displaced populations will be effectively reached and counted within their home communities, as census procedures typically require.
The census has emerged as a politically sensitive undertaking. General elections are scheduled for 2028, and some opposition figures and civil society organizations have expressed concern that population figures could become contested regarding representation and governance matters. Government officials have stated the exercise serves routine planning purposes rather than political objectives. Development analysts emphasize that accurate census data could inform decisions regarding school, hospital, road, water system, and infrastructure placement based on actual population distribution rather than estimates.
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