Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 45.1% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in urban and rural areas in Democratic Republic of Congo is 45.1%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
The figure is up 0.8% on the previous year and up 9.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 45.1% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 18.8%, in 1950.
Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 174th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 76 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 21.3% | 18.8% | 22.2% | 10 |
| 1960s | 23.0% | 22.3% | 23.8% | 10 |
| 1970s | 25.2% | 24.0% | 26.5% | 10 |
| 1980s | 28.3% | 26.8% | 29.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 32.3% | 30.3% | 34.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 37.1% | 34.9% | 39.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 41.1% | 39.4% | 42.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 44.2% | 43.3% | 45.1% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
- 171 Sierra Leone 45.9% compare
- 172 Zambia 45.9% compare
- 173 Seychelles 45.5% compare
- 175 Lesotho 44.7% compare
- 176 Central African Republic 44.6% compare
- 177 Togo 44.4% compare
More population data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- World population growth 0.7% (2100)
- Population density 189.99 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 33.44 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.7% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 5.98 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 5.98 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 517,404 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 5.98 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 6.05 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 5.31 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Democratic Republic of Congo was 45.1% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 45.1% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.8% in 1950.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 174th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.