Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Congo
Congo: Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation was 27.2% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Congo, 2000–2021
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Congo is 27.2%, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 22 years on record.
The figure is up 20.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Congo peaked at 27.2% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 16.3%, in 2000.
Congo ranks 181st of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Congo, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 16.3% | — |
| 2001 | 16.3% | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 16.7% | +2.7% |
| 2003 | 17.1% | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 17.8% | +3.8% |
| 2005 | 18.5% | +3.7% |
| 2006 | 19.1% | +3.6% |
| 2007 | 19.8% | +3.6% |
| 2008 | 20.5% | +3.5% |
| 2009 | 21.2% | +3.4% |
| 2010 | 21.9% | +3.4% |
| 2011 | 22.6% | +3.3% |
| 2012 | 23.4% | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 24.1% | +3.2% |
| 2014 | 24.9% | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 25.6% | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 26.4% | +3.0% |
| 2017 | 27.2% | +3.0% |
| 2018 | 27.2% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 27.2% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 27.2% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 27.2% | +0.0% |
Congo compared with similar countries
- Congo's 27.2% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 65.2%, 42% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Congo's 27.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 48.4%, 56% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 18.3% | 16.3% | 21.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 25.1% | 21.9% | 27.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 27.2% | 27.2% | 27.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Congo
More population data for Congo
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.6949 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.03 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.6949 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.5095 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 10,379 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.17 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0471 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.7% (2100)
- Population density 58.64 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.51 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Congo?
- Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in Congo was 27.2% in 2021, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation recorded in Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 27.2% in 2017.
- What is the lowest share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation recorded in Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.3% in 2000.
- How does Congo rank for share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation?
- Congo ranks 181st out of 186 countries with data for 2021.
- Is share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation rising or falling in Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Congo data come from?
- The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Proportion of people using improved sanitation facilities, such as toilets or latrines, that are not shared with other households.