UNICEF's country profile for Democratic Republic of the Congo, including under-five mortality rates, child health, education and sanitation data.

Graph and download economic data for Infant Mortality Rate for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SPDYNIMRTINCOD) from 1969 to 2023 about DR Congo, mortality, infant, and rate.

Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Mortality Rate: Infant: Male: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 78.100 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 80.200 Ratio for 2015. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Mortality Rate: Infant: Male: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 91.200 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 125.900 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 78.100 Ratio in 2016. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Mortality Rate: Infant: Male: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Democratic Republic of Congo – Table CD.World Bank: Health Statistics. Infant mortality rate, male is the number of male infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 male live births in a given year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted Average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

As the region of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo entered the 20th century, the population was reeling from extensive disease and exploitation under the rule of King Leopold II of Belgium. As a result of both the outbreak of several epidemics, including several particularly deadly smallpox outbreaks, throughout the 1890s, as well as harsh policies enforced by the Force Publique military under Leopold II’s command, the child mortality rate for the Congo in 1895 was 423 per 1000 live births. This meant that over 42 percent of children born in the Congo in 1895 would not survive past their fifth birthday. Over the next four decades, child mortality would begin to fall somewhat, to 389 deaths per 1,000 births by 1940.

The child mortality rate would begin to fall dramatically in the decade following the Second World War, as the Belgian colonial administration pursued several development programs aimed at turning the rapidly urbanizing Congo into a “model colony”. As a result of this rapid development, as well as the beginning of large-scale implementation of vaccinations in the continent, child mortality would fall from 389 deaths per 1000 births in 1940 to 281 deaths in 1955. The decline in child mortality would slow somewhat following the DRC’s independence from Belgium in 1960, but would continue to fall for the remainder of the 20th century. After a brief reversal in 2000, where child mortality would rise for the first time in over a century in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and several civil and regional wars, the child mortality rate would continue to drop through the first two decades of the 21st century. In 2020, the child mortality rate in the Congo is estimated to be 100 deaths per 1,000 live births, which means that one tenth of children born today are still not expected to make it to their fifth birthday.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Infant deaths per 1000 live births: The latest value from 2022 is 60 deaths per 1000 live births, a decline from 62 deaths per 1000 live births in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 19 deaths per 1000 live births, based on data from 187 countries. Historically, the average for Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1969 to 2022 is 109 deaths per 1000 live births. The minimum value, 60 deaths per 1000 live births, was reached in 2022 while the maximum of 151 deaths per 1000 live births was recorded in 1969.

Historical dataset showing Democratic Republic of Congo infant mortality rate by year from 1969 to 2023.

Infant mortality rate of Democratic Republic of the Congo fell by 2.84% from 45.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022 to 44.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023. Since the 3.07% decline in 2013, infant mortality rate plummeted by 25.71% in 2023. Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.

Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Female: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 87.400 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 90.500 Ratio for 2015. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Female: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 107.700 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 175.000 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 87.400 Ratio in 2016. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Female: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Democratic Republic of Congo – Table CD.World Bank: Health Statistics. Under-five mortality rate, female is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn female baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to female age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates Developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted Average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Graph and download economic data for Crude Birth Rate for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SPDYNCBRTINCOD) from 1960 to 2023 about DR Congo, birth, crude, and rate.

This statistic depicts the crude birth rate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2013 to 2023. According to the source, the "crude birth rate indicates the number of live births occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear." In 2023, the crude birth rate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to 41.31 live births per 1,000 inhabitants.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: The number of crude births per 1000 people, per year: The latest value from 2023 is 41.31 births per 1000 people, a decline from 41.62 births per 1000 people in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 17.86 births per 1000 people, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1960 to 2023 is 45.41 births per 1000 people. The minimum value, 41.31 births per 1000 people, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 47.89 births per 1000 people was recorded in 1966.

Crude Birth Rate for the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 41.30500 Births per 1,000 People in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Crude Birth Rate for the Democratic Republic of the Congo reached a record high of 46.90300 in January of 1965 and a record low of 40.63900 in January of 2019. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Crude Birth Rate for the Democratic Republic of the Congo - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Over the last two observations, the life expectancy has significantly increased in all gender groups As part of the positive trend, the life expectancy reaches the maximum value for the different genders at the end of the comparison period. Particularly noteworthy is the life expectancy of women at birth, which has the highest value of 67.46 years. Life expectancy at birth refers to the number of years that the average newborn can expect to live, providing that mortality patterns at the time of their birth do not change thereafter.Find further similar statistics for other countries or regions like Faroe Islands and Fiji.

Graph and download economic data for Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SPDYNLE00INCOD) from 1960 to 2023 about DR Congo, life expectancy, life, and birth.

Historical dataset showing Democratic Republic of Congo birth rate by year from 1960 to 2023.

Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Life Expectancy at Birth: Male data was reported at 58.141 Year in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 57.742 Year for 2015. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Life Expectancy at Birth: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 47.055 Year from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 58.141 Year in 2016 and a record low of 39.640 Year in 1960. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Life Expectancy at Birth: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Democratic Republic of Congo – Table CD.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Time series data for the statistic Birth_Rate_Crude_Per_1000_People and country Congo, Dem. Rep.. Indicator Definition:Crude birth rate indicates the number of live births occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear. Subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate provides the rate of natural increase, which is equal to the rate of population change in the absence of migration.The statistic "Birth Rate Crude Per 1000 People" stands at 41.30 per mille as of 12/31/2023, the lowest value at least since 12/31/1961, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -0.318 percentage points compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percentage points is -0.318.The 3 year change in percentage points is -0.885.The 5 year change in percentage points is -1.58.The 10 year change in percentage points is -2.38.The Serie's long term average value is 45.41 per mille. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is 4.10 percentage points lower, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percentage points from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2023, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is +0.0.The Serie's change in percentage points from it's maximum value, on 12/31/1966, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is -6.58.

Congo, Democratic Republic of the - Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 61.89500 Number of Years in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Congo, Democratic Republic of the - Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for the Democratic Republic of the Congo reached a record high of 61.89500 in January of 2023 and a record low of 41.09800 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Congo, Democratic Republic of the - Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for the Democratic Republic of the Congo - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Life Expectancy at Birth: Female data was reported at 61.112 Year in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 60.676 Year for 2015. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Life Expectancy at Birth: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 49.918 Year from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 61.112 Year in 2016 and a record low of 42.465 Year in 1960. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Life Expectancy at Birth: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Democratic Republic of Congo – Table CD.World Bank: Health Statistics. Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data was reported at 59.621 Year in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 59.205 Year for 2015. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 48.502 Year from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 59.621 Year in 2016 and a record low of 41.098 Year in 1960. Congo, The Democratic Republic of the CD: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Democratic Republic of Congo – Table CD.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, or derived from male and female life expectancy at birth from sources such as: (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;