DR Congo Population Live (2026)
The live population of the DR Congo, updated every second — with births today, deaths today, growth rate and key facts about one of the largest countries on Earth.
The DR Congo has an estimated population of about 102.3 million people in 2026 — 1.24% of the roughly 8.25 billion people on Earth, and the 15th largest of the 72 countries tracked on LiveHumans. The counter above starts from our 1 January 2026 estimate and adds births and subtracts deaths every second, using the DR Congo's latest birth rate (40.5 per 1,000 people a year) and death rate (8.5 per 1,000).
Is the population of the DR Congo growing?
Yes. Around 11,347 babies are born in the DR Congo every day — about 473 an hour — while around 2,381 people die. That leaves a natural increase of roughly 8,966 people a day, or about 3.3 million a year: a growth rate of 3.20% before migration. At that pace the population would double in roughly 22 years. The DR Congo has the 1st fastest natural growth of the 72 countries we track.
A birth rate of 40.5 per 1,000 people is very high by global standards — close to double the world average of about 16.9 — and is typical of countries where families are large and the population is very young. It ranks 1st of 72 for birth rate on LiveHumans.
These figures count births and deaths only. Migration moves the DR Congo's real population up or down each year, which is why official census figures can differ from our estimate.
Births and deaths in the DR Congo
| Period | Births | Deaths | Net change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per minute | 7.9 | 1.7 | 6.2 |
| Per hour | 473 | 99 | 374 |
| Per day | 11,347 | 2,381 | 8,966 |
| Per week | 79,429 | 16,670 | 62,759 |
| Per year | 4,141,644 | 869,234 | 3,272,410 |
How crowded is the DR Congo?
With about 102.3 million people living on 2,344,858 km², the DR Congo has roughly 43.6 people per square kilometre. That is below the world average of about 61 per km², so there is more land per person than in crowded countries such as Bangladesh, the Netherlands or India.
Life expectancy in the DR Congo
A baby born in the DR Congo today can expect to live about 60.7 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3. That is well below the world average (71st of 72). Higher child mortality, infectious disease and limited healthcare pull the average down — although life expectancy has been rising. Want a personal estimate? Try our life expectancy calculator.
Income and population
With GDP of about $558 per person (71st of 72), the DR Congo is a lower-income country. As incomes, education and access to healthcare rise, birth rates almost always fall — which is why the UN expects growth here to slow over the coming decades.
The DR Congo at a glance
| Fact | Value | Rank (of 72) |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026 est.) | 102,262,808 | 15 |
| Births per day | 11,347 | 6 |
| Deaths per day | 2,381 | 13 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 40.5 | 1 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 8.5 | 27 |
| Natural growth rate | 3.20% / year | 1 |
| Life expectancy | 60.7 years | 71 |
| Population density | 43.6 / km² | 53 |
| GDP per person | $558 | 71 |
| Area | 2,344,858 km² | — |
| Capital | Kinshasa | — |
| Languages | French | — |
| Currency | Congolese Franc (FC) | — |
Compare with other countries
See all countries on our population by country page, or watch the whole planet on the live world population counter.
How we calculate the DR Congo's live population
No country counts its people every second, so this page is an estimate. We start from a population figure for 1 January 2026 based on United Nations and World Bank data, then use the DR Congo's crude birth rate and crude death rate — the number of births and deaths per 1,000 people per year — to work out how many people are born and die each second. The counter simply adds those up in real time. Because migration is not included, and because rates change from year to year, treat the figure as a close estimate rather than an exact count.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the DR Congo in 2026?
The population of the DR Congo in 2026 is estimated at about 102.3 million people, which is around 1.24% of the world's population. The live counter on this page adds births and subtracts deaths every second.
How many babies are born in the DR Congo every day?
About 11,347 babies are born in the DR Congo every day — roughly 473 per hour, or 4.1 million per year — based on a birth rate of 40.5 per 1,000 people.
How many people die in the DR Congo every day?
About 2,381 people die in the DR Congo every day — roughly 99 per hour, or 869,234 per year — based on a death rate of 8.5 per 1,000 people.
Is the population of the DR Congo growing or shrinking?
Growing. Births exceed deaths by about 8,966 people a day, a natural growth rate of 3.20% a year before migration.
What is the life expectancy in the DR Congo?
Life expectancy at birth in the DR Congo is about 60.7 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3 years.
How accurate is this DR Congo population counter?
It is a statistical estimate, not a live headcount. We start from a 1 January 2026 population estimate based on UN and World Bank data and apply the DR Congo's annual birth and death rates second by second. Migration is not included, so official figures may differ slightly.
Last updated: 26 September 2026 · Estimates based on UN World Population Prospects and World Bank data.