Republic of the Congo: housing

How many people own their home in the Republic of the Congo?

22.3% of households in the Republic of the Congo owned their home with a property title in 2022, and 15.4% owned it without a title, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS) household living conditions survey. Tenants were the largest group, at 36.3% of households. The remaining 26.0% were housed free by relatives or friends, by an employer, or were squatters.

The INS reports that 44.5% of poor urban households rent, while 41.0% of poor rural households say they own their home but have no title. Owning without a title means the household has no registered legal proof of ownership.

Official sources: INS: EHCVM 2022 poverty report (PDF)

What are housing conditions like in the Republic of the Congo?

94.2% of households in the Republic of the Congo had a roof of durable materials in 2022, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS) household living conditions survey. Among poor households, 57.7% had walls of durable materials, against 74.4% of non-poor households. 36.7% of poor households had access to electricity, against 62.3% of non-poor households.

The INS uses these housing features to compare poor and non-poor households. The gaps are widest in rural areas: only 7.6% of poor rural households had electricity and 24.2% had floors of durable materials.

Official sources: INS: EHCVM 2022 poverty report (PDF)

What is the Republic of the Congo's urbanisation rate?

In 2025, the share of people living in urban areas in the Republic of the Congo was 64.1%, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 44.9%, and the Republic of the Congo placed 8th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 93rd highest.

How common are informal settlements in the Republic of the Congo?

UN-Habitat puts the share of city dwellers living in slums in the Republic of the Congo at 75.3% in 2022. The peak was 78.5% in 2006 and the low 44.2% in 2018. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 48.7%; the Republic of the Congo is 7th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 7th of 170.

How many people in the Republic of the Congo have electricity?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 53.0%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.8%, and the Republic of the Congo placed 32nd highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 176th highest.

How many people in the Republic of the Congo have clean water?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in the Republic of the Congo was 45.9% in 2021. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 26.1%; the Republic of the Congo is 5th highest of 26. Of 136 countries with 2021 data, 100th highest.

How many people in the Republic of the Congo cook with wood or charcoal?

In 2024, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in the Republic of the Congo was 40.0%, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 13.0%; the Republic of the Congo is 15th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 147th highest.