Democratic Republic of the Congo: cost of living

What is the price of petrol in the DR Congo?

The official pump price for petrol in the western supply zone, which includes Kinshasa, was 2,640 Congolese francs a litre in April 2026, and 2,635 francs for diesel, according to the fuel price structure published by the Ministère de l’Économie Nationale on 10 May 2026.

The same table puts the cost-reflective price at 4,364.81 francs for petrol and 5,346.90 francs for diesel, so the pump price was well below cost. Prices are set separately for the western, southern and eastern supply zones. The ministry publishes each zone's price structure; the latest tables for the second quarter of 2026 were posted in August and September 2026.

Official sources: Ministère de l'Économie Nationale: fuel price structure, West zone, April 2026 (PDF) · Ministère de l'Économie Nationale: fuel price structures

What is the poverty rate in the DR Congo?

85.3% of people in the DR Congo lived on less than US$3.00 a day in 2020, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. 56.2% lived below the national poverty line that year, according to the World Bank.

The US$3.00 line is the World Bank's international extreme poverty line at 2021 prices adjusted for purchasing power. The national line is set from local costs of basic needs, so the two figures measure different things. Both come from household surveys, which are infrequent in the DR Congo, so 2020 is the latest year.

Official sources: World Bank: poverty at $3.00 a day, DR Congo · World Bank: poverty at national lines, DR Congo

How fast are prices rising in the DR Congo?

Prices in the DR Congo rose 7.391% between January and the first week of October 2026, and 0.56% in September alone, according to Institut National de la Statistique data published by the Banque Centrale du Congo. The annual rate was 3.678%.

The central bank's Monetary Policy Committee links the faster rise in 2026 to higher world food and cereal prices, the war in the east of the country and the Ebola epidemic. Its note of 2 October 2026 says the price of imported rice is up 66.3% since the end of 2025.

Official sources: BCC: inflation statistics · BCC: Communiqué du Comité de Politique Monétaire, 8 octobre 2026 (PDF) · BCC: Note de conjoncture économique au 02 octobre 2026 (PDF)

What is the VAT rate in the DR Congo?

The standard rate of value added tax (TVA) in the DR Congo is 16%, according to the Direction Générale des Impôts. A reduced rate of 8% applies to certain products, and exports are zero-rated.

VAT is charged on most goods and services consumed in the DR Congo and is collected by registered businesses for the state; the final consumer bears it. The DGI publishes the full rules, the list of registered taxpayers and the tax code on its website.

Official sources: DGI: VAT leaflet (PDF) · Direction Générale des Impôts

What are income tax rates in the DR Congo?

Personal income tax in the DR Congo is charged at 3% on income up to 1,944,000 Congolese francs, 15% from 1,944,001 to 21,600,000 francs, 30% from 21,600,001 to 43,200,000 francs and 40% above that, according to the Direction Générale des Impôts.

The tax is applied to total net income from all sources, and the tax due cannot exceed 30% of the taxable base. Separate taxes apply to company profits, investment income and payroll; the DGI website sets out each one.

Official sources: DGI: personal income tax (IRPP)

What is the Democratic Republic of the Congo's inflation rate?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 2.9% in 2016. The peak was 21.3% in 2005 and the low 0.7% in 2015. It is 27th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.3%. Worldwide: 70th of 180.

What is household spending per person in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $303. The peak was $305 in 2019 and the low $286 in 2005. It is 36th highest of 37 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $840. Worldwide: 123rd of 124.

What share of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo live in extreme poverty?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2020, is 85.3%. In 2012 the figure was 78.9%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 44.4%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 1st highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 1st of 69.

How many people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are poor?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 56.2% in 2020. It is 1st highest of 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 51.3%. Of 57 countries with 2020 data, 1st highest.

How unequal are incomes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The World Bank puts the Gini index in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 44.7 in 2020. In 2012 the figure was 42.1. It is 1st highest of 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 37.5. Of 69 countries with 2020 data, 6th highest.

How many people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo go hungry?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 81.7% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2019. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 60.5%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 3rd highest of 34. Worldwide: 4th of 135.