Democratic Republic of the Congo: housing

How many people in the DR Congo live in cities?

45.1% of the DR Congo's population lived in urban areas in 2025, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. The total population was 112,832,473, according to the World Bank, up from 102,396,968 in 2022.

The figures are UN-based estimates rather than recent census counts; the Institut National de la Statistique lists the census among its programmes. The urban share has risen by about one percentage point since 2022, adding to demand for housing, water and transport in cities.

Official sources: World Bank: urban population share, DR Congo · World Bank: population, DR Congo

How many people in the DR Congo have electricity?

22.5% of people in the DR Congo had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, up from 20.8% in 2021.

Access counts households with any electricity connection, including solar home systems, and is much higher in cities than in rural areas. Only 5% of people used clean fuels and technologies for cooking in 2024, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: access to electricity, DR Congo · World Bank: access to clean cooking, DR Congo

How many people in the DR Congo have clean water?

35.7% of people in the DR Congo used at least basic drinking water services in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use WHO and UNICEF monitoring data. 16.3% used at least basic sanitation, according to the World Bank.

Basic water means an improved source, such as a piped supply or protected well, within a 30-minute round trip. Basic sanitation means an improved toilet not shared with other households. Both shares have changed little since 2021.

Official sources: World Bank: basic drinking water, DR Congo · World Bank: basic sanitation, DR Congo

How many people in the DR Congo have been forced from their homes?

5,669,479 people were internally displaced in the DR Congo at the end of 2025, down from 6,905,511 a year earlier, according to UNHCR population statistics. 3,582,665 displaced people returned home during 2025.

Most displacement is in the east of the country, driven by armed conflict, and many displaced families live with host families or in camps. Figures change quickly as people flee and return. UNHCR publishes them on its Refugee Data Finder.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data for the DR Congo (API) · UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo live in cities?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 45.1%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 24th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 44.9%. World rank, highest first: 139th of 193.

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

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 78.4%, according to UN-Habitat. No year since 2006 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 48.7%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 6th highest of 48. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 6th highest.

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

22.5%: that is the share of people with access to electricity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2024, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.8%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 42nd highest of 48. Worldwide: 187th of 193.

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

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 11.9% in 2024. The peak was 12.2% in 2005 and the low 11.2% in 2020. It is 22nd highest of 25 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 27.2%. World rank, highest first: 130th of 134.

What share of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have safe sanitation?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 13.1% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 13.0% (2022) to 19.8% (2005). It is 24th highest of 29 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 23.6%. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 126th highest.

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

5.0%: that is the share of people using clean cooking fuels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2024, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 13.0%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 35th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 179th highest.