Democratic Republic of the Congo: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in the DR Congo?

The ILO modelled estimate puts unemployment in the DR Congo at 4.4% of the labour force in 2025, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. Youth unemployment, ages 15 to 24, was 7.8%, according to the World Bank.

A low unemployment rate does not mean most people have secure, paid jobs: the measure counts anyone who worked even briefly, including in family farming or informal trade. The Institut National de la Statistique does not publish a regular labour force survey on its website, which was under construction on 15 October 2026, so the ILO estimate is the main comparable figure.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, DR Congo · World Bank: youth unemployment, DR Congo

What is the minimum wage in the DR Congo?

The DR Congo has a guaranteed minimum wage, the Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti (SMIG). A new SMIG rate was applied from January 2026, and the National Labour Council held its 37th extraordinary session on its application, according to the Office National de l’Emploi.

The ONEM article does not state the amount. The rate is set by decree after talks in the National Labour Council between government, employers and unions. The current daily amount could not be read on the ONEM, Ministry of Finance or Institut National de la Statistique websites on 15 October 2026; the decree is published in the Journal officiel, whose site returned an error that day.

Official sources: ONEM: 37th extraordinary session of the National Labour Council on the SMIG

How much does the DR Congo spend on civil service salaries?

The DR Congo government paid 12,044.0 billion Congolese francs in salaries in 2025, 31.4% more than in 2024 but 89.0% of the amount planned, according to the Banque Centrale du Congo monetary policy report for 2025, based on Ministry of Finance treasury data.

Salaries were the largest item of current spending, which totalled 21,023.8 billion francs. The figures are on a cash basis from the state treasury plan. Spending on salaries was below plan while security spending was well above it.

Official sources: BCC: Rapport sur la politique monétaire en 2025 (PDF)

How many women work in the DR Congo?

61.8% of women aged 15 and over in the DR Congo were in the labour force in 2025, according to the ILO modelled estimate in the World Bank World Development Indicators.

The labour force includes people working or looking for work, including in farming and informal trading, both of which are included. The share has changed little in recent years: it was 61.4% in 2022. The estimate is modelled by the ILO from household surveys and other data, because the DR Congo does not publish a regular labour force survey.

Official sources: World Bank: female labour force participation, DR Congo

How much money do Congolese abroad send home?

Personal remittances received by the DR Congo were US$3.32 billion in 2025, up from US$2.00 billion in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators.

The series follows the balance of payments definition, covering money sent home by workers abroad and other transfers between households. The 2024 figure was much lower than the US$3.30 billion recorded in 2023. The Banque Centrale du Congo compiles the balance of payments, published in its monetary policy report.

Official sources: World Bank: personal remittances received, DR Congo · BCC: Rapport sur la politique monétaire en 2025 (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 183,950 CDF a month in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

How much do workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo earn on average?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2016, is $145 a month. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $268 a month, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 6th highest of 8. Of 102 countries with 2016 data, 98th highest.

What is the unemployment rate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 4.4%. The peak was 5.4% in 2020 and the low 2.9% in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.2%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 25th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 104th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 7.8%. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 9.6%; its low point was 2005, at 4.9%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 8.8%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 24th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 128th highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 64.3% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 72.6%; its low point was 2020, at 63.4%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 23rd highest of 45. Worldwide: 71st of 174.

What is female labour force participation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 61.8% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 60.3% (2020) to 71.3% (2005). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.3%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 18th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 38th of 174.

What share of adults in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have a job?

61.5%: that is the employment to population ratio in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 70.4%; its low point was 2020, at 60.0%. It is 20th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 58.8%. Worldwide: 61st of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 81.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 83.1%; its low point was 2012, at 80.6%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 9th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 10th of 174.

What share of workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo earn a wage or salary?

14.9%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 13.4% (2020) to 17.4% (2012). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 29.0%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 37th highest of 45. Worldwide: 166th of 174.