Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The GDP amounted to XAF 4,142.4 billion in 2009. The real GDP growth rate was registered at 6.8% in 2009.

(Source: Central bank)

GDP per capita was estimated to be USD 2,349.8 in 2009.

(Source: Central bank)

Gross national income (GNI)

Gross National Income per capita PPP was registered at USD 3,040 in 2009, with a 3.4% growth.

(Source: world Bank)

Income tax rate

The income tax on an individual in Republic of Congo is taxed progressively from 1% to 50% in 2009.

(Source: taxrates.cc)

Corporate tax rate

The standard corporate tax rate imposed is 38%. The Value-added tax is levied at 18%.

(Source: taxrates.cc, doingbusiness.org)

Inflation rate

The inflation rate in 2009 was recorded at 4.4%, as compared to 5.3% in 2008. The inflation rate was estimated to be 5.2% in 2010.

(Source: central bank, IMF)

Foreign direct investment inflows

The foreign direct investment inflows in 2009 was USD 2,083 million, as compared to USD 2,483 million in 2008.

(Source: unctad.org, page: 205)

Bank sector assets

The total bank sector assets amounted to XAF 2,132,716 million in September, 2010.

(Source: central bank)

Consumer price index (CPI)

The consumer price index for the largest city, Brazzaville, was registered at 590 in March 2010, as compared to 557.7 in 2009. The CPI for the second largest city, Pointe-Noire, in March 2010 was 173.4, with an increase of 3.2%.

(Source: National Statistics)

Money Supply

Avail and Quasi money was registered at XAF 1,293,958 million in September 2010, with an increase of 16.9% from September 2009.

(Source: central bank)

Government expenditure

The total government expenditure is estimated to be XAF 1,322.4 billion and XAF 1,134.9 billion in 2010 and 2009 respectively. The growth rate from 2009 to 2010 was 16.5%.

(Source: central bank)

Exchange rate

The exchange rate was registered at XAF 470.3 per USD in 2009.

(Source: central bank)

Government finances

Fiscal balance

The fiscal balance is estimated to register a surplus of XAF 1,539.2 billion in 2010, as compared to a surplus of XAF 155.9 billion in 2009.

(Source:central bank)

Total revenues

The total revenues are estimated to amount to XAF 2,861.5 billion in 2010. The total oil and non-oil revenues will amount to XAF 2,492.2 billion and XAF 432.3 billion respectively.

(Source: central bank)

Tax revenues

The tax revenue is estimated to be 5.4% of total revenues in 2010, as compared to 6% in 2009. The tax revenue is further estimated to be 6.1% in 2011.

(Source: africaneconomicoutlook.org)

Current account balance

The current account balance was estimated to record a deficit of XAF 480 billion in 2009, as compared to a deficit of XAF 40.2 billion in 2008.

(Source: central bank)

Balance of payments

(Source: central bank)

Labour force

The total labour force was 1,555,021.3 in 2008, as compared to 1,522,957.5 in previous year.

(Source: world Bank)

Labour force participation rate

The labour force participation rate was 73% in 2008, with a male and female rate was of 83% and 63% respectively in the same year.

(Source: world Bank)

Unemployment rate

The total unemployment rate in between 15 and 64 was registered at 28.6% in Brazzaville, 32.1% in Pointe-Noire and 26.6% in urban Congo.

(Source: National Statistics)

Level of unionisation

The major trade unions in the country are:

• Confédération des Syndicats Libres et Autonomes du Congo (COSYLAC)
• Confédération Syndicale Congolaise (CSC)
• Confédération Syndicale des Travailleurs du Congo (CSTC)

(Source: icftu.org)

Minimum wage

The Minimum wage in Republic of Congo was XAF 54,000 weekly in 2007.

(Source: ehow.com)

Government Stability

Congo is an independent republic with a parliamentary system of government. The nation received independence on August 15, 1960. Currently, Denis Sassou-Nguesso is the President of the nation.

The government comprises of three branches: the Executive branch, headed by the President who is elected for a term of seven years, the Legislative branch, headed by the parliament, and Jthe udiciary branch. The government has a bicameral parliament consisting of a National Assembly and a Senate.

The National Assembly consists of 137 members, who are directly elected by universal adult suffrage. The assembly serves a term of five years. The assembly implement laws and financial regulations, draft the agenda of sessions of the assembly, and appoint members of the Joint Committee. The assembly comprises of three parliamentary groups, the Congolese Labour Party (PCT), the Movement for Congolese Democracy and Integral Development (MCDDI) and the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS).

(Source: National Assembly)

The Senate consists of 66 members, who are indirectly elected by Councils, districts, regions and municipalities. They serve a term of six years.

(Source: ipu.org)

The major political parties in the country are:

• Congolese Labour Party
• Pan-African Union for Social Democracy
• Movement for Congolese Democracy and Integral Development
•  Union Democratic Forces
•  Union for Democratic Renewal
• Rally for Democracy and Development
• Convention for Democracy and Salvation
• Union for Democracy and Republic
• Union for Development and Social Progress 

(Source: africanelections.com)

Regulatory environment

(Source: heritage.org)

The Republic of Congo’s economy is the 168^th freest in 2011 Economic Freedom Index, with a score of 43.6. The overall score is lower than the global and regional averages. The nation ranks 43^rd out of 46 countries in Sub-Saharan African region.

Corruption perception

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is a survey to measure the perceived level of corruption across countries worldwide. The Republic of Congo is ranked 154^th on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), with a score of 2.1 in 2010.

(Source: transparency.org)

Freedom of information

In 2010, the World Press Freedom Index ranked the Republic of Congo at 114^th, with a score of 33.60. The country’s media is free from governmental and political influence. Le Choc, L'Observateur, L'Humanitaire, Le Tam Tam and Les Echos du Congo are some of the important newspapers of the country.

(Source: rsf.org, BBC)

Judicial system

The judicial system in the country is formed of the Supreme Court, the High court of justice and the Superior council of magistracy.

(Source: congosite.com)

Total population

The total population was 3.68 million in 2009, with a growth of 1.9% from the pervious year. In 2009, individuals between 15 and 64 constituted 55.7% of total population. This is followed by the 0 to 14 age group, who represented 40.5%, People above the age of 65 hold only 3.8% of the total population.

(Source: rural povertyportal.org, africaneconomicoutlook.org)

Gender balance

The gender ratio was recorded to be 99.7 males per 100 females in 2009.

(Source: africaneconomicoutlook.org)

Mortality rate

The infant mortality rate was recorded at 80.5 (per 1000 live births) in 2009. The birth and death rate was registered at 34.5 (per 1000 individuals) and 12.9 (per 1000 individuals) respectively.

(Source:ruralpovertyportal.org)

Average life expectancy

The life expectancy was registered at 53.9 years in 2010. The average life expectancy for males and females was 52.6 years and 54.5 years respectively.

(Source: UNDP,UN)

Racial/ethnic environment

The country comprises of 15 ethnic groups. The major ethnic groups include Bakongo, contributing to 48% of total population, Sangha 20%, Teke 17%, M’bochi 12% and others 3%.

(Source: UNDP,UN)

Migration and urbanisation

The rural population in 2009 was registered at 1.4 million, constituting 38.3% of total population.

(Source: ruralpovertyportal.org)

The total international migrants at mid-year were estimated to be 143,203 in 2010. The total male and female migrants were expected to be 72,446 and 70,757 respectively.

(Source: UN)

Poverty and inequality

The total poor population in rural areas in 2009 was registered at 0.69 million.

(Source: ruralpovertyportal.org, africaneconomicoutlook.org)

Human development index (HDI)

The country is ranked 126^th on the Human Development Index with a score 0.49. The HDI provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy), being educated (measured by adult literacy and gross enrolment in education) and having a decent standard of living (measured by purchasing power parity, PPP, income).

(Source: UNDP)

Literacy rate

Congo’s literacy rate was recorded at 84.7% for individuals above age of 15 in 2004. Primary education is compulsory and free for children in the between 6 and 16.

(Source: ruralpovertyportal.org, congosite.com)

Education Resources

Education comprises of four levels: pre-school, primary, secondary and higher education. The pupil to teacher ratio in the pre-school and primary levels was recorded at 20 and 58 respectively.

(Source: National Statistics page: 124)

The total expenditure on general education is XAF 12,250 million corresponding to 0.34% of GDP.

Healthcare resources

The healthcare system of the country lacks medical and health facilities. In 2007, there was 1 physician per 1,000 individuals and 8.2 nurses and midwives per 1,000 individuals. The country has 4 general hospitals, 24 base hospitals, 247 integrated health centres and 481 health posts. Due to the lack of adequate infrastructure, including water facilities, almost 50% of the total population is prone to water born diseases and gastro-intestinal diseases. The mortality rate, for children below 5, was registered at 128.2 per 1,000 individuals in 2009. The major causes of death are malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea and others.

(Source: ruralpovertyportal.org, WHO,UN, congosite.com)

The total expenditure for health amounted to XAF 16,251 million in 2007, accounting for 0.46% of total GDP.

(Source: National Statistics page: 98)

Mass public transit

The types of mass public transport in the country are cars and buses.

(Source:National Statistics, page: 244)

Roadways

The total road network was measured at 17,000 km in 2007. The network of paved roads extended to 1,212 km, unclassified roads and tracks had a network of 9,682 km, and there was a network of 6,106 km of dirt roads.

(Source: National Statistics, page: 234)

Ports

The Republic of Congo comprises of four ports: Djeno Terminal, Port of Pointe Noire, Port of Yombo and N'Kossa Terminal.

(Source: worldportsource)

Airports

There are 33 airports in the nation. The major airports are:

(Source: aircraft charter)

Telecommunications Network

As of 2008, internet users in the country were 4.29 per 100 individuals.

(Source: africaneconomicoutlook.org)

The total fixed telephone line subscribers were registered at 24,300 (i.e. 0.66 per 100 individuals) in 2009.

(Source: itu.int)

The mobile cellular subscribers were registered at 2,171,000 (i.e. 58.94 per 100 inhabitants) in 2009.

(Source: itu.int)