The Republic of Congo, which gained independence from France in August 1960, is an oil-producing country, with this resource being the mainstay of its economy. The country has experienced significant ethnic and political unrest since the early 1990s, including a period of civil war, and, although a peace accord was signed in 2003, the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian challenge. Commonly spoken languages in the Congo are French (the official language), and indigenous African languages.

Leader: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso
Capital city: Brazzaville

Economic profile

Monetary unit: CFA franc (Communaute Financiere Africaine)
GDP per capita: $300 (2009) (Nationmaster)
GDP composition by sector:
Agriculture: 40.2 % (2008) (World Bank)
Industry: 28% (2008) (World Bank)
Services: 63.7% (2008) (World Bank)
GDP growth rate: 7.2% (2008) (IMF)
Budget:
Government revenue, excluding grants: 42.7% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Government expenditure: 32.0% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Consumer price inflation: 17.3% (2008) (World Bank)
Industries: Petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, and cigarettes.
Exports of goods and services: $3.8-billion (2009) (CIA)
Imports of goods and services: $5.3-billion (2009) (CIA)
Export commodities: Petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, and diamonds.
Import commodities: Capital equipment, construction materials, and foodstuffs.
Trade balance: 42.4% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Reserves: $1.01-billion (2007) (IMF)
Total investment: 19.3% of GDP (2008) (CIA)
Market capitalisation of listed companies: Figures not available.

Social profile

Population: 4,01-million (2008) (CIA)
Population growth: 2,75% (2008) (CIA)
Life expectancy at birth: 54 years (2009) (CIA)
Adult literacy: 67% (2009) (Word Bank).
School enrolment primary: 90% (2009) (World Bank)
School enrolment secondary: 37% (2009) (World Bank)
School enrolment tertiary: 6% (2009) (World Bank)
Number of people living with HIV/Aids: 79 000 (2007) (UNAids estimate)