KINSHASA, DR Congo — The Democratic Republic of the Congo is preparing to conduct its first national population census in more than four decades, with a nationwide public awareness campaign beginning on July 15 ahead of the official count scheduled to start in August.
The census, the first since 1984, is expected to run until 2027 and aims to provide updated demographic data to support national planning, public service delivery, and policy development.
Ahead of the awareness campaign, President Félix Tshisekedi met with Alain Akpadji, who reaffirmed the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)‘s commitment to supporting the exercise through demographic expertise and digital technologies, despite the country’s challenging operating environment.
The government has already secured international donor pledges exceeding $200 million to support the census.
Speaking at a recent donor roundtable, President Tshisekedi described the census as an important exercise in national sovereignty and a vital tool for effective governance.
Officials estimate that DR Congo’s population has grown to more than 112.8 million, nearly four times the population recorded during the last census in 1984, underscoring the need for updated data to guide the country’s future development.
