Congo, Republic of the Demographics

What is the population of Congo, Republic of the ?

Population	5,293,070
Population - note	Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Population Growth Rate	2.86%
Urban Population	63.700000
Population in Major Urban Areas	BRAZZAVILLE (capital) 1.611 million; Pointe-Noire 834,000
Nationality Noun	Congolese
Ethnic Groups	Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3% Note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997

What are the health conditions in Congo, Republic of the ?

Life Expectancy at Birth	55.600000
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population	11.03
Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births	72.450000
Health Expenditures - percent of GDP	2.5%
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population	.1
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population	1.6
Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk	very high
Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved	95.700000
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	560
Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)	19.8
Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49	44.7%
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	5.49
Obesity - adult prevalence rate	4.7%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved	19.600000
Underweight - percent of children under five years	11.8%

How long do people live in Congo, Republic of the ?

Life Expectancy at Birth	55.600000
Median Age	17.100000
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49	44.7%
Infant Mortality Rate	72.450000
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	560
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	5.49

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population	40
Median Age	17.100000
Population Growth Rate	2.86%
Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female	1.030000
Age Structure	41.530000
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49	44.7%
Infant Mortality Rate	72.450000
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	560
Mother's mean age at first birth	19.8
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	5.49

What are the health conditions in Congo, Republic of the ?

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical facilities are extremely limited. Some medicines are in short supply, particularly in rural areas. Travelers should carry their own supply of properly-labeled medications. The Embassy’s Consular Section maintains a list of clinics in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. This list is provided as a service for U.S. citizens residing in or visiting the Republic of the Congo, and in no way constitutes an endorsement or recommendation of any particular facility.

Disease Outbreaks: Mosquito borne illnesses are a major problem throughout the country and prevention of bites and proper immunizations are important for all areas. Travelers should carry and use mosquito repellents containing DEET or picaridin and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets if possible. A yellow fever outbreak in western portions of the country started in December 2012 leading to an immunization program for citizens. All visitors should have documentation of yellow fever vaccination within ten years. Chikungunya, another mosquito borne virus, appeared in June 2011. There is no immunization or treatment for this disease, which causes fever, headaches, and severe joint pain. Again, prevention of mosquito bites is most important.

Hepatitis A and typhoid are very common in the Republic of the Congo; all travelers should be immunized. Because of an ongoing measles outbreak, you should be immunized (or have had measles). Rabies is not uncommon; travelers staying in rural settings, especially for long periods, should be immunized before arriving. Although currently controlled, polio outbreaks have occurred in recent years. Travelers should be immunized before arrival.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is highly prevalent in cities and rural areas throughout the country in all seasons of the year. If you will be visiting the Republic of the Congo, you will need to discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with malaria. A combination of strategies should be taken to diminish the chance of developing malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses such as chikungunya and yellow fever:

Taking a prescription antimalarial drug,

Using insect repellent and wearing long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites, and

Sleeping in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms and/or using bed nets.

All of the following antimalarial drugs are equal options for preventing malaria in the Republic of the Congo: Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone®), doxycycline, or mefloquine. Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in the Republic of the Congo and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region. The CDC provides additional information on malaria protective measures.

If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in the Republic of the Congo, and for up to one year after returning home, you should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician you have traveled into a malarial area and what antimalarials you have been taking.

African trypanosomiasis is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly and is primarily found along the Congo River in the regions of Bouenza (including Loudima, Nkayi, and Madingou), Pool, Plateau (including Gambona), and Cuvette (including along the Likouala and Sangha rivers). Conventional insect repellents (DEET and permethrin) are ineffective against the tsetse fly. Wear light-colored, (not blue, which attracts tsetse flies) heavyweight clothing.

Loiasis, a filarial infection transmitted by large tabanid flies (Deer or Mango Fly), is highly endemic in forested areas. Exposure of longer than just a week or two is generally required for infection. Daytime insect precautions are recommended. Onchocerciasis, another filarial infection which is transmitted by black flies, is highly endemic. Exposure of longer than just a week or two is generally required for infection. Daytime insect precautions are recommended, especially near the shores of rivers.

Schistosomiasis is caused by a parasitic worm and is endemic in the Republic of the Congo. The larval stage of the worm burrows through the skin when in contact with contaminated fresh water. Avoid wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in, or drinking from bodies of fresh water such as canals, lakes, rivers, streams, or springs.

There is a very high incidence of diarrheal diseases throughout the country including in luxury hotels in major cities. Travelers can protect themselves by following good hygiene and safe food preparation. These include scrupulous washing of hands under running water, especially before food preparation and eating, thorough cooking of food, boiling or treatment of drinking water, and use of sanitary facilities. Above all, be very careful with food (especially raw vegetables and leafy salads) and water, including ice.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in the Republic of the Congo.

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

2.5%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.6

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.1

What is school like in Congo, Republic of the ?

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP	6.2%
Literacy - female	78.4%
Literacy - male	89.6%
Literacy - total population	83.8%
Literacy Definition	age 15 and over can read and write
Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)	11.000000

Can people in Congo, Republic of the read?

Literacy - female	78.4%
Literacy - male	89.6%
Literacy - total population	83.8%
Literacy Definition	age 15 and over can read and write

Is Congo, Republic of the a safe place to visit?

Crime Information

Several incidents of petty street crime against U.S. citizens have occurred recently and reports of violent crime in Brazzaville, although not specifically targeting U.S. citizens, are not uncommon. Incidents of armed robberies, vehicle break-ins, mugging, and pick-pocketing have been reported near the ports, outside popular restaurants, as well as in the Congolese neighborhoods surrounding the city center in both Pointe Noire and Brazzaville.

U.S. citizens and many foreigners are perceived to be wealthy and should take precautions to avoid becoming victims of crime. Criminals often target individuals based on their dress, actions and perceived vigilance.

The Embassy recommends that you do not travel alone, avoid poorly lit streets and unfamiliar areas, especially at night.

You should note that in cases of theft and robbery, legal recourse is limited; leave valuable items at home. Pointe Noire shares similar concerns to Brazzaville with one exception; petty crime is often committed near Pointe Noire’s beaches. The Embassy recommends that you stay on main beaches, secure valuables, and avoid all beaches completely at night, when crimes typically occur. You should also use caution when swimming because of riptides. The main areas of concern in Pointe Noire are the coastline (currents), beachside after hours, and market areas (another popular area for petty crime, which you should avoid after dark).

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the Republic of the Congo, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. It is important to carry some form of identification at all times. Wallets should contain only a small amount of cash and be free of all credit cards. You may be taken in for questioning if you are stopped by the police and are unable to produce an acceptable form of identification. A common practice among policemen is to stop foreigners and accuse them of minor infractions (which may or may not be valid). When this occurs, the police do not want to write a ticket, but rather request the person to pay a fine on the spot. The U.S. Embassy does not encourage anyone to pay fines. The Embassy recommends that all travelers carry a copy of their U.S. passport and Congolese visa to prevent them from being taken by police or armed assailants during an attempted bribe.

If you travel to a new region within the Republic of the Congo, you should carry your passport, as you may be asked to register with Immigration Service officials upon arrival in a new location. It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, and other key parts of infrastructure such as ports, train stations, and airports. In general, it is best to keep your camera out of sight and ask permission prior to taking photos. If permission is refused, don’t take the photo.

There are also some things that might be legal in the Republic of the Congo, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children and using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in the Republic of the Congo, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. If you are arrested in the Republic of the Congo, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S. Embassy of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the U.S. Embassy.