The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) has a relatively high rate of natural increase (RNI), estimated at around 2.6% per year as of 2023. This rate reflects a youthful population, high birth rates, and declining but still significant mortality rates. When compared to its neighbors, Congo-Brazzaville’s RNI is similar to that of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has an RNI of about 3.2%, indicating even faster population growth. In contrast, Gabon’s RNI is lower, at approximately 2.0%, due to lower fertility rates and higher urbanization. The Central African Republic (CAR) has an RNI close to 2.0% as well, but its growth is tempered by high mortality and ongoing instability. Thus, while Congo-Brazzaville’s population is growing quickly, it is outpaced by the DRC but exceeds the growth rates of Gabon and the CAR, reflecting variations in fertility, mortality, and socio-economic conditions across the region.
| Year | Rate of Natural Increase | Population |
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Data from US Census International Database