The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) exhibits a high rate of natural increase (RNI), with recent estimates placing it around 3% per year, reflecting one of the fastest-growing populations in the world. This elevated RNI is driven by high birth rates and relatively declining, but still significant, death rates. When compared to its neighbors, Congo-Kinshasa's RNI is among the highest: for instance, the Republic of the Congo and Angola also have high RNIs, but generally slightly lower than that of Congo-Kinshasa, while countries like Rwanda and Burundi, though still experiencing rapid growth, have seen their RNIs moderate somewhat due to declining fertility rates and improvements in healthcare. In contrast, countries such as Zambia and Uganda share similarly high RNIs, but the DRC's sheer population size amplifies the impact of its growth rate. Overall, while high RNI is a common demographic feature in Central Africa, Congo-Kinshasa stands out for both the magnitude of its growth and the challenges and opportunities this presents.
| Year | Rate of Natural Increase | Population |
|---|
Data from US Census International Database