Congo, Democratic Republic of Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Congo, Democratic Republic of's industry employment was 8.02% in 2025, ranked 12th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Congo, Democratic Republic of's industry employment stood at 8.02% in 2025, a rise of +0.02% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 8.07% by 2026. Congo, Democratic Republic of ranked 12th globally.
Industry employment in the Democratic Republic of Congo has slipped from an all‑time peak of 9.05 % of the labour force in 1991 to a trough of 7.85 % in 2021, before rising modestly to 8.02 % in 2025, placing the country 12th globally. Over the 35‑year series, the share of workers in manufacturing, mining and utilities has been on a gradual downward trajectory, reflecting prolonged instability, limited investment in processing capacity and a persistent reliance on primary‑commodity extraction. The 2025 figure remains slightly above Tanzania’s 8.10 % and below Papua New Guinea’s 7.87 %, underscoring that the DRC’s industrial sector lags behind peers with comparable resource endowments. Structural reforms that improve electricity reliability, expand vocational training and attract foreign direct investment could reverse the long‑term decline and lift the share of industrial employment beyond its 1991 peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 8.14% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 8.11% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 8.07% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.02% | +0.02% | #12 |
| 2024 | 8.01% | +0.03% | #12 |
| 2023 | 7.98% | −0.05% | #12 |
| 2022 | 8.03% | +0.18% | #13 |
| 2021 | 7.85% | −0.31% | #10 |
| 2020 | 8.16% | −0.16% | #12 |
| 2019 | 8.32% | −0.17% | #13 |
| 2018 | 8.49% | +0.12% | #16 |
| 2017 | 8.37% | −0.01% | #16 |
| 2016 | 8.38% | −0.11% | #18 |
| 2015 | 8.49% | −0.07% | #18 |
| 2014 | 8.56% | +0.06% | #17 |
| 2013 | 8.50% | +0.05% | #17 |
| 2012 | 8.46% | +0.04% | #18 |
| 2011 | 8.41% | +0.07% | #18 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Congo, Democratic Republic of matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2018. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Congo, Democratic Republic of's industry employment was 8.02% in 2025. Ranked 12th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
Congo, Democratic Republic of's industry employment peaked at 9.05% in 1991.
The lowest industry employment in Congo, Democratic Republic of was 7.85% in 2021.
Congo, Democratic Republic of ranks 12th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Congo, Democratic Republic of's industry employment is projected to reach 8.07% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Congo, Democratic Republic of in 2025 was 8.02%. This ranks 12th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_congo-democratic-republic-of_industry-employment,
title = {Congo, Democratic Republic of Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/congo-democratic-republic-of/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}