Congo, Democratic Republic of Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Congo, Democratic Republic of's poverty rate was 85.30% in 2020, ranked 69th globally. This represents a 8.1% increase from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 2004–2020.
Overview
Congo, Democratic Republic of's poverty rate stood at 85.30% in 2020, a rise of +6.40pp from 2012. Congo, Democratic Republic of ranked 69th globally.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s poverty rate remains among the world’s highest, with 85.30 % of the population living below the national poverty line in 2020, ranking it 69th globally. The indicator fell from its all‑time peak of 94.90 % in 2004 to a trough of 78.90 % in 2012, reflecting a gradual, albeit uneven, reduction over the subsequent decade. Despite this decline, the 2020 level still far exceeds that of nearby Burundi, where 74.20 % of the population is classified as poor, and is markedly higher than Kenya’s 44.40 % rate. The three‑year coverage of the data series limits a more granular assessment of recent fluctuations, but the long‑term downward trajectory suggests that sustained investment in infrastructure, education, and health could accelerate progress and push the poverty rate lower in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 85.30% | +6.40pp | #69 |
| 2012 | 78.90% | −16.00pp | #87 |
| 2004 | 94.90% | – | #74 |
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 poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Congo, Democratic Republic of's poverty rate was 85.30% in 2020. Ranked 69th globally. This represents a 8.1% increase from the previous year.
Congo, Democratic Republic of's poverty rate peaked at 94.90% in 2004.
The lowest poverty rate in Congo, Democratic Republic of was 78.90% in 2012.
Congo, Democratic Republic of ranks 69th globally in poverty rate as of 2020.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Congo, Democratic Republic of in 2020 was 85.30%. This ranks 69th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_congo-democratic-republic-of_poverty-rate,
title = {Congo, Democratic Republic of Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/congo-democratic-republic-of/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}