Democratic Republic of the Congo

1950

2025

2100

Democratic Republic of the Congo

1950

2025

2100

What to know

Net emigration of 27,309 people per year—more people leaving than arriving.

Since 1950, Democratic Republic of the Congo has gained a cumulative 3.0 million people through migration.

By 2100, projections show continued net emigration.

Key statistics for 2025

Net migrants

-27,309

Net migration rate

-0.2 per 1,000 people

Key terms

Net migration: — Immigrants minus emigrants. Positive = more people arriving, negative = more leaving.
Net migration rate: — Net migration per 1,000 population per year.
Immigration: — People entering the country from abroad.
Emigration: — People leaving the country to live abroad.

Migration flows

Is migration positive or negative?

Net migration from 1950 to 2100 (projections after 2024)

Net migrants

-947,245

Cumulative over selected range

Peak immigration

1,232,105

Top year: 1994

Peak emigration

-777,833

Lowest year: 1996

Recent avg (10 yrs)

-66926

Per year

Democratic Republic of the Congo loses approximately 27,309 people per year to emigration (0.2 per 1,000 population). Peak immigration was 1.2 million in 1994.

The bottom line

Migration flows in Democratic Republic of the Congo are relatively modest.

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Historical estimates (1950–2024) and medium-variant projections (2025–2100).