Congo, (Brazzaville) (Republic of the Congo)

https://www.humantruth.info/congo_(brazzaville).html

By Vexen Crabtree 2025

Congo, (Brazzaville) Republic of the Congo
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	165th best
Capital	Brazzaville
Land Area	341 500km²₁
Location	Africa
Population	5.2m₂
Life Expectancy	63.52yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$2 889 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	CG, COG, 178₅
Internet Domain	.cg₆
Currency	Franc (XAF)₇
Telephone	+242₈

1. Overview

#france

“Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, and ushered in a period of ethnic and political unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“The mighty river which gives the Congo its name snakes through a lush land of untouched jungle, wild animals and difficult history. A land of steamy jungles hiding half the world´s lowland gorillas, masses of forest elephants, and hooting, swinging troops of chimpanzees, the Congo (not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of the Congo across the Congo River) most certainly has the potential to become one of the finest ecotourism destinations in Africa. Parc National Nouabalé-Ndoki and Parc National d´Odzala are two of the most pristine forest reserves on the continent and between them they are arguably the highlight of the whole of Central Africa.
Despite its impressive natural wonders and warm-hearted peoples, the Congo remains an unknown quantity to most outsiders and currently receives very few visitors. But for those ready to heed the call of the wild, and who are not afraid of adventure, the Congo awaits.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Congo, (Brazzaville) National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better Value₁₁
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
150	Syria	0.577
151	Cameroon	0.576
152	Kenya	0.575
153	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.571
154	Zambia	0.565
155	Solomon Islands	0.564
156=	Comoros	0.558
156=	Papua New Guinea	0.558
	Africa Avg	0.56
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₁
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
162	Zambia	$3 218
163	Comoros	$3 142
164	Vanuatu	$3 085
165	Congo, (Brazzaville)	$2 889
166	Haiti	$2 848
167	Lesotho	$2 700
168	Tanzania	$2 664
169	Solomon Islands	$2 482
	Africa Avg	$5 339
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Denmark	27.2
2	Norway	29.2
3	Sweden	30.2
	...
162	Mali	115.9
163	Swaziland	116.4
164	Nigeria	117.8
165	Congo, (Brazzaville)	117.9
166	Malawi	117.9
167	Pakistan	118.3
168	Syria	118.3
169	Haiti	118.5
	Africa Avg	115.2
	World Avg	89.2
q=200.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Congo, (Brazzaville)'s Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population Datasets:

Congo, (Brazzaville)'s population is predicted to rise to 6.169 million by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 4.10. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
115	Finland	5.5m
116	Slovakia	5.5m
117	Norway	5.3m
118	Congo, (Brazzaville)	5.2m
119	Costa Rica	5.0m
120	Palestine	4.9m
121	Oman	4.8m
122	Liberia	4.8m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
156	Yemen	63.8
157	Bolivia	63.6
158	Nauru	63.6
159	Congo, (Brazzaville)	63.5
160	Comoros	63.4
161	Haiti	63.2
162	Malawi	62.9
163	Uganda	62.7
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
179=	Guinea-Bissau	3.93
180	Liberia	4.02
181	Ethiopia	4.06
182	Congo, (Brazzaville)	4.10
183	Equatorial Guinea	4.17
184	Togo	4.20
185	Zambia	4.24
186	Guinea	4.30
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₆
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₆
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
43=	Sudan	06.8
43=	Mauritania	06.8
43=	Kuwait	06.8
46=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	07.0
46=	Solomon Islands	07.0
46=	Rwanda	07.0
49	Namibia	07.4
50=	Botswana	07.7
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants₁₇
Pos.		2017 %₁₇
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
66	Suriname	8.5%
67	Costa Rica	8.4%
68	Russia	8.1%
69	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.6%
70	Botswana	7.3%
71	St Lucia	7.2%
72	S. Africa	7.1%
73	S. Sudan	6.7%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₈
Pos.		2010 %₁₈
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
101	Laos	5.7%
102	Turkey	5.6%
103	Comoros	5.6%
104	Congo, (Brazzaville)	5.6%
105	Togo	5.4%
106	Ivory Coast	5.4%
107	Switzerland	5.4%
108	Malaysia	5.3%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Congo, (Brazzaville)'s Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Africa (2025)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Cape Verde	65.1
2	S. Africa	70.5
3	Mauritius	76.4
	...
20	Ivory Coast	110.4
21	Sao Tome & Principe	111.8
22	Tanzania	112.9
23	Congo, (Brazzaville)	113.3
24	Morocco	113.9
25	Gambia	114.5
26	Kenya	114.9
27	Guinea-Bissau	115.7
28	Niger	119.0
	Africa Avg	116.60
q=54.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
137	Sao Tome & Principe	111.8
138	China	112.5
139	Tanzania	112.9
140	Congo, (Brazzaville)	113.3
141	Laos	113.4
142	Vatican City	113.6
143	Morocco	113.9
144	Gambia	114.5
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₂₀. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₂₀.

30 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₂₀, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₂₀.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

4.1. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

#congo,_(brazzaville) #freedom #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #politics #slavery

Press Freedom Higher is better₂₁
Pos.		2025₂₁
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
67	Hungary	62.82
68	Chile	62.25
69	Bulgaria	60.78
70	Congo, (Brazzaville)	60.58
71	Central African Rep.	60.15
72	Guyana	60.12
73	Senegal	59.43
74	Comoros	59.27
	Africa Avg	52.30
	World Avg	54.65
q=179. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better₂₂
Pos.		Slavery in the 2020s Per 1000₂₂
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
123=	Nigeria	7.80
123=	Georgia	7.80
123=	Guatemala	7.80
126=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	8.00
126=	Kosovo	8.00
126=	India	8.00
126=	Cyprus	8.00
130	El Salvador	8.10
	Africa Avg	6.90
	World Avg	7.15
q=160. Also scored for 2010s-2020s.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
188=	Burundi	6.5
188=	Swaziland	6.5
188=	Syria	6.5
188=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	6.5
192=	Equatorial Guinea	7.0
192=	S. Sudan	7.0
192=	N. Korea	7.0
192=	Belarus	7.0
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	3.7
q=205. Also scored for 1970s-2010s.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₂₃
Pos.		2009 Treaties₂₃
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
126=	Sri Lanka	13
126=	Malawi	13
126=	Zambia	13
126=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	13
126=	Ivory Coast	13
126=	Afghanistan	13
126=	Gambia	13
126=	Equatorial Guinea	13
	Africa Avg	14.8
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better₂₄
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₄
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
130	Maldives	11.85
131	Central African Rep.	11.87
132	Thailand	11.89
133	Congo, (Brazzaville)	11.91
134	Moldova	11.99
135	Kyrgyzstan	12.04
136	Botswana	12.05
137	Estonia	12.06
	Africa Avg	9.88
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 report had little to say about Congo (Brazzaville): "Freedom of assembly was restricted, and security forces beat up people in detention. The country passed a law on gender-based violence; however, discrimination against women was still widespread. Obstacles remained to the availability and accessibility of healthcare"₂₅.

4.2. Gender Equality Datasets

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #politics #women

Congo, (Brazzaville) is an unequal country, with male rights dominating those of women.

See:

Gender Inequality Lower is better₂₆
Pos.		2022₂₆
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
144	Madagascar	0.57
145	Togo	0.58
146	Malawi	0.58
147	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.58
148	Gambia	0.59
149	Mauritania	0.60
150	Congo, DR	0.61
151	Mali	0.61
	Africa Avg	0.53
	World Avg	0.34
q=166. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Year Women Can Vote Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
153=	Ecuador	1967
154=	Swaziland	1968
154=	Nauru	1968
156=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	1970
156=	Congo, DR	1970
156=	Yemen	1970
159	Switzerland	1971
160	Bangladesh	1972
	Africa Avg	1961
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

4.3. Prejudice Datasets

#2020s #freethought #homosexuality #religious_tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better₂₇
Pos.		LGBT Equality in the 2020s Score₂₇
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
112	Vanuatu	-0.61
113	Dominican Rep.	-0.63
114	Palau	-0.65
115	Congo, (Brazzaville)	-0.68
116	Guinea-Bissau	-0.73
117	Madagascar	-0.76
118	Turkey	-0.83
119	Bulgaria	-0.85
	Africa Avg	-3.78
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

In the Republic of the Congo, homosexuality has been legal since 1940, but the age of consent is unequal (18 for heterosexual relations, 21 for homosexual). In 1984 the Family Code defined marriage strictly as between a man and a woman, banning same-sex marriage. ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Congo had no legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination. As of the end of 2025, same-sex marriage is banned, adoption rights are restricted, and protections against discrimination are limited to personal data laws.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

⇣ Voted against the 2016 UN Human Rights Council Resolution 32/2 to create the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better₂₈
Pos.		2021₂₈
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
9=	Sweden	1.5
9=	Iceland	1.5
9=	Norway	1.5
9=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	1.5
13=	Guinea-Bissau	1.7
13=	Mongolia	1.7
13=	S. Africa	1.7
16=	St Kitts & Nevis	1.8
	Africa Avg	3.1
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Congo, (Brazzaville)'s Health

#health

Compared to Africa (2025)₂₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₉
1	Mauritius	72.2
2	Tunisia	73.9
3	Seychelles	78.0
	...
23	Tanzania	127.7
24	Swaziland	127.8
25	Mauritania	128.7
26	Congo, (Brazzaville)	128.9
27	Malawi	129.8
28	Togo	130.0
29	Zambia	131.8
30	Comoros	133.2
31	Ethiopia	134.9
	Africa Avg	127.77
q=54.

Health (2025)₂₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₉
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
	...
167	Swaziland	127.8
168	Micronesia	127.9
169	Mauritania	128.7
170	Congo, (Brazzaville)	128.9
171	Pakistan	129.7
172	Malawi	129.8
173	Togo	130.0
174	Iraq	130.4
	World Avg	97.39
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₃₀. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₀.

42 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₀, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₃₀.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

5.1. Health Datasets

#2010s #alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #suicide

Congo, (Brazzaville) is a pretty unhealthy country. Congo, (Brazzaville) does better than average in the prevalence of overweight adults₃₁ (but bad for Africa), its smoking rate₃₂ and in its suicide rate₃₃. But unfortunately Congo, (Brazzaville) gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in its alcohol consumption rate₃₄, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₅, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₆, childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₇, its average life expectancy₁₁ (still high for Africa), delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₈ and in its fertility rate₁₅. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to its adolescent birth rate₃₉. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Congo improved by +6.8yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Congo's peak fertility rate was 6.44 in 1972.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
156	Yemen	63.8
157	Bolivia	63.6
158	Nauru	63.6
159	Congo, (Brazzaville)	63.5
160	Comoros	63.4
161	Haiti	63.2
162	Malawi	62.9
163	Uganda	62.7
	Africa Avg	62.79
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₄
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
112=	Italy	7.5
112=	Norway	7.5
114	Kazakhstan	7.7
115=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.8
115=	Brazil	7.8
117	Panama	7.9
118=	Japan	8.0
118=	Montenegro	8.0
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
179=	Guinea-Bissau	3.93
180	Liberia	4.02
181	Ethiopia	4.06
182	Congo, (Brazzaville)	4.10
183	Equatorial Guinea	4.17
184	Togo	4.20
185	Zambia	4.24
186	Guinea	4.30
	Africa Avg	3.97
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better₃₂
Pos.		Smoking in the 2020s %₃₂
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
62	Saudi Arabia	14.9%
63	Mexico	14.9%
64	Bahrain	15.0%
65	Congo, (Brazzaville)	15.5%
66	Denmark	16.2%
67	Singapore	16.3%
68	Brunei	16.4%
69	N. Korea	16.6%
	Africa Avg	12.4%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Congo sits amongst only 10 countries in the world that saw its smoking rate increase over the 2010s, compared to the previous decade.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k₃₃
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
89	Burundi	7.04
90	Guinea-Bissau	7.16
91	Italy	7.17
92	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.23
93	Turkmenistan	7.27
94	Benin	7.32
95=	Vietnam	7.38
95=	St Lucia	7.38
	Africa Avg	7.70
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
134	Montenegro	134
135	Iraq	135
136	Madagascar	136
137	Congo, (Brazzaville)	137
138	Albania	138
139	Ghana	139
140	Chad	140
141	Rwanda	141
	Africa Avg	117.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₃₁
Pos.		1976 %₃₁
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
51=	Ivory Coast	11.5
51=	Sudan	11.5
53	Sao Tome & Principe	11.7
54	Congo, (Brazzaville)	11.8
55	Malaysia	11.9
56=	S. Korea	12.3
56=	Zambia	12.3
58	Gabon	12.9
	Africa Avg	13.4
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better₄₀
Pos.		2022 %₄₀
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
21	Myanmar	7.5%
22	Central African Rep.	7.7%
23	Laos	7.8%
24	Congo, (Brazzaville)	8.0%
25	S. Sudan	8.0%
26	China	8.2%
27	Guinea	8.3%
28	Senegal	8.7%
	Africa Avg	13.7%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₃₉
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₉
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
173	S. Sudan	97.4
174	Sierra Leone	97.9
175	Nigeria	99.6
176	Congo, (Brazzaville)	101.2
177	Ivory Coast	103.3
178	Uganda	105.7
179	Congo, DR	107.5
180	Cameroon	108.6
	Africa Avg	84.6
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better₃₈
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %₃₈
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
169=	Indonesia	81.3
170	Argentina	79.4
171	Mali	79.3
172	Congo, (Brazzaville)	78.8
173	Honduras	77.9
174	Comoros	77.7
175	Paraguay	77.5
176	Ivory Coast	77.0
	Africa Avg	82.9
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better₃₆
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₆
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
143=	Guatemala	85.2
144	Togo	84.3
145	Zambia	84.2
146	Congo, (Brazzaville)	83.6
147	Cameroon	83.3
148	Laos	83.3
149	Djibouti	82.6
150	Uganda	82.5
	Africa Avg	81.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 1000₃₇
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
153	Myanmar	52.96
154	Senegal	53.83
155	Ghana	54.29
156	Congo, (Brazzaville)	54.48
157	Laos	55.34
158	Tanzania	56.34
159	Uganda	58.61
160	Kiribati	58.77
	Africa Avg	71.63
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Congo was amongst 49 countries in the 1990s who had an adolescent birth rate of over 100 (per 1000 girls aged 15-19); in the 2010s it was still amongst only 27 countries that still fell into the same grouping.

6. Congo, (Brazzaville)'s Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #environmentalism #food #internationalism #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Africa (2025)₄₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₁
1	Morocco	46.5
2	Burundi	47.8
3	Mali	51.0
	...
27	Malawi	76.0
28	Benin	76.5
29	Botswana	76.8
30	Congo, (Brazzaville)	77.6
31	Egypt	78.0
32	Algeria	79.7
33	Sierra Leone	83.6
34	Guinea-Bissau	83.7
35	Namibia	83.9
	Africa Avg	78.58
q=53.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₄₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₁
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
81	Australia	76.6
82	Botswana	76.8
83	Syria	77.4
84	Congo, (Brazzaville)	77.6
85	Latvia	77.7
86	Egypt	78.0
87	Argentina	78.5
88	Dominica	78.5
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

We have known for a long term that we must protect the environment from habitation destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, and the emissions that cause climate change. In 1998, Greenpeace wrote that "Environment can no longer be meaningfully separated from health, quality of life, democracy, education, economy or trade"₄₂. What countries have been doing the right thing, via legislation and national culture? All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Congo, (Brazzaville) is 84th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is computed from 21 data sets. Congo, (Brazzaville) does better than average in terms of energy to GDP efficiency₄₃, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₄ and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₅ (but bad for Africa). Congo, (Brazzaville) does not succeed in everything, however. Congo, (Brazzaville) does worse than average in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₆ and in its environmental performance₄₇.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better₄₆
Pos.		Total₄₆
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
146	Guyana	-0.8%
147	Suriname	-0.9%
148	French Guiana	-1.0%
149	Congo, (Brazzaville)	-1.1%
150	St Lucia	-1.1%
151	Papua New Guinea	-1.2%
152	Armenia	-1.3%
153	Philippines	-1.3%
	Africa Avg	-8.7%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better₄₇
Pos.		2018₄₇
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
154	Burkina Faso	42.8
155	Sierra Leone	42.5
156	Gambia	42.4
157	Congo, (Brazzaville)	42.4
158	Bosnia & Herzegovina	41.8
159	Togo	41.8
160	Liberia	41.6
161	Cameroon	40.8
	Africa Avg	46.4
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better₄₃
Pos.		2022 Avg₄₃
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
25	Ivory Coast	0.57
26	Kenya	0.58
27	Yemen	0.59
28	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.60
29	Bangladesh	0.61
30	Ireland	0.62
31	Dominican Rep.	0.63
32	Haiti	0.63
	Africa Avg	0.83
	World Avg	1.23
q=165. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		International Accords on the Environment Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
127	St Kitts & Nevis	54%
128	Dominica	54%
129	Barbados	54%
130	Congo, (Brazzaville)	53%
131	Jamaica	53%
132	Mali	53%
133	Burundi	53%
134	Iceland	53%
	Africa Avg	56.4%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better₄₄
Pos.		2011 %₄₄
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
52	Spain	44.8%
53	Tanzania	44.2%
54	Bosnia & Herzegovina	44.0%
55	Congo, (Brazzaville)	44.0%
56	Yemen	43.2%
57	Sri Lanka	43.1%
58	Djibouti	42.8%
59	Burundi	42.0%
	Africa Avg	38.3%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₄₅
Pos.		2021 kg₄₅
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
80	Vanuatu	43.4
81	El Salvador	43.9
82	Fiji	44.4
83	Congo, (Brazzaville)	46.0
84	Bosnia & Herzegovina	46.8
85	Chad	47.1
86	Oman	48.0
87	Ukraine	48.5
	Africa Avg	24.9
	World Avg	52.5
q=185. Also scored for 2010s.

In the 2010s, Congo increased its meat consumption by over 20kgs per person per year, one of only 11 countries to do so, and putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.₄₅

7. Congo, (Brazzaville)'s Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Africa (2025)₄₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₈
1	S. Africa	63.3
2	Seychelles	63.4
3	Tunisia	68.7
	...
23	Ivory Coast	124.9
24	Benin	126.2
25	Comoros	126.9
26	Congo, (Brazzaville)	127.3
27	Namibia	129.0
28	Sao Tome & Principe	129.2
29	Equatorial Guinea	130.2
30	Mali	130.7
31	Burkina Faso	130.7
	Africa Avg	124.71
q=54.

Modernity & Learning (2025)₄₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₈
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
153	Benin	126.2
154	Haiti	126.3
155	Comoros	126.9
156	Congo, (Brazzaville)	127.3
157	Bangladesh	127.5
158	Namibia	129.0
159	Sao Tome & Principe	129.2
160	Vanuatu	129.6
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Iceland and Denmark₄₉. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₄₉. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₀.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”
Bill Emmott (2017)₅₁

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₄₉, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₉.

For more, see:

" Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
141	Mauritania	141
142	Nigeria	142
143	Mali	143
144	Congo, (Brazzaville)	144
145	Qatar	145
146	Philippines	146
147	Mozambique	147
148	Lesotho	148
	Africa Avg	106.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better₅₂
Pos.		2025 %₅₂
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
169=	Congo, DR	90
169=	Zimbabwe	90
169=	Zambia	90
169=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	90
169=	Cameroon	90
174=	Eritrea	85
174=	Bhutan	85
174=	Belize	85
	Africa Avg	90
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

The Republic of Congo officially adopted metric in 1960₅₃. Progression:

1960 (60%): French metric legacy; traditional units remain.
1970 (75%): Commerce/education standardize metric.
1980 (85%): Metric dominant; informal legacy persists.
2000 (90%).
2025 (90%).

IQ Higher is better₅₄
Pos.		2006₅₄
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
131=	Zimbabwe	66
131=	Senegal	66
133=	Sierra Leone	64
133=	Mozambique	64
133=	Ethiopia	64
133=	Central African Rep.	64
133=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	64
133=	Cameroon	64
	Africa Avg	70.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#education #tajikistan

In the 1990s, the expected duration of education in the Congo fell by over one year, whereas most of the rest of the world's increased. Only Tajikistan saw a greater reduction. ₅₅

Secondary Education Higher is better₅₆
Pos.		2018₅₆
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
111	Congo, DR	50.7%
112	Macedonia	49.8%
113	Indonesia	48.8%
114	Congo, (Brazzaville)	48.8%
115	Iraq	48.0%
116	Paraguay	47.8%
117	Nicaragua	47.5%
118	Maldives	47.1%
	Africa Avg	34.4%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₅₇
Pos.		2021 Years₅₇
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
128	Uzbekistan	12.5
129	Bangladesh	12.4
130	Samoa	12.4
131	Congo, (Brazzaville)	12.3
132	San Marino	12.3
133	Botswana	12.3
134	Angola	12.2
135	Zimbabwe	12.1
	Africa Avg	11.0
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
	...
155	Zimbabwe	36%
156	Kenya	35%
157	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	34%
158	Congo, (Brazzaville)	34%
159	Mali	33%
160	Togo	33%
161	Mauritania	32%
162	Comoros	30%
	Africa Avg	41.0%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₅₈
Pos.		2017 Ratio₅₈
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
136=	Syria	0.0
136=	Nicaragua	0.0
136=	Solomon Islands	0.0
136=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.0
136=	Sao Tome & Principe	0.0
136=	Kiribati	0.0
136=	Ivory Coast	0.0
136=	Mauritania	0.0
	Africa Avg	0.04
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

8. Congo, (Brazzaville)'s Culture, Peace and Inequality

#charitability #culture #equality #human_development #inequality #peace

Compared to Africa (2025)₅₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₉
1	Mauritius	48.7
2=	Seychelles	67.2
3	Tunisia	77.0
	...
39	Mali	119.3
40	Mozambique	119.7
41	Comoros	122.5
42	Congo, (Brazzaville)	125.4
43	Burundi	126.8
44	Libya	127.8
45	Guinea-Bissau	128.8
46	Sudan	129.8
47	Equatorial Guinea	131.4
	Africa Avg	109.31
q=53.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)₅₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₉
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
166	Iraq	121.6
167	Comoros	122.5
168	Myanmar	123.2
169	Congo, (Brazzaville)	125.4
170	Haiti	125.8
171	Burundi	126.8
172	Libya	127.8
173	Guinea-Bissau	128.8
	World Avg	80.47
q=183.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 39 datasets, including multiple decades of data on resisting corruption, Creativity and Culture, overall happiness, Open Trading, Aid and Development, passport utility (so far), personal financial stability, World Giving Index, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, poverty (so far), life expectancy inequality, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

"Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #freedom #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics

the Republic of Congo has a consistently awful long-term record on corruption.

Corruption Higher is better₆₀
Pos.		2022 Points₆₀
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
161=	Iraq	23.0
162=	Sudan	22.0
162=	Eritrea	22.0
164=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	21.0
164=	Guinea-Bissau	21.0
166	Congo, DR	20.0
167=	Nicaragua	19.0
167=	Comoros	19.0
	Africa Avg	32.31
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
134	Mali	134
135	Chad	135
136	Saudi Arabia	136
137	Congo, (Brazzaville)	137
138	Algeria	138
139	Azerbaijan	139
140	Paraguay	140
141	Sri Lanka	141
	Africa Avg	117.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Happiness Higher is better₆₁
Pos.		2024 Score₆₁
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
97	Gabon	5.1
98	Ivory Coast	5.1
99	Iran	5.1
100	Congo, (Brazzaville)	5.0
101	Iraq	5.0
102	Guinea	4.9
103	Namibia	4.9
104	Cameroon	4.9
	Africa Avg	4.42
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
117	Angola	117
118	Guyana	118
119	Colombia	119
120	Congo, (Brazzaville)	120
121	Zambia	121
122	Nigeria	122
123	Pakistan	123
124	Lithuania	124
	Africa Avg	96.7
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better₆₂
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q₆₂
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
171	Haiti	50.2
172=	Laos	49.7
172=	Liberia	49.7
174	Congo, (Brazzaville)	49.0
175	Djibouti	47.7
176	Myanmar	46.5
177=	Ethiopia	45.3
177=	Nigeria	45.3
	Africa Avg	62.9
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Higher is better₆₃
Pos.		Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Score₆₃
1	Denmark	9.06
2	Switzerland	9.00
3	Finland	8.96
	...
148	Pakistan	4.50
149	Guinea-Bissau	4.46
150	Suriname	4.36
151	Congo, (Brazzaville)	4.35
152	Central African Rep.	4.27
153	Chad	4.22
154	Yemen	4.19
155	Iran	4.18
	Africa Avg	5.48
	World Avg	6.46
q=165.

World Giving Index Higher is better₆₄
Pos.		2022 %₆₄
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
88=	Saudi Arabia	36.0
89=	S. Africa	35.0
89=	Ivory Coast	35.0
89=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	35.0
89=	Namibia	35.0
93=	Togo	34.0
93=	Mozambique	34.0
93=	Albania	34.0
	Africa Avg	38.2
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better₆₅
Pos.		2023 Score₆₅
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
110	Benin	2.18
111	Lesotho	2.19
112	Djibouti	2.20
113	Congo, (Brazzaville)	2.21
114	Mauritania	2.23
115	Philippines	2.23
116	Belarus	2.25
117	Kenya	2.25
	Africa Avg	2.29
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
65	Austria	65
66	Ghana	66
67	Sweden	67
68	Congo, (Brazzaville)	68
69	Bulgaria	69
70	Zimbabwe	70
71	Spain	71
72	USA	72
	Africa Avg	83.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₅
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
121	Colombia	121
122	Honduras	122
123	Guinea	123
124	Congo, (Brazzaville)	124
125	Swaziland	125
126	Madagascar	126
127	Benin	127
128	Yemen	128
	Africa Avg	104.5
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₆₆
Pos.		2019 Score₆₆
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
78	Brazil	2.53
79	Ivory Coast	2.60
80	Australia	2.65
81	Congo, (Brazzaville)	2.69
82	Ireland	2.69
83	Zimbabwe	2.83
84	Peru	2.84
85	Rwanda	2.95
	Africa Avg	3.41
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₆₇
Pos.		2019₆₇
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
137=	Kenya	22.50
137=	Bolivia	22.50
139	Laos	22.60
140=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	22.80
140=	Myanmar	22.80
140=	Gabon	22.80
143=	Turkmenistan	23.40
143=	Djibouti	23.40
	Africa Avg	26.10
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₆₈
Pos.		2023 %₆₈
1	Slovakia	24.1%₆₉
2	Slovenia	24.3%₆₉
3	Belarus	24.4%₇₀
	...
153	Honduras	48.2%₇₁
154	Guatemala	48.3%₇₂
155=	Panama	48.9%₇₃
155=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	48.9%₇₄
157=	Mozambique	50.3%₇₁
157=	Zimbabwe	50.3%₇₁
159	Angola	51.3%₇₅
160	Zambia	51.5%₇₆
	Africa Avg	40.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

Income inequality data is rarely available for Congo - only for 2 years between 1980 and 2019.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better₇₇
Pos.		2018 Severity₇₇
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
49	Sao Tome & Principe	.092
50	Bolivia	.094
51	Laos	.108
52	Congo, (Brazzaville)	.112
53	India	.123
54	Guatemala	.134
55	Zimbabwe	.137
56	Ghana	.138
	Africa Avg	.264
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion

Disbelief In God (2007)₇₈
Pos.		Higher is better %₇₈
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
60=	Georgia	4
60=	Uzbekistan	4
62=	Lebanon	3
62=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	3
62=	Poland	3
62=	Jamaica	3
62=	India	3
67=	Angola	2
67=	Chile	2
67=	Central African Rep.	2
67=	Tajikistan	2
67=	Turkmenistan	2
67=	Indonesia	2
73=	Paraguay	1
73=	Nicaragua	1
73=	Bolivia	1
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₇₉:

	2010	2020
Christian	91.8%	92.2%
Unaffiliated	5.63%	5.2%
Muslim	1.49%	1.46%
Other	1.07%	1.1%
Buddhist	<0.1%	<0.1%
Hindu	<0.1%	<0.1%
Jewish	<0.1%	<0.1%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states simply: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%₈₀.

Links: