Population in largest city in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Population in largest city was 17.78 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population in largest city in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
Democratic Republic of Congo recorded 17.78 million for population in largest city in 2025. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.4% on the previous year and up 53.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 17.78 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 442,853, in 1960.
That places Democratic Republic of Congo 10th out of 153 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 702,727 | 442,853 | 1.00 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.46 million | 1.07 million | 1.92 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.75 million | 2.05 million | 3.49 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.74 million | 3.68 million | 5.89 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.49 million | 6.14 million | 8.99 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.44 million | 9.38 million | 13.74 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.01 million | 14.34 million | 17.78 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
More urban development data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- Population in the largest city 34.9% (2025)
- Population density 46.66 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 35.81 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 27.36 million (2025)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO guidel 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Population in largest city in Democratic Republic of Congo was 17.78 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 17.78 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 442,853 in 1960.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for population in largest city?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 10th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.