Updated
Overview
DR Congo has 2.9 times the population of Angola: 112.83 million people against 39.04 million (2025).
Angola's economy is 34% larger than DR Congo's, at $122.17B versus $91.03B.
Per person, Angola is the wealthier of the two: $3,129 against $807 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | DR Congo | Angola | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $91.03B | Higher: $122.17B | 2025 | $70.75B / $80.40B |
| GDP per capita | $807 | Higher: $3,129 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.8% | 3.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 20.2% | 2016 / 2025 | — / 28.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.4% | 14.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 42 | 35 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $129 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $79 | Higher: $80 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 112.83 million | 39.04 million | 2025 | 119.04 million / 38.98 million |
| Population growth | 3.2% | 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 15.8 yrs | 16.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 5.90 | 4.95 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 62.1 yrs | Higher: 64.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 45% | 71% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 20% | Higher: 41% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,344,858 km² | 1,246,700 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 48.1/km² | 31.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 5.90 Mt | 22 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.1 t | 0.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $899.19M | $922.05M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.2% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 134,000 | 117,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
DR Congo is growing faster: 5.8% annual GDP growth versus 3.1%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Angola at 20.2%, while the other economy sits at 2.9%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 15.8 (DR Congo) and 16.6 (Angola).
Life expectancy is 2.7 years longer in Angola (64.8 vs 62.1).
Angola is considerably more urbanized: 71% of people live in cities, against 45%.
Internet adoption is higher in Angola (41% vs 20% of the population).
Geography
By land area, DR Congo is 88% larger than Angola: 2,344,858 km² versus 1,246,700 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $899.19M (DR Congo) and $922.05M (Angola).
DR Congo fields the larger armed forces: 134,000 personnel against 117,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is DR Congo bigger than Angola?
- DR Congo is larger by land area. DR Congo covers 2,344,858 km² while Angola covers 1,246,700 km², so DR Congo is 88% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, DR Congo or Angola?
- DR Congo has the larger population: 112.83 million versus 39.04 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is DR Congo richer than Angola?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Angola is richer: $3,129 against $807. Total GDP tells the same story: $91.03B for DR Congo versus $122.17B for Angola.
- Who spends more on their military, DR Congo or Angola?
- Angola spends more: $922.05M versus $899.19M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).