country profile

Congo, Dem. Rep.

Sub-Saharan AfricaLow income109.28M population

Last updated May 3, 2026

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Fragile/Conflict-Affected Country: This country is classified as experiencing conflict.

Composite GEFRI Score

Critically unprepared

Congo, Dem. Rep. shows critically low readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (3rd percentile worldwide). Core capabilities are weak across most dimensions, and essential systems face significant constraints. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.

17.87Composite score
Global percentile
3rd
Global rank
#174
Regional rank
#43
Viewing data for
Infrastructure
15.52
3rd percentileGlobal avg. 54.77
Human Capital
28.32
15th percentileGlobal avg. 47.01
Innovation
27.18
10th percentileGlobal avg. 45.21
Governance
18.33
8th percentileGlobal avg. 47.75
Access & Parity
0.00
8th percentileGlobal avg. 49.65

Country profile

Congo, Dem. Rep. trails global peers in Human Capital (28, 15th percentile), Innovation (27, 10th percentile), Governance (18, 8th percentile), GEFRI Composite (18, 3rd percentile), Infrastructure (16, 3rd percentile), and School Access and Gender Parity (0, 8th percentile). A coordinated reform effort is needed to strengthen education futures readiness.

Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. Limited electricity or internet coverage still constrains classrooms, preventing large-scale digital instruction. Literacy or tertiary enrollment gaps thin the talent pipeline and limit the country’s capacity to develop future-ready skills.

Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Policy execution and regulatory capacity remain weak, leaving reforms fragmented and hard to sustain. Gender parity leans toward boys in secondary pathways, signalling persistent barriers for girls.

Regionally, Infrastructure lags peers the most, signalling where investment could have the highest impact.

Note: Most indicators rely on observed data, offering a dependable evidence base for decisions.

Key insights

  • Falls below many peers at the 3rd percentile.
  • Places 174th worldwide.
  • Holds a regional position of 43rd within Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Scores range from Human Capital (28.3) to Access & Parity (0.0), reflecting variation across dimensions.
  • Trails regional peers most clearly in Infrastructure.

Regional peers: Sub-Saharan Africa

Composite GEFRI Score

Global rankRegional rankCountryScore
681South Africa57.33
742Mauritius56.48
SeychellesMicrostate55.12
803Botswana54.11
1024Ghana47.72
1085Namibia44.24
1136Cabo Verde40.09
1177Eswatini38.07
1248Senegal35.40
1259Equatorial Guinea35.01
12610Gabon34.48
12911Rwanda33.75
13312Kenya33.02
13413Gambia, The32.24
13514Cote d'Ivoire32.18
Sao Tome and PrincipeFCSMicrostate31.75
14015Lesotho31.04
14116Benin29.70
14217ZimbabweFCS29.57
14418Togo29.28
14519Tanzania29.23
14620CameroonFCS28.46
14721Zambia27.96
14822Mauritania27.82
15023Angola26.39
15224ComorosFCS25.64
15325Congo, Rep.FCS25.59
15526MozambiqueFCS25.26
15627EthiopiaFCS25.24
15728Uganda24.82
15829NigeriaFCS24.64
15930Sierra Leone24.58
16031Madagascar24.32
16132Burkina FasoFCS23.86
16233MaliFCS23.71
16334Malawi23.40
16435Guinea22.78
16636Liberia22.50
16737NigerFCS20.78
16838SudanFCS20.28
16939Guinea-BissauFCS19.28
17645Somalia, Fed. Rep.FCS19.26
17141BurundiFCS18.78
17242EritreaFCS18.78
17443Congo, Dem. Rep.FCS17.87
17544ChadFCS16.32
17645SomaliaFCS15.80
17746South SudanFCS15.44
17847Central African RepublicFCS14.57