The Democratic Republic of Congo has taken a significant step towards conducting its second General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH2), 42 years after the first census. On September 28, the government launched the cartography phase in Kinshasa, marking the beginning of the preparatory phase for the comprehensive census scheduled for July 2027. The government is calling for national mobilization around this scientific operation aimed at better understanding the population and improving development planning.
The RGPH2 is a long-awaited project, with the Minister of State for Planning and Coordination of Development Aid, Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, emphasizing that it is time for an exhaustive census. The minister explained that the census aims to count all persons living on Congolese territory, providing an accurate picture of the population. This will enable the government to analyze economic, social, and environmental realities and inform public policies with up-to-date data.
The census process is divided into four phases: setting up pilot structures, preparation, exhaustive enumeration, and analysis of collected data. The DR Congo is currently in the second phase, dominated by the cartographic census. This phase involves dividing the territory into enumeration areas where census agents will work. The cartography will allow the identification of habitats, inhabited and uninhabited buildings, households, and collection of summary information on their composition.
The government has made significant progress in preparing for the census. In Kinshasa, cartographers have been recruited, trained, and equipped, while in the remaining 25 provinces, the launch of the cartography is planned for November. The government has also secured the budget, with the minister assuring that the necessary conditions for the process are in place. The recruitment of cartographers is the first major wave of recruitment, with a minimum level of graduation required.
The government is counting on local recruitment, with over 78% of engaged persons being young people. This proximity is expected to facilitate access to households and promote understanding of local cultural and social realities. The process is also supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which is a technical and audit partner. The minister emphasized that all processes are audited, with the UNFPA involved in finance, recruitment, and operational and technical aspects.
The government recognizes that the success of the RGPH2 cannot rely solely on technical structures. Provincial authorities, traditional leaders, religious leaders, parliamentarians, community leaders, and media are called upon to play a role in raising awareness. Missions have already been conducted in 18 provinces to involve local stakeholders in the process. The minister stressed that it is a collective effort, with everyone called upon to contribute to the sensitization of the population.
After four decades without a general census, the DR Congo aims to have an updated statistical picture of its population. The launched cartography phase in Kinshasa marks the first concrete step towards the grand enumeration scheduled for July 2027. The government is optimistic about the process, with the minister announcing continued sensitization efforts, particularly to facilitate access to certain categories of the population.
Key points
- The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched the cartography phase of its second General Census of Population and Housing.
- The census aims to provide an exhaustive count of the population and improve development planning.
- The process is supported by the United Nations Population Fund and involves local recruitment and community engagement.
