Extreme Poverty in DR Congo: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)

The data on extreme poverty in DR Congo represents a stark reality, where 35 % of the population lives on less than .15/day, ranking #128 of 157 countries. This statistic is a fundamental baseline of daily life, defining the survival of generations. In 1900, it was 80 % likely that one lived in extreme poverty, a state of scarcity that persisted with little variation for a century.

The historical transformation of extreme poverty in DR Congo is a story of gradual change, with every decade from the 1800s estimate 80 to the 1890s estimate 80 anchored by the same pervasive hardship. However, by the 1950s, the figure shifted to 75 percent, and has been gradually improving since, with projections suggesting this trajectory will continue, eventually reaching 3.5 by the 2100s projection. As these figures decline, the data describes a world where the constraints of absolute need gradually loosen.

As the trajectory of extreme poverty continues to decline, reaching 26.25 in the 2030s projection, the life path of those born within the nation's borders is fundamentally altered. You can explore how your own life compares to this trend by using our interactive tool.