‘I’ve never been counted’: DR Congo’s first census in 42 years

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is preparing its first national census since 1984, a long-delayed count that many residents see as a matter of identity as much as statistics. In Bunia, in eastern Ituri province, people interviewed by the outlet described years of living without official documents that confirm citizenship or make them visible in state records. One resident said being registered would help him finally obtain an identity card.

The government says the census is meant to improve planning for public services, while the National Institute of Statistics and the Central Census Office are overseeing the exercise. According to Al Jazeera, the process will start with digital mapping to identify inhabited areas before household data collection begins. Officials said field teams will use tablets and smartphones rather than paper forms. Recruitment for the mapping phase began in June, and the country’s size, weak infrastructure and insecurity are expected to make the work difficult, especially in the east where armed groups and displacement remain a concern.

The report also notes political sensitivities around the count. With elections expected in 2028, some opposition figures and civil society actors fear population data could become contested or used for political advantage, though the government denies any such motive. Development analysts quoted by Al Jazeera said reliable figures could help guide investment in schools, hospitals, roads, water and electricity. For many Congolese, the main significance is simpler: finally being counted by the state.