Democratic Republic of Congo rankings 2026: where Democratic Republic of Congo places in 88 global Top 10s
Democratic Republic of Congo is #1 in Countries with the highest share of people in extreme poverty, #1 in 3 rankings and inside the top 10 of 35 rankings. Every position, value and source, regenerated as the data refreshes.
Democratic Republic of Congo appears in 88 of the 491 live country rankings on Top10Earth. This guide walks through every one of them: where Democratic Republic of Congo is number one, where it makes the top 10, where it sits further down the table, and what has moved since the previous snapshot. Its best position is #1 in Countries with the highest share of people in extreme poverty, where it is measured at 85.32 % (Extreme poverty rate) as of 2026-11-02. Democratic Republic of Congo holds the #1 spot in 3 rankings and finishes inside the top 10 in 35 rankings.
Where Democratic Republic of Congo is number one
These are the rankings Democratic Republic of Congo currently tops. The next country in each table is listed too, because a #1 by a whisker and a #1 by a mile are different stories.
- Countries with the highest share of people in extreme poverty: 85.32 % (Extreme poverty rate), Our World in Data, captured 2026-11-02. Next: Mozambique with 81.36 %.
- Countries with the highest share of people without improved water: 40.2 % (Population without improved water), Our World in Data, captured 2026-11-02. Next: Madagascar with 39.65 %.
- Countries with the highest share of renewable energy in final consumption: 95.89 % (Renewable share of final energy consumption), Our World in Data, captured 2026-11-02. Next: Liberia with 94.35 %.
Top 10 finishes
Democratic Republic of Congo is inside the top 10 of 32 further rankings beyond the ones it leads. Each entry names the country directly above it, which is the position to beat at the next refresh.
- #2 in Countries with the largest CO2 emissions from land use change with 648.2 million tonnes, behind Brazil (1,599.67 million tonnes) and ahead of Indonesia. Our World in Data, 2026-11-02.
- #2 in Countries with the most people in extreme poverty with 81.9 million, behind Nigeria (94.73 million) and ahead of Pakistan. Our World in Data, 2026-10-29.
- #2 in Countries with the most people in extreme poverty with 81.9k thousand people, behind Nigeria (94.7k thousand people) and ahead of Pakistan. Our World in Data, 2026-11-02.
- #2 in Countries with the most people without electricity with 84.7k thousand people, behind Nigeria (87.3k thousand people) and ahead of Ethiopia. Our World in Data, 2026-11-02.
- #3 in Countries with the most children not vaccinated against DTP3 with 1,591.83 thousand children, behind India (2,040.85 thousand children) and ahead of Ethiopia. Our World in Data, 2026-11-02.
- #3 in Countries with the most deaths of children under five with 385.04 thousand deaths, behind India (615.03 thousand deaths) and ahead of Pakistan. Our World in Data, 2026-11-02.
- #3 in Countries with the most people who cannot afford enough calories with 57.5k thousand people, behind India (76.5k thousand people) and ahead of China. Our World in Data, 2026-11-02.
- #3 in Countries with the most wildfire smoke emissions (PM2.5) with 1,992.75 thousand tonnes, behind Russia (3,399.55 thousand tonnes) and ahead of Canada. Our World in Data, 2026-10-30.
- #4 in Countries where most people cannot afford enough calories with 58 %, behind Zambia (64 %) and ahead of Mozambique. Our World in Data, 2026-11-02.
- #4 in Countries with the most children born per woman with 6.05 children per woman, behind Niger (6.06 children per woman) and ahead of Central African Republic. Our World in Data, 2026-11-02.
- #5 in Countries with the highest lettuce yields with 41.66 tonnes per hectare, behind Belgium (43.71 tonnes per hectare) and ahead of Hungary. Our World in Data, 2026-11-02.
- #5 in Countries with the highest share of renewable electricity with 100 %, behind Costa Rica (100 %) and ahead of Ethiopia. Our World in Data, 2026-10-29.
The remaining 20 top-10 positions are in the full list at the end of this guide.
Democratic Republic of Congo by theme
The rankings are grouped by category below, so the economic picture, the health picture and the environmental picture can be read separately. Positions are out of the number of countries each source reports, which differs by ranking.
Health and wellbeing
In health and wellbeing, Democratic Republic of Congo holds 21 positions: #3 of 50 in Countries with the most children not vaccinated against DTP3 (1,591.83 thousand children), #3 of 50 in Countries with the most deaths of children under five (385.04 thousand deaths), #3 of 50 in Countries with the most wildfire smoke emissions (PM2.5) (1,992.75 thousand tonnes) and #6 of 50 in Countries with the highest share of stunted children under 5 (44.7 %). 17 more rankings are listed below.
World and society
In world and society, Democratic Republic of Congo holds 20 positions: #1 of 50 in Countries with the highest share of people in extreme poverty (85.32 %), #1 of 50 in Countries with the highest share of people without improved water (40.2 %), #2 of 50 in Countries with the most people in extreme poverty (81.9k thousand people) and #4 of 50 in Countries with the most children born per woman (6.05 children per woman). 16 more rankings are listed below.
Environment and energy
In environment and energy, Democratic Republic of Congo holds 19 positions: #1 of 50 in Countries with the highest share of renewable energy in final consumption (95.89 %), #2 of 50 in Countries with the largest CO2 emissions from land use change (648.2 million tonnes), #2 of 50 in Countries with the most people without electricity (84.7k thousand people) and #5 of 50 in Countries with the highest share of renewable electricity (100 %). 15 more rankings are listed below.
Food and agriculture
In food and agriculture, Democratic Republic of Congo holds 17 positions: #3 of 50 in Countries with the most people who cannot afford enough calories (57.5k thousand people), #4 of 50 in Countries where most people cannot afford enough calories (58 %), #5 of 50 in Countries with the highest lettuce yields (41.66 tonnes per hectare) and #6 of 50 in Countries with the highest prevalence of undernourishment (38.5 %). 13 more rankings are listed below.
Finance and crypto
In finance and crypto, Democratic Republic of Congo holds 9 positions: #2 of 50 in Countries with the most people in extreme poverty (81.9 million), #11 of 50 in Countries with the fastest import growth (14.99 %), #11 of 50 in Countries with the highest income inequality (0.45 index (0-1)) and #11 of 50 in Countries with the highest share of people living on less than $30 a day (99.85 %). 5 more rankings are listed below.
Consumer tech
In consumer tech, Democratic Republic of Congo holds 2 positions: #29 of 50 in Countries with the most mobile phone subscriptions (63.96 million subscriptions) and #42 of 50 in Countries with the most internet users (21.5 million people).
What changed at the latest refresh
Comparing each ranking's newest snapshot with the one before it, Democratic Republic of Congo moved in 82 rankings:
- New entry at #1 in Countries with the highest share of people in extreme poverty (2026-11-02).
- New entry at #1 in Countries with the highest share of people without improved water (2026-11-02).
- New entry at #1 in Countries with the highest share of renewable energy in final consumption (2026-11-02).
- New entry at #2 in Countries with the largest CO2 emissions from land use change (2026-11-02).
- New entry at #2 in Countries with the most people in extreme poverty (2026-10-29).
- New entry at #2 in Countries with the most people in extreme poverty (2026-11-02).
- New entry at #2 in Countries with the most people without electricity (2026-11-02).
- New entry at #3 in Countries with the most children not vaccinated against DTP3 (2026-11-02).
- New entry at #3 in Countries with the most deaths of children under five (2026-11-02).
- New entry at #3 in Countries with the most people who cannot afford enough calories (2026-11-02).
Where Democratic Republic of Congo ranks lowest
A guide that only listed wins would be misleading. Democratic Republic of Congo's lowest current positions are 49th of 50 in Countries with the highest annual deforestation as a share of forest (0.2 %), 49th of 50 in Countries with the highest CO2 emissions per person including land use (5.99 tonnes per person) and 48th of 50 in Countries with the highest death rates from natural disasters (0.04 per 100,000 people). Whether a low position is good or bad depends on the metric: being near the bottom of an emissions or mortality ranking is the better place to be.
Every ranking that includes Democratic Republic of Congo
- #1 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of people in extreme poverty · 85.32 % · 2026-11-02
- #1 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of people without improved water · 40.2 % · 2026-11-02
- #1 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of renewable energy in final consumption · 95.89 % · 2026-11-02
- #2 of 50 · Countries with the largest CO2 emissions from land use change · 648.2 million tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #2 of 50 · Countries with the most people in extreme poverty · 81.9 million · 2026-10-29
- #2 of 50 · Countries with the most people in extreme poverty · 81.9k thousand people · 2026-11-02
- #2 of 50 · Countries with the most people without electricity · 84.7k thousand people · 2026-11-02
- #3 of 50 · Countries with the most children not vaccinated against DTP3 · 1,591.83 thousand children · 2026-11-02
- #3 of 50 · Countries with the most deaths of children under five · 385.04 thousand deaths · 2026-11-02
- #3 of 50 · Countries with the most people who cannot afford enough calories · 57.5k thousand people · 2026-11-02
- #3 of 50 · Countries with the most wildfire smoke emissions (PM2.5) · 1,992.75 thousand tonnes · 2026-10-30
- #4 of 50 · Countries where most people cannot afford enough calories · 58 % · 2026-11-02
- #4 of 50 · Countries with the most children born per woman · 6.05 children per woman · 2026-11-02
- #5 of 50 · Countries with the highest lettuce yields · 41.66 tonnes per hectare · 2026-11-02
- #5 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of renewable electricity · 100 % · 2026-10-29
- #6 of 50 · Countries losing the most forest to deforestation each year · 283.5 thousand hectares per year · 2026-10-29
- #6 of 50 · Countries with the highest prevalence of undernourishment · 38.5 % · 2026-11-02
- #6 of 50 · Countries with the highest severe food insecurity · 42.5 % · 2026-11-02
- #6 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of people below national poverty lines · 56.2 % · 2026-11-02
- #6 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of stunted children under 5 · 44.7 % · 2026-11-02
- #6 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of underweight children · 25 % · 2026-11-02
- #6 of 50 · Countries with the largest share of global deforestation · 3.34 % of global total · 2026-11-02
- #6 of 50 · Countries with the largest share of the world's forest · 3.36 % of global total · 2026-11-02
- #6 of 50 · Countries with the most births per year · 4,369.68 thousand births · 2026-11-02
- #6 of 50 · Countries with the most people without safe drinking water · 96.3k thousand people · 2026-11-02
- #7 of 50 · Countries refugees come from most often · 1,176.49 thousand people · 2026-11-02
- #8 of 50 · Countries with the highest child homicide rates · 14 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #8 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of people at risk of catastrophic surgery costs · 85 % · 2026-11-02
- #9 of 50 · Countries with the highest infant mortality rates · 5.64 deaths per 100 live births · 2026-11-02
- #9 of 44 · Countries with the most land used for palm oil · 296.83 thousand hectares · 2026-11-02
- #9 of 50 · Countries with the most mismanaged plastic waste · 1,369.73 thousand tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #10 of 50 · Countries emitting the most CO2 including land use change · 654.1 million tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #10 of 50 · Countries with the highest CO₂ emissions including land-use change · 654.1 million tonnes · 2026-10-31
- #10 of 50 · Countries with the highest meningitis death rates · 14.42 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #10 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of urban people living in slums · 66.7 % · 2026-11-02
- #11 of 50 · Countries with the fastest import growth · 14.99 % · 2026-10-29
- #11 of 50 · Countries with the highest cocoa bean yields · 0.59 tonnes per hectare · 2026-11-02
- #11 of 50 · Countries with the highest death rates from cardiomyopathy and myocarditis · 15.29 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #11 of 50 · Countries with the highest income inequality · 0.45 index (0-1) · 2026-11-02
- #11 of 50 · Countries with the highest malaria death rates · 61.93 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #11 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of people living on less than $30 a day · 99.85 % · 2026-11-02
- #11 of 50 · Countries with the most internal renewable freshwater resources · 900 cubic kilometres · 2026-11-02
- #12 of 50 · Countries with the highest death rates from hypertensive heart disease · 54.47 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #13 of 50 · Countries with the highest income inequality before tax · 63.91 Gini index · 2026-11-02
- #13 of 50 · Countries with the highest maternal mortality ratios · 427.05 per 100,000 live births · 2026-11-02
- #13 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of people without clean cooking fuels · 95 % · 2026-11-02
- #13 of 50 · Countries with the most road injury deaths · 15.6k deaths · 2026-11-02
- #14 of 49 · Countries producing the most palm oil · 300 thousand tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #15 of 50 · Countries with the highest drowning death rates · 8.45 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #15 of 50 · Countries with the highest outdoor air pollution exposure · 41.2 µg/m³ · 2026-11-02
- #18 of 50 · Countries hosting the most refugees · 503.73 thousand people · 2026-11-02
- #18 of 50 · Countries where the top 1% earn the largest share of income · 19.43 % · 2026-11-02
- #18 of 50 · Countries with the highest death rates from diarrhoeal diseases · 39.94 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #18 of 50 · Countries with the highest prevalence of anemia in children · 64.9 % · 2026-11-02
- #18 of 50 · Countries with the largest cumulative CO2 emissions including land use · 26.04 billion tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #19 of 50 · Countries producing the most coffee · 65.7 thousand tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #20 of 50 · Countries with the highest consumption-based deforestation per person · 14.64 square metres per person · 2026-11-02
- #21 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of children with wasting · 7.2 % · 2026-11-02
- #21 of 50 · Countries with the most threatened fish species · 128 species · 2026-11-02
- #22 of 50 · Countries with the highest tuberculosis death rates · 51.07 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #22 of 50 · Countries with the most cropland · 16.9k thousand hectares · 2026-11-02
- #22 of 50 · Fastest-growing economies (annual GDP growth) · 6.13 % · 2026-10-31
- #23 of 50 · Countries with the highest neonatal mortality rates · 2.53 deaths per 1,000 live births · 2026-11-02
- #24 of 50 · Countries with the highest death rates from fires and burns · 3.8 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #26 of 50 · Countries with the highest death rates from malnutrition · 7.3 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #27 of 50 · Countries importing the largest share of their goods from China · 29.62 % · 2026-11-02
- #28 of 50 · Countries with the most mismanaged plastic waste per person · 15.78 kg per person per year · 2026-11-02
- #29 of 50 · Countries with the largest share of people practicing open defecation · 11.66 % · 2026-11-02
- #29 of 50 · Countries with the most mobile phone subscriptions · 63.96 million subscriptions · 2026-11-02
- #30 of 50 · Countries producing the most rice · 1,940.59 thousand tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #31 of 50 · Countries with the worst PM2.5 air pollution · 35.81 micrograms per cubic meter · 2026-10-30
- #34 of 50 · Countries with the highest death rates from poisoning · 1.29 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #34 of 50 · Countries with the highest share of children aged 5-17 in labor · 7.5 % · 2026-11-02
- #37 of 50 · Countries with the highest death rates from ambient air pollution · 72 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #37 of 50 · Countries with the most military personnel · 134 thousand people · 2026-11-02
- #38 of 50 · Countries with the most agricultural land · 23.24 million hectares · 2026-11-02
- #39 of 50 · Countries producing the most maize · 2,387.75 thousand tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #40 of 44 · Countries with the highest palm oil yields · 6.58 tonnes per hectare · 2026-11-02
- #41 of 50 · Countries producing the most sugar cane · 2.51 million tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #41 of 50 · Countries using the most cereals for human food · 89.81 % · 2026-11-02
- #42 of 50 · Countries with the highest military share of government spending · 8.14 % · 2026-11-02
- #42 of 50 · Countries with the most internet users · 21.5 million people · 2026-11-02
- #43 of 50 · Countries generating the most plastic waste · 1,059.8 thousand tonnes · 2026-11-02
- #43 of 50 · Countries with the highest urban outdoor air pollution · 28.83 micrograms per cubic metre · 2026-11-02
- #47 of 50 · Countries with the highest orange yields · 15.46 tonnes per hectare · 2026-11-02
- #48 of 50 · Countries with the highest death rates from natural disasters · 0.04 per 100,000 people · 2026-11-02
- #49 of 50 · Countries with the highest annual deforestation as a share of forest · 0.2 % · 2026-11-02
- #49 of 50 · Countries with the highest CO2 emissions per person including land use · 5.99 tonnes per person · 2026-11-02
How to read these numbers
Each ranking measures one metric from one named source at one time, so a #3 in one table and a #3 in another are not directly comparable. Countries also report in different years: the capture date is when Top10Earth fetched the data, while the source's own year is stated on each ranking page under methodology. For a side-by-side with another country on the same measures, open any ranking and use the head-to-head links, or visit Democratic Republic of Congo's entity page for the live table and rank-history chart.
Top10Earth never estimates or edits a value. Each number is fetched from its source on a schedule, hashed, stored and ranked by software, then checked by a quality gate before it is published. If a refresh fails that gate the previous snapshot stays live and a person looks at why. Every past snapshot is kept, which is what makes the rank-history charts on each ranking page possible.
Questions people ask about Democratic Republic of Congo
What is Democratic Republic of Congo's best ranking on Top10Earth?
#1 in Countries with the highest share of people in extreme poverty, with 85.32 % (Extreme poverty rate) as of 2026-11-02.
How many rankings include Democratic Republic of Congo?
88 current country rankings out of 491 on the site, including 3 rankings where it is #1.
Is Democratic Republic of Congo in the top 10 of anything?
Yes: 35 rankings, including #1 in Countries with the highest share of people in extreme poverty, #1 in Countries with the highest share of people without improved water and #1 in Countries with the highest share of renewable energy in final consumption.
Where do the numbers come from?
From Our World in Data. Each ranking page names its source, metric definition and capture date.
When was this guide last updated?
The newest snapshot used here was captured on 2026-11-02. The guide is regenerated automatically as rankings refresh.