Why does Kinshasa have such a young population?

Kinshasa’s young population is primarily a reflection of the broader demographic trends within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the rate of natural increase is among the highest globally. More than half of Kinshasa's residents are under 22 years of age, while only a tiny fraction of the population is over 50.12

This demographic profile is driven by several factors:

• High Natural Increase: Across the country, more than two-fifths of the population is younger than 15, and approximately three-fourths are under age 30.1
• Limited Life Expectancy: The proportion of older residents remains small due to factors that limit life expectancy, including poverty, violence, endemic disease, and the negligible provision of state medical care.1
• Rural-to-Urban Migration: Since independence, the city has experienced a significant influx of people from rural areas seeking opportunities, fleeing political instability, or escaping the economic decline of the countryside. This rural exodus has contributed to rapid population growth, further concentrating the country's youthful demographic within the capital.2