Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 53.6% in 2018. ▲ Rising
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1995–2018
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children under 6 months.
Analysis
The most recent figure for exclusive breastfeeding rate in Democratic Republic of Congo is 53.6%, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 49.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding rate in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 53.6% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 23.8%, in 1995.
That places Democratic Republic of Congo 28th out of 72 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Democratic Republic of Congo, year by year
| Year | % of children under 6 months | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 23.8% | — |
| 2001 | 23.8% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 35.8% | +50.3% |
| 2010 | 36.4% | +1.6% |
| 2014 | 47.3% | +30.1% |
| 2018 | 53.6% | +13.3% |
Democratic Republic of Congo compared with similar countries
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 53.6% is below the median for low income countries, which is 53.8%, 100% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 53.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 53.6%, 1.0× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 23.8% | 23.8% | 23.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 29.8% | 23.8% | 35.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 45.8% | 36.4% | 53.6% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
- 25 Philippines 54.9% compare
- 26 Sierra Leone 54.0% compare
- 27 Gambia 53.6% compare
- 29 Guatemala 53.2% compare
- 30 Indonesia 50.7% compare
- 31 Madagascar 50.6% compare
More reference data data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.18 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 (AR5) - Manure Management 220.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 (AR5) - IPCC Agriculture 3,924 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - IPCC Agriculture 3,062 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 9.9 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Manure left on Pasture 1,764 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Manure applied to Soils 313.43 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Burning - Crop residues 0.2179 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O (AR5) - Manure applied 313.43 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 (AR5) - Enteric 3,057 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is exclusive breastfeeding rate in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Democratic Republic of Congo was 53.6% in 2018, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 53.6% in 2018.
- What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.8% in 1995.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for exclusive breastfeeding rate?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 28th out of 72 countries with data for 2018.
- Is exclusive breastfeeding rate rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 49.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The share of infants less than six months old who were fed only with breast milk in the past 24 hours. WHO and UNICEF recommend that children be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water.