Rural population without basic handwashing facilities in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Rural population without basic handwashing facilities was 47.72 million people in 2022. ▲ Rising
Rural population without basic handwashing facilities in Democratic Republic of Congo, 2014–2022
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2022, rural population without basic handwashing facilities in Democratic Republic of Congo stood at 47.72 million people. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.1% on the previous year and up 20.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, rural population without basic handwashing facilities in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 47.72 million people in 2022 and was at its lowest, 39.74 million people, in 2014.
That places Democratic Republic of Congo 4th out of 113 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top 10%.
Rural population without basic handwashing facilities in Democratic Republic of Congo, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 39.74 million people | — |
| 2015 | 40.68 million people | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 41.73 million people | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 42.84 million people | +2.7% |
| 2018 | 43.84 million people | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 44.78 million people | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 45.75 million people | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 46.73 million people | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 47.72 million people | +2.1% |
Democratic Republic of Congo compared with similar countries
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 47.72 million people is above the median for low income countries, which is 11.31 million people, 4.2× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 47.72 million people is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8.33 million people, 5.7× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 42.27 million people | 39.74 million people | 44.78 million people | 6 |
| 2020s | 46.73 million people | 45.75 million people | 47.72 million people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
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 rural population without basic handwashing facilities in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Rural population without basic handwashing facilities in Democratic Republic of Congo was 47.72 million people in 2022, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest rural population without basic handwashing facilities recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 47.72 million people in 2022.
- What is the lowest rural population without basic handwashing facilities recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.74 million people in 2014.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for rural population without basic handwashing facilities?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 4th out of 113 countries with data for 2022.
- Is rural population without basic handwashing facilities rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo data come from?
- The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Rural population without basic handwashing facilities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
People without access to a handwashing facility with soap and water available at home.