Urban area over the long-term in Congo
Congo: Urban area over the long-term was 495.9 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
495.9 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
125th
of 202 countries
All-time high
495.9 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0003 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Congo, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Congo stood at 495.9 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 19.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Congo peaked at 495.9 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0003 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
That places Congo 125th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Congo, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0009 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1200 | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1300 | 0.0101 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1400 | 0.0346 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1500 | 0.1186 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1600 | 0.4067 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1700 | 1.39 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1710 | 1.42 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1720 | 1.68 km² per grid cell | +18.1% |
| 1730 | 1.98 km² per grid cell | +18.0% |
| 1740 | 2.34 km² per grid cell | +17.8% |
| 1750 | 2.75 km² per grid cell | +17.7% |
| 1760 | 3.24 km² per grid cell | +17.6% |
| 1770 | 3.81 km² per grid cell | +17.5% |
| 1780 | 4.47 km² per grid cell | +17.5% |
| 1790 | 5.25 km² per grid cell | +17.4% |
| 1800 | 6.15 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1810 | 7.21 km² per grid cell | +17.2% |
| 1820 | 8.45 km² per grid cell | +17.1% |
| 1830 | 9.89 km² per grid cell | +17.1% |
| 1840 | 11.57 km² per grid cell | +17.0% |
| 1850 | 13.53 km² per grid cell | +16.9% |
| 1860 | 15.46 km² per grid cell | +14.3% |
| 1870 | 18.76 km² per grid cell | +21.3% |
| 1880 | 23.22 km² per grid cell | +23.8% |
| 1890 | 28.45 km² per grid cell | +22.5% |
| 1900 | 30.88 km² per grid cell | +8.6% |
| 1910 | 31.67 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 1920 | 32.9 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1930 | 39.07 km² per grid cell | +18.8% |
| 1940 | 40.63 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1950 | 40.63 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 40.7 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1952 | 41.21 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1953 | 41.76 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1954 | 42.37 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1955 | 43.03 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1956 | 43.75 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1957 | 44.54 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1958 | 45.4 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1959 | 46.36 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1960 | 47.4 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1961 | 48.54 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 1962 | 49.8 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1963 | 51.17 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1964 | 52.67 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 54.32 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1966 | 56.11 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1967 | 58.07 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1968 | 60.21 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1969 | 62.54 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1970 | 65.08 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1971 | 68.03 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1972 | 71.33 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1973 | 74.99 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1974 | 79.09 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1975 | 83.71 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1976 | 88.1 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1977 | 92.78 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1978 | 97.78 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1979 | 103.13 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1980 | 108.87 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1981 | 114.52 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1982 | 120.56 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1983 | 126.98 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1984 | 133.78 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1985 | 140.22 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1986 | 145.96 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1987 | 151.97 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1988 | 158.27 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1989 | 164.9 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1990 | 171.91 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1991 | 178.82 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1992 | 186.14 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1993 | 193.74 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1994 | 201.42 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1995 | 209.08 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1996 | 215.71 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1997 | 222.16 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1998 | 228.58 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1999 | 233.13 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 2000 | 238.38 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 2001 | 246.72 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2002 | 255.35 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2003 | 264.47 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2004 | 274.28 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 284.98 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2006 | 296.67 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2007 | 309.3 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 2008 | 322.61 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 2009 | 336.2 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 349.77 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 2011 | 363.05 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 376.63 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2013 | 390.51 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2014 | 404.7 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2015 | 414.75 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 422.41 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 430.23 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 438.2 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 446.32 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 454.58 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 465.8 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 476.78 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2023 | 483.09 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 489.47 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2025 | 495.9 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
Congo compared with similar countries
- Congo's 495.9 km² per grid cell is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 837.49 km² per grid cell, 59% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Congo's 495.9 km² per grid cell is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 733.88 km² per grid cell, 68% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Congo changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | +242.9% | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | 0.0009 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +242.9% | 0.0009 km² per grid cell | 0.0029 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +242.9% | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | 0.0101 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +242.9% | 0.0101 km² per grid cell | 0.0346 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +242.9% | 0.0346 km² per grid cell | 0.1186 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +242.9% | 0.1186 km² per grid cell | 0.4067 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0009 km² per grid cell | 0.0009 km² per grid cell | 0.0009 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0101 km² per grid cell | 0.0101 km² per grid cell | 0.0101 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.0346 km² per grid cell | 0.0346 km² per grid cell | 0.0346 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.1186 km² per grid cell | 0.1186 km² per grid cell | 0.1186 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 0.4067 km² per grid cell | 0.4067 km² per grid cell | 0.4067 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 1.39 km² per grid cell | 1.39 km² per grid cell | 1.39 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 1.42 km² per grid cell | 1.42 km² per grid cell | 1.42 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 1.68 km² per grid cell | 1.68 km² per grid cell | 1.68 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 1.98 km² per grid cell | 1.98 km² per grid cell | 1.98 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 2.34 km² per grid cell | 2.34 km² per grid cell | 2.34 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 2.75 km² per grid cell | 2.75 km² per grid cell | 2.75 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 3.24 km² per grid cell | 3.24 km² per grid cell | 3.24 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 3.81 km² per grid cell | 3.81 km² per grid cell | 3.81 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 4.47 km² per grid cell | 4.47 km² per grid cell | 4.47 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 5.25 km² per grid cell | 5.25 km² per grid cell | 5.25 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 6.15 km² per grid cell | 6.15 km² per grid cell | 6.15 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 7.21 km² per grid cell | 7.21 km² per grid cell | 7.21 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 8.45 km² per grid cell | 8.45 km² per grid cell | 8.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 9.89 km² per grid cell | 9.89 km² per grid cell | 9.89 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 11.57 km² per grid cell | 11.57 km² per grid cell | 11.57 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 13.53 km² per grid cell | 13.53 km² per grid cell | 13.53 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 15.46 km² per grid cell | 15.46 km² per grid cell | 15.46 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 18.76 km² per grid cell | 18.76 km² per grid cell | 18.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 23.22 km² per grid cell | 23.22 km² per grid cell | 23.22 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 28.45 km² per grid cell | 28.45 km² per grid cell | 28.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 30.88 km² per grid cell | 30.88 km² per grid cell | 30.88 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 31.67 km² per grid cell | 31.67 km² per grid cell | 31.67 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 32.9 km² per grid cell | 32.9 km² per grid cell | 32.9 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 39.07 km² per grid cell | 39.07 km² per grid cell | 39.07 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 40.63 km² per grid cell | 40.63 km² per grid cell | 40.63 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 42.97 km² per grid cell | 40.63 km² per grid cell | 46.36 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 54.08 km² per grid cell | 47.4 km² per grid cell | 62.54 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 82.4 km² per grid cell | 65.08 km² per grid cell | 103.13 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 136.6 km² per grid cell | 108.87 km² per grid cell | 164.9 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 204.07 km² per grid cell | 171.91 km² per grid cell | 233.13 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 282.9 km² per grid cell | 238.38 km² per grid cell | 336.2 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 403.66 km² per grid cell | 349.77 km² per grid cell | 446.32 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 477.6 km² per grid cell | 454.58 km² per grid cell | 495.9 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Congo
- 122 Western Sahara 526.56 km² per grid cell compare
- 123 Nicaragua 500.71 km² per grid cell compare
- 124 Qatar 499.79 km² per grid cell compare
- 126 Sri Lanka 481.3 km² per grid cell compare
- 127 Madagascar 464.32 km² per grid cell compare
- 128 Tajikistan 463.97 km² per grid cell compare
More reference data data for Congo
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0199 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.1866 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.2108 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0031 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.2108 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0668 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.0724 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.9126 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.08 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.017 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Congo?
- Urban area over the long-term in Congo was 495.9 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 495.9 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0003 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Congo rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Congo ranks 125th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Congo data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.