DRC government targets July 2027 for second national population census

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is preparing for the Second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-2), the first such national operation in over four decades. State Minister for Planning Guylain Nyembo and Communication Minister Patrick Muyaya have engaged with media professionals to ensure accurate public information regarding the census's logistics, financing, and deployment.

The government aims to complete the census operations by July 2027. Officials emphasized that the timeline is designed to avoid overlap with the 2028 electoral cycle to prevent political confusion. While security concerns in certain regions pose a significant challenge to deployment, the administration is working with specialized partners to manage these risks.

The census is intended to provide updated data on population distribution and living conditions, serving as a critical foundation for national development planning and public policy.