Population: 37,832,407 (July 1991), growth rate 3.3% (1991)

Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1991)

Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

Infant mortality rate: 99 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

Life expectancy at birth: 52 years male, 56 years female (1991)

Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (1991)

Nationality: noun--Zairian(s); adjective--Zairian

Ethnic divisions: over 200 African ethnic groups, the majority are Bantu; four largest tribes--Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population

Religion: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10%

Language: French (official), Lingala, Swahili, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba

Literacy: 72% (male 84%, female 61%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

Labor force: 15,000,000; agriculture 75%, industry 13%, services 12%; wage earners 13% (1981); population of working age 51% (1985)

Organized labor: National Union of Zairian Workers (UNTZA) was the only officially recognized trade union until April 1990; other unions are now in process of seeking official recognition

NOTE: The information regarding Zaire on this page is re-published from the 1991 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Zaire People 1991 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Zaire People 1991 should be addressed to the CIA.