Zaire People - 1986

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Population: 31,333,000 (July 1986), average annual growth rate 2.7%

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

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

Infant mortality rate: 108/1,000(1984)

Life expectancy: men 46, women 49

Literacy: 55% males, 37% females

Labor force: about 8 million, but only about 13% in wage structure

NOTE: The information regarding Zaire on this page is re-published from the 1986 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Zaire 1986 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Zaire 1986 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.