New
New
Year 8

Population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

I can describe where people live in the DRC and describe what the population structure of the DRC is like.

New
New
Year 8

Population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

I can describe where people live in the DRC and describe what the population structure of the DRC is like.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The DRC has a population distribution of around 45 people per square kilometre due to its sheer size.
  2. Just over half of the people live in rural areas, but Kinshasa is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
  3. Population pyramids represent the population structure of a given location.
  4. The median age in the DRC is 18.8 years, however half of the population are under 15 years old.
  5. High birth rates and low life expectancy impact population growth.

Keywords

  • Population density - the number of people living in a defined area, e.g. 300 people per square kilometre

  • Population pyramid - a chart representing the population structure of a given location

  • Median - the middle value of a set of data when all values are placed in numerical order

  • Birth rate - the number of live births per 1000 people per year

  • Life expectancy - the average age a person will reach in a given location

Common misconception

Population pyramids only show us the total population size.

A population pyramid provides information about the structure of the population; the age and gender profile of the location represented. This can help governments with future planning.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Compare the population pyramid of the DRC with population pyramids for other countries at various stages of development. Ask students what they notice, what is similar and what is different about the population structures of each country. Can they suggest reasons for the differences?
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Where is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) located?

West Africa
Correct answer: Central Africa
North Africa
East Africa

Q2.
Which ocean is closest to the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Correct answer: Atlantic Ocean
Indian Ocean
Arctic Ocean
Pacific Ocean

Q3.
What is the name of the river that flows through much of the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Nile River
Correct answer: Congo River
Amazon River
Mississippi River

Q4.
Which mountain range is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Andes
Alps
Correct answer: Virunga Mountains

Q5.
What is the climate like in much of the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Desert
Correct answer: Tropical rainforest
Polar
Savanna

Q6.
What is the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Correct answer: Kinshasa
Paris
Berlin
Nairobi

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What does "democratic" mean?

People do not have the freedom to vote
Correct answer: People have the freedom to vote
People are ruled by a monarch
People are not allowed to choose their leaders

Q2.
What does GIS stand for?

Correct answer: Geographic Information System
General Internet System
Geographical Image Source

Q3.
What are "layers" in a GIS?

Layers of paper used to draw maps
Correct answer: A set of data displayed on a map
Layers of trees in a forest
Layers of people living in a country

Q4.
What does a population pyramid show?

Only the total number of people in a country
Correct answer: The age and gender structure of a population
The height of people in a population
The income levels of a population