Introduction
Background
Bantu-speaking people settled in the area now called Angola in 6th century A.D.; by the 10th century various Bantu groups had established kingdoms, of which Kongo became the most powerful. From the late-14th to the mid-19th century, a Kingdom of Kongo stretched across central Africa from present-day northern Angola into the current Congo republics. It traded heavily with the Portuguese who, beginning in the 16th century, established coastal colonies and trading posts and introduced Christianity. Angola became a major hub of the transatlantic slave trade conducted by the Portuguese and other European powers -- often in collaboration with local kingdoms, including the Kongo. The Angola area is estimated to have lost as many as 4 million people as a result of the slave trade. The Kingdom of Kongo’s main rival was the Kingdom of Ndongo to its south, whose most famous leader was Nzingha Mbande, the 17th century diplomat to the Portuguese and later Queen, who successfully fought off Portuguese encroachment during her nearly 40-year reign. Smaller kingdoms, such as the Matamba and Ngoyo, often came under the control of the Kongo or Ndongo Kingdoms. During the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, Portugal and other European powers set Angola’s modern borders, but the Portuguese did not fully control large portions of the territory. Portugal gained control of the Kingdom of Kongo in 1888 when Kongo’s King Pedro V sought Portuguese military assistance in exchange for becoming a vassal. After a revolt in 1914, Portugal imposed direct rule over the colony and abolished the Kongo Kingdom.
The Angolan National Revolution began in 1961, and in 1975, Angola won its independence when Portugal’s dictatorship fell, a collapse that occurred in part because of growing discontent over conflict in Angola and other colonies. Angola’s multiple independence movements soon clashed, with the Popular Movement for Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Agostinho NETO, taking power and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, emerging as its main competitor. After NETO’s death in 1979, Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, also of the MPLA, became president. Over time, the Angolan civil war escalated and became a major Cold War conflict, with the Soviet Union and Cuba supporting the MPLA and the US and South Africa supporting UNITA. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost -- and 4 million people displaced -- during the more than a quarter-century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and cemented the MPLA's hold on power. DOS SANTOS did not seek reelection in 2017 and supported Joao LOURENCO’s successful bid to become president. LOURENCO was reelected in 2022. Angola scores low on human development indexes despite using its large oil reserves to rebuild since 2002.

Tip
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Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates
12 30 S, 18 30 E

Map references
Africa

Area
total : 1,246,700 sq km

land: 1,246,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

comparison ranking: total 24

Area - comparative
about eight times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Area comparison map:

<p>about eight times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Texas</p>
Land boundaries
total: 5,369 km

border countries (4): Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,646 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province); Republic of the Congo 231 km; Namibia 1,427 km; Zambia 1,065 km

Coastline
1,600 km

Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate
semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Terrain
narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Elevation
highest point: Moca 2,620 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,112 m

Natural resources
petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium

Land use
agricultural land: 36.8% (2022 est.)

arable land: 4.3% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0.3% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 32.3% (2022 est.)

forest: 52.5% (2022 est.)

other: 10.6% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land
860 sq km (2014)

Major rivers (by length in km)
Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) (shared with Zambia [s], Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Rio Cubango (Okavango) river source (shared with Namibia and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)

Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)

Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

Major aquifers
Congo Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Population distribution
most people live in the western half of the country; urban areas account for the highest concentrations of people, particularly the capital of Luanda

Natural hazards
locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Geography - note
the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

People and Society
Population
total: 37,202,061 (2024 est.)

male: 18,196,058

female: 19,006,003

comparison rankings: total 40; male 42; female 39

Nationality
noun: Angolan(s)

adjective: Angolan

Ethnic groups
Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, Mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

Languages
Portuguese 71.2% (official), Umbundu 23%, Kikongo 8.2%, Kimbundu 7.8%, Chokwe 6.5%, Nhaneca 3.4%, Nganguela 3.1%, Fiote 2.4%, Kwanhama 2.3%, Muhumbi 2.1%, Luvale 1%, other 3.6% (2014 est.)

note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census

Religions
Roman Catholic 41.1%, Protestant 38.1%, other 8.6%, none 12.3% (2014 est.)

Age structure
0-14 years: 46.9% (male 8,752,419/female 8,701,422)

15-64 years: 50.7% (male 9,076,080/female 9,795,035)

65 years and over: 2.4% (2024 est.) (male 367,559/female 509,546)

2024 population pyramid:

This is the population pyramid for Angola. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. <br/><br/>For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 96.1 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 91.1 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 5.1 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 19.8 (2024 est.)

Median age
total: 16.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 15.8 years

female: 16.8 years

comparison ranking: total 227

Population growth rate
3.33% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 3

Birth rate
41.1 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 2

Death rate
7.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 99

Net migration rate
-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 105

Population distribution
most people live in the western half of the country; urban areas account for the highest concentrations of people, particularly the capital of Luanda

Urbanization
urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 4.04% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population
9.292 million LUANDA (capital), 959,000 Lubango, 905,000 Cabinda, 809,000 Benguela, 783,000 Malanje (2023)

Sex ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth
19.4 years (2015/16 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49

Maternal mortality ratio
183 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 42

Infant mortality rate
total: 55.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 60.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 50.3 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 13

Life expectancy at birth
total population: 62.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 60.8 years

female: 65.1 years

comparison ranking: total population 214

Total fertility rate
5.7 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 2

Gross reproduction rate
2.81 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source
improved:

urban: 71.7% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 27.8% of population (2022 est.)

total: 57.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 28.3% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 72.2% of population (2022 est.)

total: 42.3% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure
3% of GDP (2021)

6.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density
0.24 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Hospital bed density
0.8 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

Sanitation facility access
improved:

urban: 93.7% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 30.3% of population (2022 est.)

total: 73.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 6.3% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 69.7% of population (2022 est.)

total: 26.5% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate
8.2% (2016)

comparison ranking: 154

Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 5.84 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 3.78 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 1.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 73

Children under the age of 5 years underweight
19% (2015/16)

comparison ranking: 18

Currently married women (ages 15-49)
55.7% (2023 est.)

Child marriage
women married by age 15: 7.9% (2016)

women married by age 18: 30.3% (2016)

men married by age 18: 6% (2016)

Education expenditure
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

6.5% national budget (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 173

Literacy
total population: 66.2% (2015 est.)

male: 83.8% (2015 est.)

female: 51.9% (2015 est.)

Environment
Environmental issues
overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion; desertification; deforestation of tropical rainforest from international demand for timber and domestic use as fuel; loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water

International environmental agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Climate
semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Land use
agricultural land: 36.8% (2022 est.)

arable land: 4.3% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0.3% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 32.3% (2022 est.)

forest: 52.5% (2022 est.)

other: 10.6% (2022 est.)

Urbanization
urban population: 68.7% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 4.04% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions
19.66 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 9,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 17.21 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 2.441 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 86

Particulate matter emissions
27.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Methane emissions
energy: 1,009.1 kt (2022-2024 est.)

agriculture: 374.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)

waste: 123 kt (2019-2021 est.)

other: 78.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.214 million tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 19% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal
municipal: 319.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial: 239.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural: 146.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources
148.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Angola

conventional short form: Angola

local long form: Republica de Angola

local short form: Angola

former: People's Republic of Angola

etymology: in the 15th century, Portuguese explorers derived the name from the title "N'gola," which was held by kings of the Ndongo

Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Luanda

geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 13 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: does not observe daylight savings time

etymology: the Portuguese named the city São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda (Saint Paul of the Assumption of Loanda); over time, it was shortened to "Luanda," which may derive from a Bantu word meaning "tax" or "duty," in reference to local people paying their dues to the king of the Congo

Administrative divisions
21 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando, Cubango, Cuanza-Norte, Cuanza-Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Icolo e Bengo, Luanda, Lunda-Norte, Lunda-Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Moxico Leste, Namibe, Uige, Zaire

Legal system
civil legal system based on Portuguese civil law; no judicial review of legislation

Constitution
history: previous 1975, 1992; latest passed by National Assembly 21 January 2010, adopted 5 February 2010

amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by at least one third of the National Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly subject to prior Constitutional Court review if requested by the president of the republic

International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Angola

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Suffrage
18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: President Joao Manuel Goncalves LOURENCO (since 26 September 2017)

head of government: President Joao Manuel Goncalves LOURENCO (since 26 September 2017)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

election/appointment process: the candidate of the winning party or coalition in the last legislative election becomes the president; president serves a 5-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term)

most recent election date: 24 August 2022

election results: Joao Manuel Goncalves LOURENCO (MPLA) elected president by then winning party following the 24 August 2022 general election

expected date of next election: 2027

Legislative branch
legislature name: National Assembly (Assembleia nacional)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 220 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 8/24/2022

parties elected and seats per party: Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) (124); National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) (90); Other (6)

percentage of women in chamber: 39.1%

expected date of next election: August 2027

Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 16 judges); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 11 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, an 18-member body chaired by the president; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges - 4 nominated by the president, 4 elected by National Assembly, 2 elected by Supreme National Council, 1 elected by competitive submission of curricula; judges serve single 7-year terms

subordinate courts: provincial and municipal courts

Political parties
Broad Convergence for the Salvation of Angola Electoral Coalition or CASA-CE
Humanist Party of Angola or PHI
National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA; note - party has two factions
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA (largest opposition party)
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA; note- ruling party in power since 1975
Social Renewal Party or PRS

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Agostinho de Carvalho dos Santos VAN-DÚNEM (since 30 June 2023)

chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156

FAX: [1] (202) 822-9049

email address and website:
info@angola.org

https://angola.org/

consulate(s) general: Houston, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Noah ZARING (since March 2025)

embassy: Rua Houari Boumedienne, #32, Luanda

mailing address: 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550

telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000

FAX: [244] (222) 64-1000

email address and website:
Consularluanda@state.gov

https://ao.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence
11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday
Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Flag
description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem of a five-pointed star inside half a cogwheel, crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)

meaning: red stands for liberty and black for the African continent; the emblem symbolizes workers and peasants

National symbol(s)
giant black sable antelope (Palanca negra gigante)

National color(s)
red, black, yellow

National anthem(s)
title: "Angola Avante" (Forward Angola)

lyrics/music: Manuel Rui Alves MONTEIRO/Rui Alberto Vieira Dias MINGAO

history: adopted 1975

National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Mbanza-Kongo

Economy
Economic overview
middle-income, oil-dependent African economy; widespread poverty; rising inflation and currency depreciation; seeking diversification through agricultural production; significant corruption in public institutions; major infrastructure investments from China and US; exited OPEC in 2023

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$278.239 billion (2024 est.)
$266.452 billion (2023 est.)
$263.61 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 64

Real GDP growth rate
4.4% (2024 est.)
1.1% (2023 est.)
3% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 55

Real GDP per capita
$7,300 (2024 est.)
$7,300 (2023 est.)
$7,400 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 154

GDP (official exchange rate)
$80.397 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)
28.2% (2024 est.)
13.6% (2023 est.)
21.4% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 195

GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 16.4% (2024 est.)

industry: 44.2% (2024 est.)

services: 39.3% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: agriculture 51; industry 14; services 194

GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 55.3% (2024 est.)

government consumption: 6.3% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 25% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services: 37.9% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services: -24.4% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products
cassava, bananas, maize, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, tomatoes, pineapples, onions, potatoes, citrus fruits (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries
petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair

Industrial production growth rate
5% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 44

Labor force
15.961 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 41

Unemployment rate
14.5% (2024 est.)
14.6% (2023 est.)
14.7% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 172

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 27.9% (2024 est.)

male: 30.2% (2024 est.)

female: 25.7% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 26

Population below poverty line
32.3% (2018 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
51.3 (2018 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 7

Average household expenditures
on food: 50% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 1.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.3% (2018 est.)

highest 10%: 39.6% (2018 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances
0% of GDP (2024 est.)
0% of GDP (2023 est.)
0% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget
revenues: $18.117 billion (2019 est.)

expenditures: $13.871 billion (2019 est.)

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Taxes and other revenues
10.1% (of GDP) (2019 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 127

Current account balance
$6.31 billion (2024 est.)
$4.185 billion (2023 est.)
$11.763 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 33

Exports
$36.924 billion (2024 est.)
$36.961 billion (2023 est.)
$50.12 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 77

Exports - partners
China 40%, India 9%, UAE 6%, Spain 6%, Netherlands 5% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, diamonds, natural gas, ships, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports
$22.683 billion (2024 est.)
$23.688 billion (2023 est.)
$28.564 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 92

Imports - partners
China 19%, Portugal 10%, UAE 7%, India 6%, USA 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, wheat, ships, cars, trucks (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$14.243 billion (2024 est.)
$13.942 billion (2023 est.)
$13.655 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 70

Debt - external
$45.299 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

comparison ranking: 16

Exchange rates
kwanza (AOA) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
869.846 (2024 est.)
685.02 (2023 est.)
460.568 (2022 est.)
631.442 (2021 est.)
578.259 (2020 est.)

Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 48.5% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas: 76.2%

electrification - rural areas: 7.3% (2018 est.)

Electricity
installed generating capacity: 7.6 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 16.214 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 1.725 billion kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: installed generating capacity 74; consumption 83; transmission/distribution losses 118

Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 23.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 74% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal
imports: 3,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum
total petroleum production: 1.175 million bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 121,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 7.783 billion barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas
production: 5.984 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 1.244 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports: 4.928 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 343.002 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita
9.146 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 151

Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 87,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 138

Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 25.7 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 67 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 54

Broadcast media
state-owned media dominate; only four privately owned newspapers still exist in print form; state-run Radio Nacional de Angola (RNA) is the only outlet to offer programs in local languages such as Bantu; private stations operate in cities, including Catholic Radio Ecclesia, but RNA is the only radio broadcaster with near-national coverage (2023)

Internet country code
.ao

Internet users
percent of population: 45% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 137,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1

comparison ranking: total 126

Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
D2

Airports
107 (2025)

comparison ranking: 50

Heliports
2 (2025)

comparison ranking: 141

Railways
total: 2,761 km (2022)

narrow gauge: 2,638 km (2022) 1.067-m gauge

123 km 0.600-mm gauge

Merchant marine
total: 64 (2023)

by type: general cargo 13, oil tanker 8, other 43

comparison ranking: total 112

Ports
total ports: 21 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 8

very small: 13

ports with oil terminals: 17

key ports: Cabinda, Estrela Oil Field, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo Oil Terminal, Namibe, Palanca Terminal, Takula Terminal

Military and Security
Military and security forces
Angolan Armed Forces (Forcas Armadas Angolanas, FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA)

Ministry of Interior: National Police, Border Guard Police (2025)

Military expenditures
1% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 100,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
most Angolan military weapons and equipment are of Russian or Soviet-era origin; there are smaller quantities of items originating from such suppliers as China, Brazil, and South Africa (2024)

Military service age and obligation
20-45 years of age for compulsory and 18-45 years for voluntary military service for men (registration at age 18 is mandatory); 20-45 years of age for voluntary service for women; 24-month conscript service obligation; Angolan citizenship required; the Navy is entirely staffed with volunteers (2023)

Military - note
the Angolan Armed Forces were created in 1991 under the Bicesse Accords signed between the Angolan Government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA); the current force is responsible for country’s external defense but also has some domestic security responsibilities, such as border protection; it participates in multinational exercises, as well as regional peacekeeping operations, including the deployment of several hundred troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023; in recent years, the military has placed additional emphasis on maritime security and protecting offshore resources (2025)

Space
Space agency/agencies
National Space Program Office (Gabinete de Gestão do Programa Espacial Nacional, GGPEN; established 2013) (2025)

Space program overview
has a national space strategy with a focus on capacity-building, developing space infrastructure, investing in domestic space sector, supporting socioeconomic growth, and establishing cooperation agreements with foreign technical and scientific institutions in the space industry; contracts with foreign companies to build and launch satellites; operates satellites; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of France, Portugal, Russia, the US, and other African countries; member of the African Space Agency (2025)

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide

Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 55,542 (2024 est.)

IDPs: 75,308 (2024 est.)