_#_Ethnic divisions: about 15 ethnic groups divided into some 75 tribes, almost all Bantu; most important ethnic groups are Kongo (48%) in the south, Sangha (20%) and M'Bochi (12%) in the north, Teke (17%) in the center; about 8,500 Europeans, mostly French
_#_Religion: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
_#_Language: French (official); many African languages with Lingala and Kikongo most widely used
_#_Literacy: 57% (male 70%, female 44%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
_#_Labor force: 79,100 wage earners; agriculture 75%, commerce, industry, and government 25%; 51% of population of working age; 40% of population economically active (1985)
_#_Organized labor: 20% of labor force (1979 est.)
_*Government #_Long-form name: Republic of the Congo
_#_Type: republic
_#_Capital: Brazzaville
_#_Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular—region); Bouenza, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha; note—there may be a new capital district of Brazzaville