Table of Contents
Overview
The current population of Angola is 39,683,251 as of Saturday, January, 2026, based on Worldometer’s elaboration of the latest United Nations data. It is located in Southern Africa, along the South Atlantic Ocean, and borders the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, and Zambia.
Angola is divided into 18 provinces: Bengo, Benguela, Bié, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huíla, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uíge, and Zaire.
Agriculture
Agriculture in Angola employs a large share of the workforce and accounts for 36.9% of land use. Key crops include cassava, bananas, maize, sweet potatoes, and sugarcane, which support food security and exports. Other important crops are tomatoes, pineapples, onions, potatoes, and citrus fruits.
The sector contributes 16.4% to GDP (2024 est.), along with related industries like food processing. Land use comprises 4.3% arable land, 0.3% permanent crops, and 32.4% pasture.
Crime
Angola faces violent crime, especially in Luanda, including armed robbery, assault, carjacking, homicide, mugging, vehicle theft, and scams. Criminals often use motorcycles, target women alone, and stage accidents.
With a crime index of 65.5 and safety at 34.5, concerns are great regarding car theft (69.82) and corruption (90.15). The homicide rate is 9.6 per 100,000.
Demographics
Angola’s population was 39 million as of 2026, with a close difference between males (19 million) and females (19.8 million). The primary language is Portuguese (71.2%), followed by Umbundu (23%).
Density is higher in western urban areas and lower in eastern urban areas. Urbanization stands at 68.7%, increasing by 4.04% annually, in major cities such as Luanda (9.2 million), Lubango (959,000), and Cabinda (905,000).
The population is young, with 46.9% under 14, 50.7% aged 15-64, and 2.4% aged 65+. Growth rate is 3.32%, driven by a birth rate of 39.75 per 1,000 and a death rate of 6.73 per 1,000. The Angolan fertility rate is 5.45 children per woman.
Economy
Angola’s currency is the kwanza (AOA). The economy, reliant on oil and middle-income, has a GDP PPP of $278 billion with 4.4% growth. Per capita income is $7,300, and the economy comprises agriculture, industry, and services.
Key industries are petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, and food processing. Although exiting OPEC in 2023, diversification continues, with exports estimated at $36 billion, mainly from crude petroleum, diamonds, and natural gas. The top partners are China (40%) and India (9%).
Imports amount to $22 billion, mainly refined petroleum and poultry, with China (19%), Portugal (10%), and the UAE (7%) as the top sources. With inflation at 28.2%, unemployment is projected at 14.5% in 2024, while youth unemployment is at 27.9%. About 32.3% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Education
Angola invests 2.5% of GDP and 6.5% of the budget in education amid challenges from a young population (46.9% under 14). Literacy stands at 66.2%, with males at 83.8% and females at 51.9%. Access issues persist in rural areas due to the war legacy and poverty.
Geography
Located in Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic, Angola covers 1,246,700 sq km, roughly twice the size of Texas. In the UTC+1 time zone, Angola borders 5,369 km with 4 neighbors. Its coastline covers 1,600 km without natural harbors.
The terrain consists of a coastal plain and an interior plateau, with Monaco at the highest elevation of 2,620 km. Land use is mainly agricultural and forest, with a significant population cluster in the west. Hazards are usually plateau flooding from rivers such as the Zambezi and Cubango. At the same time, environmental concerns include erosion, desertification, and water pollution.
Health
Angola’s health metrics indicate a life expectancy of 62.9 years in 2024, with males at 60.8 and females at 65.1. Infant mortality is 46.1 per 1,000 live births in 2025; maternal mortality stands at 183 per 100,000 in 2023.
Health expenditure accounted for 3% of GDP in 2021 and 6.7% of the budget in 2022. Access to improved water sources reached 57.7% in 2022, with sanitation high at 73.5%. Obesity affects 8.2% as of 2016; alcohol consumption is 5.84 liters per capita in 2019.
There are 0.24 physicians per 1,000 people in 2022, and the 2019 stats show 0.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Initiatives to reduce mortality through infrastructure improvements are underway.
Military
The Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) comprise the Army, Navy (MGA), and Air Force (FANA), with approximately 100,000 active personnel. The Interior Ministry oversees the National Police and Border Guard, with updates expected in 2024.
Defense expenditures amounted to roughly 1% of GDP in 2024, down from 1.2% in 2023. The military employs a mix of equipment from Soviet, Russian, and Chinese sources. It serves multiple roles, including national defense, internal security, and post-war reconstruction efforts.
They prioritize border security, particularly concerning threats from Cabinda separatists. Additionally, Angola participates in regional peacekeeping missions.
Miscellaneous
Angola is a presidential republic with Luanda as its capital and is divided into 21 provinces. Its legal system is based on Portuguese civil law, and the 2010 constitution is still in effect. Migration has been an interesting trend of this country. Every since the Covid pandemic, the number of migrants have dipped seriously and have not recovered. In fact, since 2022, there’s an undermigration net value.
Religion
Angola’s 2014 census reports show that Christianity (Catholics) dominates, followed by Protestants and other faiths. This is shaped by Portuguese colonization and by indigenous beliefs, such as ancestor veneration.
Weather
In the south and along the coast to Luanda, the climate is semi-arid, characterized by cool, dry seasons from May to October and hot, rainy seasons from November to April. Coastal regions benefit from moderate temperatures, while the plateau region experiences periodic flooding. The southern areas are prone to dryness, increasing the risk of desertification. The terrain includes plains in the west and higher elevations inland.