Angola

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Angola was the site of multiple kingdoms through the mid-19th century, the most prominent being the Kongo and Ndongo. In the 16th century, Portugal began establishing a colony. Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975. A 27-year civil war ended in 2002.

Geography

Area
total : 1,246,700 sq km
land: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km

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

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

People and Society

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

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.)

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

Population growth rate
3.33% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Luanda

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)

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

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

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.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.616, ranking it 148th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 140th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 3.795. (more information)