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Angola SOCIETY
Population: In 1988 estimated at 8.2 million,
most of
which concentrated in western half of country. About 46
percent of
population under age fifteen in 1986.
Ethnic Groups: Ovimbundu, Mbundu, and Bakongo
constituted
nearly three-fourths of population in 1988. Other groups
LundaChokwe , Nganguela, Nyaneka-Humbe, Ovambo, mestiço
(see Glossary), and European.
Languages: Portuguese official language, but
Bantu
languages spoken by more than 95 percent of population.
Religion: Christians (Roman Catholics and
various
Protestant denominations) estimated at between 65 and 88
percent of
population in 1988; remainder practiced traditional
African
religions.
Education and Literacy: Eight-year course
compulsory
until age fifteen, but enrollment severely disrupted by
insurgency.
Separate school system in rebel-controlled areas. Overall
literacy
rate about 20 percent in 1987.
Health and Welfare: Very poor health care
because of
years of insurgency. High prevalence of infectious
diseases; 20,000
to 50,000 amputees. Large number of foreign, especially
Cuban,
medical personnel in country. Life expectancy in 1987
forty-one for
males and forty-four for females.
Data as of February 1989
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