Basoko, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Living in Basoko is a gritty, unforgiving experience. With a population of 76,371, the city lacks basic education infrastructure - only 70% of children complete primary school, and literacy rates are dismal, especially for women. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the education system is a complex web of central, provincial, and religious authorities, all fighting for control. While enrollment has improved, quality remains poor, with half of students failing basic reading and writing tests. For those seeking an easy, well-supported expat life, Basoko is decidedly not the place.