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Economy of Algeria vs Central African Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Algeria has a GDP of $269B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 51/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Algeria has $129B in government debt (48.1% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Algeria vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Algeria
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Algeria CAR
2024 $269,322,281,665 $2,751,494,281
2023 $247,923,887,215 $2,555,492,086
2022 $225,581,644,703 $2,382,618,615
2021 $186,231,205,262 $2,516,498,412
2020 $164,873,415,325 $2,326,720,900
2019 $193,459,662,091 $2,221,301,351
2018 $194,554,483,656 $2,220,979,146
2017 $189,880,896,903 $2,072,349,973
2016 $180,763,839,522 $1,825,018,145
2015 $187,493,855,609 $1,695,825,714
2014 $238,942,664,193 $1,894,813,389
2013 $229,701,430,292 $1,691,544,110
2012 $227,143,746,076 $2,510,126,512
2011 $218,331,946,925 $2,437,982,705
2010 $177,785,053,940 $2,142,591,540
2009 $150,317,292,079 $2,067,381,665
2008 $180,383,848,331 $1,993,407,888
2007 $142,482,739,810 $1,699,811,295
2006 $123,084,258,693 $1,461,859,762
2005 $107,046,618,670 $1,337,894,379
2004 $91,913,680,985 $1,272,360,517
2003 $73,482,264,191 $1,142,315,523
2002 $61,516,103,406 $996,068,145
2001 $59,413,400,924 $932,648,605
2000 $54,790,398,570 $916,777,283
1999 $48,640,671,735 $999,477,511
1998 $48,187,781,984 $967,338,390
1997 $48,177,612,042 $937,741,513
1996 $46,941,554,225 $1,007,791,127
1995 $41,764,291,672 $1,115,389,674
1994 $42,543,176,829 $851,174,357
1993 $49,945,584,453 $1,278,781,262
1992 $48,003,133,347 $1,411,917,553
1991 $45,715,676,428 $1,377,374,987
1990 $62,048,507,531 $1,440,711,459
1989 $55,634,721,573 $1,233,930,281
1988 $59,089,396,860 $1,264,899,288
1987 $66,745,818,375 $1,200,991,978
1986 $63,692,007,897 $1,122,265,013
1985 $57,937,868,670 $864,849,836
1984 $53,698,548,293 $637,820,670
1983 $48,801,369,800 $658,679,333
1982 $45,207,167,470 $748,312,391
1981 $44,348,590,461 $694,803,623
1980 $42,345,829,079 $797,048,199
1979 $33,243,706,860 $700,764,748
1978 $26,364,491,313 $610,578,632
1977 $20,972,113,685 $507,298,148
1976 $17,728,240,932 $451,152,461
1975 $15,557,902,754 $378,660,016
1974 $13,209,871,626 $281,398,706
1973 $8,707,858,912 $271,183,082
1972 $6,766,743,957 $230,317,883
1971 $5,077,183,094 $201,450,800
1970 $4,863,526,897 $189,106,529
1969 $4,257,253,264 $188,039,210
1968 $3,852,147,027 $191,767,442
1967 $3,370,870,376 $163,820,514
1966 $3,039,859,187 $157,930,018
1965 $3,136,284,307 $150,574,795
1964 $2,909,316,435 $142,025,079
1963 $2,702,982,018 $129,379,124
1962 $2,001,444,544 $124,482,774
1961 $2,434,747,056 $123,134,583
1960 $2,723,615,451 $112,155,598

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/central-african-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Algeria vs Central African Republic by year

Algeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Algeria CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,753 $17,621 $516 $1,263
2023 $5,370 $16,824 $496 $1,257
2022 $4,960 $15,836 $467 $1,218
2021 $4,161 $14,497 $492 $1,129
2020 $3,744 $12,677 $463 $1,066
2019 $4,468 $13,893 $449 $985
2018 $4,577 $13,727 $455 $906
2017 $4,555 $13,494 $432 $884
2016 $4,425 $13,438 $387 $826
2015 $4,685 $13,807 $366 $769
2014 $6,095 $14,694 $410 $699
2013 $5,980 $14,371 $364 $710
2012 $6,034 $14,441 $544 $1,062
2011 $5,916 $14,640 $534 $980
2010 $4,913 $14,201 $477 $936
2009 $4,235 $13,651 $456 $877
2008 $5,181 $13,666 $437 $798
2007 $4,167 $13,321 $381 $783
2006 $3,661 $12,791 $334 $743
2005 $3,233 $12,246 $312 $702
2004 $2,817 $11,432 $303 $690
2003 $2,284 $10,803 $278.4 $648
2002 $1,937 $10,080 $248.6 $688
2001 $1,896 $9,544 $238 $668
2000 $1,773 $9,187 $239.2 $640
1999 $1,596 $8,776 $268 $660
1998 $1,603 $8,503 $266.6 $645
1997 $1,629 $8,129 $265.5 $626
1996 $1,617 $8,053 $293.3 $601
1995 $1,467 $7,747 $333 $631
1994 $1,526 $7,463 $261.3 $592
1993 $1,831 $7,538 $405 $570
1992 $1,803 $7,705 $462 $573
1991 $1,759 $7,582 $465 $618
1990 $2,445 $7,602 $502 $620
1989 $2,247 - $443 -
1988 $2,451 - $466 -
1987 $2,847 - $450 -
1986 $2,800 - $426 -
1985 $2,633 - $333 -
1984 $2,524 - $248.3 -
1983 $2,374 - $259.6 -
1982 $2,275 - $298.4 -
1981 $2,307 - $280.3 -
1980 $2,276 - $325 -
1979 $1,843 - $289.1 -
1978 $1,506 - $254.6 -
1977 $1,232 - $213.8 -
1976 $1,080 - $192.1 -
1975 $992 - $163.6 -
1974 $873 - $124 -
1973 $590 - $121.8 -
1972 $469 - $105.5 -
1971 $360 - $94.1 -
1970 $353 - $90.2 -
1969 $316 - $91.7 -
1968 $292.4 - $95.6 -
1967 $261.8 - $83.6 -
1966 $241.4 - $82.3 -
1965 $253.6 - $80.2 -
1964 $238.9 - $77.2 -
1963 $225.6 - $71.8 -
1962 $169.6 - $70.4 -
1961 $209.4 - $71 -
1960 $238.4 - $65.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/central-african-republic | CC BY

Algeria's GDP per capita is $5,753, ranking 114/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Algeria ranks 105th at $17,621, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Algeria CAR
Gross domestic product
$269B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
51/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
3.7%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,753
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
114/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,621
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
105/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$129B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.1%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,765
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,787
2026
$1,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$371M
2018
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2011
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2011
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.05%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
12%
2017
6.9%
2017
Population
48222325
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Algeria
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Algeria CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.8% 48.1% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 37.4% 47.7% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 32.7% 48.1% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 32.5% 55.1% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 37.5% 46% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 37.1% 40.9% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 36.2% 34.5% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 36.2% 24% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 37.2% 18.1% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 40.9% 7.73% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 36.9% 6.85% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 33.5% 6.48% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 40% 8.58% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 37.7% 8.48% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 35.1% 9.51% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 40.1% 8.92% 16% 20.3%
2008 37.3% 7.64% 16% 35.8%
2007 33.1% 12.8% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 27.8% 22.5% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 27.8% 25.4% 16.2% 103%
2004 27.1% 32.7% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 27% 38.2% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 32.5% 47.3% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 29.1% 50% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 26.4% 53.4% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 29.4% 69.7% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 28.7% 79.9% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 28.5% 79.6% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 26.9% 90.7% 11.7% 93%
1995 28.9% 95.9% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 30.9% 106.3% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 32.6% 76.8% 20.6% 68.2%
1992 28.2% 69.3% 23.1% 57.4%
1991 27.6% 86.1% 22.6% 55.8%
1990 23.3% 63.6% 22% 44.6%
1989 - - 19.6% 50.9%
1988 - - 21.4% 48.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government spending was $99.1B, accounting for 36.8% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.1% in Algeria and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 113/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Algeria

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Algeria CAR
2024 -13.8% -5.08%
2023 -5.52% -3.44%
2022 -2.96% -5.23%
2021 -6.32% -5.8%
2020 -10.5% -3.24%
2019 -8.51% 1.33%
2018 -6.15% -0.93%
2017 -7.55% -1%
2016 -11.8% 1.17%
2015 -13.9% -0.53%
2014 -7.14% -3.02%
2013 -0.79% -2.3%
2012 -4.04% -0.78%
2011 -1.06% -2.15%
2010 -1.35% -1.35%
2009 -6.53% -0.54%
2008 7.79% -1.23%
2007 4.63% 1.04%
2006 12.9% 8.58%
2005 11.4% -4.37%
2004 6.36% -1.74%
2003 7.22% -3.06%
2002 0.21% -1.19%
2001 3.15% -0.88%
2000 8.91% -2.01%
1999 -1.83% -0.5%
1998 -3.52% 0.001%
1997 2.19% -1.57%
1996 2.7% -1.06%
1995 -1.3% -4.84%
1994 -4.05% -7.57%
1993 -7.79% -5.66%
1992 -1.05% -7.33%
1991 1.53% -8%
1990 3.35% -6.6%
1989 - -3.25%
1988 - -3.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $37.1B, equivalent to 13.8% of GDP. This compares to the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Algeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Algeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.31% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Algeria

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Algeria CAR
2024 4.05% 1.5%
2023 9.32% 3%
2022 9.27% 5.6%
2021 7.23% 4.3%
2020 2.42% 0.9%
2019 1.95% 2.8%
2018 4.27% 1.6%
2017 5.59% 4.2%
2016 6.4% 4.9%
2015 4.78% 1.4%
2014 2.92% 17.8%
2013 3.25% 4%
2012 8.89% 5.9%
2011 4.52% 1.2%
2010 3.91% 1.5%
2009 5.74% 3.6%
2008 4.86% 9.2%
2007 3.68% 0.9%
2006 2.31% 6.9%
2005 1.38% 2.9%
2004 3.96% -2.6%
2003 4.27% 4.4%
2002 1.42% 2.3%
2001 4.23% 4.1%
2000 0.34% 3.4%
1999 2.65% -1.6%
1998 4.95% -2%
1997 5.73% 1.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Algeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.44%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 4.05% in Algeria and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Top exports between countries

Algeria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
CAR
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Algeria CAR
Current account balance
-$2.75B
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.02%
2024
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$45.3B
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$48.8B
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$9.13B
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$4.22B
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Algeria CAR
Economic freedom 45.8 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 179/197 182/197
Property rights 27.7 5.6
Government integrity 29.4 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 30 4
Tax burden 80.3 65.5
Government spending 61.9 90.1
Fiscal health 15.4 59
Business freedom 59.3 26.5
Labor freedom 52.2 48.5
Monetary freedom 74.7 75.6
Trade freedom 58.8 47.6
Investment freedom 30 45
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Algeria
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Algeria CAR
2026 45.8 43.1
2025 47.5 42.8
2024 43.9 41.3
2023 43.2 43.8
2022 45.8 45.7
2021 49.7 48.8
2020 46.9 50.7
2019 46.2 49.1
2018 44.7 49.2
2017 46.5 51.8
2016 50.1 45.2
2015 48.9 45.9
2014 50.8 46.7
2013 49.6 50.4
2012 51 50.3
2011 52.4 49.3
2010 56.9 48.4
2009 56.6 48.3
2008 56.2 48.6
2007 55.4 50.6
2006 55.7 54.2
2005 53.2 56.5
2004 58.1 57.5
2003 57.7 60
2002 61 59.8
2001 57.3 -
2000 56.8 -
1999 57.2 -
1998 55.8 -
1997 54.9 -
1996 54.5 -
1995 55.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/central-african-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Algeria is 45.8, ranking 179/197, compared to 43.1 for the Central African Republic, ranking 182/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Algeria CAR
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.2%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,290
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$83B
2024
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2024
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.23B
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.23B
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$265K
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.17%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2011
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
41.1%
2024
23.6%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/central-african-republic | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2017, retrieved 2026-02-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.