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

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 14/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Australia vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Australia
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia CAR
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $2,751,494,281
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $2,555,492,086
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $2,382,618,615
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $2,516,498,412
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $2,326,720,900
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $2,221,301,351
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $2,220,979,146
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $2,072,349,973
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $1,825,018,145
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $1,695,825,714
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $1,894,813,389
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $1,691,544,110
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $2,510,126,512
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $2,437,982,705
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $2,142,591,540
2009 $931,761,689,771 $2,067,381,665
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $1,993,407,888
2007 $856,603,595,823 $1,699,811,295
2006 $749,708,370,333 $1,461,859,762
2005 $696,811,489,613 $1,337,894,379
2004 $615,643,050,221 $1,272,360,517
2003 $468,517,181,130 $1,142,315,523
2002 $396,436,967,263 $996,068,145
2001 $380,360,222,861 $932,648,605
2000 $416,901,962,163 $916,777,283
1999 $390,347,787,943 $999,477,511
1998 $400,361,527,505 $967,338,390
1997 $436,321,902,767 $937,741,513
1996 $401,962,517,479 $1,007,791,127
1995 $368,725,126,225 $1,115,389,674
1994 $323,269,456,935 $851,174,357
1993 $312,568,858,910 $1,278,781,262
1992 $325,982,966,981 $1,411,917,553
1991 $326,416,407,861 $1,377,374,987
1990 $311,840,666,465 $1,440,711,459
1989 $300,264,309,002 $1,233,930,281
1988 $236,461,079,970 $1,264,899,288
1987 $189,726,707,253 $1,200,991,978
1986 $182,707,050,923 $1,122,265,013
1985 $180,861,108,959 $864,849,836
1984 $193,749,932,078 $637,820,670
1983 $177,523,719,680 $658,679,333
1982 $194,323,071,831 $748,312,391
1981 $177,151,979,566 $694,803,623
1980 $150,200,557,103 $797,048,199
1979 $135,093,718,051 $700,764,748
1978 $118,660,813,780 $610,578,632
1977 $110,504,702,914 $507,298,148
1976 $105,209,354,856 $451,152,461
1975 $97,440,939,506 $378,660,016
1974 $89,086,219,602 $281,398,706
1973 $63,923,126,201 $271,183,082
1972 $52,117,990,654 $230,317,883
1971 $45,283,847,245 $201,450,800
1970 $41,395,206,623 $189,106,529
1969 $36,738,245,878 $188,039,210
1968 $32,763,365,242 $191,767,442
1967 $30,487,524,878 $163,820,514
1966 $27,349,284,376 $157,930,018
1965 $26,014,244,162 $150,574,795
1964 $23,835,843,814 $142,025,079
1963 $21,573,443,452 $129,379,124
1962 $19,953,923,193 $124,482,774
1961 $19,713,123,154 $123,134,583
1960 $18,635,682,982 $112,155,598

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

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

GDP per capita in Australia vs Central African Republic by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 $516 $1,263
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $496 $1,257
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $467 $1,218
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $492 $1,129
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $463 $1,066
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $449 $985
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $455 $906
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $432 $884
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $387 $826
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $366 $769
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $410 $699
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $364 $710
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $544 $1,062
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $534 $980
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $477 $936
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $456 $877
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $437 $798
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $381 $783
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $334 $743
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $312 $702
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $303 $690
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $278.4 $648
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $248.6 $688
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $238 $668
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $239.2 $640
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $268 $660
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $266.6 $645
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $265.5 $626
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $293.3 $601
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $333 $631
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $261.3 $592
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $405 $570
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $462 $573
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $465 $618
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $502 $620
1989 $17,858 - $443 -
1988 $14,303 - $466 -
1987 $11,666 - $450 -
1986 $11,406 - $426 -
1985 $11,455 - $333 -
1984 $12,436 - $248.3 -
1983 $11,532 - $259.6 -
1982 $12,798 - $298.4 -
1981 $11,871 - $280.3 -
1980 $10,223 - $325 -
1979 $9,308 - $289.1 -
1978 $8,264 - $254.6 -
1977 $7,786 - $213.8 -
1976 $7,497 - $192.1 -
1975 $7,014 - $163.6 -
1974 $6,492 - $124 -
1973 $4,778 - $121.8 -
1972 $3,955 - $105.5 -
1971 $3,500 - $94.1 -
1970 $3,310 - $90.2 -
1969 $2,996 - $91.7 -
1968 $2,728 - $95.6 -
1967 $2,584 - $83.6 -
1966 $2,347 - $82.3 -
1965 $2,284 - $80.2 -
1964 $2,134 - $77.2 -
1963 $1,970 - $71.8 -
1962 $1,858 - $70.4 -
1961 $1,880 - $71 -
1960 $1,813 - $65.9 -

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

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

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Australia CAR
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
14/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$891B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$1,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
6.9%
2017
Population
27799169
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 36.7% 34% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 36.3% 24% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 37% 20.3% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 16% 20.3%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 16% 35.8%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 16.2% 103%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 34.9% 15% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 36.2% 22.5% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 34.6% 23.7% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 32.8% 25.9% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 33.5% 29.3% 11.7% 93%
1995 33.7% 31.1% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 33.7% 31.7% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 34.1% 30.7% 20.6% 68.2%
1992 34.1% 27.6% 23.1% 57.4%
1991 33.1% 21.6% 22.6% 55.8%
1990 30.5% 16.4% 22% 44.6%
1989 34.5% 17% 19.6% 50.9%
1988 34.6% 20.5% 21.4% 48.8%
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 104/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia CAR
2024 -2.25% -5.08%
2023 -1.27% -3.44%
2022 -2.21% -5.23%
2021 -6.37% -5.8%
2020 -8.73% -3.24%
2019 -4.41% 1.33%
2018 -1.26% -0.93%
2017 -1.72% -1%
2016 -2.42% 1.17%
2015 -2.79% -0.53%
2014 -2.92% -3.02%
2013 -2.81% -2.3%
2012 -3.51% -0.78%
2011 -4.53% -2.15%
2010 -5.12% -1.35%
2009 -4.56% -0.54%
2008 -1.1% -1.23%
2007 1.47% 1.04%
2006 1.77% 8.58%
2005 1.71% -4.37%
2004 1.32% -1.74%
2003 1.05% -3.06%
2002 0.19% -1.19%
2001 -0.03% -0.88%
2000 1.25% -2.01%
1999 0.67% -0.5%
1998 -0.25% 0.001%
1997 -0.49% -1.57%
1996 -1.46% -1.06%
1995 -2.6% -4.84%
1994 -3.79% -7.57%
1993 -4.73% -5.66%
1992 -4.74% -7.33%
1991 -2.79% -8%
1990 -0.23% -6.6%
1989 -1.29% -3.25%
1988 -0.77% -3.72%
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.5B, equivalent to 2.25% of GDP. This compares to the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.94% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.37% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia CAR
2024 3.16% 1.5%
2023 5.6% 3%
2022 6.59% 5.6%
2021 2.86% 4.3%
2020 0.85% 0.9%
2019 1.61% 2.8%
2018 1.91% 1.6%
2017 1.95% 4.2%
2016 1.28% 4.9%
2015 1.51% 1.4%
2014 2.49% 17.8%
2013 2.45% 4%
2012 1.76% 5.9%
2011 3.3% 1.2%
2010 2.92% 1.5%
2009 1.77% 3.6%
2008 4.35% 9.2%
2007 2.33% 0.9%
2006 3.56% 6.9%
2005 2.69% 2.9%
2004 2.34% -2.6%
2003 2.73% 4.4%
2002 2.98% 2.3%
2001 4.41% 4.1%
2000 4.46% 3.4%
1999 1.48% -1.6%
1998 0.86% -2%
1997 0.22% 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/australia/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $86K
Metals $29K
Miscellaneous $10K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $4K

Balance of trade

Australia CAR
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$109B
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia CAR
Economic freedom 80.1 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 182/197
Property rights 88.2 5.6
Government integrity 88.1 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 4
Tax burden 61.8 65.5
Government spending 56.6 90.1
Fiscal health 89 59
Business freedom 92.3 26.5
Labor freedom 61.5 48.5
Monetary freedom 77.2 75.6
Trade freedom 89.8 47.6
Investment freedom 80 45
Financial freedom 80 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia CAR
2026 80.1 43.1
2025 79.3 42.8
2024 76.2 41.3
2023 74.8 43.8
2022 77.7 45.7
2021 82.4 48.8
2020 82.6 50.7
2019 80.9 49.1
2018 80.9 49.2
2017 81 51.8
2016 80.3 45.2
2015 81.4 45.9
2014 82 46.7
2013 82.6 50.4
2012 83.1 50.3
2011 82.5 49.3
2010 82.6 48.4
2009 82.6 48.3
2008 82.2 48.6
2007 81.1 50.6
2006 79.9 54.2
2005 79 56.5
2004 77.9 57.5
2003 77.4 60
2002 77.3 59.8
2001 77.4 -
2000 77.1 -
1999 76.4 -
1998 75.6 -
1997 75.5 -
1996 74 -
1995 74.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, 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

Australia CAR
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
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/australia/central-african-republic | CC BY

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.