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

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 140/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Bahamas vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Bahamas
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas CAR
2024 $15,832,800,000 $2,751,494,281
2023 $15,271,300,000 $2,555,492,086
2022 $13,896,800,000 $2,382,618,615
2021 $12,037,000,000 $2,516,498,412
2020 $10,363,200,000 $2,326,720,900
2019 $13,277,000,000 $2,221,301,351
2018 $12,819,200,000 $2,220,979,146
2017 $12,446,900,000 $2,072,349,973
2016 $11,880,900,000 $1,825,018,145
2015 $11,837,600,000 $1,695,825,714
2014 $11,139,100,000 $1,894,813,389
2013 $10,475,300,000 $1,691,544,110
2012 $10,720,400,000 $2,510,126,512
2011 $10,070,450,000 $2,437,982,705
2010 $10,095,760,000 $2,142,591,540
2009 $9,981,960,000 $2,067,381,665
2008 $10,526,000,000 $1,993,407,888
2007 $10,618,340,000 $1,699,811,295
2006 $10,167,250,000 $1,461,859,762
2005 $9,836,200,000 $1,337,894,379
2004 $9,055,290,000 $1,272,360,517
2003 $8,870,090,000 $1,142,315,523
2002 $8,881,160,000 $996,068,145
2001 $8,317,830,000 $932,648,605
2000 $8,076,470,000 $916,777,283
1999 $7,683,870,000 $999,477,511
1998 $6,833,220,000 $967,338,390
1997 $6,332,360,000 $937,741,513
1996 $3,609,000,000 $1,007,791,127
1995 $3,429,000,000 $1,115,389,674
1994 $3,259,000,000 $851,174,357
1993 $3,092,000,000 $1,278,781,262
1992 $3,109,000,000 $1,411,917,553
1991 $3,111,160,000 $1,377,374,987
1990 $3,166,000,000 $1,440,711,459
1989 $3,062,000,000 $1,233,930,281
1988 $2,817,900,000 $1,264,899,288
1987 $2,713,999,900 $1,200,991,978
1986 $2,472,500,000 $1,122,265,013
1985 $2,320,699,900 $864,849,836
1984 $2,041,100,000 $637,820,670
1983 $1,732,800,000 $658,679,333
1982 $1,578,300,000 $748,312,391
1981 $1,426,500,000 $694,803,623
1980 $1,335,300,000 $797,048,199
1979 $1,139,800,100 $700,764,748
1978 $832,400,000 $610,578,632
1977 $713,000,000 $507,298,148
1976 $642,100,000 $451,152,461
1975 $596,200,000 $378,660,016
1974 $632,400,000 $281,398,706
1973 $670,900,000 $271,183,082
1972 $590,900,000 $230,317,883
1971 $573,400,000 $201,450,800
1970 $539,500,000 $189,106,529
1969 $538,700,000 $188,039,210
1968 $453,800,000 $191,767,442
1967 $398,000,000 $163,820,514
1966 $346,800,000 $157,930,018
1965 $300,272,048 $150,574,795
1964 $266,560,043 $142,025,079
1963 $237,650,038 $129,379,124
1962 $212,170,034 $124,482,774
1961 $190,022,030 $123,134,583
1960 $169,736,027 $112,155,598

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

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

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Central African Republic by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $516 $1,263
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $496 $1,257
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $467 $1,218
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $492 $1,129
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $463 $1,066
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $449 $985
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $455 $906
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $432 $884
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $387 $826
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $366 $769
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $410 $699
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $364 $710
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $544 $1,062
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $534 $980
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $477 $936
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $456 $877
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $437 $798
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $381 $783
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $334 $743
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $312 $702
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $303 $690
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $278.4 $648
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $248.6 $688
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $238 $668
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $239.2 $640
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $268 $660
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $266.6 $645
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $265.5 $626
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $293.3 $601
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $333 $631
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $261.3 $592
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $405 $570
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $462 $573
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $465 $618
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $502 $620
1989 $11,291 - $443 -
1988 $10,576 - $466 -
1987 $10,361 - $450 -
1986 $9,601 - $426 -
1985 $9,167 - $333 -
1984 $8,202 - $248.3 -
1983 $7,081 - $259.6 -
1982 $6,559 - $298.4 -
1981 $6,029 - $280.3 -
1980 $5,743 - $325 -
1979 $4,994 - $289.1 -
1978 $3,720 - $254.6 -
1977 $3,253 - $213.8 -
1976 $2,993 - $192.1 -
1975 $2,841 - $163.6 -
1974 $3,080 - $124 -
1973 $3,341 - $121.8 -
1972 $3,014 - $105.5 -
1971 $3,004 - $94.1 -
1970 $2,916 - $90.2 -
1969 $3,027 - $91.7 -
1968 $2,668 - $95.6 -
1967 $2,453 - $83.6 -
1966 $2,239 - $82.3 -
1965 $2,030 - $80.2 -
1964 $1,883 - $77.2 -
1963 $1,759 - $71.8 -
1962 $1,651 - $70.4 -
1961 $1,555 - $71 -
1960 $1,459 - $65.9 -

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

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

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Bahamas CAR
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$1,078
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
n/a
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
6.9%
2017
Population
405203
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 19.4% 51% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 16% 20.3%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 16% 35.8%
2007 13.3% 23% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 13% 22.8% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 12.3% 22% 16.2% 103%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 8.78% 18.7% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 11.6% 20% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 12.5% 20.8% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 11.2% 20.2% 11.7% 93%
1995 11.2% 20.5% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 11.4% 20.4% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 11.5% 19.8% 20.6% 68.2%
1992 11.8% 17.9% 23.1% 57.4%
1991 12% 15.4% 22.6% 55.8%
1990 11.4% 13.2% 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/bahamas/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 53/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas CAR
2024 -1.18% -5.08%
2023 -3.49% -3.44%
2022 -5.16% -5.23%
2021 -11.1% -5.8%
2020 -8.09% -3.24%
2019 -1.65% 1.33%
2018 -3.24% -0.93%
2017 -5.92% -1%
2016 -2.61% 1.17%
2015 -3.24% -0.53%
2014 -4.38% -3.02%
2013 -5.16% -2.3%
2012 -3.15% -0.78%
2011 -2.87% -2.15%
2010 -2.56% -1.35%
2009 -2.45% -0.54%
2008 -0.83% -1.23%
2007 -0.76% 1.04%
2006 -0.43% 8.58%
2005 -1.11% -4.37%
2004 -1.93% -1.74%
2003 -1.63% -3.06%
2002 -1.62% -1.19%
2001 0.3% -0.88%
2000 0.09% -2.01%
1999 1.68% -0.5%
1998 -0.41% 0.001%
1997 -1.56% -1.57%
1996 -0.15% -1.06%
1995 0.18% -4.84%
1994 -0.39% -7.57%
1993 -1.05% -5.66%
1992 -2.23% -7.33%
1991 -2.29% -8%
1990 -2.64% -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/bahamas/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $187M, equivalent to 1.18% of GDP. This compares to the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.31% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas CAR
2024 0.41% 1.5%
2023 3.05% 3%
2022 5.61% 5.6%
2021 2.9% 4.3%
2020 0.04% 0.9%
2019 2.49% 2.8%
2018 2.27% 1.6%
2017 1.52% 4.2%
2016 -0.35% 4.9%
2015 1.86% 1.4%
2014 1.51% 17.8%
2013 0.72% 4%
2012 1.97% 5.9%
2011 3.2% 1.2%
2010 1.34% 1.5%
2009 2.06% 3.6%
2008 4.49% 9.2%
2007 2.49% 0.9%
2006 2.39% 6.9%
2005 1.59% 2.9%
2004 0.98% -2.6%
2003 3.03% 4.4%
2002 2.17% 2.3%
2001 2.04% 4.1%
2000 1.61% 3.4%
1999 1.25% -1.6%
1998 1.34% -2%
1997 0.54% 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/bahamas/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Balance of trade

Bahamas CAR
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahamas CAR
Economic freedom 65.1 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 182/197
Property rights 62.7 5.6
Government integrity 67.1 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 4
Tax burden 96.1 65.5
Government spending 83.8 90.1
Fiscal health 9.1 59
Business freedom 69.4 26.5
Labor freedom 66.5 48.5
Monetary freedom 77.2 75.6
Trade freedom 59.4 47.6
Investment freedom 50 45
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas CAR
2026 65.1 43.1
2025 63.2 42.8
2024 62.5 41.3
2023 62.6 43.8
2022 68.7 45.7
2021 64.6 48.8
2020 64.5 50.7
2019 62.9 49.1
2018 63.3 49.2
2017 61.1 51.8
2016 70.9 45.2
2015 68.7 45.9
2014 69.8 46.7
2013 70.1 50.4
2012 68 50.3
2011 68 49.3
2010 67.3 48.4
2009 70.3 48.3
2008 71.1 48.6
2007 72 50.6
2006 72.3 54.2
2005 72.6 56.5
2004 72.1 57.5
2003 73.5 60
2002 74.4 59.8
2001 74.8 -
2000 73.9 -
1999 74.7 -
1998 74.5 -
1997 74.5 -
1996 74 -
1995 71.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, 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

Bahamas CAR
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
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/bahamas/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. 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.