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

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 170/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Bhutan vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Bhutan
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan CAR
2024 - $2,751,494,281
2023 $3,012,896,789 $2,555,492,086
2022 $2,898,227,744 $2,382,618,615
2021 $2,768,802,960 $2,516,498,412
2020 $2,457,604,334 $2,326,720,900
2019 $2,735,683,570 $2,221,301,351
2018 $2,583,335,722 $2,220,979,146
2017 $2,591,358,009 $2,072,349,973
2016 $2,357,504,761 $1,825,018,145
2015 $2,187,815,803 $1,695,825,714
2014 $2,089,079,571 $1,894,813,389
2013 $1,943,696,952 $1,691,544,110
2012 $1,973,387,228 $2,510,126,512
2011 $1,977,728,659 $2,437,982,705
2010 $1,708,880,730 $2,142,591,540
2009 $1,331,343,798 $2,067,381,665
2008 $1,317,517,835 $1,993,407,888
2007 $1,255,767,964 $1,699,811,295
2006 $942,879,879 $1,461,859,762
2005 $860,391,000 $1,337,894,379
2004 $735,348,490 $1,272,360,517
2003 $651,935,430 $1,142,315,523
2002 $559,345,264 $996,068,145
2001 $496,110,226 $932,648,605
2000 $460,733,418 $916,777,283
1999 $399,311,200 $999,477,511
1998 $363,458,381 $967,338,390
1997 $352,229,077 $937,741,513
1996 $303,408,346 $1,007,791,127
1995 $290,490,984 $1,115,389,674
1994 $258,954,708 $851,174,357
1993 $225,973,693 $1,278,781,262
1992 $240,233,531 $1,411,917,553
1991 $240,294,286 $1,377,374,987
1990 $287,765,007 $1,440,711,459
1989 $264,798,626 $1,233,930,281
1988 $272,298,067 $1,264,899,288
1987 $242,742,766 $1,200,991,978
1986 $191,218,115 $1,122,265,013
1985 $163,288,815 $864,849,836
1984 $160,423,494 $637,820,670
1983 $156,704,290 $658,679,333
1982 $141,439,317 $748,312,391
1981 $139,174,178 $694,803,623
1980 $128,669,201 $797,048,199
1979 $105,377,995 $700,764,748
1978 $94,086,228 $610,578,632
1977 $97,884,434 $507,298,148
1976 $88,461,263 $451,152,461
1975 $86,820,762 $378,660,016
1974 $92,901,784 $281,398,706
1973 $78,900,289 $271,183,082
1972 $70,139,867 $230,317,883
1971 $66,289,450 $201,450,800
1970 $61,812,113 $189,106,529
1969 - $188,039,210
1968 - $191,767,442
1967 - $163,820,514
1966 - $157,930,018
1965 - $150,574,795
1964 - $142,025,079
1963 - $129,379,124
1962 - $124,482,774
1961 - $123,134,583
1960 - $112,155,598

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

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Central African Republic by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $516 $1,263
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $496 $1,257
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $467 $1,218
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $492 $1,129
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $463 $1,066
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $449 $985
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $455 $906
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $432 $884
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $387 $826
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $366 $769
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $410 $699
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $364 $710
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $544 $1,062
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $534 $980
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $477 $936
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $456 $877
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $437 $798
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $381 $783
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $334 $743
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $312 $702
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $303 $690
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $278.4 $648
2002 $896 $3,663 $248.6 $688
2001 $812 $3,338 $238 $668
2000 $772 $3,113 $239.2 $640
1999 $685 $3,017 $268 $660
1998 $638 $2,819 $266.6 $645
1997 $630 $2,683 $265.5 $626
1996 $553 $2,548 $293.3 $601
1995 $530 $2,374 $333 $631
1994 $467 $2,146 $261.3 $592
1993 $407 $2,001 $405 $570
1992 $416 $1,840 $462 $573
1991 $401 $1,657 $465 $618
1990 $488 $1,638 $502 $620
1989 $462 - $443 -
1988 $489 - $466 -
1987 $449 - $450 -
1986 $365 - $426 -
1985 $321 - $333 -
1984 $326 - $248.3 -
1983 $328 - $259.6 -
1982 $306 - $298.4 -
1981 $311 - $280.3 -
1980 $296.9 - $325 -
1979 $251.4 - $289.1 -
1978 $232.2 - $254.6 -
1977 $249.9 - $213.8 -
1976 $233.7 - $192.1 -
1975 $237.4 - $163.6 -
1974 $262.8 - $124 -
1973 $230.9 - $121.8 -
1972 $212.4 - $105.5 -
1971 $207.7 - $94.1 -
1970 $200.3 - $90.2 -
1969 - - $91.7 -
1968 - - $95.6 -
1967 - - $83.6 -
1966 - - $82.3 -
1965 - - $80.2 -
1964 - - $77.2 -
1963 - - $71.8 -
1962 - - $70.4 -
1961 - - $71 -
1960 - - $65.9 -

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

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Bhutan CAR
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
171/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
195/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$1,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
6.9%
2017
Population
803385
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 30.9% 116% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 30.5% 103% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 39.3% 61% 16% 20.3%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 16% 35.8%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 16.2% 103%
2004 31% 76% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 43% 44% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 37.8% 33% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 11.7% 93%
1995 38.6% 38.7% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 37.9% 53.2% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 35.2% 60.2% 20.6% 68.2%
1992 34.5% 35.6% 23.1% 57.4%
1991 30.8% 33.5% 22.6% 55.8%
1990 35.8% 27.4% 22% 44.6%
1989 46.8% 26.4% 19.6% 50.9%
1988 45.3% 24.7% 21.4% 48.8%
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 17/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan CAR
2024 -0.17% -5.08%
2023 -4.73% -3.44%
2022 -6.95% -5.23%
2021 -5.76% -5.8%
2020 -1.81% -3.24%
2019 -1.49% 1.33%
2018 -1.52% -0.93%
2017 -4.49% -1%
2016 -2.31% 1.17%
2015 -0.49% -0.53%
2014 2.46% -3.02%
2013 -4.55% -2.3%
2012 -2.1% -0.78%
2011 -3.02% -2.15%
2010 1.92% -1.35%
2009 -0.8% -0.54%
2008 -2.57% -1.23%
2007 0.79% 1.04%
2006 -0.07% 8.58%
2005 -6.96% -4.37%
2004 1.8% -1.74%
2003 -10.2% -3.06%
2002 -4.33% -1.19%
2001 -12.2% -0.88%
2000 -3.39% -2.01%
1999 -1.28% -0.5%
1998 1.28% 0.001%
1997 -1.92% -1.57%
1996 2.55% -1.06%
1995 -0.88% -4.84%
1994 -0.13% -7.57%
1993 4.71% -5.66%
1992 -3.47% -7.33%
1991 -0.48% -8%
1990 -7.21% -6.6%
1989 -10.1% -3.25%
1988 1.33% -3.72%
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to the Central African Republic's deficit of $87.8M, or 3.44% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan CAR
2024 4.3% 1.5%
2023 4.5% 3%
2022 5.9% 5.6%
2021 8.2% 4.3%
2020 3% 0.9%
2019 2.8% 2.8%
2018 3.6% 1.6%
2017 4.3% 4.2%
2016 3.3% 4.9%
2015 6.7% 1.4%
2014 9.6% 17.8%
2013 8.1% 4%
2012 10.1% 5.9%
2011 8.6% 1.2%
2010 4.8% 1.5%
2009 7.1% 3.6%
2008 6.3% 9.2%
2007 5.2% 0.9%
2006 4.9% 6.9%
2005 4.8% 2.9%
2004 3.3% -2.6%
2003 2.5% 4.4%
2002 2.9% 2.3%
2001 3.7% 4.1%
2000 7.2% 3.4%
1999 9.1% -1.6%
1998 7.6% -2%
1997 8.6% 1.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Balance of trade

Bhutan CAR
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$228M
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$288M
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan CAR
Economic freedom 57.5 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 182/197
Property rights 69.2 5.6
Government integrity 72.2 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 4
Tax burden 83.4 65.5
Government spending 74.1 90.1
Fiscal health 25.8 59
Business freedom 67.8 26.5
Labor freedom 60.1 48.5
Monetary freedom 71.6 75.6
Trade freedom 63.4 47.6
Investment freedom 20 45
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan CAR
2026 57.5 43.1
2025 57.5 42.8
2024 55.4 41.3
2023 59 43.8
2022 59.3 45.7
2021 58.3 48.8
2020 62.1 50.7
2019 62.9 49.1
2018 61.8 49.2
2017 58.4 51.8
2016 59.5 45.2
2015 57.4 45.9
2014 56.7 46.7
2013 55 50.4
2012 56.6 50.3
2011 57.6 49.3
2010 57 48.4
2009 57.7 48.3
2008 - 48.6
2007 - 50.6
2006 - 54.2
2005 - 56.5
2004 - 57.5
2003 - 60
2002 - 59.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, 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

Bhutan CAR
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
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/bhutan/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 (2002–2026, 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 (1987–1996, 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)

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.