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

Updated on by Georank team

Bolivia has a GDP of $54.9B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 88/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $53.8B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Bolivia vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Bolivia
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia CAR
2024 $54,881,327,453 $2,751,494,281
2023 $52,340,206,946 $2,555,492,086
2022 $50,959,081,954 $2,382,618,615
2021 $47,877,892,402 $2,516,498,412
2020 $42,313,784,081 $2,326,720,900
2019 $49,056,643,589 $2,221,301,351
2018 $48,414,038,842 $2,220,979,146
2017 $45,927,439,595 $2,072,349,973
2016 $33,941,126,194 $1,825,018,145
2015 $33,000,198,249 $1,695,825,714
2014 $32,996,188,017 $1,894,813,389
2013 $30,659,338,886 $1,691,544,110
2012 $27,084,497,482 $2,510,126,512
2011 $23,963,164,697 $2,437,982,705
2010 $19,649,723,722 $2,142,591,540
2009 $17,339,992,194 $2,067,381,665
2008 $16,674,276,286 $1,993,407,888
2007 $13,120,108,008 $1,699,811,295
2006 $11,451,844,902 $1,461,859,762
2005 $9,549,122,905 $1,337,894,379
2004 $8,773,451,752 $1,272,360,517
2003 $8,082,399,640 $1,142,315,523
2002 $7,905,485,146 $996,068,145
2001 $8,141,516,928 $932,648,605
2000 $8,397,855,485 $916,777,283
1999 $8,285,064,435 $999,477,511
1998 $8,497,494,652 $967,338,390
1997 $7,925,736,821 $937,741,513
1996 $7,396,949,126 $1,007,791,127
1995 $6,715,161,732 $1,115,389,674
1994 $5,981,222,859 $851,174,357
1993 $5,734,699,489 $1,278,781,262
1992 $5,643,868,749 $1,411,917,553
1991 $5,343,262,457 $1,377,374,987
1990 $4,867,582,598 $1,440,711,459
1989 $4,715,973,437 $1,233,930,281
1988 $4,597,612,362 $1,264,899,288
1987 $4,347,956,338 $1,200,991,978
1986 $3,959,382,833 $1,122,265,013
1985 $5,377,276,555 $864,849,836
1984 $6,169,483,225 $637,820,670
1983 $5,422,656,823 $658,679,333
1982 $5,594,126,369 $748,312,391
1981 $5,891,598,695 $694,803,623
1980 $4,537,479,608 $797,048,199
1979 $4,421,336,383 $700,764,748
1978 $3,758,220,890 $610,578,632
1977 $3,227,436,282 $507,298,148
1976 $2,731,984,008 $451,152,461
1975 $2,404,697,651 $378,660,016
1974 $2,100,249,875 $281,398,706
1973 $1,262,968,516 $271,183,082
1972 $1,257,615,645 $230,317,883
1971 $1,095,622,896 $201,450,800
1970 $1,017,003,367 $189,106,529
1969 $929,629,630 $188,039,210
1968 $857,912,458 $191,767,442
1967 $755,808,081 $163,820,514
1966 $669,191,919 $157,930,018
1965 $604,377,104 $150,574,795
1964 $544,023,569 $142,025,079
1963 $482,828,283 $129,379,124
1962 $448,400,673 $124,482,774
1961 $410,101,010 $123,134,583
1960 $377,020,202 $112,155,598

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

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

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Central African Republic by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $516 $1,263
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $496 $1,257
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $467 $1,218
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $492 $1,129
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $463 $1,066
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $449 $985
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $455 $906
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $432 $884
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $387 $826
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $366 $769
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $410 $699
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $364 $710
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $544 $1,062
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $534 $980
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $477 $936
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $456 $877
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $437 $798
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $381 $783
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $334 $743
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $312 $702
2004 $953 $4,663 $303 $690
2003 $893 $4,433 $278.4 $648
2002 $888 $4,304 $248.6 $688
2001 $930 $4,205 $238 $668
2000 $976 $4,113 $239.2 $640
1999 $979 $3,991 $268 $660
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $266.6 $645
1997 $970 $3,822 $265.5 $626
1996 $922 $3,645 $293.3 $601
1995 $853 $3,494 $333 $631
1994 $774 $3,331 $261.3 $592
1993 $757 $3,177 $405 $570
1992 $760 $3,036 $462 $573
1991 $734 $2,981 $465 $618
1990 $683 $2,797 $502 $620
1989 $675 - $443 -
1988 $673 - $466 -
1987 $650 - $450 -
1986 $604 - $426 -
1985 $838 - $333 -
1984 $982 - $248.3 -
1983 $882 - $259.6 -
1982 $930 - $298.4 -
1981 $1,001 - $280.3 -
1980 $788 - $325 -
1979 $785 - $289.1 -
1978 $683 - $254.6 -
1977 $600 - $213.8 -
1976 $520 - $192.1 -
1975 $468 - $163.6 -
1974 $418 - $124 -
1973 $257.2 - $121.8 -
1972 $261.9 - $105.5 -
1971 $233.4 - $94.1 -
1970 $221.6 - $90.2 -
1969 $207.1 - $91.7 -
1968 $195.5 - $95.6 -
1967 $176.1 - $83.6 -
1966 $159.3 - $82.3 -
1965 $147.1 - $80.2 -
1964 $135.2 - $77.2 -
1963 $122.6 - $71.8 -
1962 $116.2 - $70.4 -
1961 $108.5 - $71 -
1960 $101.8 - $65.9 -

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

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

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $4,421, ranking 125/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Bolivia CAR
Gross domestic product
$54.9B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
88/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.12%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,421
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$53.8B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,331
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,720
2026
$1,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2023
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
6.9%
2017
Population
12798112
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.8% 98% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 38.7% 90.8% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 36% 80.1% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 34.8% 81.4% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 36.8% 78% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 36.1% 58.6% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 37.7% 53.1% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 38.6% 51.3% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 40% 46.5% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 44.5% 40.9% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 41.2% 37.6% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 35.4% 36.1% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 36% 35.4% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 35.4% 35.3% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 31.5% 37.6% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 33.2% 39.2% 16% 20.3%
2008 35.3% 36.8% 16% 35.8%
2007 32.7% 40% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 29.8% 54.4% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 33.2% 82.2% 16.2% 103%
2004 32.3% 89.8% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 32% 95.6% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 33.3% 86.7% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 32% 83% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 29.3% 74.3% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 29.4% 61.7% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 30% 61.2% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 28.3% 64.6% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 26% 72.4% 11.7% 93%
1995 25.8% 81.7% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 26.8% 87.6% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 27.2% 83.8% 20.6% 68.2%
1992 25.3% 92.4% 23.1% 57.4%
1991 24.2% 92.8% 22.6% 55.8%
1990 22.8% 102.9% 22% 44.6%
1989 24.4% 98% 19.6% 50.9%
1988 24% 115.9% 21.4% 48.8%
1987 24.4% 145.3% - -
1986 22.2% 149% - -
1985 21.8% 205.2% - -
1984 29% 166.5% - -
1983 32.1% 157.3% - -
1982 25% 155.4% - -
1981 16.6% 121.7% - -
1980 19.8% 100% - -
1979 18% 92% - -
1978 17.3% 82.5% - -
1977 18.6% 82.4% - -
1976 16.8% 68.9% - -
1975 14.4% 56.2% - -
1974 14.2% 52.7% - -
1973 14.1% 80.9% - -
1972 11.8% 77.7% - -
1971 11.3% 65.7% - -
1970 10% 63.9% - -
1969 12.3% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 13.1% - - -
1966 12.9% - - -
1965 12.9% - - -
1964 10.8% - - -
1963 10.8% - - -
1962 10.2% - - -
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government spending was $21.9B, accounting for 39.8% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in Bolivia and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 26/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia CAR
2024 -10.6% -5.08%
2023 -10.9% -3.44%
2022 -7.12% -5.23%
2021 -9.33% -5.8%
2020 -12.7% -3.24%
2019 -7.25% 1.33%
2018 -8.17% -0.93%
2017 -7.86% -1%
2016 -7.24% 1.17%
2015 -6.93% -0.53%
2014 -3.41% -3.02%
2013 0.6% -2.3%
2012 1.72% -0.78%
2011 0.83% -2.15%
2010 1.62% -1.35%
2009 2.63% -0.54%
2008 3.53% -1.23%
2007 -1.54% 1.04%
2006 4.47% 8.58%
2005 -2.24% -4.37%
2004 -5.54% -1.74%
2003 -7.88% -3.06%
2002 -8.79% -1.19%
2001 -6.82% -0.88%
2000 -3.73% -2.01%
1999 -3.84% -0.5%
1998 -5.1% 0.001%
1997 -3.28% -1.57%
1996 -1.9% -1.06%
1995 -1.82% -4.84%
1994 -3% -7.57%
1993 -6.1% -5.66%
1992 -4.4% -7.33%
1991 -4.2% -8%
1990 -4.4% -6.6%
1989 -5.5% -3.25%
1988 -6.5% -3.72%
1987 -7.7% -
1986 -2.7% -
1985 -9.8% -
1984 -25.4% -
1983 -19.8% -
1982 -15.9% -
1981 -12.3% -
1980 -15.3% -
1979 -11.2% -
1978 -9.97% -
1977 -11.2% -
1976 -1.15% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -1.87% -
1973 -3.72% -
1972 -3.69% -
1971 -3.67% -
1970 -1.92% -
1969 -4.16% -
1968 -5.67% -
1967 -4.29% -
1966 -3.55% -
1965 -4.12% -
1964 -2.68% -
1963 -3.02% -
1962 -2.8% -
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.83B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.37% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia CAR
2024 5.1% 1.5%
2023 2.58% 3%
2022 1.75% 5.6%
2021 0.74% 4.3%
2020 0.94% 0.9%
2019 1.84% 2.8%
2018 2.27% 1.6%
2017 2.82% 4.2%
2016 3.62% 4.9%
2015 4.06% 1.4%
2014 5.77% 17.8%
2013 5.74% 4%
2012 4.52% 5.9%
2011 9.88% 1.2%
2010 2.5% 1.5%
2009 3.35% 3.6%
2008 14% 9.2%
2007 8.71% 0.9%
2006 4.28% 6.9%
2005 5.39% 2.9%
2004 4.44% -2.6%
2003 3.34% 4.4%
2002 0.93% 2.3%
2001 1.59% 4.1%
2000 4.61% 3.4%
1999 2.16% -1.6%
1998 7.67% -2%
1997 4.71% 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/bolivia/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Bolivia and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Balance of trade

Bolivia CAR
Current account balance
-$1.41B
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$9.15B
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$8.93B
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$2.35B
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$1.14B
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bolivia CAR
Economic freedom 42.4 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 182/197
Property rights 20.2 5.6
Government integrity 27.1 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 4
Tax burden 86.4 65.5
Government spending 56.3 90.1
Fiscal health 0.8 59
Business freedom 53.6 26.5
Labor freedom 52.2 48.5
Monetary freedom 67.1 75.6
Trade freedom 60.6 47.6
Investment freedom 15 45
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia CAR
2026 42.4 43.1
2025 44.1 42.8
2024 43.5 41.3
2023 43.4 43.8
2022 43 45.7
2021 42.7 48.8
2020 42.8 50.7
2019 42.3 49.1
2018 44.1 49.2
2017 47.7 51.8
2016 47.4 45.2
2015 46.8 45.9
2014 48.4 46.7
2013 47.9 50.4
2012 50.2 50.3
2011 50 49.3
2010 49.4 48.4
2009 53.6 48.3
2008 53.1 48.6
2007 54.2 50.6
2006 57.8 54.2
2005 58.4 56.5
2004 64.5 57.5
2003 64.3 60
2002 65.1 59.8
2001 68 -
2000 65 -
1999 65.6 -
1998 68.8 -
1997 65.1 -
1996 65.2 -
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, 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

Bolivia CAR
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$51.7B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,620
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.98B
2024
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2024
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$113M
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$387M
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.5%
2023
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
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/bolivia/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 (1950–1999, 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. 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.