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

Updated on by Georank team

Cambodia has a GDP of $46.4B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 97/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cambodia has $12B in government debt (25.9% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Cambodia vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Cambodia
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cambodia CAR
2024 $46,352,647,037 $2,751,494,281
2023 $42,335,646,896 $2,555,492,086
2022 $39,994,532,960 $2,382,618,615
2021 $36,790,163,687 $2,516,498,412
2020 $34,818,073,901 $2,326,720,900
2019 $36,685,356,408 $2,221,301,351
2018 $33,145,892,169 $2,220,979,146
2017 $29,355,665,910 $2,072,349,973
2016 $26,556,545,153 $1,825,018,145
2015 $24,174,170,369 $1,695,825,714
2014 $22,041,463,968 $1,894,813,389
2013 $19,807,135,253 $1,691,544,110
2012 $17,826,536,700 $2,510,126,512
2011 $16,032,622,024 $2,437,982,705
2010 $13,808,673,288 $2,142,591,540
2009 $12,502,901,170 $2,067,381,665
2008 $12,174,303,999 $1,993,407,888
2007 $10,127,916,460 $1,699,811,295
2006 $8,350,531,017 $1,461,859,762
2005 $7,066,296,463 $1,337,894,379
2004 $5,883,297,160 $1,272,360,517
2003 $5,046,693,484 $1,142,315,523
2002 $4,501,227,627 $996,068,145
2001 $4,145,665,970 $932,648,605
2000 $3,694,168,979 $916,777,283
1999 $3,517,242,477 $999,477,511
1998 $3,120,425,503 $967,338,390
1997 $3,443,413,389 $937,741,513
1996 $3,506,695,720 $1,007,791,127
1995 $3,441,205,693 $1,115,389,674
1994 $2,791,435,272 $851,174,357
1993 $2,533,727,592 $1,278,781,262
1992 $2,491,486,594 $1,411,917,553
1991 $2,054,974,089 $1,377,374,987
1990 $1,402,541,177 $1,440,711,459
1989 $1,353,137,648 $1,233,930,281
1988 $1,662,877,859 $1,264,899,288
1987 $1,036,974,910 $1,200,991,978
1986 $1,167,630,318 $1,122,265,013
1985 $1,102,669,184 $864,849,836
1984 $1,021,176,059 $637,820,670
1983 $939,291,262 $658,679,333
1982 $865,516,040 $748,312,391
1981 $815,153,652 $694,803,623
1980 $744,384,130 $797,048,199
1979 $723,738,503 $700,764,748
1978 $766,642,356 $610,578,632
1977 $716,261,764 $507,298,148
1976 $790,357,255 $451,152,461
1975 $749,129,748 $378,660,016
1974 - $281,398,706
1973 - $271,183,082
1972 - $230,317,883
1971 - $201,450,800
1970 - $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/cambodia/central-african-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cambodia vs Central African Republic by year

Cambodia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cambodia CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,628 $7,967 $516 $1,263
2023 $2,430 $7,431 $496 $1,257
2022 $2,325 $6,919 $467 $1,218
2021 $2,167 $6,226 $492 $1,129
2020 $2,082 $5,942 $463 $1,066
2019 $2,226 $6,154 $449 $985
2018 $2,037 $5,617 $455 $906
2017 $1,826 $5,050 $432 $884
2016 $1,675 $4,748 $387 $826
2015 $1,547 $4,434 $366 $769
2014 $1,432 $4,118 $410 $699
2013 $1,306 $3,891 $364 $710
2012 $1,193 $3,583 $544 $1,062
2011 $1,089 $3,223 $534 $980
2010 $952 $2,989 $477 $936
2009 $876 $2,854 $456 $877
2008 $866 $2,769 $437 $798
2007 $732 $2,566 $381 $783
2006 $612 $2,297 $334 $743
2005 $526 $2,038 $312 $702
2004 $444 $1,770 $303 $690
2003 $387 $1,598 $278.4 $648
2002 $350 $1,442 $248.6 $688
2001 $328 $1,357 $238 $668
2000 $296.4 $1,256 $239.2 $640
1999 $286.8 $1,134 $268 $660
1998 $258.8 $1,009 $266.6 $645
1997 $297.6 $994 $265.5 $626
1996 $325 $1,006 $293.3 $601
1995 $343 $1,006 $333 $631
1994 $302 $972 $261.3 $592
1993 $294.1 $1,565 $405 $570
1992 $307 $1,560 $462 $573
1991 $267.3 $1,504 $465 $618
1990 $190.2 $1,410 $502 $620
1989 $191.3 - $443 -
1988 $244.1 - $466 -
1987 $158.1 - $450 -
1986 $185.8 - $426 -
1985 $182.4 - $333 -
1984 $174.7 - $248.3 -
1983 $166.7 - $259.6 -
1982 $159.2 - $298.4 -
1981 $154.3 - $280.3 -
1980 $143.2 - $325 -
1979 $142.2 - $289.1 -
1978 $147.1 - $254.6 -
1977 $126.4 - $213.8 -
1976 $128.8 - $192.1 -
1975 $113.8 - $163.6 -
1974 - - $124 -
1973 - - $121.8 -
1972 - - $105.5 -
1971 - - $94.1 -
1970 - - $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/cambodia/central-african-republic | CC BY

Cambodia's GDP per capita is $2,628, ranking 145/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cambodia ranks 142nd at $7,967, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Cambodia CAR
Gross domestic product
$46.4B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
97/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
5.98%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,628
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
145/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,967
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
142/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$12B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
25.9%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$681
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
156/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,258
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
17.3%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.9%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
0.26%
2023
6.9%
2017
Population
18113986
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cambodia
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cambodia CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 17.3% 25.9% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 19.1% 26.3% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 18.7% 25.5% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 21% 25.9% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 20.3% 25.2% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 17.6% 20.8% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 16.1% 21.1% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 16.2% 22.6% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 15.2% 21.8% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 14.5% 23.3% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 16.5% 24.2% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 16.4% 24.4% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 17.1% 24.9% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 16.5% 23.8% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 17% 23.4% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 17% 23.7% 16% 20.3%
2008 13.1% 23% 16% 35.8%
2007 12.3% 25.1% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 11.3% 26.7% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 11% 31.7% 16.2% 103%
2004 12.6% 38.7% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 14.5% 39.8% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 16.1% 37.8% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 14.5% 33.5% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 14.9% 34.9% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 13.8% 34.6% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 13.4% 37.2% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 12.4% 31.4% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 15.7% 30.1% 11.7% 93%
1995 - - 20.6% 83.8%
1994 - - 22.4% 103.4%
1993 - - 20.6% 68.2%
1992 - - 23.1% 57.4%
1991 - - 22.6% 55.8%
1990 - - 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/cambodia/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Cambodia's government spending was $8B, accounting for 17.3% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 25.9% in Cambodia and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 164/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cambodia

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cambodia CAR
2024 -2.67% -5.08%
2023 -2.83% -3.44%
2022 -0.29% -5.23%
2021 -5.18% -5.8%
2020 -2.53% -3.24%
2019 2.19% 1.33%
2018 0.28% -0.93%
2017 -0.76% -1%
2016 -0.29% 1.17%
2015 -0.65% -0.53%
2014 -1.24% -3.02%
2013 -2.01% -2.3%
2012 -3.57% -0.78%
2011 -3.76% -2.15%
2010 -3.09% -1.35%
2009 -3.98% -0.54%
2008 0.43% -1.23%
2007 0.62% 1.04%
2006 -0.15% 8.58%
2005 -0.34% -4.37%
2004 -3.23% -1.74%
2003 -5.69% -3.06%
2002 -6.07% -1.19%
2001 -4.95% -0.88%
2000 -4.76% -2.01%
1999 -3.79% -0.5%
1998 -5.35% 0.001%
1997 -3.7% -1.57%
1996 -7.53% -1.06%
1995 - -4.84%
1994 - -7.57%
1993 - -5.66%
1992 - -7.33%
1991 - -8%
1990 - -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/cambodia/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Cambodia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.24B, equivalent to 2.67% of GDP. This compares to the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Cambodia recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Cambodia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.41% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cambodia

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cambodia CAR
2024 0.9% 1.5%
2023 2.1% 3%
2022 5.3% 5.6%
2021 2.9% 4.3%
2020 2.9% 0.9%
2019 2% 2.8%
2018 2.4% 1.6%
2017 2.9% 4.2%
2016 3% 4.9%
2015 1.2% 1.4%
2014 3.9% 17.8%
2013 2.9% 4%
2012 2.9% 5.9%
2011 5.5% 1.2%
2010 4% 1.5%
2009 -0.7% 3.6%
2008 25% 9.2%
2007 7.7% 0.9%
2006 6.1% 6.9%
2005 6.3% 2.9%
2004 3.9% -2.6%
2003 1% 4.4%
2002 0% 2.3%
2001 -0.1% 4.1%
2000 -0.8% 3.4%
1999 2% -1.6%
1998 12.9% -2%
1997 10.5% 1.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cambodia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.24%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 0.9% in Cambodia and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Top exports between countries

Cambodia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.08M
Miscellaneous $156K
Raw materials & minerals $44K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Metals $2K
CAR
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Cambodia CAR
Current account balance
$228M
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
65/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.49%
2024
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$31.2B
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$26.8B
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$3.08B
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$4.97B
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.1%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cambodia CAR
Economic freedom 58.7 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 108/197 182/197
Property rights 38.1 5.6
Government integrity 18.9 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 21.2 4
Tax burden 90.3 65.5
Government spending 89.9 90.1
Fiscal health 92.7 59
Business freedom 60.8 26.5
Labor freedom 48.3 48.5
Monetary freedom 77 75.6
Trade freedom 67.8 47.6
Investment freedom 50 45
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cambodia
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cambodia CAR
2026 58.7 43.1
2025 58.2 42.8
2024 55.6 41.3
2023 56.5 43.8
2022 57.1 45.7
2021 57.3 48.8
2020 57.3 50.7
2019 57.8 49.1
2018 58.7 49.2
2017 59.5 51.8
2016 57.9 45.2
2015 57.5 45.9
2014 57.4 46.7
2013 58.5 50.4
2012 57.6 50.3
2011 57.9 49.3
2010 56.6 48.4
2009 56.6 48.3
2008 55.9 48.6
2007 55.9 50.6
2006 56.7 54.2
2005 60 56.5
2004 61.1 57.5
2003 63.7 60
2002 60.7 59.8
2001 59.6 -
2000 59.3 -
1999 59.9 -
1998 59.8 -
1997 52.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cambodia is 58.7, ranking 108/197, 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

Cambodia CAR
Services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
41.8%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.9B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,910
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$22.5B
2024
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
58/177
2024
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.22B
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.39B
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.41%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.7%
2012
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.2%
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/cambodia/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 (1997–2026, 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. TradeMap (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.