The Central African Republic ranked 171/197 by economy size with a GDP of $3.07B and 195/197 by GDP per capita at $556. The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 61.8%.
In 2025, the Central African Republic made up 0.003% of the world's economy, compared to 0.008% in 1960.
Central African Republic GDP & GDP growth by year
| Year | GDP | GDP growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,066,109,226 | 4.5% |
| 2024 | $2,751,494,281 | 1.5% |
| 2023 | $2,555,492,086 | 0.7% |
| 2022 | $2,382,618,615 | 0.45% |
| 2021 | $2,516,498,412 | 0.98% |
| 2020 | $2,326,720,900 | 0.9% |
| 2019 | $2,221,301,351 | 3.1% |
| 2018 | $2,220,979,146 | 3.79% |
| 2017 | $2,072,349,973 | 4.53% |
| 2016 | $1,825,018,145 | 4.75% |
| 2015 | $1,695,825,714 | 4.34% |
| 2014 | $1,894,813,389 | 0.08% |
| 2013 | $1,691,544,110 | -36.4% |
| 2012 | $2,510,126,512 | 5.05% |
| 2011 | $2,437,982,705 | 4.19% |
| 2010 | $2,142,591,540 | 4.63% |
| 2009 | $2,067,381,665 | 8.59% |
| 2008 | $1,993,407,888 | 2.05% |
| 2007 | $1,699,811,295 | 4.61% |
| 2006 | $1,461,859,762 | 4.77% |
| 2005 | $1,337,894,379 | 0.91% |
| 2004 | $1,272,360,517 | 5.99% |
| 2003 | $1,142,315,523 | -5.4% |
| 2002 | $996,068,145 | 3.62% |
| 2001 | $932,648,605 | 4.46% |
| 2000 | $916,777,283 | -2.49% |
| 1999 | $999,477,511 | 3.6% |
| 1998 | $967,338,390 | 4.7% |
| 1997 | $937,741,513 | 5.3% |
| 1996 | $1,007,791,127 | -4% |
| 1995 | $1,115,389,674 | 7.2% |
| 1994 | $851,174,357 | 4.9% |
| 1993 | $1,278,781,262 | 0.34% |
| 1992 | $1,411,917,553 | -6.42% |
| 1991 | $1,377,374,987 | -0.55% |
| 1990 | $1,440,711,459 | -2.15% |
| 1989 | $1,233,930,281 | 1.98% |
| 1988 | $1,264,899,288 | 1.71% |
| 1987 | $1,200,991,978 | -4.94% |
| 1986 | $1,122,265,013 | 3.58% |
| 1985 | $864,849,836 | 3.93% |
| 1984 | $637,820,670 | 9.48% |
| 1983 | $658,679,333 | -8.13% |
| 1982 | $748,312,391 | 7.72% |
| 1981 | $694,803,623 | -1.54% |
| 1980 | $797,048,199 | -4.48% |
| 1979 | $700,764,748 | -2.47% |
| 1978 | $610,578,632 | 1.21% |
| 1977 | $507,298,148 | 3.81% |
| 1976 | $451,152,461 | 5.43% |
| 1975 | $378,660,016 | 0.4% |
| 1974 | $281,398,706 | 6.34% |
| 1973 | $271,183,082 | 1.89% |
| 1972 | $230,317,883 | -0.001% |
| 1971 | $201,450,800 | 1.13% |
| 1970 | $189,106,529 | 2.33% |
| 1969 | $188,039,210 | 7.09% |
| 1968 | $191,767,442 | 1.4% |
| 1967 | $163,820,514 | 4.68% |
| 1966 | $157,930,018 | 0.64% |
| 1965 | $150,574,795 | 0.95% |
| 1964 | $142,025,079 | 2.08% |
| 1963 | $129,379,124 | -0.71% |
| 1962 | $124,482,774 | -3.71% |
| 1961 | $123,134,583 | 4.95% |
| 1960 | $112,155,598 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic | CC BY 
Central African Republic GDP per capita by year
| Year | Current $ | |
|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2025 | $556 | - |
| 2024 | $516 | $1,263 |
| 2023 | $496 | $1,257 |
| 2022 | $467 | $1,218 |
| 2021 | $492 | $1,129 |
| 2020 | $463 | $1,066 |
| 2019 | $449 | $985 |
| 2018 | $455 | $906 |
| 2017 | $432 | $884 |
| 2016 | $387 | $826 |
| 2015 | $366 | $769 |
| 2014 | $410 | $699 |
| 2013 | $364 | $710 |
| 2012 | $544 | $1,062 |
| 2011 | $534 | $980 |
| 2010 | $477 | $936 |
| 2009 | $456 | $877 |
| 2008 | $437 | $798 |
| 2007 | $381 | $783 |
| 2006 | $334 | $743 |
| 2005 | $312 | $702 |
| 2004 | $303 | $690 |
| 2003 | $278.4 | $648 |
| 2002 | $248.6 | $688 |
| 2001 | $238 | $668 |
| 2000 | $239.2 | $640 |
| 1999 | $268 | $660 |
| 1998 | $266.6 | $645 |
| 1997 | $265.5 | $626 |
| 1996 | $293.3 | $601 |
| 1995 | $333 | $631 |
| 1994 | $261.3 | $592 |
| 1993 | $405 | $570 |
| 1992 | $462 | $573 |
| 1991 | $465 | $618 |
| 1990 | $502 | $620 |
| 1989 | $443 | - |
| 1988 | $466 | - |
| 1987 | $450 | - |
| 1986 | $426 | - |
| 1985 | $333 | - |
| 1984 | $248.3 | - |
| 1983 | $259.6 | - |
| 1982 | $298.4 | - |
| 1981 | $280.3 | - |
| 1980 | $325 | - |
| 1979 | $289.1 | - |
| 1978 | $254.6 | - |
| 1977 | $213.8 | - |
| 1976 | $192.1 | - |
| 1975 | $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic | CC BY
The Central African Republic has a GDP per capita of $556, ranking 195/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $1,263, ranking 195/197, and a median annual after tax income of $1,242, ranking 191/197.
Central African Republic GDP rankings by year
| Year | Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2025 | 157 | 178 | - |
| 2024 | 167 | 187 | 177 |
| 2023 | 168 | 190 | 186 |
| 2022 | 169 | 190 | 186 |
| 2021 | 168 | 189 | 186 |
| 2020 | 168 | 190 | 186 |
| 2019 | 171 | 192 | 186 |
| 2018 | 171 | 193 | 186 |
| 2017 | 171 | 192 | 187 |
| 2016 | 173 | 193 | 187 |
| 2015 | 174 | 194 | 190 |
| 2014 | 173 | 194 | 191 |
| 2013 | 173 | 194 | 191 |
| 2012 | 167 | 189 | 188 |
| 2011 | 167 | 190 | 190 |
| 2010 | 167 | 190 | 190 |
| 2009 | 166 | 189 | 191 |
| 2008 | 166 | 190 | 191 |
| 2007 | 166 | 189 | 189 |
| 2006 | 167 | 186 | 189 |
| 2005 | 164 | 185 | 188 |
| 2004 | 164 | 182 | 187 |
| 2003 | 164 | 182 | 187 |
| 2002 | 163 | 181 | 187 |
| 2001 | 162 | 182 | 187 |
| 2000 | 162 | 183 | 186 |
| 1999 | 157 | 176 | 184 |
| 1998 | 157 | 176 | 180 |
| 1997 | 157 | 179 | 178 |
| 1996 | 155 | 174 | 176 |
| 1995 | 155 | 164 | 175 |
| 1994 | 154 | 165 | 175 |
| 1993 | 145 | 145 | 175 |
| 1992 | 141 | 142 | 176 |
| 1991 | 144 | 146 | 174 |
| 1990 | 141 | 144 | 170 |
| 1989 | 127 | 133 | - |
| 1988 | 128 | 133 | - |
| 1987 | 124 | 129 | - |
| 1986 | 123 | 126 | - |
| 1985 | 126 | 130 | - |
| 1984 | 127 | 140 | - |
| 1983 | 126 | 139 | - |
| 1982 | 126 | 136 | - |
| 1981 | 126 | 139 | - |
| 1980 | 123 | 135 | - |
| 1979 | 118 | 127 | - |
| 1978 | 116 | 125 | - |
| 1977 | 117 | 129 | - |
| 1976 | 118 | 127 | - |
| 1975 | 120 | 131 | - |
| 1974 | 119 | 134 | - |
| 1973 | 117 | 129 | - |
| 1972 | 117 | 130 | - |
| 1971 | 117 | 130 | - |
| 1970 | 117 | 131 | - |
| 1969 | 108 | 110 | - |
| 1968 | 105 | 109 | - |
| 1967 | 105 | 112 | - |
| 1966 | 103 | 111 | - |
| 1965 | 103 | 109 | - |
| 1964 | 100 | 106 | - |
| 1963 | 101 | 106 | - |
| 1962 | 101 | 106 | - |
| 1961 | 99 | 103 | - |
| 1960 | 99 | 102 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic | CC BY
Compared with 2000, in 2025 the Central African Republic is ranked 157th out of 179 by GDP (up from 162nd), 178th by GDP per capita (up from 183rd), and 177th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 186th).
Economic indicators
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$3.07B
2025 |
171/197 |
| GDP growth |
4.5%
2024-2025 |
59/194 |
| GDP per capita |
$556
2025 |
195/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,263
2024 |
195/197 |
| Government debt |
$1.9B
2025 |
161/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
61.8%
2025 |
72/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$344
2025 |
176/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,242
2026 |
191/197 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
33.1%
2021 |
28/169 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.1%
2021 |
129/169 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
21.1%
2025 |
147/195 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
1%
2024-2025 |
155/195 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.9%
2017 |
66/196 |
| Population |
5798457
|
119/197 |
Government spending, deficit, and debt by year
| Year | % of GDP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Government spending | Government debt | Government deficit/surplus | |
| 2025 | 21.1% | 61.8% | -5.49% |
| 2024 | 19.4% | 59.9% | -5.03% |
| 2023 | 17.5% | 55.6% | -3.42% |
| 2022 | 17.1% | 48.9% | -5.13% |
| 2021 | 19% | 46.3% | -5.71% |
| 2020 | 24% | 42.4% | -3.23% |
| 2019 | 15.8% | 44.9% | 1.33% |
| 2018 | 16.8% | 47.9% | -0.93% |
| 2017 | 13.1% | 47.4% | -1% |
| 2016 | 11.1% | 49.3% | 1.18% |
| 2015 | 12.7% | 54.4% | -0.53% |
| 2014 | 16.7% | 57.5% | -3.02% |
| 2013 | 13.4% | 51.8% | -2.3% |
| 2012 | 14.7% | 31.5% | -0.78% |
| 2011 | 14.2% | 19.7% | -2.15% |
| 2010 | 17.3% | 19.9% | -1.35% |
| 2009 | 16% | 20.3% | -0.54% |
| 2008 | 16% | 35.8% | -1.23% |
| 2007 | 12.9% | 47.9% | 1.04% |
| 2006 | 13.4% | 46.7% | 8.58% |
| 2005 | 16.2% | 103% | -4.37% |
| 2004 | 13.1% | 99.7% | -1.74% |
| 2003 | 12.3% | 95.9% | -3.06% |
| 2002 | 16.7% | 98.5% | -1.19% |
| 2001 | 14.1% | 103.1% | -0.88% |
| 2000 | 17.2% | 94.7% | -2.01% |
| 1999 | 18.2% | 84.2% | -0.5% |
| 1998 | 18.1% | 85.3% | 0.001% |
| 1997 | 14.5% | 96.1% | -1.57% |
| 1996 | 11.7% | 93% | -1.06% |
| 1995 | 20.6% | 83.8% | -4.84% |
| 1994 | 22.4% | 103.4% | -7.57% |
| 1993 | 20.6% | 68.2% | -5.66% |
| 1992 | 23.1% | 57.4% | -7.33% |
| 1991 | 22.6% | 55.8% | -8% |
| 1990 | 22% | 44.6% | -6.6% |
| 1989 | 19.6% | 50.9% | -3.25% |
| 1988 | 21.4% | 48.8% | -3.72% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic | CC BY
This chart shows the Central African Republic's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.
Over the past 38 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 2.45% of GDP. In 2025, government spending reached $646M (21.1% of GDP), with a deficit of 5.49%.
The national debt reached $1.9B, ranking 161st out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 61.8%, ranking 72nd.
Inflation rate by year
| Year | Inflation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1.5% |
| 2023 | 3% |
| 2022 | 5.6% |
| 2021 | 4.3% |
| 2020 | 0.9% |
| 2019 | 2.8% |
| 2018 | 1.6% |
| 2017 | 4.2% |
| 2016 | 4.9% |
| 2015 | 1.4% |
| 2014 | 17.8% |
| 2013 | 4% |
| 2012 | 5.9% |
| 2011 | 1.2% |
| 2010 | 1.5% |
| 2009 | 3.6% |
| 2008 | 9.2% |
| 2007 | 0.9% |
| 2006 | 6.9% |
| 2005 | 2.9% |
| 2004 | -2.2% |
| 2003 | 4.4% |
| 2002 | 2.3% |
| 2001 | 3.8% |
| 2000 | 3.2% |
| 1999 | -1.4% |
| 1998 | -1.9% |
| 1997 | 1.6% |
| 1996 | 3.7% |
| 1995 | 19.2% |
| 1994 | 24.5% |
| 1993 | -2.9% |
| 1992 | -0.8% |
| 1991 | -2.8% |
| 1990 | -0.2% |
| 1989 | 0.6% |
| 1988 | -3.9% |
| 1987 | -7% |
| 1986 | 2.4% |
| 1985 | 10.5% |
| 1984 | 2.6% |
| 1983 | 14.6% |
| 1982 | 13.2% |
| 1981 | 14.7% |
| 1980 | 13.3% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic | CC BY
Over the past 20 years, the Central African Republic has had an average annual inflation rate of 4.11%. In 2025, inflation was 1%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.
Balance of trade
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$24.7M
1994 |
74/190 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-2.9%
1994 |
109/190 |
| Goods imports |
$131M
1994 |
187/189 |
| Goods exports |
$146M
1994 |
170/189 |
| Service imports |
$114M
1994 |
181/189 |
| Service exports |
$33.1M
1994 |
184/189 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
33.6%
2025 |
117/182 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
19.3%
2025 |
148/193 |
Central African Republic top 10 trading partners
The Central African Republic's biggest trading partner accounting for 21% of all exports and imports is Cameroon, with a trade balance between the two of -$206M: the Central African Republic exports $145K worth of goods and services to Cameroon and imports $206M.
Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of the Central African Republic.
| Rank | Country | Trade value | Share of total trade | Export to | Import from | Top export to | Top import from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Cameroon
|
$206M | 21% | $145K | $206M | Precious metals & jewellery | Raw materials & minerals |
| 2 |
China
|
$192M | 19.6% | $27K | $192M | Wood & paper products | Raw materials & minerals |
| 3 |
France
|
$65.7M | 6.7% | $28K | $65.7M | Textiles & consumer goods | Machinery & equipment |
| 4 |
Pakistan
|
$63.2M | 6.44% | $62.2M | $1.05M | Machinery & equipment | Weapons & explosives |
| 5 |
Tunisia
|
$40.6M | 4.14% | $40.1M | $505K | Machinery & equipment | Weapons & explosives |
| 6 |
Japan
|
$38.9M | 3.97% | $12K | $38.9M | Machinery & equipment | Machinery & equipment |
| 7 |
India
|
$34.7M | 3.54% | $1K | $34.7M | Precious metals & jewellery | Chemicals & pharma |
| 8 |
UAE
|
$33.3M | 3.4% | $5.88M | $27.5M | Precious metals & jewellery | Machinery & equipment |
| 9 |
United States
|
$30.4M | 3.1% | $4.69M | $25.7M | Metals | Raw agricultural goods |
| 10 |
DR Congo
|
$20.7M | 2.11% | $0 | $20.7M | Animal & marine products | Raw materials & minerals |
Top 10 exports
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Government & miscellaneous services | $135M | 69/187 |
| Machinery & equipment | $126M | 119/193 |
| Precious metals & jewellery | $44.9M | 118/190 |
| Business & finance services | $24.1M | 161/189 |
| Metals | $20.6M | 145/192 |
| Transport & tourism services | $14.6M | 182/191 |
| Wood & paper products | $11.3M | 135/192 |
| IT & IP services | $3.84M | 170/185 |
| Manufacturing & construction services | $2.6M | 144/166 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $1.01M | 168/193 |
Top 10 imports
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Machinery & equipment | $244M | 169/193 |
| Raw materials & minerals | $224M | 166/193 |
| Transport & tourism services | $128M | 175/191 |
| Business & finance services | $94.3M | 162/189 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $87.8M | 169/193 |
| Animal & marine products | $73.8M | 151/193 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $56.5M | 178/193 |
| Raw agricultural goods | $33.3M | 177/193 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $30M | 180/193 |
| IT & IP services | $21.1M | 160/185 |
Economic freedom indices
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 43.1 | 182/197 |
| Property rights | 5.6 | 176/182 |
| Government integrity | 19.2 | 160/182 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 4 | 177/182 |
| Tax burden | 65.5 | 158/182 |
| Government spending | 90.1 | 23/180 |
| Fiscal health | 59 | 119/181 |
| Business freedom | 26.5 | 180/182 |
| Labor freedom | 48.5 | 142/182 |
| Monetary freedom | 75.6 | 74/180 |
| Trade freedom | 47.6 | 172/181 |
| Investment freedom | 45 | 128/181 |
| Financial freedom | 30 | 134/181 |
Economic freedom by year
| Year | Index | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | Judicial effectiveness | Tax burden | Government spending | Fiscal health | |
| 2026 | 43.1 | 4 | 65.5 | 90.1 | 59 |
| 2025 | 42.8 | 4 | 65.5 | 89.8 | 53.8 |
| 2024 | 41.3 | 4.8 | 65.3 | 87 | 56.1 |
| 2023 | 43.8 | 16.9 | 65.4 | 87.3 | 84.2 |
| 2022 | 45.7 | 12.3 | 65.3 | 88.1 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 48.8 | 28.2 | 65.3 | 92.2 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 50.7 | 31.7 | 65.5 | 93.5 | 95.3 |
| 2019 | 49.1 | 29.6 | 65.2 | 94.2 | 94.3 |
| 2018 | 49.2 | 28.2 | 64.6 | 94.6 | 96.4 |
| 2017 | 51.8 | 33 | 65.8 | 94.1 | 84.1 |
| 2016 | 45.2 | - | 65.7 | 93.6 | - |
| 2015 | 45.9 | - | 65 | 92 | - |
| 2014 | 46.7 | - | 65.1 | 92.6 | - |
| 2013 | 50.4 | - | 65.1 | 92.4 | - |
| 2012 | 50.3 | - | 65.2 | 92.9 | - |
| 2011 | 49.3 | - | 65.4 | 92.8 | - |
| 2010 | 48.4 | - | 65.5 | 94.1 | - |
| 2009 | 48.3 | - | 65.4 | 94 | - |
| 2008 | 48.6 | - | 65.5 | 91.6 | - |
| 2007 | 50.6 | - | 65.6 | 94.4 | - |
| 2006 | 54.2 | - | 58.8 | 95 | - |
| 2005 | 56.5 | - | 65.3 | 92.4 | - |
| 2004 | 57.5 | - | 65.5 | 89.5 | - |
| 2003 | 60 | - | 65.4 | 92.7 | - |
| 2002 | 59.8 | - | 65.3 | 88 | - |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic | CC BY
The Central African Republic is ranked 164/174 for economic freedom with a score of 43.1, compared to 114/162 and a score of 54.2 in 2006.
Other economic metrics
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
41.4%
2025 |
175/191 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
21.2%
2025 |
122/194 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
27.6%
2025 |
18/193 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$3.1B
2025 |
169/194 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$1,390
2025 |
189/191 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$489M
2024 |
158/177 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$3.6M
1994 |
43/189 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$40.4M
2024 |
155/193 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$0
2024 |
139/193 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
1.94%
2024 |
93/121 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
68.8%
2021 |
3/176 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
9.3%
2025 |
170/179 |
Compare Central African Republic vs other countries
GDP per capita map
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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.