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Central African Republic economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic ranked 171/197 by economy size with a GDP of $2.75B and 195/197 by GDP per capita at $516. The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 60.7%.

In 2024, the Central African Republic made up 0.002% of the world's economy, compared to 0.008% in 1960.

Central African Republic GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Central African Republic GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The Central African Republic has a GDP per capita of $516, 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 $1,078, ranking 195/197.

Central African Republic GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 162 181 177
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 123 125 -
1985 126 129 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Compared with 2000, in 2024 the Central African Republic is ranked 162nd out of 182 by GDP (unchanged), 181st by GDP per capita (up from 183rd), and 177th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 186th).

Economic indicators

CAR Rank
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
171/197
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
147/194
GDP per capita
$516
2024
195/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
195/197
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
162/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
77/185
Government debt per person
$313
2024
178/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
195/197
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
29/169
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
128/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
157/195
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
154/195
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
66/196
Population
5753659
121/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 19.5% 60.7% -5.08%
2023 17.5% 55.6% -3.44%
2022 17.4% 49.9% -5.23%
2021 19.2% 46.9% -5.8%
2020 24.2% 42.8% -3.24%
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% 1.17%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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 37 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $538M (19.5% of GDP), with a deficit of 5.08%.

The national debt reached $1.67B, ranking 162nd out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 60.7%, ranking 77th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
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 -2.6%
2003 4.4%
2002 2.3%
2001 4.1%
2000 3.4%
1999 -1.6%
1998 -2%
1997 1.6%
1996 3.8%
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 (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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 4.21%. In 2024, inflation was 1.5%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

CAR Rank
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
81/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
117/190
Goods imports
$131M
1994
187/189
Goods exports
$146M
1994
171/189
Service imports
$114M
1994
182/189
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
184/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
125/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
168/193

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 $253M 45/180
Machinery & equipment $126M 124/193
Precious metals & jewellery $44.9M 115/190
Transport & tourism services $32.8M 174/188
Metals $20.6M 144/192
Wood & paper products $11.3M 135/192
Business & finance services $3.92M 179/188
Manufacturing & construction services $1.54M 145/164
Textiles & consumer goods $1.01M 168/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $318K 184/192

Top 10 imports

CAR Rank
Machinery & equipment $244M 169/193
Raw materials & minerals $224M 165/193
Transport & tourism services $222M 160/188
Business & finance services $113M 153/188
Chemicals & pharma $87.8M 169/193
Animal & marine products $73.8M 146/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $56.5M 179/193
Raw agricultural goods $33.3M 177/193
Textiles & consumer goods $30M 180/193
Metals $17.5M 184/193

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

1x
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 2026-03-09).

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
42.1%
2024
172/191
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
130/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
17/193
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
170/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
189/191
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
158/177
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
42/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
155/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
141/193
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
23.6%
2024
83/178

Compare Central African Republic vs other countries

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/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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.