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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $19.5B for Chad, ranking 171/197 and 132/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $6.37B (32.7% of GDP) in Chad.

Central African Republic vs Chad GDP by year

Central African Republic
Chad
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Chad
2024 $2,751,494,281 $19,518,819,751
2023 $2,555,492,086 $18,340,233,749
2022 $2,382,618,615 $17,828,508,290
2021 $2,516,498,412 $16,871,937,698
2020 $2,326,720,900 $14,932,897,821
2019 $2,221,301,351 $14,905,517,743
2018 $2,220,979,146 $15,327,000,249
2017 $2,072,349,973 $13,349,041,409
2016 $1,825,018,145 $13,026,289,836
2015 $1,695,825,714 $14,559,599,500
2014 $1,894,813,389 $18,144,336,904
2013 $1,691,544,110 $17,865,316,886
2012 $2,510,126,512 $17,892,228,570
2011 $2,437,982,705 $16,685,349,674
2010 $2,142,591,540 $14,058,506,664
2009 $2,067,381,665 $12,317,614,054
2008 $1,993,407,888 $13,385,593,990
2007 $1,699,811,295 $10,865,385,132
2006 $1,461,859,762 $9,709,626,596
2005 $1,337,894,379 $8,655,892,393
2004 $1,272,360,517 $4,422,855,661
2003 $1,142,315,523 $2,742,815,072
2002 $996,068,145 $1,997,005,709
2001 $932,648,605 $1,710,843,377
2000 $916,777,283 $1,388,506,772
1999 $999,477,511 $1,534,673,583
1998 $967,338,390 $1,744,794,531
1997 $937,741,513 $1,544,689,577
1996 $1,007,791,127 $1,607,345,356
1995 $1,115,389,674 $1,445,919,895
1994 $851,174,357 $1,179,837,963
1993 $1,278,781,262 $1,463,251,164
1992 $1,411,917,553 $1,881,847,670
1991 $1,377,374,987 $1,877,137,982
1990 $1,440,711,459 $1,738,605,558
1989 $1,233,930,281 $1,433,686,312
1988 $1,264,899,288 $1,482,597,298
1987 $1,200,991,978 $1,163,426,852
1986 $1,122,265,013 $1,067,828,246
1985 $864,849,836 $1,033,069,709
1984 $637,820,670 $919,103,735
1983 $658,679,333 $832,415,806
1982 $748,312,391 $834,369,860
1981 $694,803,623 $876,937,558
1980 $797,048,199 $1,033,002,404
1979 $700,764,748 $1,004,316,496
1978 $610,578,632 $1,113,920,124
1977 $507,298,148 $935,360,465
1976 $451,152,461 $866,044,962
1975 $378,660,016 $864,602,105
1974 $281,398,706 $652,532,795
1973 $271,183,082 $647,199,483
1972 $230,317,883 $585,427,547
1971 $201,450,800 $501,866,730
1970 $189,106,529 $469,266,737
1969 $188,039,210 $471,635,622
1968 $191,767,442 $453,980,096
1967 $163,820,514 $449,826,323
1966 $157,930,018 $432,794,922
1965 $150,574,795 $416,926,303
1964 $142,025,079 $392,247,518
1963 $129,379,124 $371,767,002
1962 $124,482,774 $357,635,713
1961 $123,134,583 $333,975,336
1960 $112,155,598 $313,582,728

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Chad by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Chad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $962 $2,743
2023 $496 $1,257 $949 $2,700
2022 $467 $1,218 $966 $2,624
2021 $492 $1,129 $946 $2,435
2020 $463 $1,066 $867 $2,186
2019 $449 $985 $893 $2,352
2018 $455 $906 $949 $2,228
2017 $432 $884 $854 $2,097
2016 $387 $826 $862 $2,120
2015 $366 $769 $994 $2,378
2014 $410 $699 $1,279 $2,133
2013 $364 $710 $1,305 $2,110
2012 $544 $1,062 $1,354 $2,435
2011 $534 $980 $1,308 $2,388
2010 $477 $936 $1,142 $2,320
2009 $456 $877 $1,036 $2,087
2008 $437 $798 $1,166 $2,181
2007 $381 $783 $980 $2,149
2006 $334 $743 $907 $2,079
2005 $312 $702 $838 $2,102
2004 $303 $690 $446 $1,808
2003 $278.4 $648 $289.1 $1,378
2002 $248.6 $688 $219.1 $1,226
2001 $238 $668 $194.3 $1,152
2000 $239.2 $640 $163.1 $1,044
1999 $268 $660 $186.6 $1,066
1998 $266.6 $645 $219.8 $1,096
1997 $265.5 $626 $201.4 $1,049
1996 $293.3 $601 $216.9 $1,010
1995 $333 $631 $204 $1,014
1994 $261.3 $592 $173.9 $1,026
1993 $405 $570 $220.7 $933
1992 $462 $573 $290.6 $1,107
1991 $465 $618 $302 $1,046
1990 $502 $620 $290.6 $967
1989 $443 - $246.4 -
1988 $466 - $263.5 -
1987 $450 - $213.9 -
1986 $426 - $203.4 -
1985 $333 - $202.7 -
1984 $248.3 - $182.2 -
1983 $259.6 - $167.2 -
1982 $298.4 - $176.1 -
1981 $280.3 - $194 -
1980 $325 - $228.8 -
1979 $289.1 - $222.9 -
1978 $254.6 - $252.5 -
1977 $213.8 - $215.9 -
1976 $192.1 - $203.7 -
1975 $163.6 - $207.5 -
1974 $124 - $160 -
1973 $121.8 - $162.4 -
1972 $105.5 - $150.4 -
1971 $94.1 - $131.8 -
1970 $90.2 - $125.9 -
1969 $91.7 - $129.2 -
1968 $95.6 - $126.9 -
1967 $83.6 - $128.2 -
1966 $82.3 - $125.8 -
1965 $80.2 - $123.6 -
1964 $77.2 - $118.6 -
1963 $71.8 - $114.7 -
1962 $70.4 - $112.6 -
1961 $71 - $107.3 -
1960 $65.9 - $102.8 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $962 in Chad, ranking 182/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743.

Economic indicators

CAR Chad
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$19.5B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
132/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$962
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
182/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$2,743
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
182/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$6.37B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$314
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
177/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$1,276
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
29.5%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
18.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
5.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
1.14%
2018
Population
5753659
21893857

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Chad
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Chad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 18.8% 32.7%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 17.1% 32.2%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 12.6% 32.1%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 13% 41.6%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 14.1% 41.7%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 10.6% 38.4%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 9.73% 33.8%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 11.3% 39.2%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 11.2% 40.1%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 13.8% 31.3%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 16.9% 29.4%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 16.6% 22.3%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 16.6% 20%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 16.3% 22.3%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 18.5% 22.9%
2009 16% 20.3% 19.8% 23.9%
2008 16% 35.8% 14.6% 15.7%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 13.6% 17.6%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 10.7% 20.1%
2005 16.2% 103% 8.87% 22%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 9.84% 25.2%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 14.9% 34.4%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 13.8% 42%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 12% 43.5%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 14% 52.4%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 12.9% 44.7%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 10.1% 34.7%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 12% 41.3%
1996 11.7% 93% 12% 40.5%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 12.3% 41.1%
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 (1988–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Chad spent $3.67B, or 18.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 32.7% in Chad, ranking 77/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Chad
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Chad
2024 -5.08% -2.11%
2023 -3.44% -1.26%
2022 -5.23% 3.79%
2021 -5.8% -1.29%
2020 -3.24% 1.24%
2019 1.33% -0.11%
2018 -0.93% 1.39%
2017 -1% -0.18%
2016 1.17% -1.51%
2015 -0.53% -3.29%
2014 -3.02% -3.22%
2013 -2.3% -1.5%
2012 -0.78% 0.33%
2011 -2.15% 1.75%
2010 -1.35% -3.16%
2009 -0.54% -8.44%
2008 -1.23% 2.82%
2007 1.04% 2.02%
2006 8.58% 1.7%
2005 -4.37% -0.05%
2004 -1.74% -1.84%
2003 -3.06% -4.32%
2002 -1.19% -4.08%
2001 -0.88% -3.53%
2000 -2.01% -4.68%
1999 -0.5% -4.07%
1998 0.001% -1.73%
1997 -1.57% -2.58%
1996 -1.06% -2.86%
1995 -4.84% -3.12%
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/central-african-republic/chad | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $140M, equivalent to 5.08% of GDP. This compares to Chad's deficit of $412M, or 2.11% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Chad ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.46% of GDP for Chad.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Chad
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Chad
2024 1.5% 5.1%
2023 3% 2.3%
2022 5.6% 5.8%
2021 4.3% -0.8%
2020 0.9% 4.5%
2019 2.8% -1%
2018 1.6% 4%
2017 4.2% -0.9%
2016 4.9% -1.6%
2015 1.4% 4.8%
2014 17.8% -5.5%
2013 4% 0.2%
2012 5.9% 7.5%
2011 1.2% 2%
2010 1.5% -2.1%
2009 3.6% 10.1%
2008 9.2% 8.3%
2007 0.9% -7.4%
2006 6.9% 9.6%
2005 2.9% 4.4%
2004 -2.6% -4.8%
2003 4.4% -1.8%
2002 2.3% 5.2%
2001 4.1% 12.4%
2000 3.4% 3.8%
1999 -1.6% -8.4%
1998 -2% 4.3%
1997 1.6% 5.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.34% in Chad. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 5.1% in Chad.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.03M
Textiles & consumer goods $94K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $51K
Animal & marine products $20K
Wood & paper products $20K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Metals $1K
Chad
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $106K

Balance of trade

CAR Chad
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$37.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
82/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-3.2%
1994
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$212M
1994
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$135M
1994
Service imports
$114M
1994
$199M
1994
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$54.8M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
18.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
29.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Chad
Economic freedom 43.1 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 154/197
Property rights 5.6 17.2
Government integrity 19.2 15.2
Judicial effectiveness 4 15
Tax burden 65.5 77.9
Government spending 90.1 92.2
Fiscal health 59 97.9
Business freedom 26.5 27.4
Labor freedom 48.5 53.7
Monetary freedom 75.6 71.6
Trade freedom 47.6 46.4
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Chad
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Chad
2026 43.1 51.2
2025 42.8 52.2
2024 41.3 51.4
2023 43.8 52
2022 45.7 49.8
2021 48.8 50.4
2020 50.7 50.2
2019 49.1 49.9
2018 49.2 49.3
2017 51.8 49
2016 45.2 46.3
2015 45.9 45.9
2014 46.7 44.5
2013 50.4 45.2
2012 50.3 44.8
2011 49.3 45.3
2010 48.4 47.5
2009 48.3 47.5
2008 48.6 47.8
2007 50.6 50.1
2006 54.2 50
2005 56.5 52.1
2004 57.5 53.1
2003 60 52.6
2002 59.8 49.2
2001 - 46.4
2000 - 46.8
1999 - 47.2
1998 - 46.6
1997 - 45.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 51.2 for Chad, ranking 154/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Chad
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
29.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
28.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
37.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$19.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$2,710
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$1.05B
2023
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
140/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$26.5M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$1.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
1.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
44.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
26.8%
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/central-african-republic/chad | 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 (1988–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.