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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $18.7T for China, ranking 171/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $16.6T (88.3% of GDP) in China.

Central African Republic vs China GDP by year

Central African Republic
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR China
2024 $2,751,494,281 $18,743,803,170,827
2023 $2,555,492,086 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $2,382,618,615 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $2,516,498,412 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $2,326,720,900 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $2,221,301,351 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $2,220,979,146 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $2,072,349,973 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $1,825,018,145 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $1,695,825,714 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $1,894,813,389 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $1,691,544,110 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $2,510,126,512 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $2,437,982,705 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $2,142,591,540 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $2,067,381,665 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $1,993,407,888 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $1,699,811,295 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $1,461,859,762 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $1,337,894,379 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $1,272,360,517 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $1,142,315,523 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $996,068,145 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $932,648,605 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $916,777,283 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 $999,477,511 $1,103,843,203,576
1998 $967,338,390 $1,037,134,141,760
1997 $937,741,513 $967,753,570,435
1996 $1,007,791,127 $868,523,936,530
1995 $1,115,389,674 $738,190,896,228
1994 $851,174,357 $566,929,539,493
1993 $1,278,781,262 $446,557,291,212
1992 $1,411,917,553 $428,502,354,788
1991 $1,377,374,987 $384,510,452,962
1990 $1,440,711,459 $361,560,229,446
1989 $1,233,930,281 $348,380,566,802
1988 $1,264,899,288 $312,888,888,889
1987 $1,200,991,978 $273,455,156,951
1986 $1,122,265,013 $301,310,144,928
1985 $864,849,836 $310,064,625,850
1984 $637,820,670 $260,442,857,143
1983 $658,679,333 $231,130,268,199
1982 $748,312,391 $205,480,916,031
1981 $694,803,623 $196,218,253,968
1980 $797,048,199 $191,487,500,000
1979 $700,764,748 $178,573,913,043
1978 $610,578,632 $149,788,617,886
1977 $507,298,148 $175,226,595,860
1976 $451,152,461 $154,196,810,059
1975 $378,660,016 $163,687,619,736
1974 $281,398,706 $144,418,433,058
1973 $271,183,082 $138,764,340,892
1972 $230,317,883 $113,871,930,714
1971 $201,450,800 $99,959,013,880
1970 $189,106,529 $92,752,930,873
1969 $188,039,210 $79,847,786,729
1968 $191,767,442 $70,980,323,819
1967 $163,820,514 $73,011,350,596
1966 $157,930,018 $76,854,053,259
1965 $150,574,795 $70,565,994,356
1964 $142,025,079 $59,821,862,703
1963 $129,379,124 $50,812,227,919
1962 $124,482,774 $47,310,737,754
1961 $123,134,583 $50,162,299,350
1960 $112,155,598 $59,846,235,025

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs China by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR China
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $13,303 $27,105
2023 $496 $1,257 $12,951 $25,179
2022 $467 $1,218 $12,971 $23,032
2021 $492 $1,129 $12,887 $20,843
2020 $463 $1,066 $10,627 $18,267
2019 $449 $985 $10,343 $17,601
2018 $455 $906 $10,086 $16,298
2017 $432 $884 $8,980 $15,022
2016 $387 $826 $8,255 $14,157
2015 $366 $769 $8,175 $13,463
2014 $410 $699 $7,781 $12,942
2013 $364 $710 $7,147 $12,228
2012 $544 $1,062 $6,405 $11,420
2011 $534 $980 $5,704 $10,457
2010 $477 $936 $4,629 $9,411
2009 $456 $877 $3,898 $8,448
2008 $437 $798 $3,523 $7,713
2007 $381 $783 $2,735 $6,935
2006 $334 $743 $2,129 $5,946
2005 $312 $702 $1,778 $5,148
2004 $303 $690 $1,531 $4,505
2003 $278.4 $648 $1,307 $4,007
2002 $248.6 $688 $1,164 $3,591
2001 $238 $668 $1,065 $3,258
2000 $239.2 $640 $969 $2,964
1999 $268 $660 $881 $2,690
1998 $266.6 $645 $835 $2,483
1997 $265.5 $626 $787 $2,297
1996 $293.3 $601 $713 $2,088
1995 $333 $631 $613 $1,884
1994 $261.3 $592 $476 $1,680
1993 $405 $570 $379 $1,471
1992 $462 $573 $368 $1,276
1991 $465 $618 $334 $1,105
1990 $502 $620 $319 $991
1989 $443 - $311 -
1988 $466 - $284 -
1987 $450 - $252.3 -
1986 $426 - $282.4 -
1985 $333 - $295 -
1984 $248.3 - $251.2 -
1983 $259.6 - $225.9 -
1982 $298.4 - $203.7 -
1981 $280.3 - $197.4 -
1980 $325 - $195.1 -
1979 $289.1 - $184.3 -
1978 $254.6 - $156.7 -
1977 $213.8 - $185.7 -
1976 $192.1 - $165.7 -
1975 $163.6 - $178.6 -
1974 $124 - $160.4 -
1973 $121.8 - $157.3 -
1972 $105.5 - $132.1 -
1971 $94.1 - $118.8 -
1970 $90.2 - $113.3 -
1969 $91.7 - $100.3 -
1968 $95.6 - $91.6 -
1967 $83.6 - $96.8 -
1966 $82.3 - $104.5 -
1965 $80.2 - $98.7 -
1964 $77.2 - $85.7 -
1963 $71.8 - $74.5 -
1962 $70.4 - $71.1 -
1961 $71 - $76 -
1960 $65.9 - $89.7 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $13,303 in China, ranking 76/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while China ranks 77th at $27,105.

Economic indicators

CAR China
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$18.7T
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
2/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
4.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$13,303
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
77/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$16.6T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
88.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$11,749
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
47/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$9,826
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.8T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
6,327,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
450
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
32.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
0.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.1%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
5.11%
2021
Population
5753659
1402578808

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
China
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR China
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 32.9% 88.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 32.7% 82%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 32.6% 75.5%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 31.9% 70.1%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 34.8% 69%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 33.6% 59.4%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 32.6% 55.6%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 32% 53.9%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 31.7% 49.7%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 31% 40.8%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 25.2% 34%
2008 16% 35.8% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 16.2% 103% 18% 25.9%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 17.6% 26%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 18% 26.4%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 17.2% 24.3%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 16.1% 22.7%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 14.9% 21.6%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 12.6% 20.4%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 11.5% 20.4%
1996 11.7% 93% 11% 21.2%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 11.1% 21.4%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 12.4% -
1993 20.6% 68.2% 13.4% -
1992 23.1% 57.4% 14.6% -
1991 22.6% 55.8% 16.5% -
1990 22% 44.6% 18.2% -
1989 19.6% 50.9% 18.6% -
1988 21.4% 48.8% 20.9% 4.46%
1987 - - 23.4% 3.6%
1986 - - 25.6% 3.24%
1985 - - 25.8% 3.31%
1984 - - 26.9% 0.97%
1983 - - 28.3% -
1982 - - 27.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while China spent $6.18T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 88.3% in China, ranking 77/185 and 34/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR China
2024 -5.08% -7.34%
2023 -3.44% -6.71%
2022 -5.23% -7.32%
2021 -5.8% -5.9%
2020 -3.24% -9.56%
2019 1.33% -6%
2018 -0.93% -4.2%
2017 -1% -3.34%
2016 1.17% -3.33%
2015 -0.53% -2.5%
2014 -3.02% -0.67%
2013 -2.3% -0.82%
2012 -0.78% -0.3%
2011 -2.15% -0.1%
2010 -1.35% -0.36%
2009 -0.54% -1.72%
2008 -1.23% -0.02%
2007 1.04% 0.06%
2006 8.58% -1.13%
2005 -4.37% -1.38%
2004 -1.74% -1.49%
2003 -3.06% -2.36%
2002 -1.19% -2.84%
2001 -0.88% -2.56%
2000 -2.01% -2.81%
1999 -0.5% -2.3%
1998 0.001% -1.08%
1997 -1.57% -0.73%
1996 -1.06% -0.73%
1995 -4.84% -0.94%
1994 -7.57% -1.68%
1993 -5.66% -0.89%
1992 -7.33% -1.22%
1991 -8% -1.04%
1990 -6.6% -0.72%
1989 -3.25% -0.91%
1988 -3.72% -2.22%
1987 - -2.08%
1986 - -1.82%
1985 - -0.45%
1984 - -1.44%
1983 - -1.61%
1982 - -1.33%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/china | 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 China's deficit of $1.38T, or 7.34% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.41% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR China
2024 1.5% 0.2%
2023 3% 0.2%
2022 5.6% 2%
2021 4.3% 0.9%
2020 0.9% 2.5%
2019 2.8% 2.9%
2018 1.6% 2.1%
2017 4.2% 1.6%
2016 4.9% 2%
2015 1.4% 1.5%
2014 17.8% 2%
2013 4% 2.7%
2012 5.9% 2.6%
2011 1.2% 5.4%
2010 1.5% 3.3%
2009 3.6% -0.7%
2008 9.2% 5.9%
2007 0.9% 4.7%
2006 6.9% 1.5%
2005 2.9% 1.8%
2004 -2.6% 3.9%
2003 4.4% 1.1%
2002 2.3% -0.8%
2001 4.1% 0.7%
2000 3.4% 0.4%
1999 -1.6% -1.4%
1998 -2% -0.8%
1997 1.6% 2.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 1.82% in China. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 0.2% in China.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $2.91M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.07M
Machinery & equipment $323K
Precious metals & jewellery $120K
Raw materials & minerals $24K
Metals $23K
Miscellaneous $9K
China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $42.7M
Chemicals & pharma $4.82M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.51M
Raw materials & minerals $4.26M
Metals $3.74M
Animal & marine products $579K
Wood & paper products $517K
Raw agricultural goods $417K
Miscellaneous $351K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $161K

Balance of trade

CAR China
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$424B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
1/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+2.26%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$2.64T
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$3.41T
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$613B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$384B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
20%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR China
Economic freedom 43.1 48.3
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 170/197
Property rights 5.6 40.9
Government integrity 19.2 42.3
Judicial effectiveness 4 38.6
Tax burden 65.5 69.3
Government spending 90.1 67.8
Fiscal health 59 4.4
Business freedom 26.5 68.7
Labor freedom 48.5 57.9
Monetary freedom 75.6 76.1
Trade freedom 47.6 73.4
Investment freedom 45 20
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
China
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR China
2026 43.1 48.3
2025 42.8 49
2024 41.3 48.5
2023 43.8 48.3
2022 45.7 48
2021 48.8 58.4
2020 50.7 59.5
2019 49.1 58.4
2018 49.2 57.8
2017 51.8 57.4
2016 45.2 52
2015 45.9 52.7
2014 46.7 52.5
2013 50.4 51.9
2012 50.3 51.2
2011 49.3 52
2010 48.4 51
2009 48.3 53.2
2008 48.6 53.1
2007 50.6 52
2006 54.2 53.6
2005 56.5 53.7
2004 57.5 52.5
2003 60 52.6
2002 59.8 52.8
2001 - 52.6
2000 - 56.4
1999 - 54.8
1998 - 53.1
1997 - 51.7
1996 - 51.3
1995 - 52

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 48.3 for China, ranking 170/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR China
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
56.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
36.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
6.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$19.3T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$26,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$3.46T
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
1/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$154B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$18.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$172B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
1.89%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
40.6%
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/central-african-republic/china | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.