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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $419B for Colombia, ranking 171/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $256B (61.2% of GDP) in Colombia.

Central African Republic vs Colombia GDP by year

Central African Republic
Colombia
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Colombia
2024 $2,751,494,281 $418,818,154,879
2023 $2,555,492,086 $366,291,836,138
2022 $2,382,618,615 $345,632,492,851
2021 $2,516,498,412 $318,524,633,225
2020 $2,326,720,900 $270,348,342,541
2019 $2,221,301,351 $323,031,701,193
2018 $2,220,979,146 $334,198,218,098
2017 $2,072,349,973 $311,866,875,157
2016 $1,825,018,145 $282,720,100,286
2015 $1,695,825,714 $293,492,370,193
2014 $1,894,813,389 $381,240,864,422
2013 $1,691,544,110 $382,093,697,078
2012 $2,510,126,512 $370,691,143,018
2011 $2,437,982,705 $334,966,134,805
2010 $2,142,591,540 $286,498,534,095
2009 $2,067,381,665 $232,468,663,110
2008 $1,993,407,888 $242,504,150,473
2007 $1,699,811,295 $206,229,540,926
2006 $1,461,859,762 $161,792,958,905
2005 $1,337,894,379 $145,600,529,606
2004 $1,272,360,517 $117,092,416,666
2003 $1,142,315,523 $94,644,969,157
2002 $996,068,145 $97,945,812,803
2001 $932,648,605 $98,200,641,203
2000 $916,777,283 $99,875,074,951
1999 $999,477,511 $86,186,158,685
1998 $967,338,390 $98,443,739,941
1997 $937,741,513 $106,659,508,271
1996 $1,007,791,127 $97,160,109,278
1995 $1,115,389,674 $92,507,279,383
1994 $851,174,357 $81,703,500,846
1993 $1,278,781,262 $66,446,804,803
1992 $1,411,917,553 $58,418,985,443
1991 $1,377,374,987 $49,175,565,911
1990 $1,440,711,459 $47,844,090,710
1989 $1,233,930,281 $39,540,080,200
1988 $1,264,899,288 $39,212,550,050
1987 $1,200,991,978 $36,373,307,085
1986 $1,122,265,013 $34,942,489,684
1985 $864,849,836 $34,894,411,352
1984 $637,820,670 $38,253,120,738
1983 $658,679,333 $38,729,822,782
1982 $748,312,391 $38,968,039,722
1981 $694,803,623 $36,388,366,869
1980 $797,048,199 $33,400,735,644
1979 $700,764,748 $27,940,411,250
1978 $610,578,632 $23,263,511,958
1977 $507,298,148 $19,470,960,619
1976 $451,152,461 $15,341,403,660
1975 $378,660,016 $13,098,633,902
1974 $281,398,706 $12,370,029,584
1973 $271,183,082 $10,315,760,000
1972 $230,317,883 $8,671,358,733
1971 $201,450,800 $7,820,380,971
1970 $189,106,529 $7,198,360,460
1969 $188,039,210 $6,450,175,214
1968 $191,767,442 $5,960,212,869
1967 $163,820,514 $5,825,170,438
1966 $157,930,018 $5,428,518,519
1965 $150,574,795 $5,760,761,905
1964 $142,025,079 $5,973,366,667
1963 $129,379,124 $4,836,166,667
1962 $124,482,774 $4,955,543,963
1961 $123,134,583 $4,540,447,761
1960 $112,155,598 $4,031,152,977

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Colombia by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Colombia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Colombia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $7,919 $22,349
2023 $496 $1,257 $7,001 $21,246
2022 $467 $1,218 $6,680 $20,854
2021 $492 $1,129 $6,223 $17,383
2020 $463 $1,066 $5,340 $15,519
2019 $449 $985 $6,473 $16,182
2018 $455 $906 $6,817 $15,239
2017 $432 $884 $6,480 $14,401
2016 $387 $826 $5,960 $14,027
2015 $366 $769 $6,249 $13,332
2014 $410 $699 $8,187 $13,355
2013 $364 $710 $8,279 $12,780
2012 $544 $1,062 $8,109 $12,093
2011 $534 $980 $7,401 $11,707
2010 $477 $936 $6,398 $10,841
2009 $456 $877 $5,251 $10,367
2008 $437 $798 $5,542 $10,307
2007 $381 $783 $4,770 $9,909
2006 $334 $743 $3,790 $9,154
2005 $312 $702 $3,456 $8,432
2004 $303 $690 $2,819 $7,909
2003 $278.4 $648 $2,312 $7,420
2002 $248.6 $688 $2,429 $7,109
2001 $238 $668 $2,473 $6,935
2000 $239.2 $640 $2,555 $6,776
1999 $268 $660 $2,241 $6,544
1998 $266.6 $645 $2,605 $6,854
1997 $265.5 $626 $2,873 $6,861
1996 $293.3 $601 $2,665 $6,639
1995 $333 $631 $2,584 $6,506
1994 $261.3 $592 $2,326 $6,174
1993 $405 $570 $1,929 $5,826
1992 $462 $573 $1,730 $5,509
1991 $465 $618 $1,486 $5,281
1990 $502 $620 $1,475 $5,109
1989 $443 - $1,244 -
1988 $466 - $1,260 -
1987 $450 - $1,193 -
1986 $426 - $1,169 -
1985 $333 - $1,192 -
1984 $248.3 - $1,336 -
1983 $259.6 - $1,384 -
1982 $298.4 - $1,425 -
1981 $280.3 - $1,362 -
1980 $325 - $1,280 -
1979 $289.1 - $1,095 -
1978 $254.6 - $932 -
1977 $213.8 - $798 -
1976 $192.1 - $643 -
1975 $163.6 - $561 -
1974 $124 - $542 -
1973 $121.8 - $462 -
1972 $105.5 - $397 -
1971 $94.1 - $367 -
1970 $90.2 - $346 -
1969 $91.7 - $318 -
1968 $95.6 - $302 -
1967 $83.6 - $303 -
1966 $82.3 - $290.3 -
1965 $80.2 - $317 -
1964 $77.2 - $339 -
1963 $71.8 - $282.6 -
1962 $70.4 - $298.5 -
1961 $71 - $282.1 -
1960 $65.9 - $258.3 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $7,919 in Colombia, ranking 94/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Colombia ranks 87th at $22,349.

Economic indicators

CAR Colombia
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$419B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
39/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
1.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$7,919
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$22,349
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
87/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$256B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
61.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$4,849
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
82/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$5,722
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$72.6B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
42.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
34.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
6.61%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
9.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
9.62%
2024
Population
5753659
54105437

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Colombia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Colombia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 34.6% 61.2%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 35.1% 55.5%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 34.1% 61.3%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 34.5% 64.4%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 33.7% 65.3%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 32.9% 51%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 34.7% 51.8%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 29.3% 49.4%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 30% 49.9%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 31.3% 50.4%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 31.3% 43.3%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 30% 37.6%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 29.1% 34%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 30.2% 35.8%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 30.4% 36.5%
2009 16% 20.3% 30.9% 35.4%
2008 16% 35.8% 28.4% 32.4%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 28.2% 32.7%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 28.4% 36%
2005 16.2% 103% 25.9% 38.5%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 26.6% 41.5%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 28% 45%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 28.1% 47.5%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 27.5% 41.1%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 26.6% 38%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 28.2% 34%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 26.3% 27.4%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 26.2% 25.3%
1996 11.7% 93% 25.1% 23.3%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 22.2% 13.8%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 20.6% 12.5%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 20% 14.2%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 18.4% 16.1%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 17.7% 14.5%
1990 22% 44.6% 17.4% 16.7%
1989 19.6% 50.9% 10.3% 17.3%
1988 21.4% 48.8% 10.3% 17.9%
1987 - - 9.7% 18.9%
1986 - - 9.8% 20.2%
1985 - - 10.5% 19.3%
1984 - - 10.3% 15.5%
1983 - - 10.2% 10.8%
1982 - - 10.6% 8.8%
1981 - - 9.9% 8.5%
1980 - - 9.6% 8%
1979 - - 8.6% 7.7%
1978 - - 8.1% 7.6%
1977 - - 7.7% 9.2%
1976 - - 8% 12.2%
1975 - - 9.4% 14.6%
1974 - - 8.8% 15.9%
1973 - - 9.4% 16.3%
1972 - - 10.3% 16.9%
1971 - - 10.3% 16.2%
1970 - - 10% 16.7%
1969 - - 9.2% 17%
1968 - - 8.9% 16.2%
1967 - - 8.2% 15.8%
1966 - - 8% 15.3%
1965 - - 7% 15.2%
1964 - - 8.1% 13.1%
1963 - - 8.6% 13.9%
1962 - - 7.8% 14.8%
1961 - - 8.6% 8.7%
1960 - - 6.7% 7.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Colombia spent $145B, or 34.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 61.2% in Colombia, ranking 77/185 and 75/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Colombia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Colombia
2024 -5.08% -6.25%
2023 -3.44% -2.92%
2022 -5.23% -6.34%
2021 -5.8% -7.26%
2020 -3.24% -7.12%
2019 1.33% -3.48%
2018 -0.93% -4.67%
2017 -1% -2.5%
2016 1.17% -2.27%
2015 -0.53% -3.52%
2014 -3.02% -1.74%
2013 -2.3% -1.02%
2012 -0.78% 0.15%
2011 -2.15% -1.99%
2010 -1.35% -3.3%
2009 -0.54% -2.67%
2008 -1.23% 0.04%
2007 1.04% -0.82%
2006 8.58% -0.99%
2005 -4.37% -0.02%
2004 -1.74% -1.31%
2003 -3.06% -2.7%
2002 -1.19% -3.45%
2001 -0.88% -2.71%
2000 -2.01% -2.94%
1999 -0.5% -5.37%
1998 0.001% -3.86%
1997 -1.57% -3.23%
1996 -1.06% -2.49%
1995 -4.84% -1%
1994 -7.57% -0.14%
1993 -5.66% -0.24%
1992 -7.33% -0.07%
1991 -8% 0.35%
1990 -6.6% -0.41%
1989 -3.25% -1.4%
1988 -3.72% -1.3%
1987 - -0.4%
1986 - -1.4%
1985 - -2.4%
1984 - -3.3%
1983 - -3.1%
1982 - -3.6%
1981 - -2.8%
1980 - -2.2%
1979 - -0.7%
1978 - 0.3%
1977 - 0.5%
1976 - 0.6%
1975 - -0.5%
1974 - -1.2%
1973 - -1.1%
1972 - -1.7%
1971 - -1%
1970 - -0.7%
1969 - -0.5%
1968 - 0%
1967 - -0.2%
1966 - 0.1%
1965 - -0.6%
1964 - -1.1%
1963 - -1.7%
1962 - -1.6%
1961 - -1.5%
1960 - 1.2%
1959 - 2%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.4%
1956 - -0.2%
1955 - 0.7%
1954 - 1.3%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 1.6%
1951 - 2.1%
1950 - 0.9%
1949 - 0.5%
1948 - -0.1%
1947 - 0.2%
1946 - -0.5%
1945 - 0.1%
1944 - -0.2%
1943 - -0.7%
1942 - -1.5%
1941 - 0%
1940 - -1.5%
1939 - 0.8%
1938 - 0.5%
1937 - 1.4%
1936 - 1.1%
1935 - 1.3%
1934 - 0.2%
1933 - -0.4%
1932 - -0.8%
1931 - -0.2%
1930 - 0.3%
1929 - 0.4%
1928 - -0.4%
1927 - -0.6%
1926 - 0%
1925 - 1%
1924 - 0.5%
1923 - 0.3%
1922 - -0.7%
1921 - -1.6%
1920 - 0.4%
1919 - -0.8%
1918 - -2.1%
1917 - -0.5%
1916 - 0.2%
1915 - -0.2%
1914 - -0.5%
1913 - 0.5%
1912 - -0.3%
1911 - -0.1%
1910 - -0.3%
1909 - -3.3%
1908 - -2.7%
1907 - -2.7%
1906 - 0.2%
1905 - -0.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/colombia | 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 Colombia's deficit of $26.2B, or 6.25% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Colombia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.46% of GDP for Colombia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Colombia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Colombia
2024 1.5% 6.61%
2023 3% 11.7%
2022 5.6% 10.2%
2021 4.3% 3.5%
2020 0.9% 2.53%
2019 2.8% 3.52%
2018 1.6% 3.24%
2017 4.2% 4.31%
2016 4.9% 7.51%
2015 1.4% 4.99%
2014 17.8% 2.9%
2013 4% 2.02%
2012 5.9% 3.17%
2011 1.2% 3.42%
2010 1.5% 2.27%
2009 3.6% 4.2%
2008 9.2% 7%
2007 0.9% 5.54%
2006 6.9% 4.29%
2005 2.9% 5.05%
2004 -2.6% 5.9%
2003 4.4% 7.13%
2002 2.3% 6.35%
2001 4.1% 7.97%
2000 3.4% 9.23%
1999 -1.6% 10.9%
1998 -2% 18.7%
1997 1.6% 18.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 6.52% in Colombia. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 6.61% in Colombia.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Colombia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $39K

Balance of trade

CAR Colombia
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$6.88B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
172/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-1.64%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$60.2B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$51.1B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$18.5B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$18.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
20.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
16.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Colombia
Economic freedom 43.1 59.8
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 101/197
Property rights 5.6 43.1
Government integrity 19.2 41.6
Judicial effectiveness 4 57.4
Tax burden 65.5 68.6
Government spending 90.1 64
Fiscal health 59 49.8
Business freedom 26.5 71.2
Labor freedom 48.5 59.1
Monetary freedom 75.6 71.9
Trade freedom 47.6 71.4
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Colombia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Colombia
2026 43.1 59.8
2025 42.8 59.8
2024 41.3 59.2
2023 43.8 63.1
2022 45.7 65.1
2021 48.8 68.1
2020 50.7 69.2
2019 49.1 67.3
2018 49.2 68.9
2017 51.8 69.7
2016 45.2 70.8
2015 45.9 71.7
2014 46.7 70.7
2013 50.4 69.6
2012 50.3 68
2011 49.3 68
2010 48.4 65.5
2009 48.3 62.3
2008 48.6 62.2
2007 50.6 59.9
2006 54.2 60.4
2005 56.5 59.6
2004 57.5 61.2
2003 60 64.2
2002 59.8 64.2
2001 - 65.6
2000 - 63.3
1999 - 65.3
1998 - 65.5
1997 - 66.4
1996 - 64.3
1995 - 64.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 59.8 for Colombia, ranking 101/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Colombia
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
9.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$372B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$21,890
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$61.9B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
38/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$9.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$13.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$4.51B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
8.25%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
31.8%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
16.8%
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/colombia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.