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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $93B for Croatia, ranking 171/197 and 75/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $53.5B (57.6% of GDP) in Croatia.

Central African Republic vs Croatia GDP by year

Central African Republic
Croatia
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Croatia
2024 $2,751,494,281 $92,983,810,329
2023 $2,555,492,086 $85,624,153,964
2022 $2,382,618,615 $71,196,498,671
2021 $2,516,498,412 $69,002,365,163
2020 $2,326,720,900 $57,959,843,541
2019 $2,221,301,351 $61,466,721,186
2018 $2,220,979,146 $61,667,925,219
2017 $2,072,349,973 $56,182,782,586
2016 $1,825,018,145 $52,650,714,172
2015 $1,695,825,714 $50,998,893,385
2014 $1,894,813,389 $59,606,934,501
2013 $1,691,544,110 $59,846,265,182
2012 $2,510,126,512 $57,548,115,904
2011 $2,437,982,705 $62,889,007,657
2010 $2,142,591,540 $58,975,205,417
2009 $2,067,381,665 $62,315,996,675
2008 $1,993,407,888 $68,472,854,617
2007 $1,699,811,295 $59,290,621,398
2006 $1,461,859,762 $49,583,544,860
2005 $1,337,894,379 $45,013,119,282
2004 $1,272,360,517 $41,836,292,157
2003 $1,142,315,523 $35,245,317,002
2002 $996,068,145 $26,757,722,429
2001 $932,648,605 $23,066,883,850
2000 $916,777,283 $22,134,411,297
1999 $999,477,511 $23,777,026,779
1998 $967,338,390 $25,890,228,430
1997 $937,741,513 $24,175,764,812
1996 $1,007,791,127 $24,150,978,347
1995 $1,115,389,674 $22,772,394,547
1994 $851,174,357 $15,062,911,617
1993 $1,278,781,262 $11,259,647,874
1992 $1,411,917,553 $10,621,169,291
1991 $1,377,374,987 $18,760,386,775
1990 $1,440,711,459 $25,650,213,280
1989 $1,233,930,281 -
1988 $1,264,899,288 -
1987 $1,200,991,978 -
1986 $1,122,265,013 -
1985 $864,849,836 -
1984 $637,820,670 -
1983 $658,679,333 -
1982 $748,312,391 -
1981 $694,803,623 -
1980 $797,048,199 -
1979 $700,764,748 -
1978 $610,578,632 -
1977 $507,298,148 -
1976 $451,152,461 -
1975 $378,660,016 -
1974 $281,398,706 -
1973 $271,183,082 -
1972 $230,317,883 -
1971 $201,450,800 -
1970 $189,106,529 -
1969 $188,039,210 -
1968 $191,767,442 -
1967 $163,820,514 -
1966 $157,930,018 -
1965 $150,574,795 -
1964 $142,025,079 -
1963 $129,379,124 -
1962 $124,482,774 -
1961 $123,134,583 -
1960 $112,155,598 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Croatia by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Croatia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $24,050 $49,551
2023 $496 $1,257 $22,184 $47,760
2022 $467 $1,218 $18,466 $42,125
2021 $492 $1,129 $17,789 $36,930
2020 $463 $1,066 $14,808 $31,594
2019 $449 $985 $15,564 $33,064
2018 $455 $906 $15,460 $29,789
2017 $432 $884 $13,902 $27,888
2016 $387 $826 $12,820 $25,803
2015 $366 $769 $12,284 $23,750
2014 $410 $699 $14,187 $22,706
2013 $364 $710 $14,135 $22,430
2012 $544 $1,062 $13,508 $21,619
2011 $534 $980 $14,692 $21,191
2010 $477 $936 $13,730 $20,139
2009 $456 $877 $14,475 $20,358
2008 $437 $798 $15,888 $21,018
2007 $381 $783 $13,756 $19,568
2006 $334 $743 $11,501 $17,629
2005 $312 $702 $10,444 $15,451
2004 $303 $690 $9,719 $14,686
2003 $278.4 $648 $8,190 $13,692
2002 $248.6 $688 $6,220 $12,775
2001 $238 $668 $5,365 $11,653
2000 $239.2 $640 $4,954 $10,675
1999 $268 $660 $5,269 $9,943
1998 $266.6 $645 $5,713 $9,890
1997 $265.5 $626 $5,331 $9,536
1996 $293.3 $601 $5,300 $8,806
1995 $333 $631 $4,929 $8,052
1994 $261.3 $592 $3,238 $7,337
1993 $405 $570 $2,448 $6,861
1992 $462 $573 $2,321 $7,326
1991 $465 $618 $4,001 $7,918
1990 $502 $620 $5,369 $9,526
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/croatia | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $24,050 in Croatia, ranking 50/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551.

Economic indicators

CAR Croatia
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$93B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
75/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
3.83%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$24,050
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$49,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
46/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$53.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
57.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$13,844
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
42/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$20,856
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$27.8B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
23.3%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
48%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
2.97%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
5.03%
2024
Population
5753659
3812193

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Croatia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Croatia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 48% 57.6%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 46.8% 61.8%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 45% 68.5%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 48.1% 78.2%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 53.7% 86.5%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 44.3% 70.9%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 44.9% 72.8%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 44.1% 76.2%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 45.9% 79.3%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 47.5% 82.8%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 48.7% 83.2%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 47.9% 79.5%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 47.3% 68.9%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 48.6% 63.1%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 48.1% 56.8%
2009 16% 20.3% 49.2% 47.9%
2008 16% 35.8% 46.3% 38.9%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 46.3% 37.1%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 44.6% 38.4%
2005 16.2% 103% 46.5% 40.9%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 49% 40%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 49.6% 37.8%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 49.2% 36.5%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 50.6% 36.6%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 54.6% 35.4%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 58.9% 30%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 56.8% 23.3%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 51.7% 22.5%
1996 11.7% 93% 52.1% -
1995 20.6% 83.8% 50.3% -
1994 22.4% 103.4% 45.4% -
1993 20.6% 68.2% 36% -
1992 23.1% 57.4% 37.1% -
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 (1988–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Croatia spent $44.6B, or 48% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 57.6% in Croatia, ranking 77/185 and 86/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Croatia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Croatia
2024 -5.08% -1.95%
2023 -3.44% -0.79%
2022 -5.23% 0.12%
2021 -5.8% -2.58%
2020 -3.24% -7.23%
2019 1.33% 2.31%
2018 -0.93% 0.23%
2017 -1% 0.8%
2016 1.17% -1.04%
2015 -0.53% -3.53%
2014 -3.02% -5.19%
2013 -2.3% -5.52%
2012 -0.78% -5.46%
2011 -2.15% -7.53%
2010 -1.35% -6.46%
2009 -0.54% -7.15%
2008 -1.23% -2.34%
2007 1.04% -2.28%
2006 8.58% -2.01%
2005 -4.37% -3.24%
2004 -1.74% -6.09%
2003 -3.06% -5.03%
2002 -1.19% -4.9%
2001 -0.88% -4.79%
2000 -2.01% -9.2%
1999 -0.5% -11.1%
1998 0.001% -6.36%
1997 -1.57% -4.93%
1996 -1.06% -4.41%
1995 -4.84% -4.23%
1994 -7.57% -0.82%
1993 -5.66% -2.67%
1992 -7.33% -5.69%
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/croatia | 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 Croatia's deficit of $1.82B, or 1.95% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Croatia ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.97% of GDP for Croatia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Croatia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Croatia
2024 1.5% 2.97%
2023 3% 7.94%
2022 5.6% 10.8%
2021 4.3% 2.55%
2020 0.9% 0.15%
2019 2.8% 0.77%
2018 1.6% 1.5%
2017 4.2% 1.13%
2016 4.9% -1.12%
2015 1.4% -0.46%
2014 17.8% -0.22%
2013 4% 2.22%
2012 5.9% 3.41%
2011 1.2% 2.27%
2010 1.5% 1.03%
2009 3.6% 2.38%
2008 9.2% 6.08%
2007 0.9% 2.9%
2006 6.9% 3.19%
2005 2.9% 3.32%
2004 -2.6% 2.06%
2003 4.4% 1.77%
2002 2.3% 1.67%
2001 4.1% 3.78%
2000 3.4% 4.61%
1999 -1.6% 4.02%
1998 -2% 6.4%
1997 1.6% 4.17%

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/croatia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.9% in Croatia. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 2.97% in Croatia.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $4K
Croatia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $419K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $81K
Wood & paper products $53K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

CAR Croatia
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$1.05B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
125/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-1.13%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$41.5B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$21.9B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$8.35B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$24.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
54.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
50.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Croatia
Economic freedom 43.1 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 56/197
Property rights 5.6 81.1
Government integrity 19.2 52.6
Judicial effectiveness 4 71.7
Tax burden 65.5 70
Government spending 90.1 34.9
Fiscal health 59 92.2
Business freedom 26.5 79.6
Labor freedom 48.5 58.9
Monetary freedom 75.6 69.9
Trade freedom 47.6 79.4
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Croatia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Croatia
2026 43.1 67.5
2025 42.8 68.7
2024 41.3 67.2
2023 43.8 66.4
2022 45.7 67.6
2021 48.8 63.6
2020 50.7 62.2
2019 49.1 61.4
2018 49.2 61
2017 51.8 59.4
2016 45.2 59.1
2015 45.9 61.5
2014 46.7 60.4
2013 50.4 61.3
2012 50.3 60.9
2011 49.3 61.1
2010 48.4 59.2
2009 48.3 55.1
2008 48.6 54.1
2007 50.6 53.4
2006 54.2 53.6
2005 56.5 51.9
2004 57.5 53.1
2003 60 53.3
2002 59.8 51.1
2001 - 50.7
2000 - 53.6
1999 - 53.1
1998 - 51.7
1997 - 46.7
1996 - 48

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 67.5 for Croatia, ranking 56/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Croatia
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
60.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
19.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
2.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$86B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$49,740
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$3.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
116/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$1.88B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$4.54B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.79B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
20.3%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
24.4%
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/croatia | 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 (1996–2026, 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 (1988–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.