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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $37.6B for Cyprus, ranking 171/197 and 103/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $24.5B (65.1% of GDP) in Cyprus.

Central African Republic vs Cyprus GDP by year

Central African Republic
Cyprus
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Cyprus
2024 $2,751,494,281 $37,634,533,332
2023 $2,555,492,086 $35,075,423,857
2022 $2,382,618,615 $31,218,038,929
2021 $2,516,498,412 $30,372,642,502
2020 $2,326,720,900 $25,555,093,854
2019 $2,221,301,351 $26,196,667,100
2018 $2,220,979,146 $25,754,001,368
2017 $2,072,349,973 $22,946,570,629
2016 $1,825,018,145 $21,046,462,281
2015 $1,695,825,714 $19,909,278,417
2014 $1,894,813,389 $23,225,918,260
2013 $1,691,544,110 $23,959,712,861
2012 $2,510,126,512 $25,047,436,975
2011 $2,437,982,705 $27,641,549,302
2010 $2,142,591,540 $25,799,940,078
2009 $2,067,381,665 $26,048,179,949
2008 $1,993,407,888 $27,844,646,258
2007 $1,699,811,295 $23,968,727,074
2006 $1,461,859,762 $20,072,754,987
2005 $1,337,894,379 $18,433,412,511
2004 $1,272,360,517 $17,320,551,250
2003 $1,142,315,523 $14,547,329,558
2002 $996,068,145 $11,420,228,846
2001 $932,648,605 $10,397,898,907
2000 $916,777,283 $9,985,847,314
1999 $999,477,511 $10,497,907,228
1998 $967,338,390 $10,248,618,778
1997 $937,741,513 $9,547,816,420
1996 $1,007,791,127 $10,011,914,680
1995 $1,115,389,674 $9,933,137,128
1994 $851,174,357 $7,425,703,929
1993 $1,278,781,262 $6,590,291,048
1992 $1,411,917,553 $6,912,150,456
1991 $1,377,374,987 $5,770,197,348
1990 $1,440,711,459 $5,591,130,218
1989 $1,233,930,281 $4,563,482,604
1988 $1,264,899,288 $4,278,792,597
1987 $1,200,991,978 $3,704,813,886
1986 $1,122,265,013 $3,090,734,463
1985 $864,849,836 $2,430,411,900
1984 $637,820,670 $2,278,248,953
1983 $658,679,333 $2,160,364,071
1982 $748,312,391 $2,159,242,417
1981 $694,803,623 $2,087,496,374
1980 $797,048,199 $2,154,311,277
1979 $700,764,748 $1,288,699,776
1978 $610,578,632 $964,024,364
1977 $507,298,148 $734,876,021
1976 $451,152,461 $576,090,074
1975 $378,660,016 $489,912,574
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/cyprus | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Cyprus by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cyprus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Cyprus
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $27,707 $63,007
2023 $496 $1,257 $26,079 $59,875
2022 $467 $1,218 $23,448 $55,876
2021 $492 $1,129 $23,057 $47,633
2020 $463 $1,066 $19,624 $42,569
2019 $449 $985 $20,360 $44,394
2018 $455 $906 $20,267 $40,262
2017 $432 $884 $18,295 $37,768
2016 $387 $826 $17,013 $35,247
2015 $366 $769 $16,326 $31,380
2014 $410 $699 $19,326 $29,893
2013 $364 $710 $20,238 $30,416
2012 $544 $1,062 $21,493 $31,924
2011 $534 $980 $24,110 $33,406
2010 $477 $936 $22,876 $33,502
2009 $456 $877 $23,480 $33,901
2008 $437 $798 $25,522 $34,830
2007 $381 $783 $22,344 $32,888
2006 $334 $743 $19,037 $30,009
2005 $312 $702 $17,790 $27,763
2004 $303 $690 $17,016 $25,942
2003 $278.4 $648 $14,553 $24,278
2002 $248.6 $688 $11,636 $23,556
2001 $238 $668 $10,785 $22,866
2000 $239.2 $640 $10,537 $21,296
1999 $268 $660 $11,273 $19,663
1998 $266.6 $645 $11,206 $18,760
1997 $265.5 $626 $10,637 $17,781
1996 $293.3 $601 $11,373 $17,320
1995 $333 $631 $11,514 $17,096
1994 $261.3 $592 $8,791 $15,735
1993 $405 $570 $7,978 $14,852
1992 $462 $573 $8,530 $14,759
1991 $465 $618 $7,222 $13,546
1990 $502 $620 $7,092 $13,348
1989 $443 - $5,870 -
1988 $466 - $5,584 -
1987 $450 - $4,908 -
1986 $426 - $4,159 -
1985 $333 - $3,324 -
1984 $248.3 - $3,167 -
1983 $259.6 - $3,055 -
1982 $298.4 - $3,100 -
1981 $280.3 - $3,030 -
1980 $325 - $3,154 -
1979 $289.1 - $1,902 -
1978 $254.6 - $1,434 -
1977 $213.8 - $1,102 -
1976 $192.1 - $870 -
1975 $163.6 - $743 -
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/cyprus | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $27,707 in Cyprus, ranking 45/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Cyprus ranks 29th at $63,007.

Economic indicators

CAR Cyprus
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$37.6B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
103/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
3.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$27,707
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
45/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$63,007
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
29/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$24.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
65.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$18,034
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
34/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$25,384
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.9B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
26.3%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
40%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
1.8%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
4.87%
2024
Population
5753659
1386362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Cyprus
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Cyprus
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 40% 65.1%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 42% 73.6%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 38% 81.1%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 42.6% 96.5%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 45.9% 113.6%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 40.3% 92.3%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 44.3% 100.7%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 38.4% 96.4%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 39.6% 106.8%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 43% 111.6%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 52.1% 113%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 42.1% 102.7%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 41.9% 79.2%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 42.1% 64.8%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 41.7% 55.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 41.9% 52.8%
2008 16% 35.8% 38.2% 44.1%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 37.6% 53.1%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 39.1% 59%
2005 16.2% 103% 39.7% 64%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 38.6% 64.7%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 40.4% 63%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 37.4% 61%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 35.7% 57.5%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 35% 56%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 34.3% 55.7%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 34.4% 55%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 34.2% 53.5%
1996 11.7% 93% 32.4% 48.8%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 30.4% 46.7%
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 (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Cyprus spent $15B, or 40% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 65.1% in Cyprus, ranking 77/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Cyprus
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Cyprus
2024 -5.08% 4.28%
2023 -3.44% 1.7%
2022 -5.23% 2.65%
2021 -5.8% -1.64%
2020 -3.24% -5.57%
2019 1.33% 1.03%
2018 -0.93% -3.36%
2017 -1% 2.13%
2016 1.17% 0.45%
2015 -0.53% -0.77%
2014 -3.02% -8.8%
2013 -2.3% -5.16%
2012 -0.78% -5.55%
2011 -2.15% -5.65%
2010 -1.35% -4.68%
2009 -0.54% -5.43%
2008 -1.23% 0.87%
2007 1.04% 3.23%
2006 8.58% -1.04%
2005 -4.37% -2.22%
2004 -1.74% -3.71%
2003 -3.06% -5.91%
2002 -1.19% -4.13%
2001 -0.88% -2.11%
2000 -2.01% -2.24%
1999 -0.5% -4.05%
1998 0.001% -3.85%
1997 -1.57% -4.82%
1996 -1.06% -2.96%
1995 -4.84% -0.71%
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/cyprus | 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 Cyprus' surplus of $1.61B, or 4.28% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Cyprus 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 2.27% of GDP for Cyprus.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Cyprus
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Cyprus
2024 1.5% 1.8%
2023 3% 3.54%
2022 5.6% 8.4%
2021 4.3% 2.45%
2020 0.9% -0.64%
2019 2.8% 0.25%
2018 1.6% 1.44%
2017 4.2% 0.53%
2016 4.9% -1.43%
2015 1.4% -2.1%
2014 17.8% -1.35%
2013 4% -0.4%
2012 5.9% 2.39%
2011 1.2% 3.29%
2010 1.5% 2.43%
2009 3.6% 0.33%
2008 9.2% 4.67%
2007 0.9% 2.37%
2006 6.9% 2.3%
2005 2.9% 2.56%
2004 -2.6% 2.29%
2003 4.4% 4.14%
2002 2.3% 2.8%
2001 4.1% 1.97%
2000 3.4% 4.14%
1999 -1.6% 1.63%
1998 -2% 2.23%
1997 1.6% 3.61%

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/cyprus | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 1.99% in Cyprus. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 1.8% in Cyprus.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $7K
Cyprus
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $126K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $110K
Wood & paper products $25K
Raw agricultural goods $16K

Balance of trade

CAR Cyprus
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$3.07B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
157/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$11.9B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$4.43B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$23.2B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$32.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
93.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
97%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Cyprus
Economic freedom 43.1 74.1
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 21/197
Property rights 5.6 85.1
Government integrity 19.2 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 4 89.8
Tax burden 65.5 80.8
Government spending 90.1 52.1
Fiscal health 59 91.5
Business freedom 26.5 82.3
Labor freedom 48.5 60.3
Monetary freedom 75.6 78.7
Trade freedom 47.6 79.4
Investment freedom 45 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Cyprus
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Cyprus
2026 43.1 74.1
2025 42.8 73.2
2024 41.3 72.2
2023 43.8 72.3
2022 45.7 72.9
2021 48.8 71.4
2020 50.7 70.1
2019 49.1 68.1
2018 49.2 67.8
2017 51.8 67.9
2016 45.2 68.7
2015 45.9 67.9
2014 46.7 67.6
2013 50.4 69
2012 50.3 71.8
2011 49.3 73.3
2010 48.4 70.9
2009 48.3 70.8
2008 48.6 71.3
2007 50.6 71.7
2006 54.2 71.8
2005 56.5 71.9
2004 57.5 74.1
2003 60 73.3
2002 59.8 73
2001 - 71
2000 - 67.2
1999 - 67.8
1998 - 68.2
1997 - 67.9
1996 - 67.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 74.1 for Cyprus, ranking 21/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Cyprus
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
76.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
11.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
1.16%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$32B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$56,200
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$2.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
124/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$5.49B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
-$50.4B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$55.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
13.9%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
20.7%
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/cyprus | 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 (1988–1996, 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.