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Economy of Central African Republic vs East Timor compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $1.87B for East Timor, ranking 171/197 and 181/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $249M (13.3% of GDP) in East Timor.

Central African Republic vs East Timor GDP by year

Central African Republic
East Timor
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR East Timor
2024 $2,751,494,281 $1,865,608,515
2023 $2,555,492,086 $2,079,767,170
2022 $2,382,618,615 $3,208,599,889
2021 $2,516,498,412 $3,625,024,341
2020 $2,326,720,900 $2,162,619,241
2019 $2,221,301,351 $2,032,550,389
2018 $2,220,979,146 $1,555,988,614
2017 $2,072,349,973 $1,584,878,440
2016 $1,825,018,145 $1,640,464,612
2015 $1,695,825,714 $1,590,282,371
2014 $1,894,813,389 $1,447,535,183
2013 $1,691,544,110 $1,395,727,421
2012 $2,510,126,512 $1,160,555,040
2011 $2,437,982,705 $1,042,534,598
2010 $2,142,591,540 $881,909,347
2009 $2,067,381,665 $726,937,836
2008 $1,993,407,888 $648,523,571
2007 $1,699,811,295 $542,795,447
2006 $1,461,859,762 $453,792,415
2005 $1,337,894,379 $462,267,954
2004 $1,272,360,517 $440,771,962
2003 $1,142,315,523 $490,439,116
2002 $996,068,145 $469,455,491
2001 $932,648,605 $477,359,253
2000 $916,777,283 $366,924,277
1999 $999,477,511 $225,357,600
1998 $967,338,390 $325,729,800
1997 $937,741,513 $319,972,700
1996 $1,007,791,127 $306,956,900
1995 $1,115,389,674 $262,819,900
1994 $851,174,357 $239,040,500
1993 $1,278,781,262 $216,914,400
1992 $1,411,917,553 $187,891,500
1991 $1,377,374,987 $147,713,000
1990 $1,440,711,459 $128,210,142
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/east-timor | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs East Timor by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR East Timor
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $1,332 $4,423
2023 $496 $1,257 $1,502 $4,807
2022 $467 $1,218 $2,343 $5,730
2021 $492 $1,129 $2,685 $6,825
2020 $463 $1,066 $1,631 $6,132
2019 $449 $985 $1,562 $4,557
2018 $455 $906 $1,219 $3,561
2017 $432 $884 $1,266 $3,463
2016 $387 $826 $1,336 $3,391
2015 $366 $769 $1,320 $3,108
2014 $410 $699 $1,225 $2,860
2013 $364 $710 $1,205 $2,566
2012 $544 $1,062 $1,023 $2,386
2011 $534 $980 $939 $2,066
2010 $477 $936 $813 $1,955
2009 $456 $877 $687 $1,810
2008 $437 $798 $628 $1,675
2007 $381 $783 $540 $1,516
2006 $334 $743 $465 $1,377
2005 $312 $702 $487 $1,435
2004 $303 $690 $474 $1,379
2003 $278.4 $648 $535 $1,355
2002 $248.6 $688 $534 $1,417
2001 $238 $668 $588 $1,619
2000 $239.2 $640 $492 $1,483
1999 $268 $660 $270 $819
1998 $266.6 $645 $346 $1,108
1997 $265.5 $626 $349 $1,149
1996 $293.3 $601 $344 $1,116
1995 $333 $631 $303 $1,043
1994 $261.3 $592 $283.1 $985
1993 $405 $570 $264.1 $925
1992 $462 $573 $235.1 $843
1991 $465 $618 $189.8 $766
1990 $502 $620 $168.6 $685
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/east-timor | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $1,332 in East Timor, ranking 167/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423.

Economic indicators

CAR East Timor
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$1.87B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
-9.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$1,332
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
167/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$4,423
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
163/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$249M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
13.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$177.5
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
182/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$1,440
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
24%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
4%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
90.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
1.54%
2022
Population
5753659
1441764

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
East Timor
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR East Timor
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 90.8% 13.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 78.6% 12.4%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 59.9% 7.9%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 45.7% 6.53%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 61.7% 10.1%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 68.8% 9.51%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 85.5% 9.31%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 87.3% 6.71%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 112.2% 4.71%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 98.1% 2.95%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 111% 1.52%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 96.1% 0.46%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 129.3% 0.002%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 133.3% 0%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 121.3% 0%
2009 16% 20.3% 121.8% 0%
2008 16% 35.8% 122.4% 0%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 75.8% 0%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 59.8% 0%
2005 16.2% 103% 58.3% 0%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 74.2% 0%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 80.1% 0%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 93.5% 0%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 95.7% 0%
2000 17.2% 94.7% - -
1999 18.2% 84.2% - -
1998 18.1% 85.3% - -
1997 14.5% 96.1% - -
1996 11.7% 93% - -
1995 20.6% 83.8% - -
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/east-timor | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while East Timor spent $1.69B, or 90.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 13.3% in East Timor, ranking 77/185 and 178/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

East Timor
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR East Timor
2024 -5.08% -43.5%
2023 -3.44% -34.7%
2022 -5.23% -29.5%
2021 -5.8% -20.1%
2020 -3.24% -18.9%
2019 1.33% -25.4%
2018 -0.93% -26.9%
2017 -1% -33.8%
2016 1.17% -55.7%
2015 -0.53% -33.2%
2014 -3.02% -37.5%
2013 -2.3% -14.4%
2012 -0.78% -38.7%
2011 -2.15% -25.4%
2010 -1.35% -19.8%
2009 -0.54% -17.2%
2008 -1.23% -18.6%
2007 1.04% -29.9%
2006 8.58% 41%
2005 -4.37% -10.5%
2004 -1.74% -7.48%
2003 -3.06% -8.24%
2002 -1.19% -7.64%
2001 -0.88% 3.24%
2000 -2.01% -
1999 -0.5% -
1998 0.001% -
1997 -1.57% -
1996 -1.06% -
1995 -4.84% -
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/east-timor | 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 East Timor's deficit of $812M, or 43.5% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while East Timor ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 21.4% of GDP for East Timor.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

East Timor
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR East Timor
2024 1.5% 2.1%
2023 3% 8.4%
2022 5.6% 7%
2021 4.3% 3.8%
2020 0.9% 0.5%
2019 2.8% 0.9%
2018 1.6% 2.3%
2017 4.2% 0.5%
2016 4.9% -1.5%
2015 1.4% 0.6%
2014 17.8% 0.8%
2013 4% 9.5%
2012 5.9% 10.9%
2011 1.2% 13.2%
2010 1.5% 5.2%
2009 3.6% -0.2%
2008 9.2% 7.4%
2007 0.9% 8.6%
2006 6.9% 5.2%
2005 2.9% 1.6%
2004 -2.6% 2.2%
2003 4.4% 8%
2002 2.3% 4.1%
2001 4.1% 3.6%
2000 3.4% -
1999 -1.6% -
1998 -2% -
1997 1.6% -

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

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

Over the past 24 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.85%, compared with 4.36% in East Timor. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 2.1% in East Timor.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
East Timor
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

CAR East Timor
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$587M
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
108/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-31.5%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$839M
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$196M
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$432M
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$82.1M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
84.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
10.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR East Timor
Economic freedom 43.1 47.9
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 173/197
Property rights 5.6 43.5
Government integrity 19.2 43.9
Judicial effectiveness 4 34.5
Tax burden 65.5 97.1
Government spending 90.1 0
Fiscal health 59 19.6
Business freedom 26.5 62.7
Labor freedom 48.5 56.5
Monetary freedom 75.6 72.2
Trade freedom 47.6 79.8
Investment freedom 45 45
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
East Timor
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR East Timor
2026 43.1 47.9
2025 42.8 47.9
2024 41.3 50.2
2023 43.8 47.2
2022 45.7 46.3
2021 48.8 44.7
2020 50.7 45.9
2019 49.1 44.2
2018 49.2 48.1
2017 51.8 46.3
2016 45.2 45.8
2015 45.9 45.5
2014 46.7 43.2
2013 50.4 43.7
2012 50.3 43.3
2011 49.3 42.8
2010 48.4 45.8
2009 48.3 50.5
2008 48.6 -
2007 50.6 -
2006 54.2 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 57.5 -
2003 60 -
2002 59.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 47.9 for East Timor, ranking 173/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR East Timor
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
71.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
11.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
20.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$2.31B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$5,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$737M
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
147/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$211M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$216M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$4.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
41.8%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
30.1%
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/east-timor | 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 (2002–2026, 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. 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 (2023, 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.