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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $389B for Egypt, ranking 171/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $354B (90.9% of GDP) in Egypt.

Central African Republic vs Egypt GDP by year

Central African Republic
Egypt
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Egypt
2024 $2,751,494,281 $389,059,911,004
2023 $2,555,492,086 $395,926,075,163
2022 $2,382,618,615 $476,747,720,365
2021 $2,516,498,412 $424,671,765,456
2020 $2,326,720,900 $383,817,841,547
2019 $2,221,301,351 $318,678,815,490
2018 $2,220,979,146 $262,588,632,527
2017 $2,072,349,973 $248,362,771,739
2016 $1,825,018,145 $332,441,717,791
2015 $1,695,825,714 $329,366,576,819
2014 $1,894,813,389 $305,595,408,895
2013 $1,691,544,110 $288,434,108,527
2012 $2,510,126,512 $279,116,666,667
2011 $2,437,982,705 $235,989,672,978
2010 $2,142,591,540 $218,983,666,062
2009 $2,067,381,665 $189,147,005,445
2008 $1,993,407,888 $162,818,181,818
2007 $1,699,811,295 $130,437,828,371
2006 $1,461,859,762 $107,426,086,957
2005 $1,337,894,379 $89,660,339,660
2004 $1,272,360,517 $78,782,467,532
2003 $1,142,315,523 $80,288,461,538
2002 $996,068,145 $85,146,067,416
2001 $932,648,605 $96,684,636,119
2000 $916,777,283 $99,838,543,960
1999 $999,477,511 $90,710,704,807
1998 $967,338,390 $84,828,807,556
1997 $937,741,513 $78,436,578,171
1996 $1,007,791,127 $67,629,716,981
1995 $1,115,389,674 $60,159,245,060
1994 $851,174,357 $51,897,983,393
1993 $1,278,781,262 $46,578,631,453
1992 $1,411,917,553 $41,855,986,519
1991 $1,377,374,987 $37,387,836,491
1990 $1,440,711,459 $42,978,914,311
1989 $1,233,930,281 $39,756,299,050
1988 $1,264,899,288 $34,980,124,929
1987 $1,200,991,978 $40,455,616,654
1986 $1,122,265,013 $41,253,507,951
1985 $864,849,836 $39,053,502,251
1984 $637,820,670 $33,971,188,992
1983 $658,679,333 $30,966,239,814
1982 $748,312,391 $27,655,172,414
1981 $694,803,623 $22,136,081,081
1980 $797,048,199 $21,669,908,176
1979 $700,764,748 $18,020,571,429
1978 $610,578,632 $14,811,704,063
1977 $507,298,148 $14,400,806,876
1976 $451,152,461 $13,315,988,083
1975 $378,660,016 $11,632,178,869
1974 $281,398,706 $9,228,963,225
1973 $271,183,082 $10,098,534,613
1972 $230,317,883 $9,299,638,056
1971 $201,450,800 $8,609,283,346
1970 $189,106,529 $8,042,200,452
1969 $188,039,210 $6,524,455,206
1968 $191,767,442 $5,932,242,991
1967 $163,820,514 $5,605,484,299
1966 $157,930,018 $5,278,005,612
1965 $150,574,795 $4,948,667,540
1964 $142,025,079 $4,709,245,762
1963 $129,379,124 $4,187,146,232
1962 $124,482,774 $4,035,462,027
1961 $123,134,583 $4,494,575,611
1960 $112,155,598 $4,206,270,352

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Egypt by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Egypt
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Egypt
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $3,338 $19,094
2023 $496 $1,257 $3,457 $18,525
2022 $467 $1,218 $4,233 $17,527
2021 $492 $1,129 $3,827 $15,579
2020 $463 $1,066 $3,511 $15,232
2019 $449 $985 $2,963 $13,364
2018 $455 $906 $2,485 $12,329
2017 $432 $884 $2,395 $11,125
2016 $387 $826 $3,271 $10,666
2015 $366 $769 $3,307 $10,903
2014 $410 $699 $3,133 $10,256
2013 $364 $710 $3,026 $10,511
2012 $544 $1,062 $2,996 $10,342
2011 $534 $980 $2,591 $8,988
2010 $477 $936 $2,455 $8,838
2009 $456 $877 $2,162 $8,465
2008 $437 $798 $1,896 $8,191
2007 $381 $783 $1,548 $7,641
2006 $334 $743 $1,299 $7,079
2005 $312 $702 $1,106 $6,554
2004 $303 $690 $991 $6,207
2003 $278.4 $648 $1,031 $5,928
2002 $248.6 $688 $1,117 $5,753
2001 $238 $668 $1,295 $5,650
2000 $239.2 $640 $1,366 $5,452
1999 $268 $660 $1,268 $5,121
1998 $266.6 $645 $1,213 $4,869
1997 $265.5 $626 $1,146 $4,661
1996 $293.3 $601 $1,009 $4,434
1995 $333 $631 $916 $4,235
1994 $261.3 $592 $807 $4,048
1993 $405 $570 $740 $3,895
1992 $462 $573 $681 $3,784
1991 $465 $618 $623 $3,627
1990 $502 $620 $736 $3,566
1989 $443 - $701 -
1988 $466 - $634 -
1987 $450 - $754 -
1986 $426 - $790 -
1985 $333 - $770 -
1984 $248.3 - $690 -
1983 $259.6 - $648 -
1982 $298.4 - $596 -
1981 $280.3 - $490 -
1980 $325 - $493 -
1979 $289.1 - $421 -
1978 $254.6 - $355 -
1977 $213.8 - $353 -
1976 $192.1 - $335 -
1975 $163.6 - $299.2 -
1974 $124 - $243.1 -
1973 $121.8 - $272.2 -
1972 $105.5 - $256.5 -
1971 $94.1 - $243 -
1970 $90.2 - $232.3 -
1969 $91.7 - $193 -
1968 $95.6 - $179.8 -
1967 $83.6 - $174.1 -
1966 $82.3 - $168.1 -
1965 $80.2 - $161.6 -
1964 $77.2 - $157.7 -
1963 $71.8 - $143.9 -
1962 $70.4 - $142.4 -
1961 $71 - $162.8 -
1960 $65.9 - $156.4 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $3,338 in Egypt, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Egypt ranks 99th at $19,094.

Economic indicators

CAR Egypt
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$389B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
41/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
2.4%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$3,338
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$19,094
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
99/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$354B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
90.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$3,036
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
99/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$1,948
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$42.6B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
4.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
22.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
28.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
21%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
5.95%
2024
Population
5753659
120697176

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Egypt
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Egypt
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 22.9% 90.9%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 22.7% 95.9%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 24.9% 88.5%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 25.5% 89.9%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 25.7% 86.2%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 26.9% 80.1%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 28.6% 87.9%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 30.6% 97.8%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 31% 91.6%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 31.3% 83.8%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 33.9% 80.9%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 32.9% 79.8%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 29.2% 69.9%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 30.5% 72.8%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 31.4% 69.6%
2009 16% 20.3% 32.5% 69.5%
2008 16% 35.8% 32.7% 66.8%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 31.3% 76.3%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 34.5% 85.9%
2005 16.2% 103% 30.3% 98.3%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 30.1% 96.5%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 30.6% 97.1%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 30.9% 85.8%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 27.9% 79.1%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 26% 71.7%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 26.3% 72.4%
1998 18.1% 85.3% - 73.8%
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/egypt | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Egypt spent $89.2B, or 22.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 90.9% in Egypt, ranking 77/185 and 31/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Egypt
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Egypt
2024 -5.08% -7.12%
2023 -3.44% -5.77%
2022 -5.23% -5.74%
2021 -5.8% -6.96%
2020 -3.24% -7.47%
2019 1.33% -7.6%
2018 -0.93% -8.97%
2017 -1% -9.9%
2016 1.17% -11.8%
2015 -0.53% -10.4%
2014 -3.02% -10.7%
2013 -2.3% -12.3%
2012 -0.78% -9.47%
2011 -2.15% -9.6%
2010 -1.35% -7.45%
2009 -0.54% -6.2%
2008 -1.23% -6.05%
2007 1.04% -4.9%
2006 8.58% -7.35%
2005 -4.37% -6.69%
2004 -1.74% -5.76%
2003 -3.06% -5.73%
2002 -1.19% -6.77%
2001 -0.88% -1.07%
2000 -2.01% 1.32%
1999 -0.5% 2.14%
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/egypt | 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 Egypt's deficit of $27.7B, or 7.12% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Egypt ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.86% of GDP for Egypt.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Egypt
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Egypt
2024 1.5% 28.3%
2023 3% 33.9%
2022 5.6% 13.9%
2021 4.3% 5.21%
2020 0.9% 5.04%
2019 2.8% 9.15%
2018 1.6% 14.4%
2017 4.2% 29.5%
2016 4.9% 13.8%
2015 1.4% 10.4%
2014 17.8% 10.1%
2013 4% 9.47%
2012 5.9% 7.11%
2011 1.2% 10.1%
2010 1.5% 11.3%
2009 3.6% 11.8%
2008 9.2% 18.3%
2007 0.9% 9.32%
2006 6.9% 7.64%
2005 2.9% 4.87%
2004 -2.6% 11.3%
2003 4.4% 4.51%
2002 2.3% 2.74%
2001 4.1% 2.27%
2000 3.4% 2.68%
1999 -1.6% 3.08%
1998 -2% 3.87%
1997 1.6% 4.63%

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/egypt | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 10.7% in Egypt. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 28.3% in Egypt.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $11M
Metals $711K
Egypt
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $8.72M
Machinery & equipment $517K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $386K
Wood & paper products $172K
Raw agricultural goods $94K
Raw materials & minerals $44K
Chemicals & pharma $36K
Textiles & consumer goods $19K
Animal & marine products $6K

Balance of trade

CAR Egypt
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$22.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
184/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-5.72%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$72.9B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$34.8B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$27.5B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$29.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
23.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
16.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Egypt
Economic freedom 43.1 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 160/197
Property rights 5.6 35.5
Government integrity 19.2 27.1
Judicial effectiveness 4 24
Tax burden 65.5 85.7
Government spending 90.1 83.4
Fiscal health 59 21.8
Business freedom 26.5 51.4
Labor freedom 48.5 43.1
Monetary freedom 75.6 56
Trade freedom 47.6 60.2
Investment freedom 45 65
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Egypt
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Egypt
2026 43.1 50.3
2025 42.8 50.9
2024 41.3 49.7
2023 43.8 49.6
2022 45.7 49.1
2021 48.8 55.7
2020 50.7 54
2019 49.1 52.5
2018 49.2 53.4
2017 51.8 52.6
2016 45.2 56
2015 45.9 55.2
2014 46.7 52.9
2013 50.4 54.8
2012 50.3 57.9
2011 49.3 59.1
2010 48.4 59
2009 48.3 58
2008 48.6 58.5
2007 50.6 54.4
2006 54.2 53.2
2005 56.5 55.8
2004 57.5 55.5
2003 60 55.3
2002 59.8 54.1
2001 - 51.5
2000 - 51.7
1999 - 58
1998 - 55.8
1997 - 54.5
1996 - 52
1995 - 45.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 50.3 for Egypt, ranking 160/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Egypt
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
48.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
32.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
13.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$409B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$18,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$44.9B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
44/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$46.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$46.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$508M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
8.86%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
33.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
13%
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/egypt | 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 (1995–2026, 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.