The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $2.07B for Eritrea, ranking 171/197 and 179/197 by economy size, respectively.
The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (260.4% of GDP) in Eritrea.
Central African Republic vs Eritrea GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|
| 2024 | $2,751,494,281 | - |
| 2023 | $2,555,492,086 | - |
| 2022 | $2,382,618,615 | - |
| 2021 | $2,516,498,412 | - |
| 2020 | $2,326,720,900 | - |
| 2019 | $2,221,301,351 | - |
| 2018 | $2,220,979,146 | - |
| 2017 | $2,072,349,973 | - |
| 2016 | $1,825,018,145 | - |
| 2015 | $1,695,825,714 | - |
| 2014 | $1,894,813,389 | - |
| 2013 | $1,691,544,110 | - |
| 2012 | $2,510,126,512 | - |
| 2011 | $2,437,982,705 | $2,065,001,626 |
| 2010 | $2,142,591,540 | $1,589,515,447 |
| 2009 | $2,067,381,665 | $1,856,695,551 |
| 2008 | $1,993,407,888 | $1,380,188,800 |
| 2007 | $1,699,811,295 | $1,317,974,491 |
| 2006 | $1,461,859,762 | $1,211,161,880 |
| 2005 | $1,337,894,379 | $1,098,424,686 |
| 2004 | $1,272,360,517 | $1,109,054,005 |
| 2003 | $1,142,315,523 | $870,248,268 |
| 2002 | $996,068,145 | $729,321,680 |
| 2001 | $932,648,605 | $752,371,689 |
| 2000 | $916,777,283 | $706,370,816 |
| 1999 | $999,477,511 | $688,918,537 |
| 1998 | $967,338,390 | $745,523,117 |
| 1997 | $937,741,513 | $686,490,090 |
| 1996 | $1,007,791,127 | $693,535,954 |
| 1995 | $1,115,389,674 | $578,015,625 |
| 1994 | $851,174,357 | $531,688,312 |
| 1993 | $1,278,781,262 | $467,872,715 |
| 1992 | $1,411,917,553 | $477,101,652 |
| 1991 | $1,377,374,987 | - |
| 1990 | $1,440,711,459 | - |
| 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/eritrea | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Eritrea by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $516 | $1,263 | - | - |
| 2023 | $496 | $1,257 | - | - |
| 2022 | $467 | $1,218 | - | - |
| 2021 | $492 | $1,129 | - | - |
| 2020 | $463 | $1,066 | - | - |
| 2019 | $449 | $985 | - | - |
| 2018 | $455 | $906 | - | - |
| 2017 | $432 | $884 | - | - |
| 2016 | $387 | $826 | - | - |
| 2015 | $366 | $769 | - | - |
| 2014 | $410 | $699 | - | - |
| 2013 | $364 | $710 | - | - |
| 2012 | $544 | $1,062 | - | - |
| 2011 | $534 | $980 | $689 | $1,742 |
| 2010 | $477 | $936 | $540 | $1,599 |
| 2009 | $456 | $877 | $643 | $1,577 |
| 2008 | $437 | $798 | $490 | $1,547 |
| 2007 | $381 | $783 | $480 | $1,727 |
| 2006 | $334 | $743 | $448 | $1,682 |
| 2005 | $312 | $702 | $413 | $1,674 |
| 2004 | $303 | $690 | $427 | $1,621 |
| 2003 | $278.4 | $648 | $349 | $1,621 |
| 2002 | $248.6 | $688 | $305 | $1,702 |
| 2001 | $238 | $668 | $325 | $1,684 |
| 2000 | $239.2 | $640 | $314 | $1,558 |
| 1999 | $268 | $660 | $311 | $1,597 |
| 1998 | $266.6 | $645 | $342 | $1,598 |
| 1997 | $265.5 | $626 | $319 | $1,573 |
| 1996 | $293.3 | $601 | $326 | $1,449 |
| 1995 | $333 | $631 | $285.4 | $1,369 |
| 1994 | $261.3 | $592 | $277.8 | $1,379 |
| 1993 | $405 | $570 | $252.1 | $1,149 |
| 1992 | $462 | $573 | $265.2 | $1,021 |
| 1991 | $465 | $618 | - | - |
| 1990 | $502 | $620 | - | - |
| 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/eritrea | CC BY
The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $689 in Eritrea, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742.
Economic indicators
|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$2.75B
2024 |
$2.07B
2011 |
| GDP rank |
171/197
2024 |
179/197
2011 |
| GDP growth |
1.5%
2023-2024 |
8.68%
2010-2011 |
| GDP per capita |
$516
2024 |
$689
2011 |
| GDP per capita rank |
195/197
2024 |
188/197
2011 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,263
2024 |
$1,742
2011 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
195/197
2024 |
191/197
2011 |
| Government debt |
$1.67B
2024 |
$3.54B
2011 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
60.7%
2024 |
260.4%
2019 |
| Government debt per person |
$313
2024 |
$1,182
2011 |
| Government debt per person rank |
178/185
2024 |
136/185
2011 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,078
2026 |
$1,129
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
33.1%
2021 |
n/a |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.1%
2021 |
n/a |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
19.5%
2024 |
31.3%
2019 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
1.5%
2023-2024 |
1.3%
2018-2019 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.9%
2017 |
5.8%
2017 |
| Population |
5753659
|
3700586
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2024 | 19.5% | 60.7% | - | - |
| 2023 | 17.5% | 55.6% | - | - |
| 2022 | 17.4% | 49.9% | - | - |
| 2021 | 19.2% | 46.9% | - | - |
| 2020 | 24.2% | 42.8% | - | - |
| 2019 | 15.8% | 44.9% | 31.3% | 260.4% |
| 2018 | 16.8% | 47.9% | 26.4% | 267.1% |
| 2017 | 13.1% | 47.4% | 42.5% | 290.4% |
| 2016 | 11.1% | 49.3% | 30.9% | 251.2% |
| 2015 | 12.7% | 54.4% | 31.1% | 271.4% |
| 2014 | 16.7% | 57.5% | 21.6% | 204.5% |
| 2013 | 13.4% | 51.8% | 32.7% | 232.4% |
| 2012 | 14.7% | 31.5% | 33.3% | 171.6% |
| 2011 | 14.2% | 19.7% | 32.3% | 171.6% |
| 2010 | 17.3% | 19.9% | 42.4% | 201.8% |
| 2009 | 16% | 20.3% | 44.9% | 207.1% |
| 2008 | 16% | 35.8% | 69.4% | 259.7% |
| 2007 | 12.9% | 47.9% | 51.2% | 201.3% |
| 2006 | 13.4% | 46.7% | 50.5% | 199% |
| 2005 | 16.2% | 103% | 76.6% | 205.4% |
| 2004 | 13.1% | 99.7% | 57.1% | 193.5% |
| 2003 | 12.3% | 95.9% | 58.1% | 264% |
| 2002 | 16.7% | 98.5% | 60.1% | 243.4% |
| 2001 | 14.1% | 103.1% | 59.5% | 238.6% |
| 2000 | 17.2% | 94.7% | 84.7% | 219.1% |
| 1999 | 18.2% | 84.2% | 106.1% | - |
| 1998 | 18.1% | 85.3% | 88% | - |
| 1997 | 14.5% | 96.1% | 60.1% | - |
| 1996 | 11.7% | 93% | 68.6% | - |
| 1995 | 20.6% | 83.8% | 81.2% | - |
| 1994 | 22.4% | 103.4% | 50.4% | - |
| 1993 | 20.6% | 68.2% | 67.2% | - |
| 1992 | 23.1% | 57.4% | 32.7% | - |
| 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/eritrea | CC BY
In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Eritrea spent $666M, or 31.3% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 260.4% in Eritrea, ranking 77/185 and 2/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|
| 2024 | -5.08% | - |
| 2023 | -3.44% | - |
| 2022 | -5.23% | - |
| 2021 | -5.8% | - |
| 2020 | -3.24% | - |
| 2019 | 1.33% | 2.72% |
| 2018 | -0.93% | 5.22% |
| 2017 | -1% | -5.74% |
| 2016 | 1.17% | -1.44% |
| 2015 | -0.53% | -2.77% |
| 2014 | -3.02% | -0.12% |
| 2013 | -2.3% | -7.62% |
| 2012 | -0.78% | -5.21% |
| 2011 | -2.15% | -5.5% |
| 2010 | -1.35% | -16.5% |
| 2009 | -0.54% | -22.2% |
| 2008 | -1.23% | -38% |
| 2007 | 1.04% | -19.8% |
| 2006 | 8.58% | -15.5% |
| 2005 | -4.37% | -31% |
| 2004 | -1.74% | -7.65% |
| 2003 | -3.06% | 6.23% |
| 2002 | -1.19% | -13.3% |
| 2001 | -0.88% | -9.62% |
| 2000 | -2.01% | -25.4% |
| 1999 | -0.5% | -59.7% |
| 1998 | 0.001% | -40.3% |
| 1997 | -1.57% | -5.65% |
| 1996 | -1.06% | -18.4% |
| 1995 | -4.84% | -22.9% |
| 1994 | -7.57% | 8.69% |
| 1993 | -5.66% | 4.22% |
| 1992 | -7.33% | 6.85% |
| 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/eritrea | CC BY
In 2011, the Central African Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $52.4M, equivalent to 2.15% of GDP. This compares to Eritrea's deficit of $114M, or 5.5% of GDP.
Over the past 20 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Eritrea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 16.3% of GDP for Eritrea.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|
| 2024 | 1.5% | - |
| 2023 | 3% | - |
| 2022 | 5.6% | - |
| 2021 | 4.3% | - |
| 2020 | 0.9% | - |
| 2019 | 2.8% | 1.3% |
| 2018 | 1.6% | -14.4% |
| 2017 | 4.2% | -13.3% |
| 2016 | 4.9% | -5.6% |
| 2015 | 1.4% | 28.5% |
| 2014 | 17.8% | 8.4% |
| 2013 | 4% | 6.3% |
| 2012 | 5.9% | 6% |
| 2011 | 1.2% | 5.9% |
| 2010 | 1.5% | 10.3% |
| 2009 | 3.6% | 33.9% |
| 2008 | 9.2% | 22.2% |
| 2007 | 0.9% | 9.4% |
| 2006 | 6.9% | 7.7% |
| 2005 | 2.9% | 12.5% |
| 2004 | -2.6% | 25.1% |
| 2003 | 4.4% | 22.7% |
| 2002 | 2.3% | 16.9% |
| 2001 | 4.1% | 14.6% |
| 2000 | 3.4% | 19.9% |
| 1999 | -1.6% | 8.4% |
| 1998 | -2% | 9.5% |
| 1997 | 1.6% | 3.7% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/eritrea | CC BY
Over the past 23 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.41%, compared with 10.4% in Eritrea. In 2019, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 1.3% in Eritrea.
Balance of trade
|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$24.7M
1994 |
-$105M
2000 |
| Current account balance ranking |
81/190
1994 |
89/190
2000 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-2.9%
1994 |
-14.8%
2000 |
| Goods imports |
$131M
1994 |
$471M
2000 |
| Goods exports |
$146M
1994 |
$36.8M
2000 |
| Service imports |
$114M
1994 |
$28.5M
2000 |
| Service exports |
$33.1M
1994 |
$60.9M
2000 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
31.4%
2024 |
29.2%
2011 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
15%
2024 |
18.2%
2011 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 182/197 | 188/197 |
| Property rights | 5.6 | 4.8 |
| Government integrity | 19.2 | 10.9 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 4 | 5.5 |
| Tax burden | 65.5 | 80.3 |
| Government spending | 90.1 | 62.3 |
| Fiscal health | 59 | 69 |
| Business freedom | 26.5 | 30.7 |
| Labor freedom | 48.5 | 43.4 |
| Monetary freedom | 75.6 | 80 |
| Trade freedom | 47.6 | 68.4 |
| Investment freedom | 45 | 0 |
| Financial freedom | 30 | 20 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|
| 2026 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2025 | 42.8 | 38.6 |
| 2024 | 41.3 | 39.5 |
| 2023 | 43.8 | 39.5 |
| 2022 | 45.7 | 39.7 |
| 2021 | 48.8 | 42.3 |
| 2020 | 50.7 | 38.5 |
| 2019 | 49.1 | 38.9 |
| 2018 | 49.2 | 41.7 |
| 2017 | 51.8 | 42.2 |
| 2016 | 45.2 | 42.7 |
| 2015 | 45.9 | 38.9 |
| 2014 | 46.7 | 38.5 |
| 2013 | 50.4 | 36.3 |
| 2012 | 50.3 | 36.2 |
| 2011 | 49.3 | 36.7 |
| 2010 | 48.4 | 35.3 |
| 2009 | 48.3 | 38.5 |
| 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/eritrea | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 39.6 for Eritrea, ranking 188/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
Other economic metrics
|
CAR
|
Eritrea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
42.1%
2024 |
n/a |
| Industry, % of GDP |
20%
2024 |
21.8%
2009 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
27.9%
2024 |
14.1%
2009 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$2.74B
2024 |
$1.94B
2011 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$1,340
2024 |
$1,720
2011 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$480M
2023 |
$192M
2019 |
| Total reserves ranking |
158/177
2023 |
170/177
2019 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$3.6M
1994 |
-$27.9M
2000 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$40.4M
2024 |
-$27.9M
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$0
2024 |
$0
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
1.94%
2024 |
1.07%
2011 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
68.8%
2021 |
50%
2020 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
23.6%
2024 |
12.6%
2011 |
GDP per capita map
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/eritrea | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
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.