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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 171/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

Central African Republic vs Gabon GDP by year

Central African Republic
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Gabon
2024 $2,751,494,281 $20,895,684,426
2023 $2,555,492,086 $19,388,372,071
2022 $2,382,618,615 $20,440,655,695
2021 $2,516,498,412 $19,444,935,097
2020 $2,326,720,900 $15,342,236,164
2019 $2,221,301,351 $16,874,405,465
2018 $2,220,979,146 $16,867,326,402
2017 $2,072,349,973 $14,929,487,485
2016 $1,825,018,145 $14,023,890,265
2015 $1,695,825,714 $14,383,107,763
2014 $1,894,813,389 $18,203,966,896
2013 $1,691,544,110 $17,595,744,798
2012 $2,510,126,512 $17,170,464,016
2011 $2,437,982,705 $18,210,307,744
2010 $2,142,591,540 $14,372,593,020
2009 $2,067,381,665 $12,113,699,068
2008 $1,993,407,888 $15,571,348,344
2007 $1,699,811,295 $12,455,409,587
2006 $1,461,859,762 $10,327,598,306
2005 $1,337,894,379 $9,582,783,991
2004 $1,272,360,517 $7,770,219,008
2003 $1,142,315,523 $6,511,903,365
2002 $996,068,145 $5,335,451,100
2001 $932,648,605 $5,023,265,413
2000 $916,777,283 $5,080,483,629
1999 $999,477,511 $4,662,992,036
1998 $967,338,390 $4,483,417,310
1997 $937,741,513 $5,326,817,115
1996 $1,007,791,127 $5,694,040,003
1995 $1,115,389,674 $4,958,845,648
1994 $851,174,357 $4,190,819,344
1993 $1,278,781,262 $4,378,645,081
1992 $1,411,917,553 $5,592,390,827
1991 $1,377,374,987 $5,402,919,785
1990 $1,440,711,459 $5,952,293,765
1989 $1,233,930,281 $4,186,411,464
1988 $1,264,899,288 $3,834,503,376
1987 $1,200,991,978 $3,281,797,043
1986 $1,122,265,013 $3,403,638,189
1985 $864,849,836 $3,339,914,757
1984 $637,820,670 $3,561,451,561
1983 $658,679,333 $3,391,275,732
1982 $748,312,391 $3,618,007,841
1981 $694,803,623 $3,862,269,121
1980 $797,048,199 $4,279,637,942
1979 $700,764,748 $3,030,251,120
1978 $610,578,632 $2,389,479,272
1977 $507,298,148 $2,809,349,069
1976 $451,152,461 $3,009,409,974
1975 $378,660,016 $2,157,592,940
1974 $281,398,706 $1,544,216,002
1973 $271,183,082 $722,780,701
1972 $230,317,883 $430,508,359
1971 $201,450,800 $381,687,073
1970 $189,106,529 $323,802,476
1969 $188,039,210 $318,124,701
1968 $191,767,442 $294,468,564
1967 $163,820,514 $271,543,680
1966 $157,930,018 $245,849,781
1965 $150,574,795 $226,474,286
1964 $142,025,079 $215,679,855
1963 $129,379,124 $154,480,244
1962 $124,482,774 $182,796,536
1961 $123,134,583 $167,637,907
1960 $112,155,598 $141,468,978

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Gabon by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $496 $1,257 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $467 $1,218 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $492 $1,129 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $463 $1,066 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $449 $985 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $455 $906 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $432 $884 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $387 $826 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $366 $769 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $410 $699 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $364 $710 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $544 $1,062 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $534 $980 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $477 $936 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $456 $877 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $437 $798 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $381 $783 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $334 $743 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $312 $702 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $303 $690 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $278.4 $648 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $248.6 $688 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $238 $668 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $239.2 $640 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $268 $660 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $266.6 $645 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $265.5 $626 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $293.3 $601 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $333 $631 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $261.3 $592 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $405 $570 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $462 $573 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $465 $618 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $502 $620 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $443 - $4,374 -
1988 $466 - $4,119 -
1987 $450 - $3,624 -
1986 $426 - $3,865 -
1985 $333 - $3,898 -
1984 $248.3 - $4,273 -
1983 $259.6 - $4,182 -
1982 $298.4 - $4,584 -
1981 $280.3 - $5,026 -
1980 $325 - $5,718 -
1979 $289.1 - $4,155 -
1978 $254.6 - $3,360 -
1977 $213.8 - $4,048 -
1976 $192.1 - $4,441 -
1975 $163.6 - $3,258 -
1974 $124 - $2,384 -
1973 $121.8 - $1,140 -
1972 $105.5 - $693 -
1971 $94.1 - $627 -
1970 $90.2 - $543 -
1969 $91.7 - $545 -
1968 $95.6 - $515 -
1967 $83.6 - $482 -
1966 $82.3 - $443 -
1965 $80.2 - $415 -
1964 $77.2 - $400 -
1963 $71.8 - $290.7 -
1962 $70.4 - $348 -
1961 $71 - $323 -
1960 $65.9 - $276.1 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

CAR Gabon
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$5,368
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
1.17%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
20.4%
2010
Population
5753659
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 19.8% 83%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 22.6% 26%
2008 16% 35.8% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 16.2% 103% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 27.8% 81%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 29.7% 57%
1996 11.7% 93% 22.2% 64.5%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 25.1% 73.4%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 23.9% 71.3%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 26.9% 90.1%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 26.5% 87.9%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 25.1% 89.3%
1990 22% 44.6% 22.6% 90%
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/gabon | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 77/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Gabon
2024 -5.08% -3.84%
2023 -3.44% 1.79%
2022 -5.23% -0.89%
2021 -5.8% -1.93%
2020 -3.24% -2.19%
2019 1.33% 2.13%
2018 -0.93% -0.21%
2017 -1% -1.7%
2016 1.17% -4.71%
2015 -0.53% -1.12%
2014 -3.02% 5.98%
2013 -2.3% -3.07%
2012 -0.78% 6.2%
2011 -2.15% 1.41%
2010 -1.35% 2.7%
2009 -0.54% 6.77%
2008 -1.23% 11%
2007 1.04% 8.06%
2006 8.58% 8.67%
2005 -4.37% 7.98%
2004 -1.74% 6.99%
2003 -3.06% 7.75%
2002 -1.19% 3.72%
2001 -0.88% 4.07%
2000 -2.01% 11.1%
1999 -0.5% 1.11%
1998 0.001% -13.1%
1997 -1.57% 1.41%
1996 -1.06% 2.12%
1995 -4.84% 2.64%
1994 -7.57% -1.53%
1993 -5.66% -5.35%
1992 -7.33% -4.9%
1991 -8% -2.03%
1990 -6.6% -3.83%
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/gabon | 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 Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.52% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Gabon
2024 1.5% 1.17%
2023 3% 3.63%
2022 5.6% 4.23%
2021 4.3% 1.09%
2020 0.9% 1.35%
2019 2.8% 2.46%
2018 1.6% 4.75%
2017 4.2% 2.65%
2016 4.9% 2.11%
2015 1.4% -0.34%
2014 17.8% 4.69%
2013 4% 0.51%
2012 5.9% 2.65%
2011 1.2% 1.26%
2010 1.5% 1.46%
2009 3.6% 1.89%
2008 9.2% 5.26%
2007 0.9% 5.03%
2006 6.9% -1.41%
2005 2.9% 3.71%
2004 -2.6% 0.41%
2003 4.4% 2.24%
2002 2.3% 0.04%
2001 4.1% 2.14%
2000 3.4% 0.5%
1999 -1.6% -1.94%
1998 -2% 1.45%
1997 1.6% 3.97%

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/gabon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.03% in Gabon. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.12M
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $940K
Raw materials & minerals $204K
Metals $7K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Wood & paper products $3K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

CAR Gabon
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$114M
1994
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Gabon
Economic freedom 43.1 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 120/197
Property rights 5.6 30
Government integrity 19.2 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 4 19.9
Tax burden 65.5 76.5
Government spending 90.1 85.5
Fiscal health 59 87.9
Business freedom 26.5 63.6
Labor freedom 48.5 55.4
Monetary freedom 75.6 80.9
Trade freedom 47.6 57.4
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Gabon
2026 43.1 56.6
2025 42.8 56.3
2024 41.3 56.9
2023 43.8 56.1
2022 45.7 55.8
2021 48.8 58.1
2020 50.7 56.7
2019 49.1 56.3
2018 49.2 58
2017 51.8 58.6
2016 45.2 59
2015 45.9 58.3
2014 46.7 57.8
2013 50.4 57.8
2012 50.3 56.4
2011 49.3 56.7
2010 48.4 55.4
2009 48.3 55
2008 48.6 54.2
2007 50.6 54.8
2006 54.2 56.1
2005 56.5 54.8
2004 57.5 57.1
2003 60 58.7
2002 59.8 58
2001 - 55
2000 - 58.2
1999 - 60.5
1998 - 59.2
1997 - 58.8
1996 - 55.7
1995 - 57.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Gabon
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
19.1%
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/gabon | 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 (2022–2023, 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.