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

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $123B for Guatemala, ranking 171/197 and 67/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $33.5B (27.2% of GDP) in Guatemala.

Central African Republic vs Guatemala GDP by year

Central African Republic
Guatemala
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Guatemala
2025 $3,066,109,226 $123,306,008,821
2024 $2,751,494,281 $113,215,575,151
2023 $2,555,492,086 $104,298,081,429
2022 $2,382,618,615 $95,609,727,056
2021 $2,516,498,412 $86,455,522,273
2020 $2,326,720,900 $77,719,468,248
2019 $2,221,301,351 $77,172,331,693
2018 $2,220,979,146 $73,328,356,008
2017 $2,072,349,973 $71,653,780,740
2016 $1,825,018,145 $66,053,408,206
2015 $1,695,825,714 $62,186,066,548
2014 $1,894,813,389 $57,852,159,008
2013 $1,691,544,110 $52,996,420,177
2012 $2,510,126,512 $49,593,929,487
2011 $2,437,982,705 $46,876,006,272
2010 $2,142,591,540 $40,676,578,423
2009 $2,067,381,665 $37,126,148,265
2008 $1,993,407,888 $38,503,720,224
2007 $1,699,811,295 $33,567,850,824
2006 $1,461,859,762 $29,744,246,827
2005 $1,337,894,379 $26,783,389,294
2004 $1,272,360,517 $23,577,298,095
2003 $1,142,315,523 $21,576,351,799
2002 $996,068,145 $20,444,205,991
2001 $932,648,605 $18,405,220,247
2000 $916,777,283 $19,288,929,030
1999 $999,477,511 $18,318,412,251
1998 $967,338,390 $19,395,491,993
1997 $937,741,513 $17,790,026,222
1996 $1,007,791,127 $15,674,835,615
1995 $1,115,389,674 $14,655,404,433
1994 $851,174,357 $12,983,233,311
1993 $1,278,781,262 $11,400,017,301
1992 $1,411,917,553 $10,440,781,588
1991 $1,377,374,987 $9,406,135,143
1990 $1,440,711,459 $7,650,196,845
1989 $1,233,930,281 $8,410,724,361
1988 $1,264,899,288 $7,841,602,824
1987 $1,200,991,978 $7,084,399,840
1986 $1,122,265,013 $7,231,963,516
1985 $864,849,836 $9,721,652,087
1984 $637,820,670 $9,470,000,100
1983 $658,679,333 $9,050,000,400
1982 $748,312,391 $8,716,999,700
1981 $694,803,623 $8,607,500,300
1980 $797,048,199 $7,878,700,000
1979 $700,764,748 $6,902,600,200
1978 $610,578,632 $6,070,600,200
1977 $507,298,148 $5,480,500,200
1976 $451,152,461 $4,365,300,200
1975 $378,660,016 $3,645,900,000
1974 $281,398,706 $3,161,499,900
1973 $271,183,082 $2,569,200,100
1972 $230,317,883 $2,101,300,000
1971 $201,450,800 $1,984,800,000
1970 $189,106,529 $1,904,000,000
1969 $188,039,210 $1,715,399,900
1968 $191,767,442 $1,610,500,000
1967 $163,820,514 $1,453,500,000
1966 $157,930,018 $1,390,700,000
1965 $150,574,795 $1,331,399,900
1964 $142,025,079 $1,299,099,900
1963 $129,379,124 $1,262,800,000
1962 $124,482,774 $1,143,600,000
1961 $123,134,583 $1,076,699,900
1960 $112,155,598 $1,043,599,900

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Guatemala by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Guatemala
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $6,598 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $6,151 $14,369
2023 $496 $1,257 $5,754 $13,745
2022 $467 $1,218 $5,357 $13,014
2021 $492 $1,129 $4,913 $11,825
2020 $463 $1,066 $4,478 $10,947
2019 $449 $985 $4,512 $10,756
2018 $455 $906 $4,353 $9,947
2017 $432 $884 $4,325 $9,560
2016 $387 $826 $4,060 $9,201
2015 $366 $769 $3,894 $8,934
2014 $410 $699 $3,689 $8,237
2013 $364 $710 $3,444 $7,700
2012 $544 $1,062 $3,287 $7,258
2011 $534 $980 $3,169 $6,784
2010 $477 $936 $2,805 $6,510
2009 $456 $877 $2,612 $6,377
2008 $437 $798 $2,763 $6,435
2007 $381 $783 $2,459 $6,238
2006 $334 $743 $2,225 $5,833
2005 $312 $702 $2,046 $5,486
2004 $303 $690 $1,841 $5,263
2003 $278.4 $648 $1,723 $5,081
2002 $248.6 $688 $1,669 $4,969
2001 $238 $668 $1,538 $4,822
2000 $239.2 $640 $1,649 $4,715
1999 $268 $660 $1,604 $4,557
1998 $266.6 $645 $1,741 $4,437
1997 $265.5 $626 $1,638 $4,287
1996 $293.3 $601 $1,481 $4,143
1995 $333 $631 $1,421 $4,055
1994 $261.3 $592 $1,293 $3,886
1993 $405 $570 $1,166 $3,756
1992 $462 $573 $1,096 $3,626
1991 $465 $618 $1,014 $3,473
1990 $502 $620 $848 $3,330
1989 $443 - $958 -
1988 $466 - $919 -
1987 $450 - $854 -
1986 $426 - $896 -
1985 $333 - $1,238 -
1984 $248.3 - $1,241 -
1983 $259.6 - $1,220 -
1982 $298.4 - $1,204 -
1981 $280.3 - $1,216 -
1980 $325 - $1,142 -
1979 $289.1 - $1,026 -
1978 $254.6 - $925 -
1977 $213.8 - $856 -
1976 $192.1 - $697 -
1975 $163.6 - $595 -
1974 $124 - $529 -
1973 $121.8 - $441 -
1972 $105.5 - $370 -
1971 $94.1 - $358 -
1970 $90.2 - $353 -
1969 $91.7 - $326 -
1968 $95.6 - $315 -
1967 $83.6 - $291.9 -
1966 $82.3 - $287.3 -
1965 $80.2 - $283 -
1964 $77.2 - $284.2 -
1963 $71.8 - $284.4 -
1962 $70.4 - $265.2 -
1961 $71 - $257.2 -
1960 $65.9 - $256.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $6,598 in Guatemala, ranking 108/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369.

Economic indicators

CAR Guatemala
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$123B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
67/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
4.28%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$6,598
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
108/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$14,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
116/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$33.5B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
27.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$1,793
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
122/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$4,432
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
34.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
14.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
1.49%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
1.9%
2024
Population
5798457
19115361

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Guatemala
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Guatemala
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 14.7% 27.2%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 13.4% 26.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 13.7% 27.2%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 14.3% 29%
2021 19% 46.3% 13.5% 30.6%
2020 24% 42.4% 15.6% 31.5%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 13.4% 26.4%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 13.2% 26.4%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 12.8% 25.1%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 12.6% 24.9%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 12.6% 24.8%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 13.6% 24.7%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 14% 25%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 14.2% 24.6%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 14.5% 23.8%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 14.5% 24%
2009 16% 20.3% 14.1% 22.8%
2008 16% 35.8% 13.3% 19.6%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 13.9% 20.8%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 14.2% 20.9%
2005 16.2% 103% 13.2% 20%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 12.9% 20.6%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 14.4% 19.8%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 13.1% 17.4%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 13.8% 19.1%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 13.6% 18%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 14.6% 22%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 13.2% 19%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 11.2% 18.5%
1996 11.7% 93% 9.85% 19.2%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 9.77% 21%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Guatemala spent $18.2B, or 14.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 27.2% in Guatemala, ranking 72/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Guatemala
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Guatemala
2025 -5.49% -1.91%
2024 -5.03% -0.96%
2023 -3.42% -1.25%
2022 -5.13% -1.7%
2021 -5.71% -1.16%
2020 -3.23% -4.91%
2019 1.33% -2.24%
2018 -0.93% -1.88%
2017 -1% -1.38%
2016 1.18% -1.11%
2015 -0.53% -1.47%
2014 -3.02% -1.92%
2013 -2.3% -2.16%
2012 -0.78% -2.42%
2011 -2.15% -2.8%
2010 -1.35% -3.28%
2009 -0.54% -3.12%
2008 -1.23% -1.57%
2007 1.04% -1.4%
2006 8.58% -1.88%
2005 -4.37% -1.67%
2004 -1.74% -1.05%
2003 -3.06% -2.47%
2002 -1.19% -1.03%
2001 -0.88% -2%
2000 -2.01% -1.88%
1999 -0.5% -2.96%
1998 0.001% -2.29%
1997 -1.57% -0.79%
1996 -1.06% 0.04%
1995 -4.84% -0.53%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $168M, equivalent to 5.49% of GDP. This compares to Guatemala's deficit of $2.36B, or 1.91% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Guatemala ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.64% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.84% of GDP for Guatemala.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Guatemala
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Guatemala
2025 1% 1.49%
2024 1.5% 2.87%
2023 3% 6.21%
2022 5.6% 6.89%
2021 4.3% 4.26%
2020 0.9% 3.21%
2019 2.8% 3.7%
2018 1.6% 3.75%
2017 4.2% 4.42%
2016 4.9% 4.45%
2015 1.4% 2.39%
2014 17.8% 3.42%
2013 4% 4.34%
2012 5.9% 3.78%
2011 1.2% 6.21%
2010 1.5% 3.86%
2009 3.6% 1.86%
2008 9.2% 11.4%
2007 0.9% 6.82%
2006 6.9% 6.56%
2005 2.9% 9.11%
2004 -2.2% 7.58%
2003 4.4% 5.6%
2002 2.3% 8.13%
2001 3.8% 7.29%
2000 3.2% 5.98%
1999 -1.4% 5.21%
1998 -1.9% 6.61%
1997 1.6% 9.23%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 5.4% in Guatemala. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 1.49% in Guatemala.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Guatemala
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $87K

Balance of trade

CAR Guatemala
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$3.27B
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
36/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+2.89%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$29.1B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$13.3B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$6.45B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$4.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
31%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
15.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Guatemala
Economic freedom 43.1 63.5
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 79/197
Property rights 5.6 39.1
Government integrity 19.2 25.2
Judicial effectiveness 4 26.1
Tax burden 65.5 91.3
Government spending 90.1 94.3
Fiscal health 59 95.9
Business freedom 26.5 65.7
Labor freedom 48.5 52.5
Monetary freedom 75.6 77.3
Trade freedom 47.6 74.6
Investment freedom 45 70
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Guatemala
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Guatemala
2026 43.1 63.5
2025 42.8 63.4
2024 41.3 62.4
2023 43.8 62.7
2022 45.7 63.2
2021 48.8 64
2020 50.7 64
2019 49.1 62.6
2018 49.2 63.4
2017 51.8 63
2016 45.2 61.8
2015 45.9 60.4
2014 46.7 61.2
2013 50.4 60
2012 50.3 60.9
2011 49.3 61.9
2010 48.4 61
2009 48.3 59.4
2008 48.6 59.8
2007 50.6 60.5
2006 54.2 59.1
2005 56.5 59.5
2004 57.5 59.6
2003 60 62.3
2002 59.8 62.3
2001 - 65.1
2000 - 64.3
1999 - 66.2
1998 - 65.8
1997 - 65.7
1996 - 63.7
1995 - 62

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 63.5 for Guatemala, ranking 79/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Guatemala
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
62.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
21.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
9.55%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$119B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$15,020
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$32.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
57/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$983M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$1.85B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
1.75%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
56%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
16.8%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.