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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $24.7B for Guyana, ranking 171/197 and 120/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $5.99B (24.3% of GDP) in Guyana.

Central African Republic vs Guyana GDP by year

Central African Republic
Guyana
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Guyana
2024 $2,751,494,281 $24,662,709,832
2023 $2,555,492,086 $16,918,503,597
2022 $2,382,618,615 $14,718,388,489
2021 $2,516,498,412 $8,041,362,110
2020 $2,326,720,900 $5,471,256,595
2019 $2,221,301,351 $5,173,760,192
2018 $2,220,979,146 $4,787,636,998
2017 $2,072,349,973 $4,748,174,334
2016 $1,825,018,145 $4,482,697,337
2015 $1,695,825,714 $4,279,840,194
2014 $1,894,813,389 $4,127,660,152
2013 $1,691,544,110 $4,167,800,929
2012 $2,510,126,512 $4,063,088,536
2011 $2,437,982,705 $3,691,384,318
2010 $2,142,591,540 $3,432,912,517
2009 $2,067,381,665 $3,165,663,153
2008 $1,993,407,888 $3,025,187,433
2007 $1,699,811,295 $2,730,971,595
2006 $1,461,859,762 $2,379,817,991
2005 $1,337,894,379 $824,880,550
2004 $1,272,360,517 $787,814,379
2003 $1,142,315,523 $743,063,950
2002 $996,068,145 $726,131,435
2001 $932,648,605 $712,167,450
2000 $916,777,283 $712,667,897
1999 $999,477,511 $694,754,988
1998 $967,338,390 $717,530,683
1997 $937,741,513 $749,138,010
1996 $1,007,791,127 $705,406,001
1995 $1,115,389,674 $621,626,786
1994 $851,174,357 $540,874,934
1993 $1,278,781,262 $454,101,382
1992 $1,411,917,553 $373,573,141
1991 $1,377,374,987 $348,533,095
1990 $1,440,711,459 $396,582,263
1989 $1,233,930,281 $379,779,390
1988 $1,264,899,288 $413,799,990
1987 $1,200,991,978 $354,591,847
1986 $1,122,265,013 $504,651,140
1985 $864,849,836 $453,488,372
1984 $637,820,670 $437,631,605
1983 $658,679,333 $489,333,333
1982 $748,312,391 $482,000,000
1981 $694,803,623 $570,357,107
1980 $797,048,199 $603,200,000
1979 $700,764,748 $530,440,000
1978 $610,578,632 $507,080,000
1977 $507,298,148 $449,880,000
1976 $451,152,461 $454,440,000
1975 $378,660,016 $494,791,667
1974 $281,398,706 $433,954,545
1973 $271,183,082 $307,047,619
1972 $230,317,883 $285,380,952
1971 $201,450,800 $282,050,000
1970 $189,106,529 $267,800,000
1969 $188,039,210 $249,300,000
1968 $191,767,442 $229,750,000
1967 $163,820,514 $250,176,471
1966 $157,930,018 $228,705,882
1965 $150,574,795 $213,235,294
1964 $142,025,079 $194,774,513
1963 $129,379,124 $175,757,894
1962 $124,482,774 $194,949,513
1961 $123,134,583 $185,849,535
1960 $112,155,598 $170,216,241

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Guyana by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Guyana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $29,675 $80,155
2023 $496 $1,257 $20,474 $54,729
2022 $467 $1,218 $17,913 $39,711
2021 $492 $1,129 $9,861 $22,866
2020 $463 $1,066 $6,776 $16,819
2019 $449 $985 $6,406 $13,241
2018 $455 $906 $6,048 $12,443
2017 $432 $884 $6,179 $12,243
2016 $387 $826 $5,871 $11,516
2015 $366 $769 $5,640 $11,408
2014 $410 $699 $5,473 $11,145
2013 $364 $710 $5,557 $11,200
2012 $544 $1,062 $5,444 $10,627
2011 $534 $980 $4,947 $10,066
2010 $477 $936 $4,582 $9,337
2009 $456 $877 $4,209 $8,824
2008 $437 $798 $4,009 $8,437
2007 $381 $783 $3,608 $8,110
2006 $334 $743 $3,136 $7,346
2005 $312 $702 $1,084 $6,761
2004 $303 $690 $1,033 $6,673
2003 $278.4 $648 $974 $6,392
2002 $248.6 $688 $951 $6,304
2001 $238 $668 $932 $6,131
2000 $239.2 $640 $932 $5,860
1999 $268 $660 $909 $5,812
1998 $266.6 $645 $940 $5,573
1997 $265.5 $626 $983 $5,615
1996 $293.3 $601 $928 $5,210
1995 $333 $631 $820 $4,753
1994 $261.3 $592 $716 $4,447
1993 $405 $570 $603 $4,027
1992 $462 $573 $498 $3,651
1991 $465 $618 $466 $3,322
1990 $502 $620 $529 $3,022
1989 $443 - $503 -
1988 $466 - $545 -
1987 $450 - $464 -
1986 $426 - $657 -
1985 $333 - $588 -
1984 $248.3 - $565 -
1983 $259.6 - $631 -
1982 $298.4 - $621 -
1981 $280.3 - $735 -
1980 $325 - $779 -
1979 $289.1 - $689 -
1978 $254.6 - $663 -
1977 $213.8 - $593 -
1976 $192.1 - $604 -
1975 $163.6 - $664 -
1974 $124 - $588 -
1973 $121.8 - $421 -
1972 $105.5 - $395 -
1971 $94.1 - $396 -
1970 $90.2 - $381 -
1969 $91.7 - $361 -
1968 $95.6 - $340 -
1967 $83.6 - $378 -
1966 $82.3 - $353 -
1965 $80.2 - $336 -
1964 $77.2 - $313 -
1963 $71.8 - $288.8 -
1962 $70.4 - $327 -
1961 $71 - $319 -
1960 $65.9 - $299.1 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $29,675 in Guyana, ranking 41/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155.

Economic indicators

CAR Guyana
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$24.7B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
120/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
43.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$29,675
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
41/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$80,155
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
15/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$5.99B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
24.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$7,213
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
66/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$13,212
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
34.4%
1998
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.1%
1998
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
23.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
13.2%
2019
Population
5753659
842249

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Guyana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Guyana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 23.2% 24.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 23.7% 26.7%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 20.3% 24.8%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 24.8% 45.7%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 30.5% 59.5%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 28.1% 54%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 27.6% 47.9%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 26.3% 46.1%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 25.2% 44%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 21.7% 42.2%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 23.1% 38.7%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 21.4% 41.4%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 21.8% 44.7%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 23.5% 51.7%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 23.9% 53.1%
2009 16% 20.3% 25.4% 52.3%
2008 16% 35.8% 24.1% 48.2%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 25.5% 47.7%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 29% 74.5%
2005 16.2% 103% 28.4% 90.7%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 23.7% 91.8%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 23.5% 95.6%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 23.1% 105.1%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 24% 104.6%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 22.9% 97.2%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 17.6% 97.1%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 19.7% 108%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 20.9% 101.3%
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/guyana | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Guyana spent $5.72B, or 23.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 24.3% in Guyana, ranking 77/185 and 168/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Guyana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Guyana
2024 -5.08% -7.31%
2023 -3.44% -5.78%
2022 -5.23% -5.11%
2021 -5.8% -6.94%
2020 -3.24% -7.78%
2019 1.33% -2.52%
2018 -0.93% -2.52%
2017 -1% -3.14%
2016 1.17% -3.21%
2015 -0.53% -0.75%
2014 -3.02% -3.88%
2013 -2.3% -2.16%
2012 -0.78% -3.11%
2011 -2.15% -2.13%
2010 -1.35% -1.88%
2009 -0.54% -2.5%
2008 -1.23% -2.78%
2007 1.04% -3.35%
2006 8.58% -6.16%
2005 -4.37% -6.54%
2004 -1.74% -2.88%
2003 -3.06% -4.81%
2002 -1.19% -2.42%
2001 -0.88% -3.71%
2000 -2.01% -2.27%
1999 -0.5% -0.47%
1998 0.001% -2.67%
1997 -1.57% -1.7%
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/guyana | 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 Guyana's deficit of $1.8B, or 7.31% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Guyana ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.59% of GDP for Guyana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Guyana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Guyana
2024 1.5% 2.5%
2023 3% 4.5%
2022 5.6% 6.5%
2021 4.3% 3.3%
2020 0.9% 1.2%
2019 2.8% 2.1%
2018 1.6% 1.3%
2017 4.2% 1.9%
2016 4.9% 0.8%
2015 1.4% -0.9%
2014 17.8% 0.7%
2013 4% 1.9%
2012 5.9% 2.4%
2011 1.2% 4.4%
2010 1.5% 4.3%
2009 3.6% 3%
2008 9.2% 8.1%
2007 0.9% 12.2%
2006 6.9% 6.7%
2005 2.9% 6.9%
2004 -2.6% 4.7%
2003 4.4% 6%
2002 2.3% 5.4%
2001 4.1% 2.6%
2000 3.4% 6.1%
1999 -1.6% 7.5%
1998 -2% 4.6%
1997 1.6% 3.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 4.08% in Guyana. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 2.5% in Guyana.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Guyana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

CAR Guyana
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$2.35B
2023
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
43/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+13.9%
2023
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$6B
2023
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$13.2B
2023
Service imports
$114M
1994
$4.95B
2023
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$529M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
109.7%
2005
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
84.6%
2005

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Guyana
Economic freedom 43.1 58.7
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 109/197
Property rights 5.6 46.7
Government integrity 19.2 38.8
Judicial effectiveness 4 48.6
Tax burden 65.5 76.4
Government spending 90.1 85
Fiscal health 59 39.9
Business freedom 26.5 70.9
Labor freedom 48.5 76
Monetary freedom 75.6 78.5
Trade freedom 47.6 59.2
Investment freedom 45 55
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Guyana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Guyana
2026 43.1 58.7
2025 42.8 58.2
2024 41.3 57.3
2023 43.8 56.9
2022 45.7 59.5
2021 48.8 57.4
2020 50.7 56.2
2019 49.1 56.8
2018 49.2 58.7
2017 51.8 58.5
2016 45.2 55.4
2015 45.9 55.5
2014 46.7 55.7
2013 50.4 53.8
2012 50.3 51.3
2011 49.3 49.4
2010 48.4 48.4
2009 48.3 48.4
2008 48.6 48.8
2007 50.6 53.7
2006 54.2 56.6
2005 56.5 56.5
2004 57.5 53
2003 60 50.3
2002 59.8 54.3
2001 - 53.3
2000 - 52.4
1999 - 53.3
1998 - 52.7
1997 - 53.2
1996 - 50.1
1995 - 45.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 58.7 for Guyana, ranking 109/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Guyana
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
14.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
76%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
7.62%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$16.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$52,290
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
141/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$1.14B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$8.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$5.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
3.73%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
35%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
32.3%
2005

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/guyana | 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.