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

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $32.1B for Haiti, ranking 171/197 and 112/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $3.95B (12.3% of GDP) in Haiti.

Central African Republic vs Haiti GDP by year

Central African Republic
Haiti
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Haiti
2025 $3,066,109,226 $32,077,278,409
2024 $2,751,494,281 $24,255,657,481
2023 $2,555,492,086 $19,572,288,894
2022 $2,382,618,615 $20,113,007,126
2021 $2,516,498,412 $20,754,978,152
2020 $2,326,720,900 $14,508,222,518
2019 $2,221,301,351 $15,016,090,930
2018 $2,220,979,146 $16,403,864,618
2017 $2,072,349,973 $15,093,357,161
2016 $1,825,018,145 $14,069,277,526
2015 $1,695,825,714 $14,849,629,309
2014 $1,894,813,389 $15,146,883,498
2013 $1,691,544,110 $14,902,488,604
2012 $2,510,126,512 $13,708,925,477
2011 $2,437,982,705 $13,008,746,039
2010 $2,142,591,540 $11,859,312,725
2009 $2,067,381,665 $11,597,002,835
2008 $1,993,407,888 $10,432,962,635
2007 $1,699,811,295 $9,228,637,768
2006 $1,461,859,762 $7,638,739,123
2005 $1,337,894,379 $7,030,149,730
2004 $1,272,360,517 $6,087,360,684
2003 $1,142,315,523 $5,071,947,798
2002 $996,068,145 $6,205,847,214
2001 $932,648,605 $6,331,970,324
2000 $916,777,283 $6,813,566,099
1999 $999,477,511 $4,153,725,884
1998 $967,338,390 $3,723,903,724
1997 $937,741,513 $3,338,949,152
1996 $1,007,791,127 $2,907,517,604
1995 $1,115,389,674 $2,813,313,279
1994 $851,174,357 $2,167,569,046
1993 $1,278,781,262 $1,878,253,767
1992 $1,411,917,553 $2,257,129,792
1991 $1,377,374,987 $3,473,562,628
1990 $1,440,711,459 $3,096,289,800
1989 $1,233,930,281 $2,736,243,800
1988 $1,264,899,288 $2,613,926,800
1987 $1,200,991,978 $2,047,200,000
1986 $1,122,265,013 $2,318,000,000
1985 $864,849,836 $2,009,400,000
1984 $637,820,670 $1,816,200,000
1983 $658,679,333 $1,623,600,000
1982 $748,312,391 $1,474,200,000
1981 $694,803,623 $1,479,400,000
1980 $797,048,199 $1,383,800,000
1979 $700,764,748 $1,080,600,000
1978 $610,578,632 $974,200,000
1977 $507,298,148 $947,000,000
1976 $451,152,461 $879,000,000
1975 $378,660,016 $681,400,000
1974 $281,398,706 $565,399,322
1973 $271,183,082 $466,798,973
1972 $230,317,883 $371,998,958
1971 $201,450,800 $362,800,000
1970 $189,106,529 $331,200,000
1969 $188,039,210 $391,820,400
1968 $191,767,442 $367,968,800
1967 $163,820,514 $369,124,200
1966 $157,930,018 $368,948,600
1965 $150,574,795 $353,251,800
1964 $142,025,079 $325,281,200
1963 $129,379,124 $294,883,400
1962 $124,482,774 $281,896,800
1961 $123,134,583 $271,066,000
1960 $112,155,598 $273,187,200

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Haiti by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Haiti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Haiti
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $2,694 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $2,060 $3,194
2023 $496 $1,257 $1,682 $3,292
2022 $467 $1,218 $1,748 $3,275
2021 $492 $1,129 $1,825 $3,145
2020 $463 $1,066 $1,290 $3,103
2019 $449 $985 $1,352 $3,237
2018 $455 $906 $1,496 $3,197
2017 $432 $884 $1,395 $3,339
2016 $387 $826 $1,318 $3,253
2015 $366 $769 $1,411 $3,026
2014 $410 $699 $1,460 $3,076
2013 $364 $710 $1,458 $3,042
2012 $544 $1,062 $1,361 $2,830
2011 $534 $980 $1,312 $2,858
2010 $477 $936 $1,210 $2,695
2009 $456 $877 $1,197 $2,855
2008 $437 $798 $1,095 $2,724
2007 $381 $783 $985 $2,647
2006 $334 $743 $829 $2,504
2005 $312 $702 $776 $2,427
2004 $303 $690 $683 $2,322
2003 $278.4 $648 $579 $2,331
2002 $248.6 $688 $721 $2,248
2001 $238 $668 $749 $2,230
2000 $239.2 $640 $821 $2,229
1999 $268 $660 $510 $2,201
1998 $266.6 $645 $465 $2,152
1997 $265.5 $626 $425 $2,122
1996 $293.3 $601 $377 $2,070
1995 $333 $631 $372 $1,989
1994 $261.3 $592 $292.1 $1,807
1993 $405 $570 $258.1 $2,048
1992 $462 $573 $316 $2,158
1991 $465 $618 $497 $2,273
1990 $502 $620 $452 $2,202
1989 $443 - $407 -
1988 $466 - $397 -
1987 $450 - $318 -
1986 $426 - $367 -
1985 $333 - $325 -
1984 $248.3 - $299.2 -
1983 $259.6 - $272.8 -
1982 $298.4 - $252.6 -
1981 $280.3 - $258.5 -
1980 $325 - $246.5 -
1979 $289.1 - $196.2 -
1978 $254.6 - $180.3 -
1977 $213.8 - $178.7 -
1976 $192.1 - $169.1 -
1975 $163.6 - $133.6 -
1974 $124 - $113 -
1973 $121.8 - $95.1 -
1972 $105.5 - $77.3 -
1971 $94.1 - $76.8 -
1970 $90.2 - $71.5 -
1969 $91.7 - $86.1 -
1968 $95.6 - $82.4 -
1967 $83.6 - $84.2 -
1966 $82.3 - $85.7 -
1965 $80.2 - $83.6 -
1964 $77.2 - $78.5 -
1963 $71.8 - $72.4 -
1962 $70.4 - $70.4 -
1961 $71 - $69 -
1960 $65.9 - $70.8 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $2,694 in Haiti, ranking 150/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Haiti ranks 177th at $3,194.

Economic indicators

CAR Haiti
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$32.1B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
112/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
-2.71%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$2,694
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
150/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$3,194
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
177/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$3.95B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
12.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$332
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
177/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$2,152
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
31.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.1%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
6.19%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
28.6%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
14.1%
2012
Population
5798457
12106577

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Haiti
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Haiti
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 6.19% 12.3%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 5.25% 15.5%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 6.46% 27.8%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 8.33% 29.2%
2021 19% 46.3% 9.42% 28.4%
2020 24% 42.4% 9.86% 22.3%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 9.59% 26.5%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 11.3% 24.1%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 10.2% 22.5%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 10.5% 24.4%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 12.7% 23.9%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 14.6% 21.4%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 15.9% 25.1%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 16.4% 24.1%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 14.1% 22.3%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 12.6% 24.9%
2009 16% 20.3% 11.6% 19.4%
2008 16% 35.8% 11.2% 33.9%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 11.1% 24.4%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 9.67% 32.2%
2005 16.2% 103% 8.75% 29.7%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 7.38% 30.4%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 7.83% 37.8%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 6.64% 32%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 6.11% 28.8%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 6.25% 32.5%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 6.91% 24.1%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 5.4% 24%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 5.46% 26.2%
1996 11.7% 93% - 26.2%
1995 20.6% 83.8% - 26.2%
1994 22.4% 103.4% - 35.3%
1993 20.6% 68.2% - 98%
1992 23.1% 57.4% - 118.9%
1991 22.6% 55.8% - 80.7%
1990 22% 44.6% - 85.1%
1989 19.6% 50.9% - 98.7%
1988 21.4% 48.8% - 90.9%
1987 - - 32.4% 58.6%
1986 - - 15.1% 26.5%
1985 - - 17.4% 25.6%
1984 - - 16.9% 27.3%
1983 - - 21.9% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.7% 25.5%
1981 - - 17.4% 23.7%
1980 - - 17.2% 20.3%
1979 - - 13.1% 19.8%
1978 - - 18.9% 20.1%
1977 - - 16.7% 18.5%
1976 - - 13.4% 14.9%
1975 - - 12.8% 14.2%
1974 - - 9.24% 13.3%
1973 - - 9.4% 8.92%
1972 - - 11.2% 11.1%
1971 - - 11.2% 11%
1970 - - 11.4% 12.5%
1969 - - 10.1% -
1968 - - 10.3% -
1967 - - 7.52% -
1966 - - 7.2% -
1965 - - 7.91% -
1964 - - - -
1963 - - 8.95% -
1962 - - - -
1961 - - - -
1960 - - 7.34% 21.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Haiti spent $1.99B, or 6.19% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 12.3% in Haiti, ranking 72/185 and 179/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Haiti
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Haiti
2025 -5.49% -0.22%
2024 -5.03% 6.96%
2023 -3.42% 0.77%
2022 -5.13% -1.75%
2021 -5.71% -2.45%
2020 -3.23% -1.96%
2019 1.33% -1.99%
2018 -0.93% -1.13%
2017 -1% -0.32%
2016 1.18% 0.12%
2015 -0.53% -1.47%
2014 -3.02% -3.64%
2013 -2.3% -3.98%
2012 -0.78% -2.71%
2011 -2.15% -1.43%
2010 -1.35% -1.5%
2009 -0.54% -2%
2008 -1.23% -1.8%
2007 1.04% -1.55%
2006 8.58% -0.91%
2005 -4.37% -0.83%
2004 -1.74% -1.34%
2003 -3.06% -2.24%
2002 -1.19% -1.8%
2001 -0.88% -1.55%
2000 -2.01% -1.36%
1999 -0.5% -1.54%
1998 0.001% 0.21%
1997 -1.57% 0.37%
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% -
1987 - -4.94%
1986 - -1.4%
1985 - -0.97%
1984 - -3.52%
1983 - -5.72%
1982 - -3.93%
1981 - -4.38%
1980 - -5.68%
1979 - -2.21%
1978 - -3.24%
1977 - -2.85%
1976 - -1.16%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 0.23%
1973 - 0.03%
1972 - 0.24%
1971 - -0.08%
1970 - -0.19%
1969 - -0.39%
1968 - -0.46%
1967 - 0%
1966 - 0%
1965 - 0%
1964 - -
1963 - 0%
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - 0.006%
1959 - -1.11%
1958 - -2.21%
1957 - 0.28%
1956 - -2.18%
1955 - -0.86%
1954 - -0.81%
1953 - -1.01%
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -0.12%
1948 - 0.21%
1947 - 1.06%
1946 - 0.51%
1945 - 0.47%
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -0.21%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - -0.16%
1938 - 0.15%
1937 - -0.08%
1936 - -0.06%
1935 - -0.2%
1934 - -1.23%
1933 - 0%
1932 - 0.4%
1931 - -0.49%
1930 - -0.52%
1929 - -0.32%
1928 - -0.25%
1927 - 0.73%
1926 - -0.45%
1925 - 0.05%
1924 - -0.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/haiti | 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 Haiti's deficit of $71.5M, or 0.22% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Haiti ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.14% of GDP for Haiti.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Haiti
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Haiti
2025 1% 28.6%
2024 1.5% 26.9%
2023 3% 36.8%
2022 5.6% 34%
2021 4.3% 16.8%
2020 0.9% 22.8%
2019 2.8% 18.7%
2018 1.6% 12.5%
2017 4.2% 10.7%
2016 4.9% 11.5%
2015 1.4% 6.73%
2014 17.8% 3.44%
2013 4% 4.77%
2012 5.9% 5.02%
2011 1.2% 6.33%
2010 1.5% 4.83%
2009 3.6% 0.39%
2008 9.2% 15.3%
2007 0.9% 6.56%
2006 6.9% 11.3%
2005 2.9% 14%
2004 -2.2% 21%
2003 4.4% 28.7%
2002 2.3% 7.03%
2001 3.8% 13.3%
2000 3.2% 9.33%
1999 -1.4% 3%
1998 -1.9% 5.27%
1997 1.6% 20.6%

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/haiti | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 14% in Haiti. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 28.6% in Haiti.

Balance of trade

CAR Haiti
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$145M
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
85/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-0.6%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$4.27B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$767M
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$518M
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$96.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
14.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
1.56%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Haiti
Economic freedom 43.1 46.1
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 178/197
Property rights 5.6 6.6
Government integrity 19.2 13
Judicial effectiveness 4 17.3
Tax burden 65.5 81.7
Government spending 90.1 98.7
Fiscal health 59 99.5
Business freedom 26.5 30.7
Labor freedom 48.5 54.7
Monetary freedom 75.6 45.1
Trade freedom 47.6 66.4
Investment freedom 45 20
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Haiti
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Haiti
2026 43.1 46.1
2025 42.8 46.1
2024 41.3 48.2
2023 43.8 49.9
2022 45.7 50
2021 48.8 50.8
2020 50.7 52.3
2019 49.1 52.7
2018 49.2 55.8
2017 51.8 49.6
2016 45.2 51.3
2015 45.9 51.3
2014 46.7 48.9
2013 50.4 48.1
2012 50.3 50.7
2011 49.3 52.1
2010 48.4 50.8
2009 48.3 50.5
2008 48.6 49
2007 50.6 51.4
2006 54.2 49.2
2005 56.5 48.4
2004 57.5 51.2
2003 60 50.6
2002 59.8 47.9
2001 - 47.1
2000 - 45.7
1999 - 45.9
1998 - 45.7
1997 - 45.8
1996 - 41
1995 - 43

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 46.1 for Haiti, ranking 178/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Haiti
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
54.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
27.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
15.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$23.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$3,130
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$3.39B
2025
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
118/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$20M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$20M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
2.24%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
58.5%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
12.1%
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/haiti | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, 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)

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.