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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $280B for Iraq, ranking 171/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $130B (46.5% of GDP) in Iraq.

Central African Republic vs Iraq GDP by year

Central African Republic
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Iraq
2024 $2,751,494,281 $279,641,257,615
2023 $2,555,492,086 $268,881,051,644
2022 $2,382,618,615 $287,372,232,138
2021 $2,516,498,412 $209,691,945,713
2020 $2,326,720,900 $180,898,797,517
2019 $2,221,301,351 $233,636,097,800
2018 $2,220,979,146 $227,367,469,034
2017 $2,072,349,973 $187,217,660,051
2016 $1,825,018,145 $166,743,557,748
2015 $1,695,825,714 $166,774,104,959
2014 $1,894,813,389 $228,415,656,175
2013 $1,691,544,110 $234,637,675,129
2012 $2,510,126,512 $218,002,476,129
2011 $2,437,982,705 $185,749,664,444
2010 $2,142,591,540 $138,516,722,650
2009 $2,067,381,665 $111,657,580,326
2008 $1,993,407,888 $131,614,434,154
2007 $1,699,811,295 $88,837,057,320
2006 $1,461,859,762 $65,147,051,918
2005 $1,337,894,379 $50,065,104,668
2004 $1,272,360,517 $36,633,669,269
2003 $1,142,315,523 $21,921,569,479
2002 $996,068,145 $32,928,454,672
2001 $932,648,605 $36,176,430,129
2000 $916,777,283 $48,364,250,944
1999 $999,477,511 $36,881,601,584
1998 $967,338,390 $20,617,405,044
1997 $937,741,513 $20,764,857,056
1996 $1,007,791,127 $10,433,698,621
1995 $1,115,389,674 $12,894,029,888
1994 $851,174,357 $3,991,349,283
1993 $1,278,781,262 $1,031,944,881
1992 $1,411,917,553 $553,671,958
1991 $1,377,374,987 $407,796,350
1990 $1,440,711,459 $180,408,064,516
1989 $1,233,930,281 $65,831,935,484
1988 $1,264,899,288 $62,684,516,129
1987 $1,200,991,978 $56,774,193,548
1986 $1,122,265,013 $47,264,516,129
1985 $864,849,836 $48,425,161,290
1984 $637,820,670 $46,938,387,097
1983 $658,679,333 $40,712,903,226
1982 $748,312,391 $42,382,333,333
1981 $694,803,623 $37,823,000,000
1980 $797,048,199 $52,569,000,000
1979 $700,764,748 $37,816,457,839
1978 $610,578,632 $23,762,275,652
1977 $507,298,148 $19,838,130,715
1976 $451,152,461 $17,754,825,601
1975 $378,660,016 $13,458,516,763
1974 $281,398,706 $11,516,762,614
1973 $271,183,082 $5,134,367,778
1972 $230,317,883 $4,113,848,002
1971 $201,450,800 $3,865,346,535
1970 $189,106,529 $3,281,318,687
1969 $188,039,210 $3,007,758,797
1968 $191,767,442 $2,896,598,841
1967 $163,820,514 $2,551,522,656
1966 $157,930,018 $2,530,306,096
1965 $150,574,795 $2,335,785,506
1964 $142,025,079 $2,136,408,198
1963 $129,379,124 $1,805,901,510
1962 $124,482,774 $1,784,174,541
1961 $123,134,583 $1,671,960,965
1960 $112,155,598 $1,537,252,193

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Iraq by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $496 $1,257 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $467 $1,218 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $492 $1,129 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $463 $1,066 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $449 $985 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $455 $906 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $432 $884 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $387 $826 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $366 $769 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $410 $699 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $364 $710 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $544 $1,062 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $534 $980 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $477 $936 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $456 $877 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $437 $798 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $381 $783 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $334 $743 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $312 $702 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $303 $690 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $278.4 $648 $818 $6,068
2002 $248.6 $688 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $238 $668 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $239.2 $640 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $268 $660 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $266.6 $645 $901 $7,964
1997 $265.5 $626 $936 $6,020
1996 $293.3 $601 $485 $5,034
1995 $333 $631 $619 $4,598
1994 $261.3 $592 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $405 $570 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $462 $573 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $465 $618 $23 $2,694
1990 $502 $620 $10,261 -
1989 $443 - $3,791 -
1988 $466 - $3,707 -
1987 $450 - $3,436 -
1986 $426 - $2,940 -
1985 $333 - $3,088 -
1984 $248.3 - $3,066 -
1983 $259.6 - $2,743 -
1982 $298.4 - $2,942 -
1981 $280.3 - $2,700 -
1980 $325 - $3,868 -
1979 $289.1 - $2,871 -
1978 $254.6 - $1,863 -
1977 $213.8 - $1,609 -
1976 $192.1 - $1,489 -
1975 $163.6 - $1,166 -
1974 $124 - $1,031 -
1973 $121.8 - $476 -
1972 $105.5 - $394 -
1971 $94.1 - $384 -
1970 $90.2 - $337 -
1969 $91.7 - $320 -
1968 $95.6 - $319 -
1967 $83.6 - $290.6 -
1966 $82.3 - $298.2 -
1965 $80.2 - $284.8 -
1964 $77.2 - $269.4 -
1963 $71.8 - $235.5 -
1962 $70.4 - $240.7 -
1961 $71 - $232.4 -
1960 $65.9 - $218.9 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $6,074 in Iraq, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

CAR Iraq
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$280B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
-1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
105/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$5,928
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
42.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
-12.3%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
16.2%
2021
Population
5753659
48289334

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 42.9% 46.5%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 33.9% 39%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 48.2% 32%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 16% 20.3% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 16% 35.8% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 44% 117.1%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 16.2% 103% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 91.5% 344%
2003 12.3% 95.9% - -
2002 16.7% 98.5% - -
2001 14.1% 103.1% - -
2000 17.2% 94.7% - -
1999 18.2% 84.2% - -
1998 18.1% 85.3% - -
1997 14.5% 96.1% - -
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/iraq | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $120B, or 42.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 46.5% in Iraq, ranking 77/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Iraq
2024 -5.08% -4.14%
2023 -3.44% -1.14%
2022 -5.23% 8.1%
2021 -5.8% -0.38%
2020 -3.24% -12.8%
2019 1.33% 0.83%
2018 -0.93% 7.69%
2017 -1% -1.52%
2016 1.17% -14.4%
2015 -0.53% -12.8%
2014 -3.02% -5.63%
2013 -2.3% -6.06%
2012 -0.78% 4.09%
2011 -2.15% 4.74%
2010 -1.35% -4.18%
2009 -0.54% -14.9%
2008 -1.23% -0.86%
2007 1.04% 9.98%
2006 8.58% 10.7%
2005 -4.37% 4.07%
2004 -1.74% -35.4%
2003 -3.06% -
2002 -1.19% -
2001 -0.88% -
2000 -2.01% -
1999 -0.5% -
1998 0.001% -
1997 -1.57% -
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/iraq | 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 Iraq's deficit of $11.6B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.05% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Iraq
2024 1.5% -12.3%
2023 3% 4.36%
2022 5.6% 4.99%
2021 4.3% 6.04%
2020 0.9% 0.57%
2019 2.8% -0.2%
2018 1.6% 0.37%
2017 4.2% 0.18%
2016 4.9% 0.56%
2015 1.4% 1.39%
2014 17.8% 2.24%
2013 4% 1.88%
2012 5.9% 6.09%
2011 1.2% 5.8%
2010 1.5% 2.88%
2009 3.6% 6.87%
2008 9.2% 12.7%
2007 0.9% -10.1%
2006 6.9% 53.2%
2005 2.9% 37%
2004 -2.6% 27%
2003 4.4% 33.6%
2002 2.3% 19.3%
2001 4.1% 16.4%
2000 3.4% 4.98%
1999 -1.6% 12.6%
1998 -2% 14.8%
1997 1.6% 23.1%

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/iraq | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 9.86% in Iraq. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and -12.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $36K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

CAR Iraq
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
24/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$101B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
33.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
37.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Iraq
Economic freedom 43.1 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 196/197
Property rights 5.6 8.3
Government integrity 19.2 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 4 5.8
Tax burden 65.5 85.5
Government spending 90.1 65.3
Fiscal health 59 95.7
Business freedom 26.5 42.8
Labor freedom 48.5 60.6
Monetary freedom 75.6 68.6
Trade freedom 47.6 40
Investment freedom 45 10
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Iraq
2026 43.1 -
2025 42.8 -
2024 41.3 -
2023 43.8 -
2022 45.7 -
2021 48.8 -
2020 50.7 -
2019 49.1 -
2018 49.2 -
2017 51.8 -
2016 45.2 -
2015 45.9 -
2014 46.7 -
2013 50.4 -
2012 50.3 -
2011 49.3 -
2010 48.4 -
2009 48.3 -
2008 48.6 -
2007 50.6 -
2006 54.2 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 57.5 -
2003 60 -
2002 59.8 15.6
2001 - 17.2
2000 - 17.2
1999 - 17.2
1998 - 17.2
1997 - 17.2
1996 - 17.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Iraq
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
51.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
3.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$277B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$14,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
28/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
28.2%
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/iraq | 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 (1996–2026, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.