Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $22B for Jamaica, ranking 171/197 and 124/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $14B (63.4% of GDP) in Jamaica.

Central African Republic vs Jamaica GDP by year

Central African Republic
Jamaica
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Jamaica
2024 $2,751,494,281 $22,014,397,090
2023 $2,555,492,086 $21,418,804,320
2022 $2,382,618,615 $18,813,516,805
2021 $2,516,498,412 $15,963,885,376
2020 $2,326,720,900 $15,000,214,216
2019 $2,221,301,351 $17,026,269,263
2018 $2,220,979,146 $16,855,447,986
2017 $2,072,349,973 $15,783,583,237
2016 $1,825,018,145 $14,898,999,754
2015 $1,695,825,714 $14,963,589,916
2014 $1,894,813,389 $13,899,217,680
2013 $1,691,544,110 $14,264,205,153
2012 $2,510,126,512 $14,807,086,556
2011 $2,437,982,705 $14,444,661,522
2010 $2,142,591,540 $13,220,549,908
2009 $2,067,381,665 $12,120,458,115
2008 $1,993,407,888 $13,709,401,520
2007 $1,699,811,295 $12,799,600,047
2006 $1,461,859,762 $11,930,179,090
2005 $1,337,894,379 $11,243,865,778
2004 $1,272,360,517 $10,174,664,854
2003 $1,142,315,523 $9,430,234,811
2002 $996,068,145 $9,719,009,495
2001 $932,648,605 $9,194,727,831
2000 $916,777,283 $9,005,064,475
1999 $999,477,511 $8,887,057,997
1998 $967,338,390 $8,787,195,622
1997 $937,741,513 $8,400,041,724
1996 $1,007,791,127 $7,393,891,921
1995 $1,115,389,674 $6,577,520,643
1994 $851,174,357 $5,452,558,947
1993 $1,278,781,262 $5,440,075,676
1992 $1,411,917,553 $3,535,460,090
1991 $1,377,374,987 $4,106,207,649
1990 $1,440,711,459 $4,592,208,087
1989 $1,233,930,281 $4,404,937,853
1988 $1,264,899,288 $3,828,342,820
1987 $1,200,991,978 $3,287,007,322
1986 $1,122,265,013 $2,754,549,582
1985 $864,849,836 $2,100,239,019
1984 $637,820,670 $2,373,564,549
1983 $658,679,333 $3,619,262,277
1982 $748,312,391 $3,293,496,312
1981 $694,803,623 $2,979,027,966
1980 $797,048,199 $2,679,379,372
1979 $700,764,748 $2,425,064,229
1978 $610,578,632 $2,644,527,822
1977 $507,298,148 $3,249,733,140
1976 $451,152,461 $2,966,042,856
1975 $378,660,016 $2,860,442,750
1974 $281,398,706 $2,375,122,375
1973 $271,183,082 $1,905,917,553
1972 $230,317,883 $1,875,146,587
1971 $201,450,800 $1,539,861,816
1970 $189,106,529 $1,404,720,442
1969 $188,039,210 $1,191,239,047
1968 $191,767,442 $1,083,839,133
1967 $163,820,514 $1,148,014,311
1966 $157,930,018 $1,096,759,561
1965 $150,574,795 $972,159,611
1964 $142,025,079 $897,949,001
1963 $129,379,124 $826,706,669
1962 $124,482,774 $777,727,689
1961 $123,134,583 $748,043,501
1960 $112,155,598 $699,064,380

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Jamaica by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Jamaica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $7,754 $12,890
2023 $496 $1,257 $7,542 $12,651
2022 $467 $1,218 $6,626 $11,888
2021 $492 $1,129 $5,626 $10,431
2020 $463 $1,066 $5,299 $9,764
2019 $449 $985 $6,031 $10,845
2018 $455 $906 $5,977 $10,753
2017 $432 $884 $5,605 $10,466
2016 $387 $826 $5,302 $9,948
2015 $366 $769 $5,339 $9,476
2014 $410 $699 $4,975 $9,210
2013 $364 $710 $5,124 $9,101
2012 $544 $1,062 $5,341 $8,831
2011 $534 $980 $5,233 $8,809
2010 $477 $936 $4,810 $8,521
2009 $456 $877 $4,428 $8,580
2008 $437 $798 $5,030 $8,952
2007 $381 $783 $4,716 $8,893
2006 $334 $743 $4,417 $8,577
2005 $312 $702 $4,184 $8,127
2004 $303 $690 $3,808 $7,854
2003 $278.4 $648 $3,550 $7,593
2002 $248.6 $688 $3,681 $7,226
2001 $238 $668 $3,504 $7,019
2000 $239.2 $640 $3,453 $6,816
1999 $268 $660 $3,432 $6,653
1998 $266.6 $645 $3,419 $6,543
1997 $265.5 $626 $3,297 $6,682
1996 $293.3 $601 $2,929 $6,706
1995 $333 $631 $2,631 $6,657
1994 $261.3 $592 $2,203 $6,435
1993 $405 $570 $2,221 $6,279
1992 $462 $573 $1,458 $5,664
1991 $465 $618 $1,710 $5,485
1990 $502 $620 $1,930 $5,106
1989 $443 - $1,865 -
1988 $466 - $1,632 -
1987 $450 - $1,411 -
1986 $426 - $1,191 -
1985 $333 - $917 -
1984 $248.3 - $1,048 -
1983 $259.6 - $1,619 -
1982 $298.4 - $1,494 -
1981 $280.3 - $1,370 -
1980 $325 - $1,249 -
1979 $289.1 - $1,144 -
1978 $254.6 - $1,262 -
1977 $213.8 - $1,569 -
1976 $192.1 - $1,450 -
1975 $163.6 - $1,417 -
1974 $124 - $1,193 -
1973 $121.8 - $972 -
1972 $105.5 - $971 -
1971 $94.1 - $809 -
1970 $90.2 - $748 -
1969 $91.7 - $642 -
1968 $95.6 - $591 -
1967 $83.6 - $633 -
1966 $82.3 - $612 -
1965 $80.2 - $549 -
1964 $77.2 - $514 -
1963 $71.8 - $480 -
1962 $70.4 - $458 -
1961 $71 - $447 -
1960 $65.9 - $424 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $7,754 in Jamaica, ranking 95/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890.

Economic indicators

CAR Jamaica
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$22B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
-0.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$7,754
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$12,890
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
121/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$14B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
63.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$4,917
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
79/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$6,905
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$12.4B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
30.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
5.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
3.02%
2023
Population
5753659
2834980

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Jamaica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Jamaica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 30.5% 63.4%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 28% 67.3%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 28.4% 73.5%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 29% 90.9%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 29.8% 100.1%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 27.8% 88.6%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 27.8% 89.2%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 27.3% 96.7%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 27% 109.1%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 26.3% 117.6%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 26.5% 136.7%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 26.9% 138.1%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 29.6% 143%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 31.7% 138.1%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 32.9% 140.1%
2009 16% 20.3% 38.6% 141.5%
2008 16% 35.8% 34.4% 125.6%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 31.6% 115.3%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 31.2% 118%
2005 16.2% 103% 29.3% 124.5%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 31.5% 120.1%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 32.5% 125.5%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 31.1% 119.1%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 28.5% 107.9%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 26.2% 91.3%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 28.9% 83.5%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 28.3% 75.6%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 28.3% 74.4%
1996 11.7% 93% 27.7% 70.2%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 23.1% 85.2%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 21.5% 90.4%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 21.5% 106.2%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 20% 100.4%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 24.5% 175.1%
1990 22% 44.6% 25.7% 128.8%
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 (1988–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Jamaica spent $6.72B, or 30.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 63.4% in Jamaica, ranking 77/185 and 73/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Jamaica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Jamaica
2024 -5.08% 0.22%
2023 -3.44% 0.04%
2022 -5.23% 0.27%
2021 -5.8% 0.89%
2020 -3.24% -2.83%
2019 1.33% 0.85%
2018 -0.93% 1.12%
2017 -1% 0.43%
2016 1.17% -0.19%
2015 -0.53% -0.28%
2014 -3.02% -0.49%
2013 -2.3% 0.12%
2012 -0.78% -4.05%
2011 -2.15% -6.34%
2010 -1.35% -6.27%
2009 -0.54% -11.1%
2008 -1.23% -7.43%
2007 1.04% -3.82%
2006 8.58% -4.9%
2005 -4.37% -3.3%
2004 -1.74% -4.68%
2003 -3.06% -5.67%
2002 -1.19% -6.77%
2001 -0.88% -4.89%
2000 -2.01% -0.8%
1999 -0.5% -3.53%
1998 0.001% -5.82%
1997 -1.57% -6.54%
1996 -1.06% -5.32%
1995 -4.84% 1.6%
1994 -7.57% 2.59%
1993 -5.66% 2.6%
1992 -7.33% 3.11%
1991 -8% 3.87%
1990 -6.6% 2.34%
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/jamaica | 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 Jamaica's surplus of $49.1M, or 0.22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Jamaica ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.14% of GDP for Jamaica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Jamaica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Jamaica
2024 1.5% 5.41%
2023 3% 6.47%
2022 5.6% 10.3%
2021 4.3% 5.86%
2020 0.9% 5.23%
2019 2.8% 3.91%
2018 1.6% 3.74%
2017 4.2% 4.38%
2016 4.9% 2.35%
2015 1.4% 3.69%
2014 17.8% 8.27%
2013 4% 9.34%
2012 5.9% 6.87%
2011 1.2% 7.56%
2010 1.5% 12.6%
2009 3.6% 9.59%
2008 9.2% 22%
2007 0.9% 9.24%
2006 6.9% 8.56%
2005 2.9% 15.1%
2004 -2.6% 13.6%
2003 4.4% 10.1%
2002 2.3% 7.08%
2001 4.1% 6.8%
2000 3.4% 8.17%
1999 -1.6% 5.95%
1998 -2% 8.63%
1997 1.6% 9.66%

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/jamaica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 8.23% in Jamaica. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 5.41% in Jamaica.

Balance of trade

CAR Jamaica
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$679M
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
56/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+3.08%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$6.07B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$1.87B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$3.46B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$5.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
52.1%
2019
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
38%
2019

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Jamaica
Economic freedom 43.1 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 48/197
Property rights 5.6 66.8
Government integrity 19.2 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 4 75.6
Tax burden 65.5 76.3
Government spending 90.1 76
Fiscal health 59 92.2
Business freedom 26.5 68.5
Labor freedom 48.5 59.2
Monetary freedom 75.6 74.2
Trade freedom 47.6 70.4
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Jamaica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Jamaica
2026 43.1 68.2
2025 42.8 68.7
2024 41.3 68.1
2023 43.8 68.1
2022 45.7 67.4
2021 48.8 69
2020 50.7 68.5
2019 49.1 68.6
2018 49.2 69.1
2017 51.8 69.5
2016 45.2 67.5
2015 45.9 67.7
2014 46.7 66.7
2013 50.4 66.8
2012 50.3 65.1
2011 49.3 65.7
2010 48.4 65.5
2009 48.3 65.2
2008 48.6 65.7
2007 50.6 65.5
2006 54.2 66.4
2005 56.5 67
2004 57.5 66.7
2003 60 67
2002 59.8 61.7
2001 - 63.7
2000 - 65.5
1999 - 64.7
1998 - 67.1
1997 - 67.7
1996 - 66.7
1995 - 64.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 68.2 for Jamaica, ranking 48/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Jamaica
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
7.97%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$20.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$12,690
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$5.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
93/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$304M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$305M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.07M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
11.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
8.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
22.6%
2019

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/jamaica | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1988–1998, 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)

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.