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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 171/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Central African Republic vs Kuwait GDP by year

Central African Republic
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Kuwait
2024 $2,751,494,281 $160,227,273,053
2023 $2,555,492,086 $165,384,407,116
2022 $2,382,618,615 $183,502,046,694
2021 $2,516,498,412 $148,350,671,489
2020 $2,326,720,900 $111,045,470,606
2019 $2,221,301,351 $140,856,394,861
2018 $2,220,979,146 $138,646,316,351
2017 $2,072,349,973 $120,687,539,806
2016 $1,825,018,145 $109,406,674,125
2015 $1,695,825,714 $114,585,555,689
2014 $1,894,813,389 $162,650,450,685
2013 $1,691,544,110 $174,168,116,535
2012 $2,510,126,512 $174,047,662,680
2011 $2,437,982,705 $154,039,231,246
2010 $2,142,591,540 $115,416,245,242
2009 $2,067,381,665 $105,968,691,905
2008 $1,993,407,888 $147,379,737,230
2007 $1,699,811,295 $114,634,043,362
2006 $1,461,859,762 $101,557,330,723
2005 $1,337,894,379 $80,798,630,137
2004 $1,272,360,517 $59,439,090,601
2003 $1,142,315,523 $47,874,582,232
2002 $996,068,145 $38,135,788,414
2001 $932,648,605 $34,889,559,870
2000 $916,777,283 $37,718,743,480
1999 $999,477,511 $30,122,365,849
1998 $967,338,390 $25,943,705,784
1997 $937,741,513 $30,350,190,704
1996 $1,007,791,127 $31,492,373,309
1995 $1,115,389,674 $27,186,980,647
1994 $851,174,357 $24,848,483,838
1993 $1,278,781,262 $23,941,391,391
1992 $1,411,917,553 $19,858,555,215
1991 $1,377,374,987 $11,009,993,703
1990 $1,440,711,459 $18,427,777,778
1989 $1,233,930,281 $24,313,855,653
1988 $1,264,899,288 $20,690,322,153
1987 $1,200,991,978 $22,368,704,134
1986 $1,122,265,013 $17,903,989,745
1985 $864,849,836 $21,445,970,614
1984 $637,820,670 $21,700,082,753
1983 $658,679,333 $20,871,081,080
1982 $748,312,391 $21,577,153,356
1981 $694,803,623 $25,058,020,338
1980 $797,048,199 $28,638,868,356
1979 $700,764,748 $24,749,063,922
1978 $610,578,632 $15,503,557,496
1977 $507,298,148 $14,137,406,741
1976 $451,152,461 $13,132,252,802
1975 $378,660,016 $12,022,811,621
1974 $281,398,706 $13,006,948,296
1973 $271,183,082 $5,408,804,607
1972 $230,317,883 $4,450,537,925
1971 $201,450,800 $3,880,392,195
1970 $189,106,529 $2,873,638,851
1969 $188,039,210 $2,769,198,892
1968 $191,767,442 $2,662,798,935
1967 $163,820,514 $2,441,599,023
1966 $157,930,018 $2,391,199,044
1965 $150,574,795 $2,097,199,161
1964 $142,025,079 $2,071,668,533
1963 $129,379,124 $1,900,895,857
1962 $124,482,774 $1,828,107,503
1961 $123,134,583 -
1960 $112,155,598 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Kuwait by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $496 $1,257 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $467 $1,218 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $492 $1,129 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $463 $1,066 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $449 $985 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $455 $906 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $432 $884 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $387 $826 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $366 $769 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $410 $699 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $364 $710 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $544 $1,062 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $534 $980 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $477 $936 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $456 $877 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $437 $798 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $381 $783 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $334 $743 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $312 $702 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $303 $690 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $278.4 $648 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $248.6 $688 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $238 $668 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $239.2 $640 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $268 $660 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $266.6 $645 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $265.5 $626 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $293.3 $601 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $333 $631 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $261.3 $592 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $405 $570 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $462 $573 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $465 $618 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $502 $620 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $443 - $10,965 -
1988 $466 - $9,692 -
1987 $450 - $10,896 -
1986 $426 - $9,077 -
1985 $333 - $11,322 -
1984 $248.3 - $11,919 -
1983 $259.6 - $11,965 -
1982 $298.4 - $12,979 -
1981 $280.3 - $15,825 -
1980 $325 - $19,032 -
1979 $289.1 - $17,386 -
1978 $254.6 - $11,567 -
1977 $213.8 - $11,238 -
1976 $192.1 - $11,141 -
1975 $163.6 - $10,882 -
1974 $124 - $12,527 -
1973 $121.8 - $5,532 -
1972 $105.5 - $4,836 -
1971 $94.1 - $4,486 -
1970 $90.2 - $3,552 -
1969 $91.7 - $3,695 -
1968 $95.6 - $3,872 -
1967 $83.6 - $3,887 -
1966 $82.3 - $4,176 -
1965 $80.2 - $4,024 -
1964 $77.2 - $4,379 -
1963 $71.8 - $4,445 -
1962 $70.4 - $4,748 -
1961 $71 - - -
1960 $65.9 - - -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

CAR Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$141B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
2.16%
2016
Population
5753659
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 45% 3.43%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 16% 20.3% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 16% 35.8% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 16.2% 103% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 41.4% 23%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 11.7% 93% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 52% 34.9%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 58.2% 28.8%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 77.6% 27.9%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 208.9% 45.3%
1990 22% 44.6% 122.9% -
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/kuwait | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 77/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Kuwait
2024 -5.08% 23.8%
2023 -3.44% 28.2%
2022 -5.23% 30%
2021 -5.8% 9.98%
2020 -3.24% 0.14%
2019 1.33% 13%
2018 -0.93% 17.5%
2017 -1% 15.3%
2016 1.17% 13.1%
2015 -0.53% 16.6%
2014 -3.02% 30%
2013 -2.3% 40.6%
2012 -0.78% 40.7%
2011 -2.15% 38.8%
2010 -1.35% 31.9%
2009 -0.54% 31.3%
2008 -1.23% 21.3%
2007 1.04% 37.1%
2006 8.58% 28%
2005 -4.37% 38.9%
2004 -1.74% 32.5%
2003 -3.06% 27.2%
2002 -1.19% 31%
2001 -0.88% 45.2%
2000 -2.01% 52.5%
1999 -0.5% 28.2%
1998 0.001% 19.5%
1997 -1.57% 29.5%
1996 -1.06% 24.3%
1995 -4.84% 11.7%
1994 -7.57% 1.76%
1993 -5.66% -3.12%
1992 -7.33% -28.1%
1991 -8% -145%
1990 -6.6% -50%
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/kuwait | 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 Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to surplus of 16.7% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Kuwait
2024 1.5% 2.9%
2023 3% 3.64%
2022 5.6% 3.98%
2021 4.3% 3.42%
2020 0.9% 2.1%
2019 2.8% 1.09%
2018 1.6% 0.54%
2017 4.2% 2.17%
2016 4.9% 3.2%
2015 1.4% 3.27%
2014 17.8% 2.91%
2013 4% 2.68%
2012 5.9% 3.26%
2011 1.2% 4.84%
2010 1.5% 4.5%
2009 3.6% 4.61%
2008 9.2% 10.6%
2007 0.9% 5.48%
2006 6.9% 3.06%
2005 2.9% 4.14%
2004 -2.6% 1.25%
2003 4.4% 0.96%
2002 2.3% 0.89%
2001 4.1% 1.3%
2000 3.4% 1.81%
1999 -1.6% 2.99%
1998 -2% 0.13%
1997 1.6% 0.68%

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/kuwait | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Balance of trade

CAR Kuwait
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
57.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Kuwait
Economic freedom 43.1 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 100/197
Property rights 5.6 42
Government integrity 19.2 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 4 43.4
Tax burden 65.5 97.7
Government spending 90.1 36.2
Fiscal health 59 99.9
Business freedom 26.5 57.4
Labor freedom 48.5 49.2
Monetary freedom 75.6 68.7
Trade freedom 47.6 75.8
Investment freedom 45 50
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Kuwait
2026 43.1 59.9
2025 42.8 59.9
2024 41.3 58.5
2023 43.8 56.7
2022 45.7 58.3
2021 48.8 64.1
2020 50.7 63.2
2019 49.1 60.8
2018 49.2 62.2
2017 51.8 65.1
2016 45.2 62.7
2015 45.9 62.5
2014 46.7 62.3
2013 50.4 63.1
2012 50.3 62.5
2011 49.3 64.9
2010 48.4 67.7
2009 48.3 65.6
2008 48.6 68.1
2007 50.6 66.4
2006 54.2 66.5
2005 56.5 64.6
2004 57.5 63.6
2003 60 66.7
2002 59.8 65.4
2001 - 68.2
2000 - 69.7
1999 - 69.5
1998 - 66.3
1997 - 64.8
1996 - 66.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$10.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
17.7%
2023

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/kuwait | 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)

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.