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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 171/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Central African Republic vs Lebanon GDP by year

Central African Republic
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Lebanon
2024 $2,751,494,281 -
2023 $2,555,492,086 $20,078,620,357
2022 $2,382,618,615 $20,992,421,949
2021 $2,516,498,412 $23,131,941,557
2020 $2,326,720,900 $31,712,128,254
2019 $2,221,301,351 $51,605,959,131
2018 $2,220,979,146 $54,901,519,156
2017 $2,072,349,973 $53,027,680,686
2016 $1,825,018,145 $51,147,308,774
2015 $1,695,825,714 $49,929,337,837
2014 $1,894,813,389 $48,095,213,747
2013 $1,691,544,110 $46,880,103,081
2012 $2,510,126,512 $44,016,799,516
2011 $2,437,982,705 $39,927,125,962
2010 $2,142,591,540 $38,443,907,042
2009 $2,067,381,665 $35,399,582,929
2008 $1,993,407,888 $29,118,916,105
2007 $1,699,811,295 $24,827,355,015
2006 $1,461,859,762 $22,022,709,851
2005 $1,337,894,379 $21,497,336,499
2004 $1,272,360,517 $21,159,827,992
2003 $1,142,315,523 $20,082,918,740
2002 $996,068,145 $19,152,238,806
2001 $932,648,605 $17,649,751,244
2000 $916,777,283 $17,260,364,842
1999 $999,477,511 $17,391,056,369
1998 $967,338,390 $17,247,179,006
1997 $937,741,513 $15,751,867,489
1996 $1,007,791,127 $13,690,217,334
1995 $1,115,389,674 $11,718,795,529
1994 $851,174,357 $9,599,127,050
1993 $1,278,781,262 $7,941,744,492
1992 $1,411,917,553 $5,843,579,161
1991 $1,377,374,987 $4,690,415,093
1990 $1,440,711,459 $2,838,485,354
1989 $1,233,930,281 $2,717,998,688
1988 $1,264,899,288 $3,313,540,068
1987 $1,200,991,978 -
1986 $1,122,265,013 -
1985 $864,849,836 -
1984 $637,820,670 -
1983 $658,679,333 -
1982 $748,312,391 -
1981 $694,803,623 -
1980 $797,048,199 -
1979 $700,764,748 -
1978 $610,578,632 -
1977 $507,298,148 -
1976 $451,152,461 -
1975 $378,660,016 -
1974 $281,398,706 -
1973 $271,183,082 -
1972 $230,317,883 -
1971 $201,450,800 -
1970 $189,106,529 -
1969 $188,039,210 -
1968 $191,767,442 -
1967 $163,820,514 -
1966 $157,930,018 -
1965 $150,574,795 -
1964 $142,025,079 -
1963 $129,379,124 -
1962 $124,482,774 -
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/lebanon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Lebanon by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 - -
2023 $496 $1,257 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $467 $1,218 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $492 $1,129 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $463 $1,066 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $449 $985 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $455 $906 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $432 $884 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $387 $826 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $366 $769 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $410 $699 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $364 $710 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $544 $1,062 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $534 $980 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $477 $936 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $456 $877 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $437 $798 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $381 $783 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $334 $743 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $312 $702 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $303 $690 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $278.4 $648 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $248.6 $688 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $238 $668 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $239.2 $640 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $268 $660 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $266.6 $645 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $265.5 $626 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $293.3 $601 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $333 $631 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $261.3 $592 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $405 $570 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $462 $573 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $465 $618 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $502 $620 $790 $2,990
1989 $443 - $771 -
1988 $466 - $959 -
1987 $450 - - -
1986 $426 - - -
1985 $333 - - -
1984 $248.3 - - -
1983 $259.6 - - -
1982 $298.4 - - -
1981 $280.3 - - -
1980 $325 - - -
1979 $289.1 - - -
1978 $254.6 - - -
1977 $213.8 - - -
1976 $192.1 - - -
1975 $163.6 - - -
1974 $124 - - -
1973 $121.8 - - -
1972 $105.5 - - -
1971 $94.1 - - -
1970 $90.2 - - -
1969 $91.7 - - -
1968 $95.6 - - -
1967 $83.6 - - -
1966 $82.3 - - -
1965 $80.2 - - -
1964 $77.2 - - -
1963 $71.8 - - -
1962 $70.4 - - -
1961 $71 - - -
1960 $65.9 - - -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

CAR Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
171/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
11.3%
2019
Population
5753659
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 10.9% 358%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 30.6% 150%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 16% 20.3% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 16% 35.8% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 16.2% 103% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 11.7% 93% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 23% 50.5%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 22% 44.6% 40% 99.7%
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 (1988–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 77/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Lebanon
2024 -5.08% -0.19%
2023 -3.44% -1.7%
2022 -5.23% -7.77%
2021 -5.8% -2.67%
2020 -3.24% -7.37%
2019 1.33% -10.5%
2018 -0.93% -11.3%
2017 -1% -8.65%
2016 1.17% -8.88%
2015 -0.53% -7.48%
2014 -3.02% -6.22%
2013 -2.3% -8.82%
2012 -0.78% -8.43%
2011 -2.15% -5.94%
2010 -1.35% -7.47%
2009 -0.54% -8.1%
2008 -1.23% -9.86%
2007 1.04% -10.9%
2006 8.58% -10.6%
2005 -4.37% -8.57%
2004 -1.74% -9.83%
2003 -3.06% -14%
2002 -1.19% -16.2%
2001 -0.88% -21%
2000 -2.01% -23.9%
1999 -0.5% -16.7%
1998 0.001% -17.3%
1997 -1.57% -24.5%
1996 -1.06% -25.7%
1995 -4.84% -13.6%
1994 -7.57% -29.1%
1993 -5.66% -7.19%
1992 -7.33% -24%
1991 -8% -19.5%
1990 -6.6% -30.2%
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/lebanon | CC BY

In 2023, the Central African Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $87.8M, equivalent to 3.44% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Lebanon
2024 1.5% 45.2%
2023 3% 221.3%
2022 5.6% 171.2%
2021 4.3% 154.8%
2020 0.9% 84.9%
2019 2.8% 2.9%
2018 1.6% 6.1%
2017 4.2% 4.5%
2016 4.9% -0.8%
2015 1.4% -3.8%
2014 17.8% 1.1%
2013 4% 5.6%
2012 5.9% 6.6%
2011 1.2% 5%
2010 1.5% 4%
2009 3.6% 1.2%
2008 9.2% 10.7%
2007 0.9% 4.1%
2006 6.9% 4.1%
2005 2.9% -1.4%
2004 -2.6% 1.7%
2003 4.4% 1.3%
2002 2.3% 1.8%
2001 4.1% -0.4%
2000 3.4% -0.4%
1999 -1.6% 0.2%
1998 -2% 4.5%
1997 1.6% 7.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $130K
Machinery & equipment $102K
Raw agricultural goods $70K
Wood & paper products $12K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.23M
Metals $525K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $503K
Chemicals & pharma $359K
Raw agricultural goods $268K
Textiles & consumer goods $150K
Precious metals & jewellery $96K
Wood & paper products $63K
Animal & marine products $56K
Raw materials & minerals $40K

Balance of trade

CAR Lebanon
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$114M
1994
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Lebanon
Economic freedom 43.1 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 183/197
Property rights 5.6 21.8
Government integrity 19.2 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 4 23.8
Tax burden 65.5 90.3
Government spending 90.1 93.3
Fiscal health 59 63.4
Business freedom 26.5 47.6
Labor freedom 48.5 48.4
Monetary freedom 75.6 0
Trade freedom 47.6 65.6
Investment freedom 45 20
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Lebanon
2026 43.1 43.1
2025 42.8 44.1
2024 41.3 48.3
2023 43.8 45.6
2022 45.7 47.3
2021 48.8 51.4
2020 50.7 51.7
2019 49.1 51.1
2018 49.2 53.2
2017 51.8 53.3
2016 45.2 59.5
2015 45.9 59.3
2014 46.7 59.4
2013 50.4 59.5
2012 50.3 60.1
2011 49.3 60.1
2010 48.4 59.5
2009 48.3 58.1
2008 48.6 60
2007 50.6 60.4
2006 54.2 57.5
2005 56.5 57.2
2004 57.5 56.9
2003 60 56.7
2002 59.8 57.1
2001 - 61
2000 - 56.1
1999 - 59.1
1998 - 59
1997 - 63.9
1996 - 63.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
1.9%
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/lebanon | 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 (1988–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.