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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 171/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

Central African Republic vs Liberia GDP by year

Central African Republic
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Liberia
2024 $2,751,494,281 $4,779,300,900
2023 $2,555,492,086 $4,390,000,000
2022 $2,382,618,615 $4,001,047,000
2021 $2,516,498,412 $3,513,049,500
2020 $2,326,720,900 $3,176,126,300
2019 $2,221,301,351 $3,319,596,500
2018 $2,220,979,146 $3,422,754,800
2017 $2,072,349,973 $3,390,703,400
2016 $1,825,018,145 $3,398,419,600
2015 $1,695,825,714 $3,227,075,700
2014 $1,894,813,389 $3,225,652,000
2013 $1,691,544,110 $3,177,198,100
2012 $2,510,126,512 $2,791,614,000
2011 $2,437,982,705 $2,398,000,000
2010 $2,142,591,540 $1,998,000,000
2009 $2,067,381,665 $1,768,000,000
2008 $1,993,407,888 $1,726,000,000
2007 $1,699,811,295 $1,373,000,000
2006 $1,461,859,762 $1,119,000,000
2005 $1,337,894,379 $949,000,000
2004 $1,272,360,517 $897,000,000
2003 $1,142,315,523 $748,000,000
2002 $996,068,145 $927,000,000
2001 $932,648,605 $906,000,000
2000 $916,777,283 $874,000,000
1999 $999,477,511 $441,800,000
1998 $967,338,390 $359,600,000
1997 $937,741,513 $295,900,000
1996 $1,007,791,127 $159,400,000
1995 $1,115,389,674 $134,800,000
1994 $851,174,357 $132,200,000
1993 $1,278,781,262 $160,400,000
1992 $1,411,917,553 $223,500,000
1991 $1,377,374,987 $348,000,000
1990 $1,440,711,459 $384,400,000
1989 $1,233,930,281 $786,300,000
1988 $1,264,899,288 $1,038,300,000
1987 $1,200,991,978 $972,800,000
1986 $1,122,265,013 $840,964,400
1985 $864,849,836 $851,296,100
1984 $637,820,670 $848,478,300
1983 $658,679,333 $823,374,900
1982 $748,312,391 $863,933,200
1981 $694,803,623 $846,514,500
1980 $797,048,199 $854,711,500
1979 $700,764,748 $814,067,900
1978 $610,578,632 $717,240,400
1977 $507,298,148 $673,010,600
1976 $451,152,461 $596,675,700
1975 $378,660,016 $577,549,300
1974 $281,398,706 $486,955,000
1973 $271,183,082 $386,968,300
1972 $230,317,883 $368,098,000
1971 $201,450,800 $341,543,100
1970 $189,106,529 $323,099,700
1969 $188,039,210 $306,961,800
1968 $191,767,442 $276,820,700
1967 $163,820,514 $261,024,300
1966 $157,930,018 $244,459,500
1965 $150,574,795 $229,260,800
1964 $142,025,079 $218,929,100
1963 $129,379,124 $200,229,600
1962 $124,482,774 $191,861,800
1961 $123,134,583 $183,920,900
1960 $112,155,598 $190,495,600

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Liberia by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $851 $1,871
2023 $496 $1,257 $799 $1,795
2022 $467 $1,218 $745 $1,692
2021 $492 $1,129 $668 $1,539
2020 $463 $1,066 $617 $1,660
2019 $449 $985 $658 $1,900
2018 $455 $906 $692 $1,800
2017 $432 $884 $699 $1,665
2016 $387 $826 $715 $1,490
2015 $366 $769 $693 $1,340
2014 $410 $699 $707 $1,419
2013 $364 $710 $711 $1,360
2012 $544 $1,062 $638 $1,157
2011 $534 $980 $568 $1,041
2010 $477 $936 $492 $980
2009 $456 $877 $448 $939
2008 $437 $798 $452 $915
2007 $381 $783 $374 $873
2006 $334 $743 $321 $815
2005 $312 $702 $287.5 $774
2004 $303 $690 $284.1 $745
2003 $278.4 $648 $239.8 $716
2002 $248.6 $688 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $238 $668 $300 $987
2000 $239.2 $640 $298.5 $965
1999 $268 $660 $156.6 $762
1998 $266.6 $645 $134.7 $652
1997 $265.5 $626 $122.6 $548
1996 $293.3 $601 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $333 $631 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $261.3 $592 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $405 $570 $74.4 $328
1992 $462 $573 $107.8 $497
1991 $465 $618 $177.9 $793
1990 $502 $620 $172.9 $787
1989 $443 - $312 -
1988 $466 - $424 -
1987 $450 - $409 -
1986 $426 - $364 -
1985 $333 - $380 -
1984 $248.3 - $390 -
1983 $259.6 - $391 -
1982 $298.4 - $422 -
1981 $280.3 - $426 -
1980 $325 - $443 -
1979 $289.1 - $435 -
1978 $254.6 - $394 -
1977 $213.8 - $381 -
1976 $192.1 - $347 -
1975 $163.6 - $346 -
1974 $124 - $299.4 -
1973 $121.8 - $244.4 -
1972 $105.5 - $238.6 -
1971 $94.1 - $227.1 -
1970 $90.2 - $220.3 -
1969 $91.7 - $214.7 -
1968 $95.6 - $198.6 -
1967 $83.6 - $192.2 -
1966 $82.3 - $184.6 -
1965 $80.2 - $177.6 -
1964 $77.2 - $173.9 -
1963 $71.8 - $163.1 -
1962 $70.4 - $160.3 -
1961 $71 - $157.5 -
1960 $65.9 - $167.2 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $851 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

CAR Liberia
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$1,191
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
5.93%
2017
Population
5753659
5887000

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 37.1% 24.8%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 16% 20.3% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 16% 35.8% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 17.2% 394%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 11.1% 472%
2005 16.2% 103% 12.8% 535%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 12.1% 543%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 9.85% 658%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 13.2% 481%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 12.6% 484%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 15.2% 489%
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/liberia | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 77/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Liberia
2024 -5.08% -1.98%
2023 -3.44% -7.03%
2022 -5.23% -5.33%
2021 -5.8% -2.5%
2020 -3.24% -4.02%
2019 1.33% -4.92%
2018 -0.93% -4.7%
2017 -1% -7.14%
2016 1.17% -3.83%
2015 -0.53% -3.74%
2014 -3.02% -4.92%
2013 -2.3% 1.29%
2012 -0.78% -2.86%
2011 -2.15% -4.43%
2010 -1.35% 1.17%
2009 -0.54% -1.39%
2008 -1.23% -2.68%
2007 1.04% 2.44%
2006 8.58% 4.42%
2005 -4.37% -0.55%
2004 -1.74% -0.56%
2003 -3.06% 0.39%
2002 -1.19% -1.63%
2001 -0.88% -0.98%
2000 -2.01% -0.08%
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/liberia | 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 Liberia's deficit of $94.6M, or 1.98% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Liberia
2024 1.5% 8.2%
2023 3% 10.1%
2022 5.6% 7.6%
2021 4.3% 7.8%
2020 0.9% 17%
2019 2.8% 27%
2018 1.6% 23.5%
2017 4.2% 12.4%
2016 4.9% 8.8%
2015 1.4% 7.7%
2014 17.8% 9.9%
2013 4% 7.6%
2012 5.9% 6.8%
2011 1.2% 8.5%
2010 1.5% 7.3%
2009 3.6% 7.4%
2008 9.2% 17.5%
2007 0.9% 11.4%
2006 6.9% 9.5%
2005 2.9% 6.9%
2004 -2.6% 3.6%
2003 4.4% 10.3%
2002 2.3% 14.2%
2001 4.1% 12.1%
2000 3.4% 5.3%
1999 -1.6% 2%
1998 -2% -
1997 1.6% -

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

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

Over the past 26 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.62%, compared with 10.4% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 8.2% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Liberia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6K

Balance of trade

CAR Liberia
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$114M
1994
$434M
2022
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
28.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Liberia
Economic freedom 43.1 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 163/197
Property rights 5.6 40.4
Government integrity 19.2 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 4 23.4
Tax burden 65.5 86.1
Government spending 90.1 79.5
Fiscal health 59 56.9
Business freedom 26.5 38
Labor freedom 48.5 43.4
Monetary freedom 75.6 71.4
Trade freedom 47.6 57.4
Investment freedom 45 55
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Liberia
2026 43.1 49.8
2025 42.8 48.5
2024 41.3 49.9
2023 43.8 49.6
2022 45.7 47.9
2021 48.8 49.2
2020 50.7 49
2019 49.1 49.7
2018 49.2 50.9
2017 51.8 49.1
2016 45.2 52.2
2015 45.9 52.7
2014 46.7 52.4
2013 50.4 49.3
2012 50.3 48.6
2011 49.3 46.5
2010 48.4 46.2
2009 48.3 48.1
2008 48.6 -
2007 50.6 -
2006 54.2 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 57.5 -
2003 60 -
2002 59.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Liberia
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
n/a

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/liberia | 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 (2002–2026, 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 (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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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.