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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $93.3B for Luxembourg, ranking 171/197 and 74/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $24.5B (26.3% of GDP) in Luxembourg.

Central African Republic vs Luxembourg GDP by year

Central African Republic
Luxembourg
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Luxembourg
2024 $2,751,494,281 $93,279,851,863
2023 $2,555,492,086 $88,788,881,539
2022 $2,382,618,615 $80,801,680,397
2021 $2,516,498,412 $86,386,759,695
2020 $2,326,720,900 $73,670,782,100
2019 $2,221,301,351 $69,872,035,114
2018 $2,220,979,146 $71,085,623,495
2017 $2,072,349,973 $65,712,180,343
2016 $1,825,018,145 $62,216,885,436
2015 $1,695,825,714 $60,071,584,216
2014 $1,894,813,389 $68,804,811,898
2013 $1,691,544,110 $65,203,276,467
2012 $2,510,126,512 $59,776,383,527
2011 $2,437,982,705 $61,696,281,326
2010 $2,142,591,540 $56,213,985,987
2009 $2,067,381,665 $54,467,289,898
2008 $1,993,407,888 $58,844,277,702
2007 $1,699,811,295 $51,587,401,416
2006 $1,461,859,762 $42,910,146,296
2005 $1,337,894,379 $37,672,280,120
2004 $1,272,360,517 $35,064,843,793
2003 $1,142,315,523 $29,667,268,248
2002 $996,068,145 $23,649,833,332
2001 $932,648,605 $21,387,533,703
2000 $916,777,283 $21,230,182,989
1999 $999,477,511 $21,899,317,599
1998 $967,338,390 $20,150,053,345
1997 $937,741,513 $19,563,836,265
1996 $1,007,791,127 $20,895,314,658
1995 $1,115,389,674 $20,853,093,870
1994 $851,174,357 $17,701,798,891
1993 $1,278,781,262 $15,925,521,222
1992 $1,411,917,553 $15,518,702,635
1991 $1,377,374,987 $13,834,219,728
1990 $1,440,711,459 $12,778,792,854
1989 $1,233,930,281 $10,037,674,038
1988 $1,264,899,288 $9,418,167,855
1987 $1,200,991,978 $8,320,902,215
1986 $1,122,265,013 $6,685,595,088
1985 $864,849,836 $4,577,211,767
1984 $637,820,670 $4,438,435,493
1983 $658,679,333 $4,524,217,751
1982 $748,312,391 $4,602,316,793
1981 $694,803,623 $5,053,665,797
1980 $797,048,199 $6,019,805,490
1979 $700,764,748 $5,516,982,664
1978 $610,578,632 $4,718,539,772
1977 $507,298,148 $3,789,321,328
1976 $451,152,461 $3,423,586,207
1975 $378,660,016 $3,123,333,333
1974 $281,398,706 $3,183,637,117
1973 $271,183,082 $2,609,875,802
1972 $230,317,883 $1,901,697,370
1971 $201,450,800 $1,518,773,421
1970 $189,106,529 $1,457,768,455
1969 $188,039,210 $1,245,432,991
1968 $191,767,442 $1,075,561,623
1967 $163,820,514 $983,052,315
1966 $157,930,018 $976,717,015
1965 $150,574,795 $929,477,285
1964 $142,025,079 $910,877,686
1963 $129,379,124 $797,902,154
1962 $124,482,774 $747,846,862
1961 $123,134,583 $710,163,719
1960 $112,155,598 $709,941,874

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Luxembourg by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Luxembourg
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Luxembourg
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $137,782 $155,941
2023 $496 $1,257 $133,231 $150,508
2022 $467 $1,218 $123,720 $146,919
2021 $492 $1,129 $134,966 $136,772
2020 $463 $1,066 $116,860 $122,067
2019 $449 $985 $112,697 $121,372
2018 $455 $906 $116,927 $116,638
2017 $432 $884 $110,193 $114,986
2016 $387 $826 $106,899 $113,365
2015 $366 $769 $105,462 $107,860
2014 $410 $699 $123,679 $105,296
2013 $364 $710 $120,000 $100,925
2012 $544 $1,062 $112,585 $96,636
2011 $534 $980 $119,025 $94,475
2010 $477 $936 $110,886 $90,336
2009 $456 $877 $109,420 $86,919
2008 $437 $798 $120,422 $90,971
2007 $381 $783 $107,475 $85,126
2006 $334 $743 $90,789 $78,861
2005 $312 $702 $80,988 $68,788
2004 $303 $690 $76,545 $64,686
2003 $278.4 $648 $65,689 $60,192
2002 $248.6 $688 $53,006 $58,576
2001 $238 $668 $48,440 $56,136
2000 $239.2 $640 $48,660 $55,136
1999 $268 $660 $50,872 $49,845
1998 $266.6 $645 $47,445 $44,270
1997 $265.5 $626 $46,642 $42,488
1996 $293.3 $601 $50,444 $39,722
1995 $333 $631 $51,032 $38,345
1994 $261.3 $592 $43,933 $37,551
1993 $405 $570 $40,067 $35,899
1992 $462 $573 $39,571 $34,108
1991 $465 $618 $35,747 $33,191
1990 $502 $620 $33,465 $29,949
1989 $443 - $26,618 -
1988 $466 - $25,219 -
1987 $450 - $22,443 -
1986 $426 - $18,150 -
1985 $333 - $12,482 -
1984 $248.3 - $12,127 -
1983 $259.6 - $12,374 -
1982 $298.4 - $12,591 -
1981 $280.3 - $13,837 -
1980 $325 - $16,531 -
1979 $289.1 - $15,204 -
1978 $254.6 - $13,034 -
1977 $213.8 - $10,486 -
1976 $192.1 - $9,491 -
1975 $163.6 - $8,701 -
1974 $124 - $8,967 -
1973 $121.8 - $7,447 -
1972 $105.5 - $5,487 -
1971 $94.1 - $4,435 -
1970 $90.2 - $4,298 -
1969 $91.7 - $3,690 -
1968 $95.6 - $3,203 -
1967 $83.6 - $2,935 -
1966 $82.3 - $2,925 -
1965 $80.2 - $2,804 -
1964 $77.2 - $2,779 -
1963 $71.8 - $2,462 -
1962 $70.4 - $2,332 -
1961 $71 - $2,241 -
1960 $65.9 - $2,261 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $137,782 in Luxembourg, ranking 3/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Luxembourg ranks 1st at $155,941.

Economic indicators

CAR Luxembourg
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$93.3B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
0.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$137,782
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
3/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$155,941
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
1/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$24.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
26.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$36,221
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
19/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$69,593
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$41.9B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
25%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
46.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
2.05%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
6.42%
2024
Population
5753659
693885

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Luxembourg
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Luxembourg
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 46.9% 26.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 46.4% 24.7%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 44.3% 24.9%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 42.4% 24.2%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 47% 24.5%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 43.1% 22.3%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 42.3% 20.9%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 41.3% 21.8%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 40% 19.6%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 40.4% 21.1%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 40.6% 21.9%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 41.2% 22.4%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 41.8% 20.8%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 41.5% 18.5%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 42% 19.1%
2009 16% 20.3% 42.7% 15.3%
2008 16% 35.8% 37.9% 14.6%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 37.4% 8.09%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 39.4% 8.21%
2005 16.2% 103% 43.4% 7.95%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 43.7% 7.83%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 43.3% 7.43%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 41.8% 7.45%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 38.1% 7.62%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 38% 7.49%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 41.7% 8.39%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 43.9% 9.51%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 44.2% 10.1%
1996 11.7% 93% 42.5% 10.2%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 42% 10.3%
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/luxembourg | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Luxembourg spent $43.7B, or 46.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 26.3% in Luxembourg, ranking 77/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Luxembourg
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Luxembourg
2024 -5.08% 1.03%
2023 -3.44% -0.78%
2022 -5.23% 0.18%
2021 -5.8% 1%
2020 -3.24% -3.09%
2019 1.33% 2.68%
2018 -0.93% 3.17%
2017 -1% 1.37%
2016 1.17% 1.89%
2015 -0.53% 1.3%
2014 -3.02% 1.33%
2013 -2.3% 0.84%
2012 -0.78% 0.5%
2011 -2.15% 0.65%
2010 -1.35% -0.26%
2009 -0.54% -0.21%
2008 -1.23% 3.37%
2007 1.04% 4.35%
2006 8.58% 1.9%
2005 -4.37% -0.21%
2004 -1.74% -1.39%
2003 -3.06% 0.28%
2002 -1.19% 2.03%
2001 -0.88% 5.62%
2000 -2.01% 5.55%
1999 -0.5% 3.24%
1998 0.001% 2.98%
1997 -1.57% 2.65%
1996 -1.06% 2.37%
1995 -4.84% 2.71%
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/luxembourg | 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 Luxembourg's surplus of $961M, or 1.03% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Luxembourg ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.57% of GDP for Luxembourg.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Luxembourg
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Luxembourg
2024 1.5% 2.05%
2023 3% 3.74%
2022 5.6% 6.34%
2021 4.3% 2.53%
2020 0.9% 0.82%
2019 2.8% 1.74%
2018 1.6% 1.53%
2017 4.2% 1.73%
2016 4.9% 0.29%
2015 1.4% 0.47%
2014 17.8% 0.63%
2013 4% 1.73%
2012 5.9% 2.66%
2011 1.2% 3.41%
2010 1.5% 2.27%
2009 3.6% 0.37%
2008 9.2% 3.4%
2007 0.9% 2.31%
2006 6.9% 2.67%
2005 2.9% 2.49%
2004 -2.6% 2.23%
2003 4.4% 2.05%
2002 2.3% 2.07%
2001 4.1% 2.66%
2000 3.4% 3.15%
1999 -1.6% 1.03%
1998 -2% 0.96%
1997 1.6% 1.37%

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/luxembourg | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.1% in Luxembourg. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 2.05% in Luxembourg.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $6K
Luxembourg
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $632K
Chemicals & pharma $26K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K

Balance of trade

CAR Luxembourg
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
35/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+4.4%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$29.4B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$31.3B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$117B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$150B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
159.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
191.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Luxembourg
Economic freedom 43.1 79.7
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 7/197
Property rights 5.6 96.6
Government integrity 19.2 88.7
Judicial effectiveness 4 99.1
Tax burden 65.5 62.3
Government spending 90.1 36.9
Fiscal health 59 98.6
Business freedom 26.5 89.5
Labor freedom 48.5 56.7
Monetary freedom 75.6 74.1
Trade freedom 47.6 79.4
Investment freedom 45 95
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Luxembourg
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Luxembourg
2026 43.1 79.7
2025 42.8 79.5
2024 41.3 79.2
2023 43.8 78.4
2022 45.7 80.6
2021 48.8 76
2020 50.7 75.8
2019 49.1 75.9
2018 49.2 76.4
2017 51.8 75.9
2016 45.2 73.9
2015 45.9 73.2
2014 46.7 74.2
2013 50.4 74.2
2012 50.3 74.5
2011 49.3 76.2
2010 48.4 75.4
2009 48.3 75.2
2008 48.6 74.7
2007 50.6 74.6
2006 54.2 75.3
2005 56.5 76.3
2004 57.5 78.9
2003 60 79.9
2002 59.8 79.4
2001 - 80.1
2000 - 76.4
1999 - 72.4
1998 - 72.7
1997 - 72.8
1996 - 72.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 79.7 for Luxembourg, ranking 7/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Luxembourg
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
81.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
9.66%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
0.21%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$57.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$110,650
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$2.79B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
119/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$21.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$106B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$109B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
17.3%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
15.8%
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/luxembourg | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. 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.