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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 171/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Central African Republic vs Malawi GDP by year

Central African Republic
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Malawi
2024 $2,751,494,281 $11,316,411,329
2023 $2,555,492,086 $13,363,669,673
2022 $2,382,618,615 $12,429,059,928
2021 $2,516,498,412 $12,378,119,199
2020 $2,326,720,900 $11,769,313,598
2019 $2,221,301,351 $11,051,852,713
2018 $2,220,979,146 $9,879,220,354
2017 $2,072,349,973 $8,943,543,794
2016 $1,825,018,145 $7,909,868,618
2015 $1,695,825,714 $9,219,474,379
2014 $1,894,813,389 $8,801,326,169
2013 $1,691,544,110 $8,031,571,928
2012 $2,510,126,512 $8,773,203,178
2011 $2,437,982,705 $11,648,142,958
2010 $2,142,591,540 $10,128,323,011
2009 $2,067,381,665 $9,009,887,947
2008 $1,993,407,888 $7,743,617,352
2007 $1,699,811,295 $6,451,210,219
2006 $1,461,859,762 $5,818,279,739
2005 $1,337,894,379 $5,320,409,651
2004 $1,272,360,517 $5,058,726,350
2003 $1,142,315,523 $4,669,789,300
2002 $996,068,145 $5,087,328,438
2001 $932,648,605 $2,498,008,665
2000 $916,777,283 $2,537,307,580
1999 $999,477,511 $2,584,478,924
1998 $967,338,390 $2,547,609,590
1997 $937,741,513 $3,875,785,863
1996 $1,007,791,127 $3,319,573,750
1995 $1,115,389,674 $2,033,701,498
1994 $851,174,357 $1,719,864,761
1993 $1,278,781,262 $3,013,392,658
1992 $1,411,917,553 $2,618,837,835
1991 $1,377,374,987 $3,206,783,830
1990 $1,440,711,459 $2,737,087,862
1989 $1,233,930,281 $2,314,205,130
1988 $1,264,899,288 $2,008,189,508
1987 $1,200,991,978 $1,721,711,808
1986 $1,122,265,013 $1,722,586,299
1985 $864,849,836 $1,646,442,273
1984 $637,820,670 $1,758,028,656
1983 $658,679,333 $1,780,148,049
1982 $748,312,391 $1,717,379,495
1981 $694,803,623 $1,801,193,910
1980 $797,048,199 $1,801,156,775
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/malawi | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Malawi by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $523 $1,858
2023 $496 $1,257 $633 $1,830
2022 $467 $1,218 $604 $1,778
2021 $492 $1,129 $617 $1,688
2020 $463 $1,066 $603 $1,513
2019 $449 $985 $581 $1,450
2018 $455 $906 $533 $1,364
2017 $432 $884 $496 $1,380
2016 $387 $826 $451 $1,410
2015 $366 $769 $540 $1,403
2014 $410 $699 $530 $1,506
2013 $364 $710 $497 $1,558
2012 $544 $1,062 $558 $1,464
2011 $534 $980 $763 $1,516
2010 $477 $936 $683 $1,458
2009 $456 $877 $626 $1,388
2008 $437 $798 $554 $1,311
2007 $381 $783 $475 $1,231
2006 $334 $743 $441 $1,124
2005 $312 $702 $414 $1,071
2004 $303 $690 $405 $1,033
2003 $278.4 $648 $383 $979
2002 $248.6 $688 $428 $931
2001 $238 $668 $215.5 $924
2000 $239.2 $640 $224.2 $974
1999 $268 $660 $233.9 $961
1998 $266.6 $645 $236 $941
1997 $265.5 $626 $367 $915
1996 $293.3 $601 $321 $884
1995 $333 $631 $200.4 $825
1994 $261.3 $592 $169.2 $692
1993 $405 $570 $293 $746
1992 $462 $573 $258.4 $674
1991 $465 $618 $326 $732
1990 $502 $620 $286.7 $672
1989 $443 - $252.2 -
1988 $466 - $229.4 -
1987 $450 - $207.6 -
1986 $426 - $217.9 -
1985 $333 - $216.1 -
1984 $248.3 - $239.7 -
1983 $259.6 - $252.4 -
1982 $298.4 - $253.3 -
1981 $280.3 - $276.4 -
1980 $325 - $287.5 -
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/malawi | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

CAR Malawi
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$3,031
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
15.4%
2024
Population
5753659
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 21% 40%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 17% 20%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 16% 35.8% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 16.2% 103% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 14.1% 103.1% - -
2000 17.2% 94.7% - -
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/malawi | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 77/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Malawi
2024 -5.08% -11%
2023 -3.44% -7.84%
2022 -5.23% -9.32%
2021 -5.8% -8.34%
2020 -3.24% -8.03%
2019 1.33% -4.55%
2018 -0.93% -4.35%
2017 -1% -5.15%
2016 1.17% -4.9%
2015 -0.53% -4.17%
2014 -3.02% -3.08%
2013 -2.3% -3.73%
2012 -0.78% -1.45%
2011 -2.15% -2.85%
2010 -1.35% 0.63%
2009 -0.54% -2.97%
2008 -1.23% -2.92%
2007 1.04% -2.56%
2006 8.58% -0.05%
2005 -4.37% -1.63%
2004 -1.74% -2.61%
2003 -3.06% -2.6%
2002 -1.19% -4.47%
2001 -0.88% -
2000 -2.01% -
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/malawi | 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 Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Malawi
2024 1.5% 32.2%
2023 3% 28.8%
2022 5.6% 20.8%
2021 4.3% 9.3%
2020 0.9% 8.6%
2019 2.8% 9.4%
2018 1.6% 9.2%
2017 4.2% 11.5%
2016 4.9% 21.7%
2015 1.4% 21.9%
2014 17.8% 23.8%
2013 4% 28.3%
2012 5.9% 21.3%
2011 1.2% 7.6%
2010 1.5% 7.4%
2009 3.6% 8.4%
2008 9.2% 8.7%
2007 0.9% 7.9%
2006 6.9% 13.9%
2005 2.9% 15.5%
2004 -2.6% 11.4%
2003 4.4% 9.6%
2002 2.3% 14.7%
2001 4.1% 22.7%
2000 3.4% 29.6%
1999 -1.6% 44.8%
1998 -2% 29.8%
1997 1.6% 9.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $35K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

CAR Malawi
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$895M
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
11.2%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Malawi
Economic freedom 43.1 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 159/197
Property rights 5.6 49.5
Government integrity 19.2 35
Judicial effectiveness 4 51.8
Tax burden 65.5 77
Government spending 90.1 77.8
Fiscal health 59 4.7
Business freedom 26.5 34.1
Labor freedom 48.5 55.2
Monetary freedom 75.6 55.1
Trade freedom 47.6 68.6
Investment freedom 45 50
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Malawi
2026 43.1 50.7
2025 42.8 50.9
2024 41.3 52.1
2023 43.8 52.8
2022 45.7 53
2021 48.8 53
2020 50.7 52.8
2019 49.1 51.4
2018 49.2 52
2017 51.8 52.2
2016 45.2 51.8
2015 45.9 54.8
2014 46.7 55.4
2013 50.4 55.3
2012 50.3 56.4
2011 49.3 55.8
2010 48.4 54.1
2009 48.3 53.7
2008 48.6 52.7
2007 50.6 52.9
2006 54.2 55.4
2005 56.5 53.6
2004 57.5 53.6
2003 60 53.2
2002 59.8 56.9
2001 - 56.2
2000 - 57.4
1999 - 54
1998 - 54.1
1997 - 53.4
1996 - 56.2
1995 - 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 50.7 for Malawi, ranking 159/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Malawi
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
14.5%
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/malawi | 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 (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 (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.