Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 171/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Central African Republic vs Malaysia GDP by year

Central African Republic
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Malaysia
2024 $2,751,494,281 $422,227,005,429
2023 $2,555,492,086 $399,949,418,753
2022 $2,382,618,615 $407,830,525,990
2021 $2,516,498,412 $373,784,553,030
2020 $2,326,720,900 $337,456,163,961
2019 $2,221,301,351 $365,177,721,022
2018 $2,220,979,146 $358,788,845,713
2017 $2,072,349,973 $319,109,094,160
2016 $1,825,018,145 $301,256,033,870
2015 $1,695,825,714 $301,355,266,965
2014 $1,894,813,389 $338,066,095,097
2013 $1,691,544,110 $323,276,235,524
2012 $2,510,126,512 $314,443,047,642
2011 $2,437,982,705 $297,951,668,675
2010 $2,142,591,540 $255,017,638,456
2009 $2,067,381,665 $202,257,453,037
2008 $1,993,407,888 $230,811,614,370
2007 $1,699,811,295 $193,549,569,478
2006 $1,461,859,762 $162,692,258,307
2005 $1,337,894,379 $143,534,405,819
2004 $1,272,360,517 $124,749,473,684
2003 $1,142,315,523 $110,202,368,421
2002 $996,068,145 $100,845,526,316
2001 $932,648,605 $92,783,947,368
2000 $916,777,283 $93,789,736,842
1999 $999,477,511 $79,148,421,053
1998 $967,338,390 $72,167,498,981
1997 $937,741,513 $100,005,323,302
1996 $1,007,791,127 $100,855,393,910
1995 $1,115,389,674 $88,705,342,903
1994 $851,174,357 $74,478,356,958
1993 $1,278,781,262 $66,894,966,969
1992 $1,411,917,553 $59,167,550,163
1991 $1,377,374,987 $49,143,148,094
1990 $1,440,711,459 $44,024,585,240
1989 $1,233,930,281 $38,847,965,293
1988 $1,264,899,288 $35,272,109,220
1987 $1,200,991,978 $32,181,210,158
1986 $1,122,265,013 $27,734,111,400
1985 $864,849,836 $31,199,633,353
1984 $637,820,670 $33,942,897,422
1983 $658,679,333 $30,347,442,111
1982 $748,312,391 $26,804,493,635
1981 $694,803,623 $25,004,285,792
1980 $797,048,199 $24,488,224,677
1979 $700,764,748 $21,213,264,962
1978 $610,578,632 $16,358,079,862
1977 $507,298,148 $13,139,488,633
1976 $451,152,461 $11,050,234,599
1975 $378,660,016 $9,298,800,799
1974 $281,398,706 $9,496,204,302
1973 $271,183,082 $7,662,902,678
1972 $230,317,883 $5,043,347,250
1971 $201,450,800 $4,244,395,956
1970 $189,106,529 $3,864,145,667
1969 $188,039,210 $3,664,552,041
1968 $191,767,442 $3,330,371,551
1967 $163,820,514 $3,188,924,677
1966 $157,930,018 $3,143,517,944
1965 $150,574,795 $2,956,337,669
1964 $142,025,079 $2,674,423,922
1963 $129,379,124 $2,510,110,348
1962 $124,482,774 $2,001,489,602
1961 $123,134,583 $1,901,856,123
1960 $112,155,598 $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Malaysia by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $496 $1,257 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $467 $1,218 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $492 $1,129 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $463 $1,066 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $449 $985 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $455 $906 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $432 $884 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $387 $826 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $366 $769 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $410 $699 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $364 $710 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $544 $1,062 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $534 $980 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $477 $936 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $456 $877 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $437 $798 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $381 $783 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $334 $743 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $312 $702 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $303 $690 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $278.4 $648 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $248.6 $688 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $238 $668 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $239.2 $640 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $268 $660 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $266.6 $645 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $265.5 $626 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $293.3 $601 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $333 $631 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $261.3 $592 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $405 $570 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $462 $573 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $465 $618 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $502 $620 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $443 - $2,244 -
1988 $466 - $2,100 -
1987 $450 - $1,977 -
1986 $426 - $1,760 -
1985 $333 - $2,046 -
1984 $248.3 - $2,300 -
1983 $259.6 - $2,124 -
1982 $298.4 - $1,938 -
1981 $280.3 - $1,866 -
1980 $325 - $1,886 -
1979 $289.1 - $1,680 -
1978 $254.6 - $1,327 -
1977 $213.8 - $1,092 -
1976 $192.1 - $940 -
1975 $163.6 - $811 -
1974 $124 - $848 -
1973 $121.8 - $701 -
1972 $105.5 - $472 -
1971 $94.1 - $407 -
1970 $90.2 - $380 -
1969 $91.7 - $368 -
1968 $95.6 - $342 -
1967 $83.6 - $335 -
1966 $82.3 - $339 -
1965 $80.2 - $326 -
1964 $77.2 - $303 -
1963 $71.8 - $291.8 -
1962 $70.4 - $238.8 -
1961 $71 - $232.9 -
1960 $65.9 - $240.8 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

CAR Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$11,005
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$449B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
3.93%
2022
Population
5753659
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 25% 67.7%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 22% 54.4%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 24.7% 57%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 26% 55.4%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 16% 20.3% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 16% 35.8% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 16.2% 103% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 25.9% 42%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 11.7% 93% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 22% 44.6% 30.5% 74.1%
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/malaysia | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 77/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Malaysia
2024 -5.08% -3.95%
2023 -3.44% -3.97%
2022 -5.23% -4.56%
2021 -5.8% -6.03%
2020 -3.24% -4.9%
2019 1.33% -2.01%
2018 -0.93% -2.64%
2017 -1% -2.41%
2016 1.17% -2.6%
2015 -0.53% -2.55%
2014 -3.02% -2.63%
2013 -2.3% -3.48%
2012 -0.78% -3.1%
2011 -2.15% -3.57%
2010 -1.35% -4.32%
2009 -0.54% -5.88%
2008 -1.23% -3.4%
2007 1.04% -2.57%
2006 8.58% -2.6%
2005 -4.37% -2.83%
2004 -1.74% -3.35%
2003 -3.06% -4.6%
2002 -1.19% -3.96%
2001 -0.88% -4.36%
2000 -2.01% -6.05%
1999 -0.5% -3%
1998 0.001% -0.63%
1997 -1.57% 4.84%
1996 -1.06% 3.27%
1995 -4.84% 3.1%
1994 -7.57% 5.45%
1993 -5.66% 3.44%
1992 -7.33% 1.81%
1991 -8% 1.6%
1990 -6.6% 0.15%
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/malaysia | 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 Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.95% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Malaysia
2024 1.5% 1.83%
2023 3% 2.49%
2022 5.6% 3.38%
2021 4.3% 2.48%
2020 0.9% -1.14%
2019 2.8% 0.66%
2018 1.6% 0.88%
2017 4.2% 3.87%
2016 4.9% 2.09%
2015 1.4% 2.1%
2014 17.8% 3.14%
2013 4% 2.11%
2012 5.9% 1.66%
2011 1.2% 3.17%
2010 1.5% 1.62%
2009 3.6% 0.58%
2008 9.2% 5.44%
2007 0.9% 2.03%
2006 6.9% 3.61%
2005 2.9% 2.98%
2004 -2.6% 1.42%
2003 4.4% 1.09%
2002 2.3% 1.81%
2001 4.1% 1.42%
2000 3.4% 1.53%
1999 -1.6% 2.74%
1998 -2% 5.27%
1997 1.6% 2.66%

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/malaysia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.25% in Malaysia. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $177K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $461K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $399K
Raw materials & minerals $268K
Chemicals & pharma $127K
Machinery & equipment $58K
Metals $22K
Textiles & consumer goods $21K
Wood & paper products $2K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

CAR Malaysia
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$248B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
71.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Malaysia
Economic freedom 43.1 68
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 51/197
Property rights 5.6 62.7
Government integrity 19.2 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 4 63.4
Tax burden 65.5 83.5
Government spending 90.1 82
Fiscal health 59 62.5
Business freedom 26.5 79.6
Labor freedom 48.5 55.4
Monetary freedom 75.6 80.8
Trade freedom 47.6 83
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Malaysia
2026 43.1 68
2025 42.8 67.1
2024 41.3 65.7
2023 43.8 67.3
2022 45.7 68.1
2021 48.8 74.4
2020 50.7 74.7
2019 49.1 74
2018 49.2 74.5
2017 51.8 73.8
2016 45.2 71.5
2015 45.9 70.8
2014 46.7 69.6
2013 50.4 66.1
2012 50.3 66.4
2011 49.3 66.3
2010 48.4 64.8
2009 48.3 64.6
2008 48.6 63.9
2007 50.6 63.8
2006 54.2 61.6
2005 56.5 61.9
2004 57.5 59.9
2003 60 61.1
2002 59.8 60.1
2001 - 60.2
2000 - 66
1999 - 68.9
1998 - 68.2
1997 - 66.8
1996 - 69.9
1995 - 71.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
22%
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/malaysia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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.