Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $30.1B for Mali, ranking 171/197 and 114/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $12.6B (41.9% of GDP) in Mali.

Central African Republic vs Mali GDP by year

Central African Republic
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Mali
2025 $3,066,109,226 $30,069,148,581
2024 $2,751,494,281 $26,761,281,077
2023 $2,555,492,086 $24,777,941,861
2022 $2,382,618,615 $22,539,987,719
2021 $2,516,498,412 $22,999,245,263
2020 $2,326,720,900 $20,698,560,939
2019 $2,221,301,351 $20,477,421,885
2018 $2,220,979,146 $20,368,015,381
2017 $2,072,349,973 $18,308,362,040
2016 $1,825,018,145 $16,743,796,800
2015 $1,695,825,714 $15,583,181,170
2014 $1,894,813,389 $17,081,681,993
2013 $1,691,544,110 $15,747,192,681
2012 $2,510,126,512 $14,795,114,603
2011 $2,437,982,705 $15,452,791,789
2010 $2,142,591,540 $12,710,739,160
2009 $2,067,381,665 $12,155,217,833
2008 $1,993,407,888 $11,462,490,840
2007 $1,699,811,295 $9,699,047,443
2006 $1,461,859,762 $8,212,007,554
2005 $1,337,894,379 $7,429,066,952
2004 $1,272,360,517 $6,485,774,930
2003 $1,142,315,523 $5,605,613,011
2002 $996,068,145 $4,647,238,257
2001 $932,648,605 $4,124,281,594
2000 $916,777,283 $3,521,570,876
1999 $999,477,511 $4,091,446,054
1998 $967,338,390 $3,894,433,432
1997 $937,741,513 $3,414,879,486
1996 $1,007,791,127 $3,743,103,420
1995 $1,115,389,674 $3,373,322,735
1994 $851,174,357 $2,655,768,636
1993 $1,278,781,262 $3,632,801,877
1992 $1,411,917,553 $3,680,775,037
1991 $1,377,374,987 $3,576,562,682
1990 $1,440,711,459 $3,248,417,791
1989 $1,233,930,281 $2,824,822,489
1988 $1,264,899,288 $2,712,207,901
1987 $1,200,991,978 $2,437,004,680
1986 $1,122,265,013 $2,132,938,007
1985 $864,849,836 $1,594,347,021
1984 $637,820,670 $1,387,809,615
1983 $658,679,333 $1,496,616,127
1982 $748,312,391 $1,680,304,773
1981 $694,803,623 $2,234,583,940
1980 $797,048,199 $2,704,362,789
1979 $700,764,748 $1,595,422,956
1978 $610,578,632 $1,222,702,573
1977 $507,298,148 $1,049,838,548
1976 $451,152,461 $939,228,017
1975 $378,660,016 $830,710,615
1974 $281,398,706 $538,747,340
1973 $271,183,082 $563,683,703
1972 $230,317,883 $486,617,280
1971 $201,450,800 $395,218,629
1970 $189,106,529 $359,772,315
1969 $188,039,210 $339,913,867
1968 $191,767,442 $343,771,973
1967 $163,820,514 $275,494,478
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Mali by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $1,193 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $1,093 $3,315
2023 $496 $1,257 $1,042 $3,175
2022 $467 $1,218 $977 $3,014
2021 $492 $1,129 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $463 $1,066 $953 $2,724
2019 $449 $985 $972 $2,820
2018 $455 $906 $996 $2,684
2017 $432 $884 $924 $2,607
2016 $387 $826 $872 $2,532
2015 $366 $769 $838 $2,330
2014 $410 $699 $948 $2,185
2013 $364 $710 $902 $2,059
2012 $544 $1,062 $873 $1,990
2011 $534 $980 $938 $2,046
2010 $477 $936 $797 $2,012
2009 $456 $877 $787 $1,945
2008 $437 $798 $767 $1,893
2007 $381 $783 $671 $1,852
2006 $334 $743 $587 $1,832
2005 $312 $702 $549 $1,771
2004 $303 $690 $495 $1,730
2003 $278.4 $648 $442 $1,715
2002 $248.6 $688 $378 $1,581
2001 $238 $668 $346 $1,559
2000 $239.2 $640 $305 $1,357
1999 $268 $660 $364 $1,376
1998 $266.6 $645 $357 $1,332
1997 $265.5 $626 $321 $1,267
1996 $293.3 $601 $360 $1,224
1995 $333 $631 $331 $1,154
1994 $261.3 $592 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $405 $570 $372 $1,087
1992 $462 $573 $385 $1,039
1991 $465 $618 $382 $1,091
1990 $502 $620 $354 $956
1989 $443 - $314 -
1988 $466 - $307 -
1987 $450 - $280.7 -
1986 $426 - $250 -
1985 $333 - $190.4 -
1984 $248.3 - $169.1 -
1983 $259.6 - $186.3 -
1982 $298.4 - $213.8 -
1981 $280.3 - $290.5 -
1980 $325 - $359 -
1979 $289.1 - $216.3 -
1978 $254.6 - $169.1 -
1977 $213.8 - $148.1 -
1976 $192.1 - $134.9 -
1975 $163.6 - $121.5 -
1974 $124 - $80.2 -
1973 $121.8 - $85.4 -
1972 $105.5 - $75.1 -
1971 $94.1 - $62 -
1970 $90.2 - $57.3 -
1969 $91.7 - $55 -
1968 $95.6 - $56.5 -
1967 $83.6 - $46 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $1,193 in Mali, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

CAR Mali
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$30.1B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
114/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
5.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$1,193
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
174/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$12.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
41.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$500
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
168/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$1,949
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
2.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
4.5%
2024
Population
5798457
26322576

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 20.9% 41.9%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 21% 44%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 21.2% 44.3%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 20.8% 42.9%
2021 19% 46.3% 22.5% 43.2%
2020 24% 42.4% 22% 39.8%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 19.5% 34.3%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 17% 31.4%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 19.2% 30.1%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 18.6% 30.1%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 17.6% 25.8%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 16.8% 22.6%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 16.6% 22.2%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 13.1% 21.3%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 17.3% 20.1%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 17.4% 21.8%
2009 16% 20.3% 19.6% 18.8%
2008 16% 35.8% 16.2% 17.3%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 18.1% 15.6%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 18.9% 15.4%
2005 16.2% 103% 18.3% 39.5%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 18.5% 36.1%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 17.8% 37.7%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 16.8% 36%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 15.7% 66.3%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 16.5% 77%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.29B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 41.9% in Mali, ranking 72/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Mali
2025 -5.49% -1.59%
2024 -5.03% -2.16%
2023 -3.42% -3.05%
2022 -5.13% -4.05%
2021 -5.71% -4.12%
2020 -3.23% -4.56%
2019 1.33% -1.42%
2018 -0.93% -3.97%
2017 -1% -2.4%
2016 1.18% -3.3%
2015 -0.53% -1.53%
2014 -3.02% -2.43%
2013 -2.3% -1.99%
2012 -0.78% -0.8%
2011 -2.15% -2.87%
2010 -1.35% -2.21%
2009 -0.54% -3.19%
2008 -1.23% -1.69%
2007 1.04% -2.35%
2006 8.58% 23.7%
2005 -4.37% -2.34%
2004 -1.74% -2.01%
2003 -3.06% -1.01%
2002 -1.19% -2.61%
2001 -0.88% -2.39%
2000 -2.01% -2.25%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $168M, equivalent to 5.49% of GDP. This compares to Mali's deficit of $478M, or 1.59% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.65% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.48% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Mali
2025 1% 2.3%
2024 1.5% 3.2%
2023 3% 2.1%
2022 5.6% 9.7%
2021 4.3% 3.8%
2020 0.9% 0.5%
2019 2.8% -3%
2018 1.6% 1.9%
2017 4.2% 2.4%
2016 4.9% -1.8%
2015 1.4% 1.4%
2014 17.8% 0.9%
2013 4% -0.6%
2012 5.9% 5.3%
2011 1.2% 3%
2010 1.5% 1.2%
2009 3.6% 2.4%
2008 9.2% 9.2%
2007 0.9% 1.4%
2006 6.9% 1.6%
2005 2.9% 6.4%
2004 -2.2% -3.1%
2003 4.4% -1.3%
2002 2.3% 5%
2001 3.8% 5.2%
2000 3.2% -0.8%
1999 -1.4% -1.2%
1998 -1.9% 4.1%
1997 1.6% -0.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 2.09% in Mali. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 2.3% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Mali
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $59K
Metals $24K
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

CAR Mali
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$1.16B
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
122/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-4.33%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$5.49B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$5.48B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$1.8B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$516M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
26.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
22.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Mali
Economic freedom 43.1 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 150/197
Property rights 5.6 13.8
Government integrity 19.2 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 4 23.3
Tax burden 65.5 67.9
Government spending 90.1 81.8
Fiscal health 59 73.6
Business freedom 26.5 40.8
Labor freedom 48.5 54.1
Monetary freedom 75.6 78.2
Trade freedom 47.6 64
Investment freedom 45 65
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Mali
2026 43.1 52.1
2025 42.8 52.6
2024 41.3 52.5
2023 43.8 54.5
2022 45.7 55.9
2021 48.8 55.6
2020 50.7 55.9
2019 49.1 58.1
2018 49.2 57.6
2017 51.8 58.6
2016 45.2 56.5
2015 45.9 56.4
2014 46.7 55.5
2013 50.4 56.4
2012 50.3 55.8
2011 49.3 56.3
2010 48.4 55.6
2009 48.3 55.6
2008 48.6 55.6
2007 50.6 54.7
2006 54.2 54.1
2005 56.5 57.3
2004 57.5 56.6
2003 60 58.6
2002 59.8 61.1
2001 - 60.1
2000 - 60.3
1999 - 58.4
1998 - 57.3
1997 - 56.4
1996 - 57
1995 - 52.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Mali
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
23.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
33%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$28.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$3,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$843M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
20%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/mali | 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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.