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

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 171/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Central African Republic vs Malta GDP by year

Central African Republic
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Malta
2025 $3,066,109,226 $27,771,821,561
2024 $2,751,494,281 $25,042,712,191
2023 $2,555,492,086 $22,625,329,776
2022 $2,382,618,615 $18,938,869,147
2021 $2,516,498,412 $19,730,119,031
2020 $2,326,720,900 $16,404,655,808
2019 $2,221,301,351 $16,337,788,881
2018 $2,220,979,146 $16,153,785,817
2017 $2,072,349,973 $14,161,374,599
2016 $1,825,018,145 $12,025,777,078
2015 $1,695,825,714 $11,340,789,706
2014 $1,894,813,389 $11,888,029,752
2013 $1,691,544,110 $10,796,780,874
2012 $2,510,126,512 $9,609,530,619
2011 $2,437,982,705 $9,789,363,086
2010 $2,142,591,540 $9,097,044,301
2009 $2,067,381,665 $8,769,897,418
2008 $1,993,407,888 $9,172,399,573
2007 $1,699,811,295 $7,908,412,374
2006 $1,461,859,762 $6,749,838,862
2005 $1,337,894,379 $6,393,234,965
2004 $1,272,360,517 $6,104,141,501
2003 $1,142,315,523 $5,418,315,225
2002 $996,068,145 $4,455,127,398
2001 $932,648,605 $4,070,867,153
2000 $916,777,283 $4,036,809,767
1999 $999,477,511 $4,111,857,836
1998 $967,338,390 $4,010,111,652
1997 $937,741,513 $3,787,023,655
1996 $1,007,791,127 $3,822,547,151
1995 $1,115,389,674 $3,709,396,089
1994 $851,174,357 $2,998,505,428
1993 $1,278,781,262 $2,709,193,538
1992 $1,411,917,553 $3,021,942,759
1991 $1,377,374,987 $2,750,216,747
1990 $1,440,711,459 $2,547,328,748
1989 $1,233,930,281 $2,118,655,677
1988 $1,264,899,288 $2,019,503,068
1987 $1,200,991,978 $1,751,293,461
1986 $1,122,265,013 $1,435,038,441
1985 $864,849,836 $1,117,797,439
1984 $637,820,670 $1,101,807,023
1983 $658,679,333 $1,165,729,707
1982 $748,312,391 $1,234,474,404
1981 $694,803,623 $1,243,509,394
1980 $797,048,199 $1,250,198,601
1979 $700,764,748 $1,001,288,847
1978 $610,578,632 $793,673,402
1977 $507,298,148 $625,563,171
1976 $451,152,461 $527,936,989
1975 $378,660,016 $474,618,321
1974 $281,398,706 $376,081,124
1973 $271,183,082 $345,616,106
1972 $230,317,883 $295,106,628
1971 $201,450,800 $264,578,485
1970 $189,106,529 $250,728,796
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Malta by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $47,907 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $496 $1,257 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $467 $1,218 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $492 $1,129 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $463 $1,066 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $449 $985 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $455 $906 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $432 $884 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $387 $826 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $366 $769 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $410 $699 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $364 $710 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $544 $1,062 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $534 $980 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $477 $936 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $456 $877 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $437 $798 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $381 $783 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $334 $743 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $312 $702 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $303 $690 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $278.4 $648 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $248.6 $688 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $238 $668 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $239.2 $640 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $268 $660 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $266.6 $645 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $265.5 $626 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $293.3 $601 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $333 $631 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $261.3 $592 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $405 $570 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $462 $573 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $465 $618 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $502 $620 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $443 - $6,041 -
1988 $466 - $5,814 -
1987 $450 - $5,084 -
1986 $426 - $4,195 -
1985 $333 - $3,322 -
1984 $248.3 - $3,333 -
1983 $259.6 - $3,527 -
1982 $298.4 - $3,788 -
1981 $280.3 - $3,898 -
1980 $325 - $3,948 -
1979 $289.1 - $3,196 -
1978 $254.6 - $2,559 -
1977 $213.8 - $2,038 -
1976 $192.1 - $1,727 -
1975 $163.6 - $1,560 -
1974 $124 - $1,245 -
1973 $121.8 - $1,144 -
1972 $105.5 - $976 -
1971 $94.1 - $874 -
1970 $90.2 - $828 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

CAR Malta
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
3.1%
2025
Population
5798457
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 37% 46.8%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 37.4% 46%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 19% 46.3% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 24% 42.4% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 37.8% 55%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 40.1% 65%
2009 16% 20.3% 41.1% 66%
2008 16% 35.8% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 41.2% 62%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 16.2% 103% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 42% 70.4%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 44.4% 70%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 18.2% 84.2% - 69.8%
1998 18.1% 85.3% - 66.4%
1997 14.5% 96.1% - 60.8%
1996 11.7% 93% - 51.5%
1995 20.6% 83.8% - 45.3%
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 (1990–2025, 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/malta | CC BY

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 72/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Malta
2025 -5.49% -3.1%
2024 -5.03% -3.51%
2023 -3.42% -4.43%
2022 -5.13% -5.33%
2021 -5.71% -6.96%
2020 -3.23% -8.71%
2019 1.33% 0.72%
2018 -0.93% 1.86%
2017 -1% 3.4%
2016 1.18% 1.1%
2015 -0.53% -0.84%
2014 -3.02% -1.49%
2013 -2.3% -2.19%
2012 -0.78% -3.31%
2011 -2.15% -2.99%
2010 -1.35% -2.22%
2009 -0.54% -3.11%
2008 -1.23% -4.06%
2007 1.04% -2.05%
2006 8.58% -2.46%
2005 -4.37% -2.83%
2004 -1.74% -4.28%
2003 -3.06% -9.04%
2002 -1.19% -5.62%
2001 -0.88% -6.5%
2000 -2.01% -5.83%
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/malta | 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 Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.65% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Malta
2025 1% 2.36%
2024 1.5% 1.65%
2023 3% 5.09%
2022 5.6% 6.15%
2021 4.3% 1.5%
2020 0.9% 0.64%
2019 2.8% 1.64%
2018 1.6% 1.16%
2017 4.2% 1.36%
2016 4.9% 0.64%
2015 1.4% 1.1%
2014 17.8% 0.31%
2013 4% 1.18%
2012 5.9% 2.38%
2011 1.2% 2.96%
2010 1.5% 1.52%
2009 3.6% 2.08%
2008 9.2% 4.26%
2007 0.9% 1.25%
2006 6.9% 2.77%
2005 2.9% 3.01%
2004 -2.2% 2.79%
2003 4.4% 1.3%
2002 2.3% 2.19%
2001 3.8% 2.93%
2000 3.2% 2.37%
1999 -1.4% 2.13%
1998 -1.9% 2.39%
1997 1.6% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Malta
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $131K
Weapons & explosives $112K
Machinery & equipment $21K
Chemicals & pharma $17K
Metals $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

CAR Malta
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Malta
Economic freedom 43.1 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 49/197
Property rights 5.6 85.5
Government integrity 19.2 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 4 80.2
Tax burden 65.5 68.5
Government spending 90.1 58.4
Fiscal health 59 63.2
Business freedom 26.5 83.2
Labor freedom 48.5 62.6
Monetary freedom 75.6 73.1
Trade freedom 47.6 79.4
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Malta
2026 43.1 68.2
2025 42.8 66.8
2024 41.3 64.5
2023 43.8 67.5
2022 45.7 71.5
2021 48.8 70.2
2020 50.7 69.5
2019 49.1 68.6
2018 49.2 68.5
2017 51.8 67.7
2016 45.2 66.7
2015 45.9 66.5
2014 46.7 66.4
2013 50.4 67.5
2012 50.3 67
2011 49.3 65.7
2010 48.4 67.2
2009 48.3 66.1
2008 48.6 66
2007 50.6 66.1
2006 54.2 67.3
2005 56.5 68.9
2004 57.5 63.3
2003 60 61.1
2002 59.8 62.2
2001 - 62.9
2000 - 58.3
1999 - 59.3
1998 - 61.2
1997 - 57.9
1996 - 55.8
1995 - 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Malta
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
18.7%
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/malta | CC BY

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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 (2021–2025, 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.