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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 171/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Central African Republic vs Namibia GDP by year

Central African Republic
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Namibia
2024 $2,751,494,281 $13,372,354,512
2023 $2,555,492,086 $12,408,271,449
2022 $2,382,618,615 $12,569,449,123
2021 $2,516,498,412 $12,402,486,184
2020 $2,326,720,900 $10,583,748,542
2019 $2,221,301,351 $12,541,928,303
2018 $2,220,979,146 $13,682,019,076
2017 $2,072,349,973 $12,895,153,371
2016 $1,825,018,145 $10,722,018,732
2015 $1,695,825,714 $11,335,161,084
2014 $1,894,813,389 $12,435,430,970
2013 $1,691,544,110 $12,043,307,277
2012 $2,510,126,512 $13,042,053,592
2011 $2,437,982,705 $12,523,359,441
2010 $2,142,591,540 $11,431,412,421
2009 $2,067,381,665 $8,938,847,189
2008 $1,993,407,888 $8,607,431,497
2007 $1,699,811,295 $8,839,536,476
2006 $1,461,859,762 $8,001,779,551
2005 $1,337,894,379 $7,248,374,838
2004 $1,272,360,517 $6,609,205,995
2003 $1,142,315,523 $4,926,439,384
2002 $996,068,145 $3,349,169,826
2001 $932,648,605 $3,557,341,215
2000 $916,777,283 $3,922,232,165
1999 $999,477,511 $3,868,551,730
1998 $967,338,390 $3,873,109,866
1997 $937,741,513 $4,154,989,950
1996 $1,007,791,127 $3,989,163,197
1995 $1,115,389,674 $3,978,514,206
1994 $851,174,357 $3,666,503,530
1993 $1,278,781,262 $3,251,188,833
1992 $1,411,917,553 $3,429,521,699
1991 $1,377,374,987 $2,996,869,281
1990 $1,440,711,459 $2,789,921,854
1989 $1,233,930,281 $2,535,135,798
1988 $1,264,899,288 $2,495,094,746
1987 $1,200,991,978 $2,300,068,217
1986 $1,122,265,013 $1,809,048,527
1985 $864,849,836 $1,608,237,350
1984 $637,820,670 $1,951,260,038
1983 $658,679,333 $2,297,400,688
1982 $748,312,391 $2,118,710,248
1981 $694,803,623 $2,249,908,578
1980 $797,048,199 $2,421,990,338
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Namibia by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $496 $1,257 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $467 $1,218 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $492 $1,129 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $463 $1,066 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $449 $985 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $455 $906 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $432 $884 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $387 $826 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $366 $769 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $410 $699 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $364 $710 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $544 $1,062 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $534 $980 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $477 $936 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $456 $877 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $437 $798 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $381 $783 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $334 $743 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $312 $702 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $303 $690 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $278.4 $648 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $248.6 $688 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $238 $668 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $239.2 $640 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $268 $660 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $266.6 $645 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $265.5 $626 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $293.3 $601 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $333 $631 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $261.3 $592 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $405 $570 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $462 $573 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $465 $618 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $502 $620 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $443 - $1,967 -
1988 $466 - $2,063 -
1987 $450 - $1,969 -
1986 $426 - $1,599 -
1985 $333 - $1,466 -
1984 $248.3 - $1,830 -
1983 $259.6 - $2,214 -
1982 $298.4 - $2,097 -
1981 $280.3 - $2,267 -
1980 $325 - $2,468 -
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/namibia | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

CAR Namibia
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
19.9%
2018
Population
5753659
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 37% 67.2%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 35% 24.6%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 32% 15.9%
2008 16% 35.8% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 16.2% 103% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 11.7% 93% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 29.6% 18%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 33% 11.8%
1990 22% 44.6% 30.2% 12.9%
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/namibia | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 77/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Namibia
2024 -5.08% -3.59%
2023 -3.44% -3.14%
2022 -5.23% -6.33%
2021 -5.8% -8.68%
2020 -3.24% -8.07%
2019 1.33% -5.49%
2018 -0.93% -5.09%
2017 -1% -4.99%
2016 1.17% -9.3%
2015 -0.53% -8.3%
2014 -3.02% -6.44%
2013 -2.3% -4.69%
2012 -0.78% -3.1%
2011 -2.15% -7.09%
2010 -1.35% -4.98%
2009 -0.54% -0.4%
2008 -1.23% 3.48%
2007 1.04% 6.01%
2006 8.58% 3.41%
2005 -4.37% -0.31%
2004 -1.74% -2.67%
2003 -3.06% -4.47%
2002 -1.19% -1.38%
2001 -0.88% -2.01%
2000 -2.01% -0.79%
1999 -0.5% -1.88%
1998 0.001% -2.76%
1997 -1.57% -2.38%
1996 -1.06% -3.7%
1995 -4.84% -1.74%
1994 -7.57% -0.57%
1993 -5.66% -2.73%
1992 -7.33% -2.55%
1991 -8% -1.59%
1990 -6.6% 1.08%
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/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Namibia
2024 1.5% 4.2%
2023 3% 5.9%
2022 5.6% 6.1%
2021 4.3% 3.6%
2020 0.9% 2.2%
2019 2.8% 3.7%
2018 1.6% 4.3%
2017 4.2% 6.1%
2016 4.9% 6.7%
2015 1.4% 3.4%
2014 17.8% 5.3%
2013 4% 5.6%
2012 5.9% 6.7%
2011 1.2% 5%
2010 1.5% 4.9%
2009 3.6% 9.5%
2008 9.2% 9.1%
2007 0.9% 6.5%
2006 6.9% 5%
2005 2.9% 2.3%
2004 -2.6% 4.1%
2003 4.4% 7.2%
2002 2.3% 12.7%
2001 4.1% 10.2%
2000 3.4% 10.2%
1999 -1.6% 9.4%
1998 -2% 6.6%
1997 1.6% 9.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Namibia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2.99M
Machinery & equipment $810K
Miscellaneous $187K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

CAR Namibia
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Namibia
Economic freedom 43.1 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 95/197
Property rights 5.6 63.1
Government integrity 19.2 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 4 67.2
Tax burden 65.5 66.4
Government spending 90.1 57.1
Fiscal health 59 60.5
Business freedom 26.5 58
Labor freedom 48.5 62.7
Monetary freedom 75.6 76.1
Trade freedom 47.6 69.8
Investment freedom 45 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Namibia
2026 43.1 60.2
2025 42.8 58.7
2024 41.3 57.5
2023 43.8 57.7
2022 45.7 59.2
2021 48.8 62.6
2020 50.7 60.9
2019 49.1 58.7
2018 49.2 58.5
2017 51.8 62.5
2016 45.2 61.9
2015 45.9 59.6
2014 46.7 59.4
2013 50.4 60.3
2012 50.3 61.9
2011 49.3 62.7
2010 48.4 62.2
2009 48.3 62.4
2008 48.6 61.4
2007 50.6 63.5
2006 54.2 60.7
2005 56.5 61.4
2004 57.5 62.4
2003 60 67.3
2002 59.8 65.1
2001 - 64.8
2000 - 66.7
1999 - 66.1
1998 - 66.1
1997 - 61.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Namibia
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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 (1997–2026, 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 (2020–2021, 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.