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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 171/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Central African Republic vs Nigeria GDP by year

Central African Republic
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Nigeria
2024 $2,751,494,281 $252,261,880,141
2023 $2,555,492,086 $487,387,801,881
2022 $2,382,618,615 $646,950,257,578
2021 $2,516,498,412 $609,147,716,973
2020 $2,326,720,900 $598,586,817,819
2019 $2,221,301,351 $668,219,992,691
2018 $2,220,979,146 $421,739,251,509
2017 $2,072,349,973 $375,745,731,053
2016 $1,825,018,145 $404,649,125,252
2015 $1,695,825,714 $493,026,682,801
2014 $1,894,813,389 $574,183,763,412
2013 $1,691,544,110 $520,117,180,314
2012 $2,510,126,512 $463,971,018,239
2011 $2,437,982,705 $414,466,676,831
2010 $2,142,591,540 $366,990,417,129
2009 $2,067,381,665 $295,008,835,381
2008 $1,993,407,888 $339,476,276,258
2007 $1,699,811,295 $278,260,846,800
2006 $1,461,859,762 $238,454,997,161
2005 $1,337,894,379 $175,670,569,969
2004 $1,272,360,517 $135,764,731,646
2003 $1,142,315,523 $104,738,954,264
2002 $996,068,145 $95,054,059,303
2001 $932,648,605 $73,557,840,064
2000 $916,777,283 $69,171,451,627
1999 $999,477,511 $59,145,077,039
1998 $967,338,390 $218,416,200,673
1997 $937,741,513 $200,850,397,618
1996 $1,007,791,127 $185,730,236,700
1995 $1,115,389,674 $140,919,776,986
1994 $851,174,357 $80,399,613,064
1993 $1,278,781,262 $56,721,051,402
1992 $1,411,917,553 $52,058,181,854
1991 $1,377,374,987 $59,526,833,412
1990 $1,440,711,459 $54,035,795,388
1989 $1,233,930,281 $44,003,061,108
1988 $1,264,899,288 $49,648,470,440
1987 $1,200,991,978 $52,676,041,931
1986 $1,122,265,013 $54,805,852,581
1985 $864,849,836 $73,745,821,158
1984 $637,820,670 $73,484,359,521
1983 $658,679,333 $97,094,911,792
1982 $748,312,391 $142,769,363,314
1981 $694,803,623 $164,475,209,516
1980 $797,048,199 $64,201,788,123
1979 $700,764,748 $47,259,911,894
1978 $610,578,632 $36,527,862,209
1977 $507,298,148 $36,035,407,725
1976 $451,152,461 $36,308,883,249
1975 $378,660,016 $27,778,934,625
1974 $281,398,706 $24,846,641,318
1973 $271,183,082 $15,162,871,287
1972 $230,317,883 $12,274,416,018
1971 $201,450,800 $9,181,769,912
1970 $189,106,529 $12,546,094,982
1969 $188,039,210 $6,634,317,346
1968 $191,767,442 $5,200,997,920
1967 $163,820,514 $5,203,237,919
1966 $157,930,018 $6,366,917,453
1965 $150,574,795 $5,874,537,650
1964 $142,025,079 $5,552,931,319
1963 $129,379,124 $5,165,590,254
1962 $124,482,774 $4,909,399,176
1961 $123,134,583 $4,467,287,893
1960 $112,155,598 $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Nigeria by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $496 $1,257 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $467 $1,218 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $492 $1,129 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $463 $1,066 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $449 $985 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $455 $906 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $432 $884 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $387 $826 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $366 $769 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $410 $699 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $364 $710 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $544 $1,062 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $534 $980 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $477 $936 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $456 $877 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $437 $798 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $381 $783 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $334 $743 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $312 $702 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $303 $690 $962 $4,381
2003 $278.4 $648 $763 $4,015
2002 $248.6 $688 $712 $3,770
2001 $238 $668 $566 $3,309
2000 $239.2 $640 $547 $3,139
1999 $268 $660 $481 $3,002
1998 $266.6 $645 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $265.5 $626 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $293.3 $601 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $333 $631 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $261.3 $592 $745 $2,853
1993 $405 $570 $540 $2,921
1992 $462 $573 $509 $2,991
1991 $465 $618 $597 $2,870
1990 $502 $620 $556 $2,840
1989 $443 - $465 -
1988 $466 - $540 -
1987 $450 - $588 -
1986 $426 - $628 -
1985 $333 - $869 -
1984 $248.3 - $890 -
1983 $259.6 - $1,207 -
1982 $298.4 - $1,822 -
1981 $280.3 - $2,162 -
1980 $325 - $870 -
1979 $289.1 - $661 -
1978 $254.6 - $527 -
1977 $213.8 - $536 -
1976 $192.1 - $556 -
1975 $163.6 - $438 -
1974 $124 - $403 -
1973 $121.8 - $252.4 -
1972 $105.5 - $209.5 -
1971 $94.1 - $160.5 -
1970 $90.2 - $224.5 -
1969 $91.7 - $121.4 -
1968 $95.6 - $97.3 -
1967 $83.6 - $99.5 -
1966 $82.3 - $124.4 -
1965 $80.2 - $117.3 -
1964 $77.2 - $113.3 -
1963 $71.8 - $107.7 -
1962 $70.4 - $104.5 -
1961 $71 - $97.1 -
1960 $65.9 - $93.1 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

CAR Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
3.45%
2024
Population
5753659
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 8.51% 18%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 10% 13%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 16% 20.3% 11% 6.12%
2008 16% 35.8% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 16.2% 103% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 13% 25.2%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 11.7% 93% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 20% 50.4%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 22% 44.6% 14.2% 50.9%
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/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 77/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Nigeria
2024 -5.08% -1.57%
2023 -3.44% -3.12%
2022 -5.23% -4%
2021 -5.8% -3.97%
2020 -3.24% -4.03%
2019 1.33% -3.31%
2018 -0.93% -3.06%
2017 -1% -3.85%
2016 1.17% -3.3%
2015 -0.53% -2.7%
2014 -3.02% -1.72%
2013 -2.3% -1.89%
2012 -0.78% -0.09%
2011 -2.15% 0.31%
2010 -1.35% -2.96%
2009 -0.54% -3.78%
2008 -1.23% 4.05%
2007 1.04% -0.79%
2006 8.58% 6.22%
2005 -4.37% 3.49%
2004 -1.74% 3.9%
2003 -3.06% -1.56%
2002 -1.19% 0.95%
2001 -0.88% -2.29%
2000 -2.01% 2.89%
1999 -0.5% -1.39%
1998 0.001% -3.47%
1997 -1.57% 1.14%
1996 -1.06% 3.37%
1995 -4.84% 2.52%
1994 -7.57% -2.96%
1993 -5.66% -6.07%
1992 -7.33% 0.94%
1991 -8% -1.18%
1990 -6.6% -0.48%
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/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Nigeria
2024 1.5% 33.2%
2023 3% 24.7%
2022 5.6% 18.8%
2021 4.3% 17%
2020 0.9% 13.2%
2019 2.8% 11.4%
2018 1.6% 12.1%
2017 4.2% 16.5%
2016 4.9% 15.7%
2015 1.4% 9.01%
2014 17.8% 8.05%
2013 4% 8.5%
2012 5.9% 12.2%
2011 1.2% 10.8%
2010 1.5% 13.7%
2009 3.6% 12.5%
2008 9.2% 11.6%
2007 0.9% 5.39%
2006 6.9% 8.23%
2005 2.9% 17.9%
2004 -2.6% 15%
2003 4.4% 14%
2002 2.3% 12.9%
2001 4.1% 18.9%
2000 3.4% 6.93%
1999 -1.6% 6.62%
1998 -2% 10%
1997 1.6% 8.53%

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/nigeria | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Machinery & equipment $22K
Animal & marine products $8K
Raw agricultural goods $7K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Metals $4K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $17K
Chemicals & pharma $15K

Balance of trade

CAR Nigeria
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$53B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Nigeria
Economic freedom 43.1 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 132/197
Property rights 5.6 29.7
Government integrity 19.2 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 4 34.4
Tax burden 65.5 84.6
Government spending 90.1 96.3
Fiscal health 59 83.5
Business freedom 26.5 50.3
Labor freedom 48.5 75.4
Monetary freedom 75.6 56.1
Trade freedom 47.6 64.4
Investment freedom 45 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Nigeria
2026 43.1 54.8
2025 42.8 53.4
2024 41.3 53.1
2023 43.8 53.9
2022 45.7 54.4
2021 48.8 58.7
2020 50.7 57.2
2019 49.1 57.3
2018 49.2 58.5
2017 51.8 57.1
2016 45.2 57.5
2015 45.9 55.6
2014 46.7 54.3
2013 50.4 55.1
2012 50.3 56.3
2011 49.3 56.7
2010 48.4 56.8
2009 48.3 55.1
2008 48.6 55.1
2007 50.6 55.6
2006 54.2 48.7
2005 56.5 48.4
2004 57.5 49.2
2003 60 49.5
2002 59.8 50.9
2001 - 49.6
2000 - 53.1
1999 - 55.7
1998 - 52.3
1997 - 52.8
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
n/a

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/nigeria | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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.