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Economy of Central African Republic vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $17B for North Macedonia, ranking 171/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $9.3B (54.8% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Central African Republic vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Central African Republic
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR North Macedonia
2024 $2,751,494,281 $16,951,682,245
2023 $2,555,492,086 $15,855,131,189
2022 $2,382,618,615 $13,932,436,550
2021 $2,516,498,412 $14,000,283,827
2020 $2,326,720,900 $12,361,036,914
2019 $2,221,301,351 $12,606,338,449
2018 $2,220,979,146 $12,683,068,114
2017 $2,072,349,973 $11,307,067,070
2016 $1,825,018,145 $10,672,467,073
2015 $1,695,825,714 $10,064,519,963
2014 $1,894,813,389 $11,362,265,253
2013 $1,691,544,110 $10,817,702,346
2012 $2,510,126,512 $9,745,261,301
2011 $2,437,982,705 $10,494,626,768
2010 $2,142,591,540 $9,407,170,321
2009 $2,067,381,665 $9,401,736,825
2008 $1,993,407,888 $9,909,552,435
2007 $1,699,811,295 $8,336,474,974
2006 $1,461,859,762 $6,861,226,972
2005 $1,337,894,379 $6,258,602,873
2004 $1,272,360,517 $5,682,784,472
2003 $1,142,315,523 $4,946,296,599
2002 $996,068,145 $4,018,365,747
2001 $932,648,605 $3,709,636,031
2000 $916,777,283 $3,772,859,034
1999 $999,477,511 $3,863,619,285
1998 $967,338,390 $3,765,745,023
1997 $937,741,513 $3,912,986,091
1996 $1,007,791,127 $4,642,021,256
1995 $1,115,389,674 $4,707,041,315
1994 $851,174,357 $3,559,608,640
1993 $1,278,781,262 $2,682,456,897
1992 $1,411,917,553 $2,436,849,342
1991 $1,377,374,987 $4,938,775,510
1990 $1,440,711,459 $4,699,646,643
1989 $1,233,930,281 -
1988 $1,264,899,288 -
1987 $1,200,991,978 -
1986 $1,122,265,013 -
1985 $864,849,836 -
1984 $637,820,670 -
1983 $658,679,333 -
1982 $748,312,391 -
1981 $694,803,623 -
1980 $797,048,199 -
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs North Macedonia by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $496 $1,257 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $467 $1,218 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $492 $1,129 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $463 $1,066 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $449 $985 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $455 $906 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $432 $884 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $387 $826 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $366 $769 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $410 $699 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $364 $710 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $544 $1,062 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $534 $980 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $477 $936 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $456 $877 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $437 $798 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $381 $783 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $334 $743 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $312 $702 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $303 $690 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $278.4 $648 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $248.6 $688 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $238 $668 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $239.2 $640 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $268 $660 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $266.6 $645 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $265.5 $626 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $293.3 $601 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $333 $631 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $261.3 $592 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $405 $570 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $462 $573 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $465 $618 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $502 $620 $2,277 $5,348
1989 $443 - - -
1988 $466 - - -
1987 $450 - - -
1986 $426 - - -
1985 $333 - - -
1984 $248.3 - - -
1983 $259.6 - - -
1982 $298.4 - - -
1981 $280.3 - - -
1980 $325 - - -
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $9,292 in North Macedonia, ranking 88/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

CAR North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$17B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$9,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
88/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
54.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$5,095
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
77/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$7,534
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
12.3%
2024
Population
5753659
1805954

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 36.7% 54.8%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 35.5% 50.8%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 35% 50.4%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 32.2% 38%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 31.7% 38%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 31.7% 34%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 16% 35.8% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 16.2% 103% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 36% 36.5%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 32% 45.6%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 33.2% 30.4%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 32.8% 33.1%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 32.9% 29.3%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.23B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 54.8% in North Macedonia, ranking 77/185 and 96/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR North Macedonia
2024 -5.08% -4.45%
2023 -3.44% -4.61%
2022 -5.23% -5.23%
2021 -5.8% -5.32%
2020 -3.24% -8.05%
2019 1.33% -1.97%
2018 -0.93% -1.76%
2017 -1% -2.73%
2016 1.17% -2.7%
2015 -0.53% -3.48%
2014 -3.02% -4.19%
2013 -2.3% -3.84%
2012 -0.78% -3.81%
2011 -2.15% -2.47%
2010 -1.35% -2.41%
2009 -0.54% -2.63%
2008 -1.23% -0.93%
2007 1.04% 0.58%
2006 8.58% -0.51%
2005 -4.37% 0.21%
2004 -1.74% 0.37%
2003 -3.06% -0.07%
2002 -1.19% -5.24%
2001 -0.88% -5.88%
2000 -2.01% 2.37%
1999 -0.5% 0.03%
1998 0.001% -1.63%
1997 -1.57% -0.36%
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 (1990–2024, 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/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $754M, or 4.45% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.52% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR North Macedonia
2024 1.5% 3.5%
2023 3% 9.4%
2022 5.6% 14.2%
2021 4.3% 3.2%
2020 0.9% 1.2%
2019 2.8% 0.8%
2018 1.6% 1.5%
2017 4.2% 1.4%
2016 4.9% -0.2%
2015 1.4% -0.3%
2014 17.8% -0.3%
2013 4% 2.8%
2012 5.9% 3.3%
2011 1.2% 3.9%
2010 1.5% 1.5%
2009 3.6% -0.7%
2008 9.2% 8.3%
2007 0.9% 2.3%
2006 6.9% 3.2%
2005 2.9% 0.5%
2004 -2.6% -0.4%
2003 4.4% 0.9%
2002 2.3% 1.1%
2001 4.1% 5.2%
2000 3.4% 6.6%
1999 -1.6% -1.3%
1998 -2% 0.5%
1997 1.6% 1.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.62% in North Macedonia. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 3.5% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

CAR North Macedonia
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$356M
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
102/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-2.1%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$10.6B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$7.3B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$2.01B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$3.16B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
74.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
61.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR North Macedonia
Economic freedom 43.1 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 81/197
Property rights 5.6 56.2
Government integrity 19.2 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 4 49.5
Tax burden 65.5 94.9
Government spending 90.1 61.7
Fiscal health 59 57.7
Business freedom 26.5 72.2
Labor freedom 48.5 51.4
Monetary freedom 75.6 69.6
Trade freedom 47.6 77.8
Investment freedom 45 65
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR North Macedonia
2026 43.1 63.3
2025 42.8 63.2
2024 41.3 61.4
2023 43.8 63.7
2022 45.7 65.7
2021 48.8 68.6
2020 50.7 69.5
2019 49.1 71.1
2018 49.2 71.3
2017 51.8 70.7
2016 45.2 67.5
2015 45.9 67.1
2014 46.7 68.6
2013 50.4 68.2
2012 50.3 68.5
2011 49.3 66
2010 48.4 65.7
2009 48.3 61.2
2008 48.6 61.1
2007 50.6 60.6
2006 54.2 59.2
2005 56.5 56.1
2004 57.5 56.8
2003 60 60.1
2002 59.8 58

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
56.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
6.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$15.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$25,610
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$5.25B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
97/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$1.12B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
22.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
30.6%
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/north-macedonia | 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 (2002–2026, 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 (1988–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, 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.