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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $44.5B for Paraguay, ranking 171/197 and 98/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $19.9B (44.8% of GDP) in Paraguay.

Central African Republic vs Paraguay GDP by year

Central African Republic
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Paraguay
2024 $2,751,494,281 $44,458,118,397
2023 $2,555,492,086 $43,118,053,175
2022 $2,382,618,615 $41,952,910,858
2021 $2,516,498,412 $39,950,899,939
2020 $2,326,720,900 $35,432,178,068
2019 $2,221,301,351 $37,925,338,329
2018 $2,220,979,146 $40,225,448,341
2017 $2,072,349,973 $38,997,129,474
2016 $1,825,018,145 $36,089,700,223
2015 $1,695,825,714 $36,211,447,840
2014 $1,894,813,389 $40,377,929,296
2013 $1,691,544,110 $38,501,122,141
2012 $2,510,126,512 $33,271,921,136
2011 $2,437,982,705 $33,756,238,766
2010 $2,142,591,540 $27,260,886,405
2009 $2,067,381,665 $22,355,151,162
2008 $1,993,407,888 $24,615,267,664
2007 $1,699,811,295 $17,856,393,235
2006 $1,461,859,762 $13,429,430,050
2005 $1,337,894,379 $10,737,500,188
2004 $1,272,360,517 $9,624,440,836
2003 $1,142,315,523 $7,691,367,471
2002 $996,068,145 $7,196,260,657
2001 $932,648,605 $8,495,806,432
2000 $916,777,283 $8,855,705,140
1999 $999,477,511 $8,837,070,236
1998 $967,338,390 $9,260,481,572
1997 $937,741,513 $9,965,225,678
1996 $1,007,791,127 $9,788,391,781
1995 $1,115,389,674 $9,062,131,475
1994 $851,174,357 $7,870,982,005
1993 $1,278,781,262 $7,249,533,620
1992 $1,411,917,553 $7,157,424,031
1991 $1,377,374,987 $6,984,367,763
1990 $1,440,711,459 $5,812,114,523
1989 $1,233,930,281 $4,757,732,200
1988 $1,264,899,288 $4,255,683,528
1987 $1,200,991,978 $3,971,044,724
1986 $1,122,265,013 $3,723,993,943
1985 $864,849,836 $3,282,449,236
1984 $637,820,670 $4,502,462,807
1983 $658,679,333 $5,673,248,726
1982 $748,312,391 $5,419,411,765
1981 $694,803,623 $5,624,515,873
1980 $797,048,199 $4,448,087,302
1979 $700,764,748 $3,416,777,778
1978 $610,578,632 $2,559,857,143
1977 $507,298,148 $2,092,158,730
1976 $451,152,461 $1,698,960,317
1975 $378,660,016 $1,511,420,635
1974 $281,398,706 $1,333,475,397
1973 $271,183,082 $995,531,746
1972 $230,317,883 $769,039,683
1971 $201,450,800 $664,571,429
1970 $189,106,529 $594,611,111
1969 $188,039,210 $556,293,651
1968 $191,767,442 $517,650,794
1967 $163,820,514 $492,674,603
1966 $157,930,018 $465,888,889
1965 $150,574,795 $443,587,302
1964 $142,025,079 $408,349,206
1963 $129,379,124 $383,904,762
1962 $124,482,774 $360,698,413
1961 $123,134,583 $322,053,713
1960 $112,155,598 $288,884,368

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Paraguay by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Paraguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $6,416 $18,524
2023 $496 $1,257 $6,300 $17,564
2022 $467 $1,218 $6,206 $16,347
2021 $492 $1,129 $5,977 $15,406
2020 $463 $1,066 $5,365 $14,309
2019 $449 $985 $5,821 $14,150
2018 $455 $906 $6,258 $14,139
2017 $432 $884 $6,152 $13,977
2016 $387 $826 $5,775 $13,329
2015 $366 $769 $5,879 $12,679
2014 $410 $699 $6,652 $12,607
2013 $364 $710 $6,436 $12,137
2012 $544 $1,062 $5,642 $10,954
2011 $534 $980 $5,805 $11,442
2010 $477 $936 $4,751 $10,893
2009 $456 $877 $3,942 $9,802
2008 $437 $798 $4,385 $9,867
2007 $381 $783 $3,212 $9,179
2006 $334 $743 $2,439 $8,561
2005 $312 $702 $1,971 $8,007
2004 $303 $690 $1,786 $7,686
2003 $278.4 $648 $1,444 $7,276
2002 $248.6 $688 $1,368 $6,924
2001 $238 $668 $1,638 $6,916
2000 $239.2 $640 $1,736 $6,937
1999 $268 $660 $1,766 $7,080
1998 $266.6 $645 $1,890 $7,227
1997 $265.5 $626 $2,079 $7,299
1996 $293.3 $601 $2,088 $7,040
1995 $333 $631 $1,979 $6,966
1994 $261.3 $592 $1,760 $6,542
1993 $405 $570 $1,662 $6,234
1992 $462 $573 $1,683 $5,952
1991 $465 $618 $1,685 $5,873
1990 $502 $620 $1,440 $5,637
1989 $443 - $1,211 -
1988 $466 - $1,114 -
1987 $450 - $1,069 -
1986 $426 - $1,031 -
1985 $333 - $935 -
1984 $248.3 - $1,319 -
1983 $259.6 - $1,710 -
1982 $298.4 - $1,680 -
1981 $280.3 - $1,793 -
1980 $325 - $1,457 -
1979 $289.1 - $1,149 -
1978 $254.6 - $883 -
1977 $213.8 - $740 -
1976 $192.1 - $616 -
1975 $163.6 - $562 -
1974 $124 - $508 -
1973 $121.8 - $389 -
1972 $105.5 - $308 -
1971 $94.1 - $272.1 -
1970 $90.2 - $249 -
1969 $91.7 - $238.2 -
1968 $95.6 - $226.8 -
1967 $83.6 - $220.9 -
1966 $82.3 - $213.9 -
1965 $80.2 - $208.7 -
1964 $77.2 - $197 -
1963 $71.8 - $189.9 -
1962 $70.4 - $182.8 -
1961 $71 - $167.1 -
1960 $65.9 - $153.4 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $6,416 in Paraguay, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524.

Economic indicators

CAR Paraguay
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$44.5B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
98/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
4.25%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$6,416
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$19.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
44.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$2,872
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
103/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$6,136
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$313M
1999
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
35%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
21%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
3.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
5.69%
2024
Population
5753659
7120169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Paraguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Paraguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 21% 44.8%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 21.5% 41.1%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 20.2% 40.5%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 20.4% 37.5%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 18% 18.6%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 13.3% 13%
2009 16% 20.3% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 16% 35.8% 11.8% 16%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 14.1% 21%
2005 16.2% 103% 14% 28.3%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 14% 36%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 19% 37.1%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 19.2% 32%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 18% 22.1%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 18.1% 18%
1996 11.7% 93% 16.9% 16.8%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 15.7% 17.6%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 14.5% 18.7%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 12.9% 26.6%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 13% 34.4%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 11.4% 49.4%
1990 22% 44.6% 10.5% 67%
1989 19.6% 50.9% 11.8% 52.9%
1988 21.4% 48.8% 9.75% 58.9%
1987 - - 10.1% 68.7%
1986 - - 9.25% 57.1%
1985 - - 11.4% 54.7%
1984 - - 13% 31%
1983 - - 13% 22.6%
1982 - - 13.2% 21.3%
1981 - - 13.3% 17.4%
1980 - - 11.6% 17.4%
1979 - - 11.7% 19.7%
1978 - - 11.9% 20.9%
1977 - - 11.2% 18.8%
1976 - - 9.8% 14.1%
1975 - - 10.5% 12.6%
1974 - - 9.44% 12.5%
1973 - - 11.2% 15.4%
1972 - - 12.5% 18.2%
1971 - - 12.3% 18.9%
1970 - - 13.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 14% -
1968 - - 13.5% -
1967 - - 12.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.33B, or 21% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 44.8% in Paraguay, ranking 77/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Paraguay
2024 -5.08% -2.12%
2023 -3.44% -3.81%
2022 -5.23% -2.64%
2021 -5.8% -3.39%
2020 -3.24% -5.72%
2019 1.33% -2.44%
2018 -0.93% -1.01%
2017 -1% -0.44%
2016 1.17% -0.37%
2015 -0.53% -0.44%
2014 -3.02% -0.27%
2013 -2.3% -1.16%
2012 -0.78% -0.58%
2011 -2.15% 1.29%
2010 -1.35% 1.54%
2009 -0.54% 0.59%
2008 -1.23% 2.29%
2007 1.04% 1.27%
2006 8.58% 0.91%
2005 -4.37% 0.74%
2004 -1.74% 1.33%
2003 -3.06% -0.07%
2002 -1.19% -1.89%
2001 -0.88% 0.07%
2000 -2.01% -0.55%
1999 -0.5% 2.67%
1998 0.001% 4.28%
1997 -1.57% 3%
1996 -1.06% 2.43%
1995 -4.84% 2.78%
1994 -7.57% 4.59%
1993 -5.66% 4.27%
1992 -7.33% 3.1%
1991 -8% 3.41%
1990 -6.6% 7.56%
1989 -3.25% 5.48%
1988 -3.72% 3.01%
1987 - 2.68%
1986 - 3.08%
1985 - 0.85%
1984 - -0.42%
1983 - 0.27%
1982 - 1.52%
1981 - 0.15%
1980 - 3.4%
1979 - 4.13%
1978 - -3.42%
1977 - -0.19%
1976 - -0.06%
1975 - -1.24%
1974 - 1.67%
1973 - -0.91%
1972 - -2.51%
1971 - -1.25%
1970 - -1.26%
1969 - -1.62%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -1.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/paraguay | 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 Paraguay's deficit of $942M, or 2.12% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.8% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Paraguay
2024 1.5% 3.84%
2023 3% 4.63%
2022 5.6% 9.77%
2021 4.3% 4.79%
2020 0.9% 1.77%
2019 2.8% 2.76%
2018 1.6% 3.98%
2017 4.2% 3.6%
2016 4.9% 4.09%
2015 1.4% 3.13%
2014 17.8% 5.03%
2013 4% 2.68%
2012 5.9% 3.68%
2011 1.2% 8.25%
2010 1.5% 4.65%
2009 3.6% 2.59%
2008 9.2% 10.2%
2007 0.9% 8.13%
2006 6.9% 9.59%
2005 2.9% 6.81%
2004 -2.6% 4.32%
2003 4.4% 14.2%
2002 2.3% 10.5%
2001 4.1% 7.27%
2000 3.4% 8.98%
1999 -1.6% 6.75%
1998 -2% 11.6%
1997 1.6% 6.95%

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/paraguay | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 6.23% in Paraguay. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 3.84% in Paraguay.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Paraguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $877K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $128K

Balance of trade

CAR Paraguay
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$1.53B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
133/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-3.44%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$15.8B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$14.9B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$2.54B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$2.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
39.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
37.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Paraguay
Economic freedom 43.1 66.4
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 61/197
Property rights 5.6 44.2
Government integrity 19.2 27.3
Judicial effectiveness 4 38.4
Tax burden 65.5 95.9
Government spending 90.1 86.9
Fiscal health 59 83
Business freedom 26.5 72
Labor freedom 48.5 44.1
Monetary freedom 75.6 76.5
Trade freedom 47.6 78.4
Investment freedom 45 80
Financial freedom 30 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Paraguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Paraguay
2026 43.1 66.4
2025 42.8 65.2
2024 41.3 60.1
2023 43.8 61
2022 45.7 62.9
2021 48.8 62.6
2020 50.7 63
2019 49.1 61.8
2018 49.2 62.1
2017 51.8 62.4
2016 45.2 61.5
2015 45.9 61.1
2014 46.7 62
2013 50.4 61.1
2012 50.3 61.8
2011 49.3 62.3
2010 48.4 61.3
2009 48.3 61
2008 48.6 60
2007 50.6 58.3
2006 54.2 55.6
2005 56.5 53.4
2004 57.5 56.7
2003 60 58.2
2002 59.8 59.6
2001 - 60.3
2000 - 64
1999 - 63.7
1998 - 65.2
1997 - 67.3
1996 - 67.1
1995 - 65.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 66.4 for Paraguay, ranking 61/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Paraguay
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
48.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
32.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
10.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$17,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$9.89B
2023
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
76/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$335M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$166M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
22.8%
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/paraguay | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (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.