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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 171/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Central African Republic vs Poland GDP by year

Central African Republic
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Poland
2024 $2,751,494,281 $917,767,106,147
2023 $2,555,492,086 $812,451,193,396
2022 $2,382,618,615 $695,607,470,875
2021 $2,516,498,412 $689,170,230,665
2020 $2,326,720,900 $605,914,237,904
2019 $2,221,301,351 $602,683,770,145
2018 $2,220,979,146 $594,616,687,350
2017 $2,072,349,973 $528,356,676,667
2016 $1,825,018,145 $473,259,583,970
2015 $1,695,825,714 $480,054,118,583
2014 $1,894,813,389 $542,134,167,179
2013 $1,691,544,110 $518,179,836,405
2012 $2,510,126,512 $498,148,649,703
2011 $2,437,982,705 $527,848,543,023
2010 $2,142,591,540 $478,111,630,684
2009 $2,067,381,665 $440,891,472,247
2008 $1,993,407,888 $535,612,030,672
2007 $1,699,811,295 $429,715,132,138
2006 $1,461,859,762 $345,897,630,736
2005 $1,337,894,379 $306,999,913,151
2004 $1,272,360,517 $256,268,656,145
2003 $1,142,315,523 $218,561,225,998
2002 $996,068,145 $199,694,463,256
2001 $932,648,605 $191,823,200,371
2000 $916,777,283 $172,953,527,033
1999 $999,477,511 $170,704,452,715
1998 $967,338,390 $175,282,269,667
1997 $937,741,513 $159,893,964,917
1996 $1,007,791,127 $160,813,026,223
1995 $1,115,389,674 $142,838,527,115
1994 $851,174,357 $110,803,635,288
1993 $1,278,781,262 $96,043,157,273
1992 $1,411,917,553 $94,337,050,693
1991 $1,377,374,987 $85,500,935,935
1990 $1,440,711,459 $65,977,748,211
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/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Poland by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $496 $1,257 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $467 $1,218 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $492 $1,129 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $463 $1,066 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $449 $985 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $455 $906 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $432 $884 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $387 $826 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $366 $769 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $410 $699 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $364 $710 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $544 $1,062 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $534 $980 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $477 $936 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $456 $877 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $437 $798 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $381 $783 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $334 $743 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $312 $702 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $303 $690 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $278.4 $648 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $248.6 $688 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $238 $668 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $239.2 $640 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $268 $660 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $266.6 $645 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $265.5 $626 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $293.3 $601 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $333 $631 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $261.3 $592 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $405 $570 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $462 $573 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $465 $618 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $502 $620 $1,731 $6,185
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/poland | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

CAR Poland
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$197B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
2.81%
2024
Population
5753659
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 43.6% 53%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 41% 48.2%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 46% 53.7%
2009 16% 20.3% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 16% 35.8% 44% 46.6%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 16.2% 103% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 44% 38.7%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 11.7% 93% 50.7% 43.2%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 47.5% 48.7%
1994 22.4% 103.4% - 64.3%
1993 20.6% 68.2% - 83.9%
1992 23.1% 57.4% - 81.9%
1991 22.6% 55.8% - 76.9%
1990 22% 44.6% - 89.7%
1989 19.6% 50.9% - -
1988 21.4% 48.8% - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 77/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Poland
2024 -5.08% -6.59%
2023 -3.44% -5.27%
2022 -5.23% -3.44%
2021 -5.8% -1.75%
2020 -3.24% -6.85%
2019 1.33% -0.73%
2018 -0.93% -0.24%
2017 -1% -1.49%
2016 1.17% -2.38%
2015 -0.53% -2.59%
2014 -3.02% -3.66%
2013 -2.3% -4.25%
2012 -0.78% -3.8%
2011 -2.15% -4.97%
2010 -1.35% -7.43%
2009 -0.54% -7.24%
2008 -1.23% -3.6%
2007 1.04% -1.88%
2006 8.58% -3.53%
2005 -4.37% -3.93%
2004 -1.74% -4.99%
2003 -3.06% -6.02%
2002 -1.19% -4.8%
2001 -0.88% -4.73%
2000 -2.01% -4%
1999 -0.5% -2.3%
1998 0.001% -4.25%
1997 -1.57% -4.61%
1996 -1.06% -4.84%
1995 -4.84% -4.39%
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/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Poland
2024 1.5% 3.78%
2023 3% 11.5%
2022 5.6% 14.4%
2021 4.3% 5.06%
2020 0.9% 3.37%
2019 2.8% 2.23%
2018 1.6% 1.81%
2017 4.2% 2.08%
2016 4.9% -0.66%
2015 1.4% -0.87%
2014 17.8% 0.05%
2013 4% 0.99%
2012 5.9% 3.56%
2011 1.2% 4.24%
2010 1.5% 2.58%
2009 3.6% 3.8%
2008 9.2% 4.16%
2007 0.9% 2.46%
2006 6.9% 1.28%
2005 2.9% 2.18%
2004 -2.6% 3.38%
2003 4.4% 0.68%
2002 2.3% 1.91%
2001 4.1% 5.41%
2000 3.4% 9.9%
1999 -1.6% 7.15%
1998 -2% 11.6%
1997 1.6% 14.9%

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/poland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Poland
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $4.83M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.17M
Machinery & equipment $863K
Textiles & consumer goods $398K
Raw materials & minerals $298K
Raw agricultural goods $106K
Miscellaneous $102K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

CAR Poland
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$361B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Poland
Economic freedom 43.1 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 46/197
Property rights 5.6 71.8
Government integrity 19.2 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 4 62.5
Tax burden 65.5 72.7
Government spending 90.1 35.1
Fiscal health 59 74.8
Business freedom 26.5 77.5
Labor freedom 48.5 53.7
Monetary freedom 75.6 73.8
Trade freedom 47.6 79.4
Investment freedom 45 80
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Poland
2026 43.1 68.5
2025 42.8 67.1
2024 41.3 66
2023 43.8 67.7
2022 45.7 68.7
2021 48.8 69.7
2020 50.7 69.1
2019 49.1 67.8
2018 49.2 68.5
2017 51.8 68.3
2016 45.2 69.3
2015 45.9 68.6
2014 46.7 67
2013 50.4 66
2012 50.3 64.2
2011 49.3 64.1
2010 48.4 63.2
2009 48.3 60.3
2008 48.6 60.3
2007 50.6 58.1
2006 54.2 59.3
2005 56.5 59.6
2004 57.5 58.7
2003 60 61.8
2002 59.8 65
2001 - 61.8
2000 - 60
1999 - 59.6
1998 - 59.2
1997 - 56.8
1996 - 57.8
1995 - 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Poland
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
17.8%
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/poland | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.