Skip to content

Economy of Central African Republic vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $2.66B for Saint Lucia, ranking 171/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $2.05B (77.1% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Central African Republic vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Central African Republic
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Saint Lucia
2025 $3,066,109,226 $2,656,444,444
2024 $2,751,494,281 $2,605,148,148
2023 $2,555,492,086 $2,441,259,259
2022 $2,382,618,615 $2,319,888,889
2021 $2,516,498,412 $1,871,111,111
2020 $2,326,720,900 $1,521,740,741
2019 $2,221,301,351 $2,090,074,074
2018 $2,220,979,146 $2,060,955,556
2017 $2,072,349,973 $1,998,503,704
2016 $1,825,018,145 $1,868,544,444
2015 $1,695,825,714 $1,807,640,741
2014 $1,894,813,389 $1,749,185,185
2013 $1,691,544,110 $1,660,392,593
2012 $2,510,126,512 $1,598,207,407
2011 $2,437,982,705 $1,568,370,370
2010 $2,142,591,540 $1,482,385,185
2009 $2,067,381,665 $1,401,507,889
2008 $1,993,407,888 $1,437,731,111
2007 $1,699,811,295 $1,336,088,815
2006 $1,461,859,762 $1,268,319,185
2005 $1,337,894,379 $1,135,555,556
2004 $1,272,360,517 $1,066,666,667
2003 $1,142,315,523 $987,407,407
2002 $996,068,145 $900,000,000
2001 $932,648,605 $892,592,593
2000 $916,777,283 $932,592,593
1999 $999,477,511 $921,851,852
1998 $967,338,390 $877,407,407
1997 $937,741,513 $805,925,926
1996 $1,007,791,127 $788,888,889
1995 $1,115,389,674 $762,962,963
1994 $851,174,357 $713,703,704
1993 $1,278,781,262 $684,814,815
1992 $1,411,917,553 $674,074,074
1991 $1,377,374,987 $613,703,704
1990 $1,440,711,459 $579,629,630
1989 $1,233,930,281 $486,666,667
1988 $1,264,899,288 $429,629,630
1987 $1,200,991,978 $375,555,556
1986 $1,122,265,013 $340,000,000
1985 $864,849,836 $284,444,444
1984 $637,820,670 $251,481,481
1983 $658,679,333 $197,037,037
1982 $748,312,391 $183,333,333
1981 $694,803,623 $194,444,444
1980 $797,048,199 $170,370,370
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Saint Lucia by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $14,746 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $14,494 $27,567
2023 $496 $1,257 $13,617 $25,975
2022 $467 $1,218 $12,976 $24,599
2021 $492 $1,129 $10,481 $19,101
2020 $463 $1,066 $8,537 $14,912
2019 $449 $985 $11,764 $18,710
2018 $455 $906 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $432 $884 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $387 $826 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $366 $769 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $410 $699 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $364 $710 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $544 $1,062 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $534 $980 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $477 $936 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $456 $877 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $437 $798 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $381 $783 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $334 $743 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $312 $702 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $303 $690 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $278.4 $648 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $248.6 $688 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $238 $668 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $239.2 $640 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $268 $660 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $266.6 $645 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $265.5 $626 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $293.3 $601 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $333 $631 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $261.3 $592 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $405 $570 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $462 $573 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $465 $618 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $502 $620 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $443 - $3,565 -
1988 $466 - $3,182 -
1987 $450 - $2,819 -
1986 $426 - $2,591 -
1985 $333 - $2,202 -
1984 $248.3 - $1,979 -
1983 $259.6 - $1,576 -
1982 $298.4 - $1,489 -
1981 $280.3 - $1,605 -
1980 $325 - $1,428 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $14,746 in Saint Lucia, ranking 72/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

CAR Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$2.66B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
173/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
-0.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$14,746
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
72/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$2.05B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
77.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$11,365
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
53/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$12,464
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
25.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
7.66%
2025
Population
5798457
180676

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 25.2% 77.1%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 24.4% 76.7%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 25.3% 75.2%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 23.8% 73.9%
2021 19% 46.3% 26.7% 81.9%
2020 24% 42.4% 33.1% 94.4%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 24.6% 62.1%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 23.2% 60.3%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 23% 59.9%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 22.6% 60.2%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 22.1% 60.6%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 22.6% 61.9%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 24.3% 61.2%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 27.1% 60.2%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 26.9% 54.9%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 25.6% 52.2%
2009 16% 20.3% 24.2% 50.2%
2008 16% 35.8% 22.3% 46.9%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 24.4% 48%
2005 16.2% 103% 25.3% 50.4%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 22.5% 48.8%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 22.5% 44.7%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 23% 47.7%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 22% 38%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 20.9% 32.8%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 20.9% 28.8%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 18.6% 29.1%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 19% 26.6%
1996 11.7% 93% 18.8% 23.9%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 19% 22.7%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 18.7% 23.4%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 21.6% 22.7%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 18.3% 22.1%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 18% 19.3%
1990 22% 44.6% 16.5% 16.7%
1989 19.6% 50.9% 19% 18.1%
1988 21.4% 48.8% 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $671M, or 25.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 77.1% in Saint Lucia, ranking 72/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Saint Lucia
2025 -5.49% -2.88%
2024 -5.03% -1.81%
2023 -3.42% -3.18%
2022 -5.13% -2.48%
2021 -5.71% -5.35%
2020 -3.23% -11.5%
2019 1.33% -2.95%
2018 -0.93% -1.22%
2017 -1% -2.09%
2016 1.18% -1.53%
2015 -0.53% -1.18%
2014 -3.02% -2.29%
2013 -2.3% -3.98%
2012 -0.78% -6.93%
2011 -2.15% -5.35%
2010 -1.35% -4.11%
2009 -0.54% -2.63%
2008 -1.23% -0.72%
2007 1.04% -1.59%
2006 8.58% -5.01%
2005 -4.37% -6%
2004 -1.74% -2.58%
2003 -3.06% -3.17%
2002 -1.19% -3.03%
2001 -0.88% -3.07%
2000 -2.01% -1.17%
1999 -0.5% 1.61%
1998 0.001% 2.22%
1997 -1.57% -1.1%
1996 -1.06% -0.57%
1995 -4.84% -0.13%
1994 -7.57% -0.02%
1993 -5.66% -0.25%
1992 -7.33% -0.66%
1991 -8% -0.42%
1990 -6.6% 0.29%
1989 -3.25% 0.89%
1988 -3.72% 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $168M, equivalent to 5.49% of GDP. This compares to Saint Lucia's deficit of $76.5M, or 2.88% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.21% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Saint Lucia
2025 1% 2.03%
2024 1.5% -0.67%
2023 3% 3.82%
2022 5.6% 9.65%
2021 4.3% 2.41%
2020 0.9% -1.76%
2019 2.8% 0.54%
2018 1.6% 1.94%
2017 4.2% 0.1%
2016 4.9% -3.08%
2015 1.4% -0.98%
2014 17.8% 3.52%
2013 4% 1.47%
2012 5.9% 4.18%
2011 1.2% 2.77%
2010 1.5% 3.25%
2009 3.6% -0.16%
2008 9.2% 5.55%
2007 0.9% 2.82%
2006 6.9% 2.4%
2005 2.9% 3.9%
2004 -2.2% 1.46%
2003 4.4% 1.03%
2002 2.3% -0.26%
2001 3.8% 5.31%
2000 3.2% 3.71%
1999 -1.4% 3.5%
1998 -1.9% 3.2%
1997 1.6% -0.006%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 2.13% in Saint Lucia. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 2.03% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

CAR Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$166M
2025
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
89/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-6.26%
2025
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$834M
2025
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$144M
2025
Service imports
$114M
1994
$672M
2025
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$1.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
19%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 43.1 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 57/197
Property rights 5.6 64.3
Government integrity 19.2 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 4 77.3
Tax burden 65.5 77.7
Government spending 90.1 82.6
Fiscal health 59 80
Business freedom 26.5 71.9
Labor freedom 48.5 65.2
Monetary freedom 75.6 81
Trade freedom 47.6 60
Investment freedom 45 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Saint Lucia
2026 43.1 67.5
2025 42.8 67
2024 41.3 62.2
2023 43.8 60.7
2022 45.7 64.3
2021 48.8 67.5
2020 50.7 68.2
2019 49.1 68.7
2018 49.2 67.6
2017 51.8 65
2016 45.2 70
2015 45.9 70.2
2014 46.7 70.7
2013 50.4 70.4
2012 50.3 71.3
2011 49.3 70.8
2010 48.4 70.5
2009 48.3 68.8
2008 48.6 -
2007 50.6 -
2006 54.2 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 57.5 -
2003 60 -
2002 59.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
73.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
1.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$2.42B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$26,180
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$447M
2025
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
160/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$175M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
3.35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
n/a

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.