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

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 171/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Central African Republic vs Samoa GDP by year

Central African Republic
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Samoa
2025 $3,066,109,226 $1,287,936,622
2024 $2,751,494,281 $1,175,749,786
2023 $2,555,492,086 $1,044,909,500
2022 $2,382,618,615 $889,554,712
2021 $2,516,498,412 $859,724,936
2020 $2,326,720,900 $868,884,903
2019 $2,221,301,351 $912,950,466
2018 $2,220,979,146 $878,448,433
2017 $2,072,349,973 $884,844,384
2016 $1,825,018,145 $843,924,797
2015 $1,695,825,714 $824,150,499
2014 $1,894,813,389 $796,683,520
2013 $1,691,544,110 $797,736,334
2012 $2,510,126,512 $773,141,661
2011 $2,437,982,705 $744,097,050
2010 $2,142,591,540 $680,260,907
2009 $2,067,381,665 $628,006,115
2008 $1,993,407,888 $641,346,192
2007 $1,699,811,295 $573,548,460
2006 $1,461,859,762 $499,923,758
2005 $1,337,894,379 $476,801,793
2004 $1,272,360,517 $407,747,565
2003 $1,142,315,523 $333,426,188
2002 $996,068,145 $281,790,134
2001 $932,648,605 $266,299,591
2000 $916,777,283 $258,856,140
1999 $999,477,511 $255,408,060
1998 $967,338,390 $269,485,244
1997 $937,741,513 $285,475,592
1996 $1,007,791,127 $249,907,869
1995 $1,115,389,674 $224,865,731
1994 $851,174,357 $221,098,107
1993 $1,278,781,262 $133,122,897
1992 $1,411,917,553 $132,303,041
1991 $1,377,374,987 $125,597,205
1990 $1,440,711,459 $125,766,270
1989 $1,233,930,281 $122,888,610
1988 $1,264,899,288 $133,016,065
1987 $1,200,991,978 $111,713,922
1986 $1,122,265,013 $100,947,849
1985 $864,849,836 $95,572,173
1984 $637,820,670 $109,200,934
1983 $658,679,333 $111,862,824
1982 $748,312,391 $121,221,652
1981 $694,803,623 $118,190,655
1980 $797,048,199 $125,747,038
1979 $700,764,748 $122,257,393
1978 $610,578,632 $108,223,444
1977 $507,298,148 $98,295,671
1976 $451,152,461 $85,003,078
1975 $378,660,016 $93,489,283
1974 $281,398,706 $93,549,611
1973 $271,183,082 $82,452,985
1972 $230,317,883 $62,566,116
1971 $201,450,800 $53,719,569
1970 $189,106,529 $45,208,338
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/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Samoa by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $5,873 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $496 $1,257 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $467 $1,218 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $492 $1,129 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $463 $1,066 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $449 $985 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $455 $906 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $432 $884 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $387 $826 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $366 $769 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $410 $699 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $364 $710 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $544 $1,062 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $534 $980 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $477 $936 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $456 $877 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $437 $798 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $381 $783 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $334 $743 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $312 $702 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $303 $690 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $278.4 $648 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $248.6 $688 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $238 $668 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $239.2 $640 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $268 $660 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $266.6 $645 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $265.5 $626 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $293.3 $601 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $333 $631 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $261.3 $592 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $405 $570 $775 $2,323
1992 $462 $573 $777 $2,198
1991 $465 $618 $742 $2,166
1990 $502 $620 $744 $2,148
1989 $443 - $728 -
1988 $466 - $790 -
1987 $450 - $666 -
1986 $426 - $604 -
1985 $333 - $573 -
1984 $248.3 - $655 -
1983 $259.6 - $671 -
1982 $298.4 - $728 -
1981 $280.3 - $713 -
1980 $325 - $765 -
1979 $289.1 - $751 -
1978 $254.6 - $671 -
1977 $213.8 - $615 -
1976 $192.1 - $541 -
1975 $163.6 - $610 -
1974 $124 - $626 -
1973 $121.8 - $563 -
1972 $105.5 - $433 -
1971 $94.1 - $377 -
1970 $90.2 - $322 -
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/samoa | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

CAR Samoa
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$3,918
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
5.05%
2022
Population
5798457
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 31.1% 41%
2021 19% 46.3% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 24% 42.4% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 30% 49.4%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 27.3% 49%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 16% 35.8% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 16.2% 103% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 30% 53.8%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 31% -
1996 11.7% 93% 38.9% -
1995 20.6% 83.8% 42.2% -
1994 22.4% 103.4% 54.1% -
1993 20.6% 68.2% 49.5% -
1992 23.1% 57.4% 43.4% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 72/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Samoa
2025 -5.49% 4.68%
2024 -5.03% 9.29%
2023 -3.42% 2.7%
2022 -5.13% 5.03%
2021 -5.71% 1.71%
2020 -3.23% 5.41%
2019 1.33% 1.51%
2018 -0.93% 0.06%
2017 -1% -1.98%
2016 1.18% -0.35%
2015 -0.53% -3.79%
2014 -3.02% -5.38%
2013 -2.3% -3.82%
2012 -0.78% -7.43%
2011 -2.15% -5.25%
2010 -1.35% -5.49%
2009 -0.54% -2.98%
2008 -1.23% -0.36%
2007 1.04% 0.55%
2006 8.58% -0.44%
2005 -4.37% 0.23%
2004 -1.74% -0.74%
2003 -3.06% -0.51%
2002 -1.19% -1.77%
2001 -0.88% -1.96%
2000 -2.01% -0.62%
1999 -0.5% 0.27%
1998 0.001% 1.64%
1997 -1.57% 1.92%
1996 -1.06% 1.21%
1995 -4.84% -5.82%
1994 -7.57% -9.51%
1993 -5.66% -13.2%
1992 -7.33% -9.89%
1991 -8% -
1990 -6.6% -
1989 -3.25% -
1988 -3.72% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.32% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Samoa
2025 1% 2.21%
2024 1.5% 2.17%
2023 3% 7.92%
2022 5.6% 11%
2021 4.3% 3.13%
2020 0.9% -1.57%
2019 2.8% 0.98%
2018 1.6% 4.2%
2017 4.2% 1.75%
2016 4.9% 1.3%
2015 1.4% 0.72%
2014 17.8% -0.41%
2013 4% 0.61%
2012 5.9% 2.05%
2011 1.2% 5.24%
2010 1.5% 0.78%
2009 3.6% 6.32%
2008 9.2% 11.6%
2007 0.9% 5.58%
2006 6.9% 3.7%
2005 2.9% 1.86%
2004 -2.2% 16.3%
2003 4.4% 0.12%
2002 2.3% 8.05%
2001 3.8% 3.84%
2000 3.2% 0.97%
1999 -1.4% 0.27%
1998 -1.9% 2.22%
1997 1.6% 6.86%

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/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 3.78% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 2.21% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

CAR Samoa
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$114M
1994
$108M
2025
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Samoa
Economic freedom 43.1 68
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 52/197
Property rights 5.6 77.1
Government integrity 19.2 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 4 77.6
Tax burden 65.5 79.3
Government spending 90.1 75.2
Fiscal health 59 98.7
Business freedom 26.5 63.7
Labor freedom 48.5 73.7
Monetary freedom 75.6 69.4
Trade freedom 47.6 67.2
Investment freedom 45 40
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Samoa
2026 43.1 68
2025 42.8 66.6
2024 41.3 67.2
2023 43.8 68.3
2022 45.7 68.3
2021 48.8 61.9
2020 50.7 62.1
2019 49.1 62.2
2018 49.2 61.5
2017 51.8 58.4
2016 45.2 63.5
2015 45.9 61.9
2014 46.7 61.1
2013 50.4 57.1
2012 50.3 60.5
2011 49.3 60.6
2010 48.4 60.4
2009 48.3 59.5
2008 48.6 -
2007 50.6 -
2006 54.2 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 57.5 -
2003 60 -
2002 59.8 -
2001 - 63.1
2000 - 60.8
1999 - 58.7
1998 - 49.9
1997 - 51.5
1996 - 47.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Samoa
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
30%
2025

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/samoa | CC BY

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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 (1996–2026, 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 (1988–1996, 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.