Skip to content

Economy of Central African Republic vs Sao Tome and Principe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 171/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Central African Republic vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Central African Republic
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Sao Tome
2024 $2,751,494,281 $822,154,621
2023 $2,555,492,086 $690,456,807
2022 $2,382,618,615 $540,809,499
2021 $2,516,498,412 $524,402,456
2020 $2,326,720,900 $471,229,485
2019 $2,221,301,351 $412,976,083
2018 $2,220,979,146 $383,717,328
2017 $2,072,349,973 $322,002,845
2016 $1,825,018,145 $292,267,272
2015 $1,695,825,714 $259,999,643
2014 $1,894,813,389 $293,119,143
2013 $1,691,544,110 $267,041,748
2012 $2,510,126,512 $225,815,132
2011 $2,437,982,705 $226,455,001
2010 $2,142,591,540 $190,021,192
2009 $2,067,381,665 $200,668,065
2008 $1,993,407,888 $188,021,165
2007 $1,699,811,295 $149,146,919
2006 $1,461,859,762 $142,775,104
2005 $1,337,894,379 $136,450,662
2004 $1,272,360,517 $114,582,284
2003 $1,142,315,523 $102,085,769
2002 $996,068,145 $85,171,074
2001 $932,648,605 $75,951,133
2000 $916,777,283 $76,198,395
1999 $999,477,511 $77,302,212
1998 $967,338,390 $72,285,404
1997 $937,741,513 $91,920,274
1996 $1,007,791,127 $135,188,166
1995 $1,115,389,674 $103,695,237
1994 $851,174,357 $131,338,415
1993 $1,278,781,262 $125,742,229
1992 $1,411,917,553 $94,861,781
1991 $1,377,374,987 $107,484,143
1990 $1,440,711,459 $119,297,933
1989 $1,233,930,281 $98,545,367
1988 $1,264,899,288 $99,000,764
1987 $1,200,991,978 $115,952,925
1986 $1,122,265,013 $115,928,907
1985 $864,849,836 $82,733,069
1984 $637,820,670 $78,213,796
1983 $658,679,333 $75,110,289
1982 $748,312,391 $80,307,763
1981 $694,803,623 $83,499,264
1980 $797,048,199 $81,662,231
1979 $700,764,748 $65,755,928
1978 $610,578,632 $55,044,563
1977 $507,298,148 $49,207,692
1976 $451,152,461 $52,039,421
1975 $378,660,016 $60,101,710
1974 $281,398,706 $57,817,591
1973 $271,183,082 $56,011,245
1972 $230,317,883 $41,430,257
1971 $201,450,800 $37,288,845
1970 $189,106,529 $37,211,826
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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $496 $1,257 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $467 $1,218 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $492 $1,129 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $463 $1,066 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $449 $985 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $455 $906 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $432 $884 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $387 $826 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $366 $769 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $410 $699 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $364 $710 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $544 $1,062 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $534 $980 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $477 $936 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $456 $877 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $437 $798 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $381 $783 $879 $2,650
2006 $334 $743 $862 $2,551
2005 $312 $702 $844 $2,329
2004 $303 $690 $727 $2,171
2003 $278.4 $648 $664 $2,094
2002 $248.6 $688 $568 $1,945
2001 $238 $668 $519 $1,898
2000 $239.2 $640 $529 $1,830
1999 $268 $660 $543 $1,802
1998 $266.6 $645 $514 $1,754
1997 $265.5 $626 $662 $1,714
1996 $293.3 $601 $987 $1,693
1995 $333 $631 $769 $1,663
1994 $261.3 $592 $990 $1,623
1993 $405 $570 $964 $1,581
1992 $462 $573 $740 $1,556
1991 $465 $618 $855 $1,540
1990 $502 $620 $970 $1,504
1989 $443 - $821 -
1988 $466 - $847 -
1987 $450 - $1,018 -
1986 $426 - $1,043 -
1985 $333 - $761 -
1984 $248.3 - $735 -
1983 $259.6 - $720 -
1982 $298.4 - $783 -
1981 $280.3 - $830 -
1980 $325 - $829 -
1979 $289.1 - $683 -
1978 $254.6 - $587 -
1977 $213.8 - $539 -
1976 $192.1 - $585 -
1975 $163.6 - $693 -
1974 $124 - $683 -
1973 $121.8 - $676 -
1972 $105.5 - $511 -
1971 $94.1 - $470 -
1970 $90.2 - $479 -
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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

CAR Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$3,111
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
6.66%
2017
Population
5753659
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 23.2% 91%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 28% 95.9%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 36% 92.5%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 53.4% 86%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 51.7% 83%
2009 16% 20.3% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 16% 35.8% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 16.2% 103% 43.7% 334%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 60.6% 354%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 51.9% 329%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 44.3% 367%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 52.8% 418%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 10.7% -
1999 18.2% 84.2% - -
1998 18.1% 85.3% - -
1997 14.5% 96.1% - -
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 (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 77/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Sao Tome
2024 -5.08% 0.92%
2023 -3.44% -2.13%
2022 -5.23% -2.24%
2021 -5.8% -1.52%
2020 -3.24% 2.94%
2019 1.33% -0.07%
2018 -0.93% -2.02%
2017 -1% -3.11%
2016 1.17% -5.01%
2015 -0.53% -7.6%
2014 -3.02% -6.27%
2013 -2.3% 2.13%
2012 -0.78% -12.3%
2011 -2.15% -13%
2010 -1.35% -12.1%
2009 -0.54% -18%
2008 -1.23% 13.6%
2007 1.04% 125.1%
2006 8.58% 18%
2005 -4.37% 26.8%
2004 -1.74% -25.1%
2003 -3.06% -15.9%
2002 -1.19% -10.4%
2001 -0.88% -13.5%
2000 -2.01% 51.5%
1999 -0.5% -
1998 0.001% -
1997 -1.57% -
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/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Sao Tome
2024 1.5% 14.4%
2023 3% 21.2%
2022 5.6% 18%
2021 4.3% 8.1%
2020 0.9% 9.8%
2019 2.8% 7.7%
2018 1.6% 7.9%
2017 4.2% 5.7%
2016 4.9% 5.4%
2015 1.4% 6.1%
2014 17.8% 7%
2013 4% 8.1%
2012 5.9% 10.6%
2011 1.2% 14.3%
2010 1.5% 13.3%
2009 3.6% 17%
2008 9.2% 32%
2007 0.9% 18.6%
2006 6.9% 23.1%
2005 2.9% 17.2%
2004 -2.6% 13.3%
2003 4.4% 9.8%
2002 2.3% 10.1%
2001 4.1% 9.2%
2000 3.4% 11%
1999 -1.6% 11%
1998 -2% 42.1%
1997 1.6% 69%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

CAR Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$83M
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Sao Tome
Economic freedom 43.1 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 93/197
Property rights 5.6 55.2
Government integrity 19.2 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 4 60.8
Tax burden 65.5 88.6
Government spending 90.1 80.6
Fiscal health 59 89.5
Business freedom 26.5 59.9
Labor freedom 48.5 40.8
Monetary freedom 75.6 59.4
Trade freedom 47.6 65
Investment freedom 45 50
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Sao Tome
2026 43.1 60.6
2025 42.8 60.4
2024 41.3 60.5
2023 43.8 61.5
2022 45.7 60.3
2021 48.8 55.9
2020 50.7 56.2
2019 49.1 54
2018 49.2 53.6
2017 51.8 55.4
2016 45.2 56.7
2015 45.9 53.3
2014 46.7 48.8
2013 50.4 48
2012 50.3 50.2
2011 49.3 49.5
2010 48.4 48.8
2009 48.3 43.8
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 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 60.6 for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 93/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
n/a

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/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 (1960–2024, 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 (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.