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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $32.8B for Senegal, ranking 171/197 and 109/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $42.1B (128.4% of GDP) in Senegal.

Central African Republic vs Senegal GDP by year

Central African Republic
Senegal
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Senegal
2024 $2,751,494,281 $32,808,056,601
2023 $2,555,492,086 $30,696,331,296
2022 $2,382,618,615 $27,783,332,223
2021 $2,516,498,412 $27,520,784,130
2020 $2,326,720,900 $24,530,513,038
2019 $2,221,301,351 $23,403,995,992
2018 $2,220,979,146 $23,116,701,556
2017 $2,072,349,973 $20,996,562,944
2016 $1,825,018,145 $19,040,312,333
2015 $1,695,825,714 $17,774,766,696
2014 $1,894,813,389 $19,797,253,440
2013 $1,691,544,110 $18,918,667,725
2012 $2,510,126,512 $17,660,870,412
2011 $2,437,982,705 $17,814,283,639
2010 $2,142,591,540 $16,121,315,909
2009 $2,067,381,665 $16,145,867,495
2008 $1,993,407,888 $16,853,989,628
2007 $1,699,811,295 $13,994,218,413
2006 $1,461,859,762 $11,697,918,243
2005 $1,337,894,379 $11,009,033,438
2004 $1,272,360,517 $10,076,816,667
2003 $1,142,315,523 $8,768,721,563
2002 $996,068,145 $7,006,402,320
2001 $932,648,605 $6,507,824,829
2000 $916,777,283 $6,013,185,004
1999 $999,477,511 $6,592,834,933
1998 $967,338,390 $6,505,607,909
1997 $937,741,513 $6,041,478,726
1996 $1,007,791,127 $6,559,712,166
1995 $1,115,389,674 $6,326,342,633
1994 $851,174,357 $5,034,588,196
1993 $1,278,781,262 $7,367,986,241
1992 $1,411,917,553 $7,769,817,840
1991 $1,377,374,987 $7,255,210,470
1990 $1,440,711,459 $7,390,967,360
1989 $1,233,930,281 $6,366,039,373
1988 $1,264,899,288 $6,418,419,389
1987 $1,200,991,978 $6,487,353,103
1986 $1,122,265,013 $5,392,093,446
1985 $864,849,836 $3,818,944,918
1984 $637,820,670 $3,485,165,432
1983 $658,679,333 $3,569,356,125
1982 $748,312,391 $4,013,951,443
1981 $694,803,623 $4,095,892,781
1980 $797,048,199 $4,510,108,291
1979 $700,764,748 $4,084,877,823
1978 $610,578,632 $3,280,354,921
1977 $507,298,148 $2,938,046,463
1976 $451,152,461 $2,869,777,884
1975 $378,660,016 $2,830,388,405
1974 $281,398,706 $2,099,325,229
1973 $271,183,082 $1,863,398,590
1972 $230,317,883 $1,620,857,104
1971 $201,450,800 $1,339,549,033
1970 $189,106,529 $1,297,407,655
1969 $188,039,210 $1,245,234,931
1968 $191,767,442 $1,309,384,862
1967 $163,820,514 $1,246,480,766
1966 $157,930,018 $1,246,908,186
1965 $150,574,795 $1,210,058,228
1964 $142,025,079 $1,188,930,645
1963 $129,379,124 $1,122,139,862
1962 $124,482,774 $1,085,475,791
1961 $123,134,583 $1,058,975,257
1960 $112,155,598 $1,003,692,370

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Senegal by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Senegal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Senegal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $1,773 $5,071
2023 $496 $1,257 $1,698 $4,778
2022 $467 $1,218 $1,574 $4,530
2021 $492 $1,129 $1,598 $4,174
2020 $463 $1,066 $1,461 $3,753
2019 $449 $985 $1,431 $3,648
2018 $455 $906 $1,453 $3,380
2017 $432 $884 $1,357 $3,234
2016 $387 $826 $1,266 $3,101
2015 $366 $769 $1,218 $2,994
2014 $410 $699 $1,399 $2,854
2013 $364 $710 $1,380 $2,769
2012 $544 $1,062 $1,327 $2,764
2011 $534 $980 $1,375 $2,685
2010 $477 $936 $1,276 $2,663
2009 $456 $877 $1,309 $2,606
2008 $437 $798 $1,399 $2,581
2007 $381 $783 $1,189 $2,499
2006 $334 $743 $1,017 $2,422
2005 $312 $702 $980 $2,350
2004 $303 $690 $918 $2,236
2003 $278.4 $648 $818 $2,131
2002 $248.6 $688 $669 $2,027
2001 $238 $668 $637 $2,044
2000 $239.2 $640 $603 $1,963
1999 $268 $660 $678 $1,893
1998 $266.6 $645 $685 $1,798
1997 $265.5 $626 $651 $1,719
1996 $293.3 $601 $723 $1,679
1995 $333 $631 $715 $1,656
1994 $261.3 $592 $584 $1,578
1993 $405 $570 $878 $1,588
1992 $462 $573 $951 $1,573
1991 $465 $618 $913 $1,561
1990 $502 $620 $957 $1,513
1989 $443 - $849 -
1988 $466 - $880 -
1987 $450 - $916 -
1986 $426 - $784 -
1985 $333 - $571 -
1984 $248.3 - $536 -
1983 $259.6 - $564 -
1982 $298.4 - $652 -
1981 $280.3 - $683 -
1980 $325 - $772 -
1979 $289.1 - $716 -
1978 $254.6 - $589 -
1977 $213.8 - $540 -
1976 $192.1 - $541 -
1975 $163.6 - $547 -
1974 $124 - $417 -
1973 $121.8 - $381 -
1972 $105.5 - $342 -
1971 $94.1 - $291.1 -
1970 $90.2 - $290.5 -
1969 $91.7 - $287.3 -
1968 $95.6 - $311 -
1967 $83.6 - $305 -
1966 $82.3 - $315 -
1965 $80.2 - $314 -
1964 $77.2 - $318 -
1963 $71.8 - $309 -
1962 $70.4 - $307 -
1961 $71 - $308 -
1960 $65.9 - $300 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $1,773 in Senegal, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Senegal ranks 158th at $5,071.

Economic indicators

CAR Senegal
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$32.8B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$1,773
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$5,071
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
158/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$42.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
128.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$2,277
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
115/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$2,194
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
28.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
33.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
0.8%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
5.78%
2024
Population
5753659
19491599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Senegal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Senegal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 33.5% 128.4%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 35.5% 118.4%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 36.2% 105%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 33.6% 98.6%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 29.6% 90.2%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 34.3% 81.5%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 22.6% 61.5%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 22.5% 61.1%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 24% 47.5%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 22.9% 44.5%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 23.1% 42.4%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 22.1% 36.9%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 23% 34.5%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 23.3% 32.9%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 21.7% 34.6%
2009 16% 20.3% 21.1% 29.9%
2008 16% 35.8% 20.9% 19.1%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 22.2% 19%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 21.3% 17.5%
2005 16.2% 103% 18.7% 36.1%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 18.1% 38%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 17.1% 42.9%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 15.5% 52%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 15.7% 53.2%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 14% 57.5%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 14.6% 15%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 13.5% 18.8%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 14.1% 67.8%
1996 11.7% 93% 15.4% 0.07%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 14.4% 65.3%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 15.9% 77.3%
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/senegal | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Senegal spent $11B, or 33.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 128.4% in Senegal, ranking 77/185 and 11/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Senegal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Senegal
2024 -5.08% -13.4%
2023 -3.44% -14.8%
2022 -5.23% -16.1%
2021 -5.8% -13.7%
2020 -3.24% -9.64%
2019 1.33% -13.9%
2018 -0.93% -3.66%
2017 -1% -2.97%
2016 1.17% -3.27%
2015 -0.53% -3.66%
2014 -3.02% -3.9%
2013 -2.3% -4.34%
2012 -0.78% -4.18%
2011 -2.15% -4.92%
2010 -1.35% -3.94%
2009 -0.54% -3.66%
2008 -1.23% -3.53%
2007 1.04% -2.8%
2006 8.58% -3.67%
2005 -4.37% -0.26%
2004 -1.74% 0.18%
2003 -3.06% -0.52%
2002 -1.19% 0.19%
2001 -0.88% -1.44%
2000 -2.01% 0.78%
1999 -0.5% -0.62%
1998 0.001% 0.93%
1997 -1.57% 0.98%
1996 -1.06% 0.92%
1995 -4.84% 2.41%
1994 -7.57% 5.9%
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/senegal | 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 Senegal's deficit of $4.4B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Senegal ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.89% of GDP for Senegal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Senegal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Senegal
2024 1.5% 0.8%
2023 3% 5.94%
2022 5.6% 9.7%
2021 4.3% 2.18%
2020 0.9% 2.54%
2019 2.8% 1.76%
2018 1.6% 0.46%
2017 4.2% 1.32%
2016 4.9% 0.84%
2015 1.4% 0.14%
2014 17.8% -1.09%
2013 4% 0.71%
2012 5.9% 1.42%
2011 1.2% 3.4%
2010 1.5% 1.23%
2009 3.6% -2.25%
2008 9.2% 7.35%
2007 0.9% 5.85%
2006 6.9% 2.11%
2005 2.9% 1.71%
2004 -2.6% 0.51%
2003 4.4% -0.05%
2002 2.3% 2.34%
2001 4.1% 2.97%
2000 3.4% 0.73%
1999 -1.6% 0.83%
1998 -2% 1.16%
1997 1.6% 1.75%

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/senegal | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.01% in Senegal. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 0.8% in Senegal.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $146K
Senegal
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $4.84M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.78M
Raw materials & minerals $1.26M
Animal & marine products $459K
Machinery & equipment $237K
Chemicals & pharma $192K
Textiles & consumer goods $190K
Metals $124K
Wood & paper products $5K
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

CAR Senegal
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$6.07B
2023
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
170/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-19.8%
2023
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$10.8B
2023
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$5.52B
2023
Service imports
$114M
1994
$4.08B
2023
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$1.48B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
43.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Senegal
Economic freedom 43.1 53.2
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 140/197
Property rights 5.6 57.4
Government integrity 19.2 47.3
Judicial effectiveness 4 50.5
Tax burden 65.5 68.8
Government spending 90.1 63.1
Fiscal health 59 0
Business freedom 26.5 55.2
Labor freedom 48.5 54.4
Monetary freedom 75.6 74.3
Trade freedom 47.6 67
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Senegal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Senegal
2026 43.1 53.2
2025 42.8 56.4
2024 41.3 55.4
2023 43.8 57.7
2022 45.7 60
2021 48.8 58
2020 50.7 58
2019 49.1 56.3
2018 49.2 55.7
2017 51.8 55.9
2016 45.2 58.1
2015 45.9 57.8
2014 46.7 55.4
2013 50.4 55.5
2012 50.3 55.4
2011 49.3 55.7
2010 48.4 54.6
2009 48.3 56.3
2008 48.6 58.3
2007 50.6 58.1
2006 54.2 56.2
2005 56.5 57.9
2004 57.5 58.9
2003 60 58.1
2002 59.8 58.6
2001 - 58.7
2000 - 58.9
1999 - 60.6
1998 - 59.7
1997 - 58.1
1996 - 58.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 53.2 for Senegal, ranking 140/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Senegal
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
48.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
25%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
16.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$31.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$4,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$4.72B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$2.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$48.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
10.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
37.5%
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/senegal | 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 (1996–2026, 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.