Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $2.39B for the Seychelles, ranking 171/197 and 177/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $1.23B (51.5% of GDP) in the Seychelles.

Central African Republic vs Seychelles GDP by year

Central African Republic
Seychelles
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Seychelles
2025 $3,066,109,226 $2,387,022,853
2024 $2,751,494,281 $2,228,608,684
2023 $2,555,492,086 $2,171,547,935
2022 $2,382,618,615 $1,999,888,599
2021 $2,516,498,412 $1,487,173,795
2020 $2,326,720,900 $1,382,551,752
2019 $2,221,301,351 $1,868,690,097
2018 $2,220,979,146 $1,784,313,927
2017 $2,072,349,973 $1,675,370,641
2016 $1,825,018,145 $1,568,513,348
2015 $1,695,825,714 $1,432,403,352
2014 $1,894,813,389 $1,387,577,870
2013 $1,691,544,110 $1,333,160,407
2012 $2,510,126,512 $1,089,407,839
2011 $2,437,982,705 $1,058,918,707
2010 $2,142,591,540 $981,616,542
2009 $2,067,381,665 $850,901,620
2008 $1,993,407,888 $979,597,394
2007 $1,699,811,295 $1,077,308,814
2006 $1,461,859,762 $1,081,441,283
2005 $1,337,894,379 $977,899,382
2004 $1,272,360,517 $893,012,218
2003 $1,142,315,523 $750,847,230
2002 $996,068,145 $742,134,838
2001 $932,648,605 $662,064,156
2000 $916,777,283 $654,212,394
1999 $999,477,511 $662,838,615
1998 $967,338,390 $647,287,376
1997 $937,741,513 $598,966,982
1996 $1,007,791,127 $535,250,347
1995 $1,115,389,674 $540,733,048
1994 $851,174,357 $517,570,058
1993 $1,278,781,262 $504,230,621
1992 $1,411,917,553 $461,409,399
1991 $1,377,374,987 $398,307,170
1990 $1,440,711,459 $392,163,561
1989 $1,233,930,281 $324,333,367
1988 $1,264,899,288 $301,985,618
1987 $1,200,991,978 $265,212,957
1986 $1,122,265,013 $221,147,061
1985 $864,849,836 $179,691,483
1984 $637,820,670 $160,992,921
1983 $658,679,333 $156,098,237
1982 $748,312,391 $157,211,790
1981 $694,803,623 $163,750,728
1980 $797,048,199 $156,783,830
1979 $700,764,748 $127,261,099
1978 $610,578,632 $85,552,366
1977 $507,298,148 $64,526,401
1976 $451,152,461 $49,278,982
1975 $378,660,016 $47,803,146
1974 $281,398,706 $43,134,496
1973 $271,183,082 $36,896,280
1972 $230,317,883 $30,645,123
1971 $201,450,800 $21,965,951
1970 $189,106,529 $18,432,032
1969 $188,039,210 $16,452,028
1968 $191,767,442 $16,074,028
1967 $163,820,514 $16,632,032
1966 $157,930,018 $16,443,034
1965 $150,574,795 $15,603,032
1964 $142,025,079 $15,393,032
1963 $129,379,124 $13,923,029
1962 $124,482,774 $12,642,026
1961 $123,134,583 $11,592,024
1960 $112,155,598 $12,012,025

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Seychelles by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Seychelles
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $19,449 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $18,365 $33,239
2023 $496 $1,257 $18,131 $31,781
2022 $467 $1,218 $16,683 $29,973
2021 $492 $1,129 $14,983 $29,980
2020 $463 $1,066 $14,041 $31,056
2019 $449 $985 $19,142 $34,219
2018 $455 $906 $18,440 $32,091
2017 $432 $884 $17,480 $30,675
2016 $387 $826 $16,567 $28,811
2015 $366 $769 $15,333 $25,435
2014 $410 $699 $15,188 $24,985
2013 $364 $710 $14,821 $22,487
2012 $544 $1,062 $12,337 $22,264
2011 $534 $980 $12,110 $21,781
2010 $477 $936 $10,935 $18,982
2009 $456 $877 $9,747 $18,453
2008 $437 $798 $11,265 $18,881
2007 $381 $783 $12,669 $19,473
2006 $334 $743 $12,783 $17,503
2005 $312 $702 $11,802 $15,846
2004 $303 $690 $10,828 $14,160
2003 $278.4 $648 $9,070 $14,142
2002 $248.6 $688 $8,864 $14,570
2001 $238 $668 $8,153 $14,615
2000 $239.2 $640 $8,064 $14,638
1999 $268 $660 $8,243 $13,853
1998 $266.6 $645 $8,210 $13,675
1997 $265.5 $626 $7,747 $13,458
1996 $293.3 $601 $7,004 $11,931
1995 $333 $631 $7,181 $10,809
1994 $261.3 $592 $6,975 $10,692
1993 $405 $570 $6,979 $11,020
1992 $462 $573 $6,520 $10,243
1991 $465 $618 $5,655 $9,387
1990 $502 $620 $5,642 $8,955
1989 $443 - $4,689 -
1988 $466 - $4,392 -
1987 $450 - $3,872 -
1986 $426 - $3,368 -
1985 $333 - $2,754 -
1984 $248.3 - $2,488 -
1983 $259.6 - $2,426 -
1982 $298.4 - $2,441 -
1981 $280.3 - $2,557 -
1980 $325 - $2,478 -
1979 $289.1 - $2,030 -
1978 $254.6 - $1,377 -
1977 $213.8 - $1,044 -
1976 $192.1 - $814 -
1975 $163.6 - $806 -
1974 $124 - $745 -
1973 $121.8 - $649 -
1972 $105.5 - $547 -
1971 $94.1 - $402 -
1970 $90.2 - $344 -
1969 $91.7 - $314 -
1968 $95.6 - $314 -
1967 $83.6 - $333 -
1966 $82.3 - $338 -
1965 $80.2 - $328 -
1964 $77.2 - $332 -
1963 $71.8 - $308 -
1962 $70.4 - $287 -
1961 $71 - $270.3 -
1960 $65.9 - $288.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $19,449 in the Seychelles, ranking 64/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239.

Economic indicators

CAR Seychelles
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$2.39B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
177/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
5.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$19,449
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
64/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$33,239
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
67/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$1.23B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
51.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$10,019
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
59/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$11,537
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$646M
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
23.9%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.6%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
32.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
2.59%
2024
Population
5798457
125859

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Seychelles
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Seychelles
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 32.7% 51.5%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 33% 56.1%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 33.1% 55.1%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 31.6% 60.6%
2021 19% 46.3% 38.8% 71%
2020 24% 42.4% 46.7% 77.4%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 31.7% 48.9%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 33% 51.3%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 34.3% 56.7%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 34.5% 64.3%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 31.5% 75.4%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 33.4% 70.4%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 37.8% 68.2%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 38.6% 80.1%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 36.4% 82.5%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 34.6% 82.2%
2009 16% 20.3% 32.1% 106.1%
2008 16% 35.8% 27% 192.1%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 41.9% 144%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 43.6% 135.1%
2005 16.2% 103% 39% 144.1%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 39.9% 163.2%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 44.6% 177%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 56.3% 195.9%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 46.8% 199.8%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 55.4% 177.8%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 56.1% 159.8%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 60.7% 161.2%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 54.7% 143%
1996 11.7% 93% 59.1% 146.7%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 53.1% 133.5%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 63.6% 123.5%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 60.4% 82.2%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 50.7% 79.9%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 52.1% 89.2%
1990 22% 44.6% 46.1% 80.4%
1989 19.6% 50.9% 51.7% 39.9%
1988 21.4% 48.8% 46.7% 41.3%
1987 - - 49.7% 37%
1986 - - 58% 31.5%
1985 - - 53% 26.5%
1984 - - 50.5% 15.3%
1983 - - 47.9% 12.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while the Seychelles spent $781M, or 32.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 51.5% in the Seychelles, ranking 72/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Seychelles
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Seychelles
2025 -5.49% -0.99%
2024 -5.03% -0.68%
2023 -3.42% -1.15%
2022 -5.13% -0.77%
2021 -5.71% -5.76%
2020 -3.23% -15.7%
2019 1.33% 0.42%
2018 -0.93% -0.8%
2017 -1% -1.67%
2016 1.18% 0.02%
2015 -0.53% 1.39%
2014 -3.02% 2.87%
2013 -2.3% 0.33%
2012 -0.78% 2.93%
2011 -2.15% 3.36%
2010 -1.35% 0.52%
2009 -0.54% 4.84%
2008 -1.23% 7.88%
2007 1.04% -9.93%
2006 8.58% -2.54%
2005 -4.37% 0.42%
2004 -1.74% 0.44%
2003 -3.06% 3.4%
2002 -1.19% -16.3%
2001 -0.88% -8.93%
2000 -2.01% -14.7%
1999 -0.5% -10.3%
1998 0.001% -16.7%
1997 -1.57% -5.91%
1996 -1.06% -9.69%
1995 -4.84% -2.58%
1994 -7.57% -6.95%
1993 -5.66% -3.62%
1992 -7.33% 6.44%
1991 -8% 3.15%
1990 -6.6% 11.9%
1989 -3.25% 8.26%
1988 -3.72% 11.8%
1987 - 2.77%
1986 - -10.1%
1985 - -4.86%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -3.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/seychelles | 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 the Seychelles' deficit of $23.5M, or 0.99% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while the Seychelles ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.72% of GDP for the Seychelles.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Seychelles
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Seychelles
2025 1% 0.3%
2024 1.5% 0.31%
2023 3% -1.04%
2022 5.6% 2.63%
2021 4.3% 9.77%
2020 0.9% 1.2%
2019 2.8% 1.81%
2018 1.6% 3.7%
2017 4.2% 2.86%
2016 4.9% -1.02%
2015 1.4% 4.04%
2014 17.8% 1.39%
2013 4% 4.34%
2012 5.9% 7.11%
2011 1.2% 2.56%
2010 1.5% -2.4%
2009 3.6% 31.8%
2008 9.2% 37%
2007 0.9% 5.32%
2006 6.9% -0.35%
2005 2.9% 0.91%
2004 -2.2% 3.86%
2003 4.4% 3.3%
2002 2.3% 0.18%
2001 3.8% 5.97%
2000 3.2% 6.27%
1999 -1.4% 6.35%
1998 -1.9% 2.58%
1997 1.6% 0.62%

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/seychelles | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 4.87% in the Seychelles. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 0.3% in the Seychelles.

Balance of trade

CAR Seychelles
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$166M
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
90/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-7.46%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$1.38B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$595M
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$1B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$1.71B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
92.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
79.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Seychelles
Economic freedom 43.1 66.5
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 60/197
Property rights 5.6 82.6
Government integrity 19.2 71.7
Judicial effectiveness 4 61.7
Tax burden 65.5 77.3
Government spending 90.1 68
Fiscal health 59 92.2
Business freedom 26.5 71.3
Labor freedom 48.5 52
Monetary freedom 75.6 79.8
Trade freedom 47.6 81.2
Investment freedom 45 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Seychelles
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Seychelles
2026 43.1 66.5
2025 42.8 66.4
2024 41.3 60.4
2023 43.8 59.5
2022 45.7 61.1
2021 48.8 66.3
2020 50.7 64.3
2019 49.1 61.4
2018 49.2 61.6
2017 51.8 61.8
2016 45.2 62.2
2015 45.9 57.5
2014 46.7 56.2
2013 50.4 54.9
2012 50.3 53
2011 49.3 51.2
2010 48.4 47.9
2009 48.3 47.8
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/seychelles | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 66.5 for the Seychelles, ranking 60/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Seychelles
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
67.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
14.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
2.61%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$2.36B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$34,930
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$774M
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
146/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$268M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$226M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$41.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
25.3%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
18.7%
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/seychelles | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, 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.