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Economy of Central African Republic vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $7.46B for Sierra Leone, ranking 171/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $3.38B (45.2% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Central African Republic vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Central African Republic
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Sierra Leone
2025 $3,066,109,226 $7,464,157,904
2024 $2,751,494,281 $6,971,127,234
2023 $2,555,492,086 $6,415,852,766
2022 $2,382,618,615 $7,121,125,277
2021 $2,516,498,412 $7,166,931,483
2020 $2,326,720,900 $6,688,307,706
2019 $2,221,301,351 $6,523,577,590
2018 $2,220,979,146 $6,390,514,689
2017 $2,072,349,973 $5,749,846,528
2016 $1,825,018,145 $6,084,297,211
2015 $1,695,825,714 $6,788,352,975
2014 $1,894,813,389 $7,686,138,791
2013 $1,691,544,110 $7,502,762,863
2012 $2,510,126,512 $6,141,666,509
2011 $2,437,982,705 $4,861,632,885
2010 $2,142,591,540 $4,262,805,967
2009 $2,067,381,665 $3,953,403,098
2008 $1,993,407,888 $4,157,895,298
2007 $1,699,811,295 $3,632,957,611
2006 $1,461,859,762 $3,263,697,467
2005 $1,337,894,379 $2,545,275,313
2004 $1,272,360,517 $2,237,350,687
2003 $1,142,315,523 $2,142,618,046
2002 $996,068,145 $1,933,863,911
2001 $932,648,605 $1,681,473,894
2000 $916,777,283 $635,866,404
1999 $999,477,511 $669,386,624
1998 $967,338,390 $672,368,187
1997 $937,741,513 $850,232,760
1996 $1,007,791,127 $941,709,423
1995 $1,115,389,674 $870,740,292
1994 $851,174,357 $911,853,802
1993 $1,278,781,262 $768,867,883
1992 $1,411,917,553 $679,940,814
1991 $1,377,374,987 $779,981,987
1990 $1,440,711,459 $649,644,098
1989 $1,233,930,281 $932,974,420
1988 $1,264,899,288 $1,055,083,933
1987 $1,200,991,978 $660,106,336
1986 $1,122,265,013 $490,181,457
1985 $864,849,836 $856,890,459
1984 $637,820,670 $1,087,471,862
1983 $658,679,333 $995,104,305
1982 $748,312,391 $1,295,361,886
1981 $694,803,623 $1,114,830,472
1980 $797,048,199 $1,100,685,845
1979 $700,764,748 $1,109,374,911
1978 $610,578,632 $960,728,339
1977 $507,298,148 $691,777,584
1976 $451,152,461 $594,895,942
1975 $378,660,016 $679,336,344
1974 $281,398,706 $648,590,643
1973 $271,183,082 $575,230,724
1972 $230,317,883 $465,381,340
1971 $201,450,800 $419,549,305
1970 $189,106,529 $434,410,974
1969 $188,039,210 $408,690,163
1968 $191,767,442 $329,859,732
1967 $163,820,514 $348,795,303
1966 $157,930,018 $375,479,850
1965 $150,574,795 $359,379,856
1964 $142,025,079 $371,847,461
1963 $129,379,124 $348,547,279
1962 $124,482,774 $342,721,416
1961 $123,134,583 $327,834,191
1960 $112,155,598 $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Sierra Leone by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $846 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $807 $3,522
2023 $496 $1,257 $758 $3,368
2022 $467 $1,218 $860 $3,144
2021 $492 $1,129 $885 $2,849
2020 $463 $1,066 $845 $2,719
2019 $449 $985 $844 $2,704
2018 $455 $906 $846 $2,640
2017 $432 $884 $779 $2,501
2016 $387 $826 $844 $2,635
2015 $366 $769 $965 $2,560
2014 $410 $699 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $364 $710 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $544 $1,062 $938 $2,317
2011 $534 $980 $761 $2,043
2010 $477 $936 $685 $1,900
2009 $456 $877 $653 $1,814
2008 $437 $798 $705 $1,824
2007 $381 $783 $632 $1,770
2006 $334 $743 $580 $1,698
2005 $312 $702 $463 $1,615
2004 $303 $690 $418 $1,541
2003 $278.4 $648 $414 $1,458
2002 $248.6 $688 $389 $1,360
2001 $238 $668 $358 $1,121
2000 $239.2 $640 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $268 $660 $155 $1,167
1998 $266.6 $645 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $265.5 $626 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $293.3 $601 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $333 $631 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $261.3 $592 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $405 $570 $185 $1,269
1992 $462 $573 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $465 $618 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $502 $620 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $443 - $231.3 -
1988 $466 - $268.2 -
1987 $450 - $172.4 -
1986 $426 - $131.5 -
1985 $333 - $235.5 -
1984 $248.3 - $306 -
1983 $259.6 - $285.8 -
1982 $298.4 - $380 -
1981 $280.3 - $334 -
1980 $325 - $336 -
1979 $289.1 - $346 -
1978 $254.6 - $305 -
1977 $213.8 - $224.2 -
1976 $192.1 - $196.4 -
1975 $163.6 - $228.4 -
1974 $124 - $222.1 -
1973 $121.8 - $200.6 -
1972 $105.5 - $165.4 -
1971 $94.1 - $151.8 -
1970 $90.2 - $160.2 -
1969 $91.7 - $153.6 -
1968 $95.6 - $126.3 -
1967 $83.6 - $136.1 -
1966 $82.3 - $149.3 -
1965 $80.2 - $145.6 -
1964 $77.2 - $153.4 -
1963 $71.8 - $146.3 -
1962 $70.4 - $146.3 -
1961 $71 - $142.3 -
1960 $65.9 - $142 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $846 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

CAR Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$7.46B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
160/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
4.61%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$846
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$3.38B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
45.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$383
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
173/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$1,418
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
16.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
7.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
16.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
1.65%
2018
Population
5798457
9090531

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 16.5% 45.2%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 17.6% 46.7%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 15.4% 49.4%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 16.7% 54%
2021 19% 46.3% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 24% 42.4% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 15% 44.2%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 16% 20.3% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 16% 35.8% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 16.2% 103% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 10.3% -
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 (1990–2025, 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/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.23B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 45.2% in Sierra Leone, ranking 72/185 and 115/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Sierra Leone
2025 -5.49% -4.2%
2024 -5.03% -5.16%
2023 -3.42% -4.99%
2022 -5.13% -5.93%
2021 -5.71% -4.35%
2020 -3.23% -3.5%
2019 1.33% -1.95%
2018 -0.93% -3.57%
2017 -1% -5.61%
2016 1.18% -5.41%
2015 -0.53% -2.86%
2014 -3.02% -2.77%
2013 -2.3% -1.74%
2012 -0.78% -3.41%
2011 -2.15% -2.78%
2010 -1.35% -3.09%
2009 -0.54% -1.51%
2008 -1.23% -2.22%
2007 1.04% 12.6%
2006 8.58% -0.93%
2005 -4.37% -1.17%
2004 -1.74% -1.46%
2003 -3.06% -2.78%
2002 -1.19% -3.03%
2001 -0.88% -3.22%
2000 -2.01% -1.94%
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 (1990–2025, 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/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $313M, or 4.2% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.65% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Sierra Leone
2025 1% 7.6%
2024 1.5% 28.4%
2023 3% 47.7%
2022 5.6% 27.2%
2021 4.3% 11.9%
2020 0.9% 13.4%
2019 2.8% 14.8%
2018 1.6% 16%
2017 4.2% 18.2%
2016 4.9% 10.9%
2015 1.4% 6.7%
2014 17.8% 4.6%
2013 4% 5.5%
2012 5.9% 6.6%
2011 1.2% 6.8%
2010 1.5% 7.2%
2009 3.6% 7.5%
2008 9.2% 8.2%
2007 0.9% 17%
2006 6.9% 10.5%
2005 2.9% 13.7%
2004 -2.2% 12.9%
2003 4.4% 4%
2002 2.3% 0.1%
2001 3.8% 2.6%
2000 3.2% -0.9%
1999 -1.4% 34.1%
1998 -1.9% 36%
1997 1.6% 14.6%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 13.6% in Sierra Leone. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 7.6% in Sierra Leone.

Balance of trade

CAR Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$984M
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$2.4B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$1.55B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$514M
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$49.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
20.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 43.1 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 165/197
Property rights 5.6 32.9
Government integrity 19.2 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 4 42
Tax burden 65.5 88.2
Government spending 90.1 92.4
Fiscal health 59 54.1
Business freedom 26.5 44.8
Labor freedom 48.5 38.2
Monetary freedom 75.6 53.6
Trade freedom 47.6 63.6
Investment freedom 45 30
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Sierra Leone
2026 43.1 49.6
2025 42.8 48
2024 41.3 44.6
2023 43.8 50.2
2022 45.7 52
2021 48.8 51.7
2020 50.7 48
2019 49.1 47.5
2018 49.2 51.8
2017 51.8 52.6
2016 45.2 52.3
2015 45.9 51.7
2014 46.7 50.5
2013 50.4 48.3
2012 50.3 49.1
2011 49.3 49.6
2010 48.4 47.9
2009 48.3 47.8
2008 48.6 48.3
2007 50.6 47
2006 54.2 45.2
2005 56.5 44.8
2004 57.5 43.6
2003 60 42.2
2002 59.8 -
2001 - -
2000 - 44.2
1999 - 47.2
1998 - 47.7
1997 - 45
1996 - 52.3
1995 - 49.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
41.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
25.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
29.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$7.34B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$3,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
161/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$122M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
23.2%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (1995–2026, 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.