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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 171/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Central African Republic vs Singapore GDP by year

Central African Republic
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Singapore
2024 $2,751,494,281 $547,386,645,892
2023 $2,555,492,086 $505,439,514,078
2022 $2,382,618,615 $509,017,841,147
2021 $2,516,498,412 $436,591,382,250
2020 $2,326,720,900 $349,165,858,545
2019 $2,221,301,351 $376,161,998,830
2018 $2,220,979,146 $377,123,710,561
2017 $2,072,349,973 $343,673,334,902
2016 $1,825,018,145 $319,646,468,521
2015 $1,695,825,714 $307,998,545,269
2014 $1,894,813,389 $314,863,580,758
2013 $1,691,544,110 $307,576,360,585
2012 $2,510,126,512 $295,092,888,077
2011 $2,437,982,705 $279,356,499,090
2010 $2,142,591,540 $239,807,980,591
2009 $2,067,381,665 $194,150,283,772
2008 $1,993,407,888 $193,617,323,539
2007 $1,699,811,295 $180,941,701,358
2006 $1,461,859,762 $148,627,286,361
2005 $1,337,894,379 $127,807,848,728
2004 $1,272,360,517 $115,033,593,101
2003 $1,142,315,523 $97,646,401,096
2002 $996,068,145 $92,538,372,870
2001 $932,648,605 $89,793,790,670
2000 $916,777,283 $96,076,539,926
1999 $999,477,511 $86,286,849,755
1998 $967,338,390 $85,728,207,782
1997 $937,741,513 $100,123,787,215
1996 $1,007,791,127 $96,293,086,513
1995 $1,115,389,674 $87,812,540,788
1994 $851,174,357 $73,688,724,431
1993 $1,278,781,262 $60,603,815,716
1992 $1,411,917,553 $52,131,320,033
1991 $1,377,374,987 $45,466,164,978
1990 $1,440,711,459 $36,144,336,769
1989 $1,233,930,281 $30,465,364,739
1988 $1,264,899,288 $25,371,462,488
1987 $1,200,991,978 $20,919,215,578
1986 $1,122,265,013 $18,586,746,057
1985 $864,849,836 $19,156,532,746
1984 $637,820,670 $19,749,361,098
1983 $658,679,333 $17,784,112,150
1982 $748,312,391 $16,084,252,378
1981 $694,803,623 $14,175,228,844
1980 $797,048,199 $11,896,256,783
1979 $700,764,748 $9,296,921,724
1978 $610,578,632 $7,517,176,355
1977 $507,298,148 $6,618,585,074
1976 $451,152,461 $6,327,077,974
1975 $378,660,016 $5,633,673,930
1974 $281,398,706 $5,221,534,956
1973 $271,183,082 $3,696,213,333
1972 $230,317,883 $2,721,440,981
1971 $201,450,800 $2,263,785,444
1970 $189,106,529 $1,920,574,150
1969 $188,039,210 $1,659,893,768
1968 $191,767,442 $1,425,706,091
1967 $163,820,514 $1,238,035,816
1966 $157,930,018 $1,096,425,608
1965 $150,574,795 $974,644,096
1964 $142,025,079 $894,153,311
1963 $129,379,124 $917,608,012
1962 $124,482,774 $826,239,212
1961 $123,134,583 $764,629,788
1960 $112,155,598 $704,751,700

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Singapore by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $90,674 $150,689
2023 $496 $1,257 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $467 $1,218 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $492 $1,129 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $463 $1,066 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $449 $985 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $455 $906 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $432 $884 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $387 $826 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $366 $769 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $410 $699 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $364 $710 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $544 $1,062 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $534 $980 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $477 $936 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $456 $877 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $437 $798 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $381 $783 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $334 $743 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $312 $702 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $303 $690 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $278.4 $648 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $248.6 $688 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $238 $668 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $239.2 $640 $23,853 $43,781
1999 $268 $660 $21,797 $39,949
1998 $266.6 $645 $21,829 $37,560
1997 $265.5 $626 $26,376 $39,286
1996 $293.3 $601 $26,233 $36,873
1995 $333 $631 $24,915 $35,090
1994 $261.3 $592 $21,552 $33,058
1993 $405 $570 $18,290 $30,062
1992 $462 $573 $16,136 $27,022
1991 $465 $618 $14,502 $25,530
1990 $502 $620 $11,862 $23,815
1989 $443 - $10,395 -
1988 $466 - $8,914 -
1987 $450 - $7,539 -
1986 $426 - $6,800 -
1985 $333 - $7,002 -
1984 $248.3 - $7,228 -
1983 $259.6 - $6,633 -
1982 $298.4 - $6,078 -
1981 $280.3 - $5,597 -
1980 $325 - $4,928 -
1979 $289.1 - $3,901 -
1978 $254.6 - $3,194 -
1977 $213.8 - $2,846 -
1976 $192.1 - $2,759 -
1975 $163.6 - $2,490 -
1974 $124 - $2,342 -
1973 $121.8 - $1,685 -
1972 $105.5 - $1,264 -
1971 $94.1 - $1,071 -
1970 $90.2 - $926 -
1969 $91.7 - $813 -
1968 $95.6 - $709 -
1967 $83.6 - $626 -
1966 $82.3 - $567 -
1965 $80.2 - $517 -
1964 $77.2 - $486 -
1963 $71.8 - $511 -
1962 $70.4 - $472 -
1961 $71 - $449 -
1960 $65.9 - $428 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

CAR Singapore
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$547B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
2/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
2.74%
2024
Population
5753659
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 15% 154.3%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 14% 127.9%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 16% 20.3% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 16% 35.8% 14% 97.9%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 16.2% 103% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 18.2% 94.5%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 16.1% 82.3%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 15.9% 85.3%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 18.1% 84.6%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 14.5% 70.8%
1996 11.7% 93% 18.1% 71.3%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 13.8% 69.8%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 11.7% 70.7%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 14.5% 71.2%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 14.5% 79%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 15.9% 76.4%
1990 22% 44.6% 15.1% 73.5%
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/singapore | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 77/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Singapore
2024 -5.08% 4.44%
2023 -3.44% 3.47%
2022 -5.23% 1.21%
2021 -5.8% 1.13%
2020 -3.24% -6.73%
2019 1.33% 3.77%
2018 -0.93% 3.68%
2017 -1% 5.24%
2016 1.17% 3.25%
2015 -0.53% 2.86%
2014 -3.02% 4.6%
2013 -2.3% 5.96%
2012 -0.78% 7.34%
2011 -2.15% 7.96%
2010 -1.35% 5.68%
2009 -0.54% -0.09%
2008 -1.23% 3.59%
2007 1.04% 7.12%
2006 8.58% 2.16%
2005 -4.37% 2.56%
2004 -1.74% 2.06%
2003 -3.06% 0.68%
2002 -1.19% 2.23%
2001 -0.88% 1.2%
2000 -2.01% 4.59%
1999 -0.5% 5.2%
1998 0.001% 2.41%
1997 -1.57% 5.66%
1996 -1.06% 1.98%
1995 -4.84% 4.8%
1994 -7.57% 7.9%
1993 -5.66% 4.36%
1992 -7.33% 2.7%
1991 -8% 0.68%
1990 -6.6% 1.97%
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/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $24.3B, or 4.44% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.36% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Singapore
2024 1.5% 2.39%
2023 3% 4.83%
2022 5.6% 6.13%
2021 4.3% 2.32%
2020 0.9% -0.17%
2019 2.8% 0.57%
2018 1.6% 0.44%
2017 4.2% 0.58%
2016 4.9% -0.53%
2015 1.4% -0.52%
2014 17.8% 1.03%
2013 4% 2.36%
2012 5.9% 4.58%
2011 1.2% 5.25%
2010 1.5% 2.83%
2009 3.6% 0.59%
2008 9.2% 6.64%
2007 0.9% 2.11%
2006 6.9% 0.97%
2005 2.9% 0.43%
2004 -2.6% 1.66%
2003 4.4% 0.51%
2002 2.3% -0.39%
2001 4.1% 1%
2000 3.4% 1.36%
1999 -1.6% 0.02%
1998 -2% -0.27%
1997 1.6% 2%

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/singapore | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 1.74% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Singapore
Export category Export value
Metals $340K
Precious metals & jewellery $128K
Raw materials & minerals $44K
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Machinery & equipment $23K
Chemicals & pharma $17K

Balance of trade

CAR Singapore
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$583B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$351B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Singapore
Economic freedom 43.1 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 1/197
Property rights 5.6 89.2
Government integrity 19.2 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 4 58.3
Tax burden 65.5 89.5
Government spending 90.1 93.4
Fiscal health 59 80
Business freedom 26.5 90.6
Labor freedom 48.5 77
Monetary freedom 75.6 83.5
Trade freedom 47.6 95
Investment freedom 45 90
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Singapore
2026 43.1 84.4
2025 42.8 84.1
2024 41.3 83.5
2023 43.8 83.9
2022 45.7 84.4
2021 48.8 89.7
2020 50.7 89.4
2019 49.1 89.4
2018 49.2 88.8
2017 51.8 88.6
2016 45.2 87.8
2015 45.9 89.4
2014 46.7 89.4
2013 50.4 88
2012 50.3 87.5
2011 49.3 87.2
2010 48.4 86.1
2009 48.3 87.1
2008 48.6 87.3
2007 50.6 87.1
2006 54.2 88
2005 56.5 88.6
2004 57.5 88.9
2003 60 88.2
2002 59.8 87.4
2001 - 87.8
2000 - 87.7
1999 - 86.9
1998 - 87
1997 - 87.3
1996 - 86.5
1995 - 86.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Singapore
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$55.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
22.2%
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/singapore | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1995–2026, 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.