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Economy of Central African Republic vs Solomon Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $1.75B for the Solomon Islands, ranking 171/197 and 183/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $501M (28.7% of GDP) in the Solomon Islands.

Central African Republic vs Solomon Islands GDP by year

Central African Republic
Solomon Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Solomon Islands
2025 $3,066,109,226 $1,749,572,443
2024 $2,751,494,281 $1,583,964,704
2023 $2,555,492,086 $1,506,124,566
2022 $2,382,618,615 $1,466,670,930
2021 $2,516,498,412 $1,558,312,104
2020 $2,326,720,900 $1,536,143,428
2019 $2,221,301,351 $1,619,150,564
2018 $2,220,979,146 $1,615,473,250
2017 $2,072,349,973 $1,469,790,526
2016 $1,825,018,145 $1,379,486,291
2015 $1,695,825,714 $1,307,908,814
2014 $1,894,813,389 $1,335,576,763
2013 $1,691,544,110 $1,285,905,958
2012 $2,510,126,512 $1,185,217,634
2011 $2,437,982,705 $1,063,898,227
2010 $2,142,591,540 $898,128,551
2009 $2,067,381,665 $805,557,289
2008 $1,993,407,888 $776,335,523
2007 $1,699,811,295 $695,291,218
2006 $1,461,859,762 $617,257,458
2005 $1,337,894,379 $552,881,357
2004 $1,272,360,517 $468,000,121
2003 $1,142,315,523 $417,666,639
2002 $996,068,145 $346,406,739
2001 $932,648,605 $409,508,553
2000 $916,777,283 $419,842,674
1999 $999,477,511 $488,024,514
1998 $967,338,390 $457,579,840
1997 $937,741,513 $526,554,006
1996 $1,007,791,127 $510,586,430
1995 $1,115,389,674 $469,443,202
1994 $851,174,357 $402,837,005
1993 $1,278,781,262 $300,746,361
1992 $1,411,917,553 $269,034,596
1991 $1,377,374,987 $227,540,473
1990 $1,440,711,459 $214,877,667
1989 $1,233,930,281 $172,882,411
1988 $1,264,899,288 $176,494,394
1987 $1,200,991,978 $155,128,542
1986 $1,122,265,013 $147,620,048
1985 $864,849,836 $165,524,943
1984 $637,820,670 $181,570,474
1983 $658,679,333 $181,220,399
1982 $748,312,391 $192,902,019
1981 $694,803,623 $193,750,541
1980 $797,048,199 $182,852,107
1979 $700,764,748 $151,276,496
1978 $610,578,632 $111,027,427
1977 $507,298,148 $93,145,283
1976 $451,152,461 $83,100,834
1975 $378,660,016 $74,620,320
1974 $281,398,706 $84,539,332
1973 $271,183,082 $55,272,109
1972 $230,317,883 $40,606,712
1971 $201,450,800 $50,056,883
1970 $189,106,529 -
1969 $188,039,210 $28,606,411
1968 $191,767,442 $28,084,253
1967 $163,820,514 $25,203,524
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Solomon Islands by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Solomon Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $2,086 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $1,934 $2,675
2023 $496 $1,257 $1,883 $2,597
2022 $467 $1,218 $1,878 $2,496
2021 $492 $1,129 $2,043 $2,450
2020 $463 $1,066 $2,063 $2,405
2019 $449 $985 $2,224 $2,512
2018 $455 $906 $2,278 $2,494
2017 $432 $884 $2,144 $2,454
2016 $387 $826 $2,083 $2,421
2015 $366 $769 $2,045 $2,354
2014 $410 $699 $2,165 $2,377
2013 $364 $710 $2,161 $2,394
2012 $544 $1,062 $2,066 $2,320
2011 $534 $980 $1,924 $2,306
2010 $477 $936 $1,685 $2,182
2009 $456 $877 $1,555 $2,021
2008 $437 $798 $1,526 $1,989
2007 $381 $783 $1,390 $1,869
2006 $334 $743 $1,256 $1,786
2005 $312 $702 $1,144 $1,693
2004 $303 $690 $986 $1,556
2003 $278.4 $648 $896 $1,433
2002 $248.6 $688 $757 $1,344
2001 $238 $668 $912 $1,387
2000 $239.2 $640 $953 $1,503
1999 $268 $660 $1,134 $1,754
1998 $266.6 $645 $1,092 $1,785
1997 $265.5 $626 $1,292 $1,793
1996 $293.3 $601 $1,289 $1,830
1995 $333 $631 $1,220 $1,820
1994 $261.3 $592 $1,078 $1,668
1993 $405 $570 $829 $1,556
1992 $462 $573 $764 $1,505
1991 $465 $618 $666 $1,346
1990 $502 $620 $648 $1,266
1989 $443 - $538 -
1988 $466 - $567 -
1987 $450 - $515 -
1986 $426 - $506 -
1985 $333 - $586 -
1984 $248.3 - $665 -
1983 $259.6 - $686 -
1982 $298.4 - $756 -
1981 $280.3 - $786 -
1980 $325 - $768 -
1979 $289.1 - $658 -
1978 $254.6 - $500 -
1977 $213.8 - $434 -
1976 $192.1 - $401 -
1975 $163.6 - $372 -
1974 $124 - $433 -
1973 $121.8 - $291.3 -
1972 $105.5 - $219.5 -
1971 $94.1 - $277.1 -
1970 $90.2 - - -
1969 $91.7 - $165.9 -
1968 $95.6 - $166.9 -
1967 $83.6 - $153.5 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $2,086 in the Solomon Islands, ranking 157/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675.

Economic indicators

CAR Solomon Islands
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$1.75B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
183/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
3.62%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$2,086
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
157/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$2,675
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
183/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$501M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
28.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$598
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
162/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$1,986
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
29.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.8%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
40.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
3.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
0.69%
2013
Population
5798457
868694

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Solomon Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 40.6% 28.7%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 39.6% 26.1%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 44.2% 22.3%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 43.5% 16.5%
2021 19% 46.3% 36.9% 16.1%
2020 24% 42.4% 40.4% 9.15%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 35.6% 7.82%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 34.8% 7.95%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 40.4% 8.77%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 39.6% 7.54%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 41.5% 7.88%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 39.8% 10.1%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 41.8% 11.6%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 29.4% 13.3%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 26.7% 18.1%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 22.6% 21.6%
2009 16% 20.3% 22.7% 17.2%
2008 16% 35.8% 24.3% 26.1%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 21.1% 29.5%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 17.4% 36.9%
2005 16.2% 103% 14.7% 38.5%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 12.5% 49.4%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 12.6% 51.8%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 14.1% 55.5%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 15.3% 44.6%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 15.8% 37.4%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 15.8% 35.4%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 13.1% 33.3%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 16.3% 21.9%
1996 11.7% 93% 20.4% -
1995 20.6% 83.8% 20.8% -
1994 22.4% 103.4% 25.5% -
1993 20.6% 68.2% 28.1% -
1992 23.1% 57.4% 29.6% -
1991 22.6% 55.8% 33.2% -
1990 22% 44.6% 25.4% -
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/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while the Solomon Islands spent $711M, or 40.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 28.7% in the Solomon Islands, ranking 72/185 and 158/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Solomon Islands
2025 -5.49% -3.24%
2024 -5.03% -2.09%
2023 -3.42% -4.13%
2022 -5.13% -2.7%
2021 -5.71% -1.82%
2020 -3.23% -2.44%
2019 1.33% -1.52%
2018 -0.93% 1.49%
2017 -1% -2.27%
2016 1.18% -3.56%
2015 -0.53% 0.81%
2014 -3.02% 2.13%
2013 -2.3% 3.57%
2012 -0.78% 4.63%
2011 -2.15% 6.14%
2010 -1.35% 5.67%
2009 -0.54% 2.15%
2008 -1.23% 1.75%
2007 1.04% 13.7%
2006 8.58% 11.3%
2005 -4.37% 11.5%
2004 -1.74% 14.5%
2003 -3.06% 8.91%
2002 -1.19% -3.67%
2001 -0.88% -2.02%
2000 -2.01% -2.47%
1999 -0.5% -0.27%
1998 0.001% 4.25%
1997 -1.57% 1.8%
1996 -1.06% 3.15%
1995 -4.84% 2.69%
1994 -7.57% 3.65%
1993 -5.66% 2.07%
1992 -7.33% 3.48%
1991 -8% 0.12%
1990 -6.6% 0.49%
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/solomon-islands | 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 Solomon Islands' deficit of $56.6M, or 3.24% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the Solomon Islands ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.39% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.16% of GDP for the Solomon Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Solomon Islands
2025 1% 3.36%
2024 1.5% 4.32%
2023 3% 5.89%
2022 5.6% 5.52%
2021 4.3% -0.12%
2020 0.9% 2.96%
2019 2.8% 1.63%
2018 1.6% 3.46%
2017 4.2% 0.49%
2016 4.9% 0.51%
2015 1.4% -0.57%
2014 17.8% 5.17%
2013 4% 5.39%
2012 5.9% 5.91%
2011 1.2% 7.34%
2010 1.5% 1.05%
2009 3.6% 7.09%
2008 9.2% 17.3%
2007 0.9% 7.67%
2006 6.9% 11.2%
2005 2.9% 7.33%
2004 -2.2% 6.99%
2003 4.4% 8.27%
2002 2.3% 10.9%
2001 3.8% 6.93%
2000 3.2% 7.89%
1999 -1.4% 8.02%
1998 -1.9% 12.4%
1997 1.6% 8.08%

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/solomon-islands | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 5.95% in the Solomon Islands. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 3.36% in the Solomon Islands.

Balance of trade

CAR Solomon Islands
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$66.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-4.18%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$609M
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$510M
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$248M
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$133M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
70.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
40.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Solomon Islands
Economic freedom 43.1 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 137/197
Property rights 5.6 55.8
Government integrity 19.2 42.7
Judicial effectiveness 4 59.1
Tax burden 65.5 71.3
Government spending 90.1 54.6
Fiscal health 59 83.3
Business freedom 26.5 52.3
Labor freedom 48.5 60.4
Monetary freedom 75.6 76.5
Trade freedom 47.6 43.6
Investment freedom 45 15
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Solomon Islands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Solomon Islands
2026 43.1 53.7
2025 42.8 56.3
2024 41.3 55
2023 43.8 56.9
2022 45.7 56.5
2021 48.8 56.5
2020 50.7 52.9
2019 49.1 54.6
2018 49.2 57.5
2017 51.8 55
2016 45.2 47
2015 45.9 47
2014 46.7 46.2
2013 50.4 45
2012 50.3 46.2
2011 49.3 45.9
2010 48.4 42.9
2009 48.3 46
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/solomon-islands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 53.7 for the Solomon Islands, ranking 137/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Solomon Islands
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
46.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
23.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
29.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$1.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$2,790
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$686M
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
148/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$19.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$33M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$52.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
1.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
12.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
19.5%
2024

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/solomon-islands | 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 (2002–2026, 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.