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Economy of Central African Republic vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 171/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Central African Republic vs South Korea GDP by year

Central African Republic
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR South Korea
2024 $2,751,494,281 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $2,555,492,086 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $2,382,618,615 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $2,516,498,412 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $2,326,720,900 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $2,221,301,351 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $2,220,979,146 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $2,072,349,973 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $1,825,018,145 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $1,695,825,714 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $1,894,813,389 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $1,691,544,110 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $2,510,126,512 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $2,437,982,705 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $2,142,591,540 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $2,067,381,665 $983,065,242,417
2008 $1,993,407,888 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $1,699,811,295 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $1,461,859,762 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $1,337,894,379 $971,740,329,984
2004 $1,272,360,517 $823,251,107,639
2003 $1,142,315,523 $728,516,494,684
2002 $996,068,145 $650,014,391,470
2001 $932,648,605 $567,564,806,235
2000 $916,777,283 $597,487,173,479
1999 $999,477,511 $515,697,079,289
1998 $967,338,390 $397,297,216,492
1997 $937,741,513 $589,202,526,424
1996 $1,007,791,127 $631,196,863,758
1995 $1,115,389,674 $586,286,469,401
1994 $851,174,357 $479,181,794,217
1993 $1,278,781,262 $405,705,302,846
1992 $1,411,917,553 $366,921,291,825
1991 $1,377,374,987 $340,851,946,804
1990 $1,440,711,459 $292,064,221,389
1989 $1,233,930,281 $254,236,243,100
1988 $1,264,899,288 $205,477,530,605
1987 $1,200,991,978 $152,240,393,646
1986 $1,122,265,013 $119,965,960,795
1985 $864,849,836 $103,764,281,281
1984 $637,820,670 $99,749,645,089
1983 $658,679,333 $89,621,208,322
1982 $748,312,391 $79,921,300,447
1981 $694,803,623 $74,287,368,087
1980 $797,048,199 $66,547,970,351
1979 $700,764,748 $68,083,884,298
1978 $610,578,632 $52,824,793,388
1977 $507,298,148 $39,064,462,810
1976 $451,152,461 $30,371,074,380
1975 $378,660,016 $22,126,033,058
1974 $281,398,706 $19,860,929,977
1973 $271,183,082 $14,067,523,813
1972 $230,317,883 $10,990,490,570
1971 $201,450,800 $10,005,257,131
1970 $189,106,529 $9,085,001,794
1969 $188,039,210 $7,743,940,189
1968 $191,767,442 $6,167,109,472
1967 $163,820,514 $4,895,076,718
1966 $157,930,018 $3,957,064,541
1965 $150,574,795 $3,141,131,708
1964 $142,025,079 $3,476,789,682
1963 $129,379,124 $4,007,692,308
1962 $124,482,774 $2,826,923,077
1961 $123,134,583 $2,427,244,761
1960 $112,155,598 $3,973,069,307

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs South Korea by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $496 $1,257 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $467 $1,218 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $492 $1,129 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $463 $1,066 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $449 $985 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $455 $906 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $432 $884 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $387 $826 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $366 $769 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $410 $699 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $364 $710 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $544 $1,062 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $534 $980 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $477 $936 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $456 $877 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $437 $798 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $381 $783 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $334 $743 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $312 $702 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $303 $690 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $278.4 $648 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $248.6 $688 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $238 $668 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $239.2 $640 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $268 $660 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $266.6 $645 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $265.5 $626 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $293.3 $601 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $333 $631 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $261.3 $592 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $405 $570 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $462 $573 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $465 $618 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $502 $620 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $443 - $5,989 -
1988 $466 - $4,889 -
1987 $450 - $3,658 -
1986 $426 - $2,911 -
1985 $333 - $2,543 -
1984 $248.3 - $2,469 -
1983 $259.6 - $2,246 -
1982 $298.4 - $2,032 -
1981 $280.3 - $1,918 -
1980 $325 - $1,746 -
1979 $289.1 - $1,814 -
1978 $254.6 - $1,429 -
1977 $213.8 - $1,073 -
1976 $192.1 - $847 -
1975 $163.6 - $627 -
1974 $124 - $572 -
1973 $121.8 - $412 -
1972 $105.5 - $328 -
1971 $94.1 - $304 -
1970 $90.2 - $281.8 -
1969 $91.7 - $245.5 -
1968 $95.6 - $200 -
1967 $83.6 - $162.5 -
1966 $82.3 - $134.4 -
1965 $80.2 - $109.4 -
1964 $77.2 - $124.2 -
1963 $71.8 - $147 -
1962 $70.4 - $106.6 -
1961 $71 - $94.2 -
1960 $65.9 - $158.8 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

CAR South Korea
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
2.78%
2024
Population
5753659
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 24.1% 48%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 18.6% 38%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 19% 36%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 16% 35.8% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 18.7% 27%
2005 16.2% 103% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 16% 16.1%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 16% 13.8%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 11.7% 93% 14% 7.81%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 22% 44.6% 15.2% 12.8%
1989 19.6% 50.9% 15% 12.4%
1988 21.4% 48.8% 13.9% 12.7%
1987 - - 14.3% 15.3%
1986 - - 14.9% 14.5%
1985 - - 15.5% 16.2%
1984 - - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 - - 16% 19.3%
1982 - - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 - - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 - - 16.8% 18.6%
1979 - - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 - - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 - - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 - - 17% 20.4%
1975 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 - - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 - - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 - - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 - - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 - - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 - - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 - - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 - - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 - - 16% 4.44%
1965 - - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 - - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 - - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 - - 22.3% 13%
1961 - - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 - - 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 77/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR South Korea
2024 -5.08% -0.78%
2023 -3.44% -0.67%
2022 -5.23% -1.49%
2021 -5.8% -0.02%
2020 -3.24% -2.11%
2019 1.33% 0.35%
2018 -0.93% 2.42%
2017 -1% 2.08%
2016 1.17% 1.56%
2015 -0.53% 0.5%
2014 -3.02% 0.57%
2013 -2.3% 0.79%
2012 -0.78% 1.63%
2011 -2.15% 1.72%
2010 -1.35% 1.61%
2009 -0.54% 0.24%
2008 -1.23% 1.58%
2007 1.04% 2.49%
2006 8.58% 1.18%
2005 -4.37% 0.95%
2004 -1.74% 0.09%
2003 -3.06% 1.51%
2002 -1.19% 3.23%
2001 -0.88% 2.42%
2000 -2.01% 3.91%
1999 -0.5% 1.15%
1998 0.001% 1.09%
1997 -1.57% 2.31%
1996 -1.06% 2.3%
1995 -4.84% 2.16%
1994 -7.57% 2.06%
1993 -5.66% 3.21%
1992 -7.33% 2.42%
1991 -8% 1.94%
1990 -6.6% 2.98%
1989 -3.25% 2.27%
1988 -3.72% 2.85%
1987 - 1.7%
1986 - 0.8%
1985 - 0.47%
1984 - 0.78%
1983 - 1.05%
1982 - -0.41%
1981 - 0.99%
1980 - 0.46%
1979 - 0.47%
1978 - -0.27%
1977 - -1.81%
1976 - -0.87%
1975 - -3.68%
1974 - -2.78%
1973 - -1.72%
1972 - -4.33%
1971 - -1.3%
1970 - -0.52%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.36%
1967 - -2.87%
1966 - -4.27%
1965 - -3.43%
1964 - -4.1%
1963 - -4.32%
1962 - -7.82%
1961 - -9.48%
1960 - -5.18%
1959 - -6.52%
1958 - -10%
1957 - -10.1%
1956 - -10.8%
1955 - -10.6%
1954 - -10.3%
1953 - -4.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/south-korea | 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 South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.42% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR South Korea
2024 1.5% 2.32%
2023 3% 3.6%
2022 5.6% 5.09%
2021 4.3% 2.5%
2020 0.9% 0.54%
2019 2.8% 0.38%
2018 1.6% 1.48%
2017 4.2% 1.94%
2016 4.9% 0.97%
2015 1.4% 0.71%
2014 17.8% 1.27%
2013 4% 1.3%
2012 5.9% 2.19%
2011 1.2% 4.03%
2010 1.5% 2.94%
2009 3.6% 2.76%
2008 9.2% 4.67%
2007 0.9% 2.53%
2006 6.9% 2.24%
2005 2.9% 2.75%
2004 -2.6% 3.59%
2003 4.4% 3.51%
2002 2.3% 2.76%
2001 4.1% 4.07%
2000 3.4% 2.26%
1999 -1.6% 0.81%
1998 -2% 7.51%
1997 1.6% 4.44%

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/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $44.1M
Wood & paper products $328K
Machinery & equipment $285K
Chemicals & pharma $107K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $91K
Animal & marine products $55K
Textiles & consumer goods $35K
Metals $6K

Balance of trade

CAR South Korea
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$696B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$163B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR South Korea
Economic freedom 43.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 24/197
Property rights 5.6 89.6
Government integrity 19.2 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 4 77.5
Tax burden 65.5 61.5
Government spending 90.1 82.6
Fiscal health 59 93.5
Business freedom 26.5 81.5
Labor freedom 48.5 55
Monetary freedom 75.6 79.3
Trade freedom 47.6 73
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR South Korea
2026 43.1 73.7
2025 42.8 74
2024 41.3 73.1
2023 43.8 73.7
2022 45.7 74.6
2021 48.8 74
2020 50.7 74
2019 49.1 72.3
2018 49.2 73.8
2017 51.8 74.3
2016 45.2 71.7
2015 45.9 71.5
2014 46.7 71.2
2013 50.4 70.3
2012 50.3 69.9
2011 49.3 69.8
2010 48.4 69.9
2009 48.3 68.1
2008 48.6 68.6
2007 50.6 67.8
2006 54.2 67.5
2005 56.5 66.4
2004 57.5 67.8
2003 60 68.3
2002 59.8 69.5
2001 - 69.1
2000 - 69.7
1999 - 69.7
1998 - 73.3
1997 - 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR South Korea
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
30%
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/south-korea | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.