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Economy of Central African Republic vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 171/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Central African Republic vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Central African Republic
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Sri Lanka
2024 $2,751,494,281 $98,963,185,510
2023 $2,555,492,086 $83,716,142,582
2022 $2,382,618,615 $74,143,020,263
2021 $2,516,498,412 $88,556,698,938
2020 $2,326,720,900 $84,335,574,582
2019 $2,221,301,351 $88,998,706,297
2018 $2,220,979,146 $94,450,015,983
2017 $2,072,349,973 $94,369,350,286
2016 $1,825,018,145 $88,000,211,172
2015 $1,695,825,714 $85,090,301,052
2014 $1,894,813,389 $82,531,125,191
2013 $1,691,544,110 $76,976,203,829
2012 $2,510,126,512 $70,447,217,164
2011 $2,437,982,705 $67,753,285,897
2010 $2,142,591,540 $58,636,049,434
2009 $2,067,381,665 $42,066,224,093
2008 $1,993,407,888 $40,713,826,215
2007 $1,699,811,295 $32,350,238,760
2006 $1,461,859,762 $28,267,410,543
2005 $1,337,894,379 $24,405,791,045
2004 $1,272,360,517 $20,662,525,941
2003 $1,142,315,523 $18,881,765,437
2002 $996,068,145 $16,536,535,647
2001 $932,648,605 $15,749,753,805
2000 $916,777,283 $16,595,882,819
1999 $999,477,511 $15,711,933,513
1998 $967,338,390 $15,760,736,956
1997 $937,741,513 $15,091,913,884
1996 $1,007,791,127 $13,897,738,375
1995 $1,115,389,674 $13,029,697,561
1994 $851,174,357 $11,717,604,209
1993 $1,278,781,262 $10,338,679,636
1992 $1,411,917,553 $9,703,011,636
1991 $1,377,374,987 $9,000,362,582
1990 $1,440,711,459 $8,032,551,173
1989 $1,233,930,281 $6,987,267,684
1988 $1,264,899,288 $6,978,371,581
1987 $1,200,991,978 $6,682,167,120
1986 $1,122,265,013 $6,405,210,564
1985 $864,849,836 $5,978,460,972
1984 $637,820,670 $6,043,474,843
1983 $658,679,333 $5,167,913,302
1982 $748,312,391 $4,768,765,017
1981 $694,803,623 $4,415,844,156
1980 $797,048,199 $4,024,621,900
1979 $700,764,748 $3,364,611,432
1978 $610,578,632 $2,733,183,857
1977 $507,298,148 $4,104,509,583
1976 $451,152,461 $3,591,319,857
1975 $378,660,016 $3,791,298,146
1974 $281,398,706 $3,574,586,466
1973 $271,183,082 $2,875,625,000
1972 $230,317,883 $2,553,936,348
1971 $201,450,800 $2,369,308,600
1970 $189,106,529 $2,296,470,588
1969 $188,039,210 $1,965,546,218
1968 $191,767,442 $1,801,344,538
1967 $163,820,514 $1,859,465,021
1966 $157,930,018 $1,751,470,588
1965 $150,574,795 $1,698,319,328
1964 $142,025,079 $1,309,747,899
1963 $129,379,124 $1,240,672,269
1962 $124,482,774 $1,434,156,379
1961 $123,134,583 $1,444,327,731
1960 $112,155,598 $1,409,873,950

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Sri Lanka by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $496 $1,257 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $467 $1,218 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $492 $1,129 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $463 $1,066 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $449 $985 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $455 $906 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $432 $884 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $387 $826 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $366 $769 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $410 $699 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $364 $710 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $544 $1,062 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $534 $980 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $477 $936 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $456 $877 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $437 $798 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $381 $783 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $334 $743 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $312 $702 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $303 $690 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $278.4 $648 $946 $4,850
2002 $248.6 $688 $835 $4,522
2001 $238 $668 $804 $4,328
2000 $239.2 $640 $860 $4,368
1999 $268 $660 $829 $4,103
1998 $266.6 $645 $848 $3,952
1997 $265.5 $626 $827 $3,804
1996 $293.3 $601 $776 $3,582
1995 $333 $631 $742 $3,454
1994 $261.3 $592 $678 $3,260
1993 $405 $570 $607 $3,067
1992 $462 $573 $580 $2,851
1991 $465 $618 $546 $2,713
1990 $502 $620 $491 $2,527
1989 $443 - $430 -
1988 $466 - $434 -
1987 $450 - $420 -
1986 $426 - $407 -
1985 $333 - $385 -
1984 $248.3 - $391 -
1983 $259.6 - $336 -
1982 $298.4 - $312 -
1981 $280.3 - $292.5 -
1980 $325 - $271.1 -
1979 $289.1 - $230.8 -
1978 $254.6 - $191 -
1977 $213.8 - $292.1 -
1976 $192.1 - $260.3 -
1975 $163.6 - $279.8 -
1974 $124 - $268.7 -
1973 $121.8 - $220.2 -
1972 $105.5 - $199.4 -
1971 $94.1 - $188.8 -
1970 $90.2 - $186.9 -
1969 $91.7 - $163.6 -
1968 $95.6 - $153.5 -
1967 $83.6 - $162.3 -
1966 $82.3 - $156.6 -
1965 $80.2 - $155.6 -
1964 $77.2 - $122.9 -
1963 $71.8 - $119.4 -
1962 $70.4 - $141.4 -
1961 $71 - $145.9 -
1960 $65.9 - $145.9 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

CAR Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$19.5B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
4.67%
2023
Population
5753659
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 20% 102.7%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 18.2% 75%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 16% 20.3% 21% 72.8%
2008 16% 35.8% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 16.2% 103% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 11.7% 93% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 23% 77.9%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 22% 44.6% 25.4% 78.9%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 77/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Sri Lanka
2024 -5.08% -5.64%
2023 -3.44% -8.32%
2022 -5.23% -10.2%
2021 -5.8% -11.7%
2020 -3.24% -13.4%
2019 1.33% -7.52%
2018 -0.93% -4.96%
2017 -1% -5.1%
2016 1.17% -5%
2015 -0.53% -6.64%
2014 -3.02% -5.99%
2013 -2.3% -5%
2012 -0.78% -5.44%
2011 -2.15% -6.01%
2010 -1.35% -6.73%
2009 -0.54% -8.33%
2008 -1.23% -5.93%
2007 1.04% -5.81%
2006 8.58% -5.91%
2005 -4.37% -5.93%
2004 -1.74% -6.32%
2003 -3.06% -6.15%
2002 -1.19% -6.9%
2001 -0.88% -8.48%
2000 -2.01% -7.78%
1999 -0.5% -5.58%
1998 0.001% -6.79%
1997 -1.57% -5.71%
1996 -1.06% -6.89%
1995 -4.84% -7.11%
1994 -7.57% -7.41%
1993 -5.66% -5.77%
1992 -7.33% -4.95%
1991 -8% -7.97%
1990 -6.6% -6.39%
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/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Sri Lanka
2024 1.5% -0.43%
2023 3% 16.5%
2022 5.6% 49.7%
2021 4.3% 7.01%
2020 0.9% 6.15%
2019 2.8% 3.53%
2018 1.6% 2.14%
2017 4.2% 7.7%
2016 4.9% 3.96%
2015 1.4% 3.77%
2014 17.8% 3.18%
2013 4% 6.91%
2012 5.9% 7.54%
2011 1.2% 6.72%
2010 1.5% 6.22%
2009 3.6% 3.46%
2008 9.2% 22.6%
2007 0.9% 15.8%
2006 6.9% 10%
2005 2.9% 11.6%
2004 -2.6% 7.58%
2003 4.4% 6.31%
2002 2.3% 9.55%
2001 4.1% 14.2%
2000 3.4% 6.18%
1999 -1.6% 4.69%
1998 -2% 9.36%
1997 1.6% 9.57%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Metals $15.2M
Machinery & equipment $18K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.02M
Wood & paper products $37K
Metals $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

CAR Sri Lanka
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 43.1 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 162/197
Property rights 5.6 47.3
Government integrity 19.2 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 4 47.2
Tax burden 65.5 77
Government spending 90.1 89
Fiscal health 59 0
Business freedom 26.5 60.1
Labor freedom 48.5 54.3
Monetary freedom 75.6 65.9
Trade freedom 47.6 65.6
Investment freedom 45 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Sri Lanka
2026 43.1 50.3
2025 42.8 49.4
2024 41.3 49.2
2023 43.8 52.2
2022 45.7 53.3
2021 48.8 55.7
2020 50.7 57.4
2019 49.1 56.4
2018 49.2 57.8
2017 51.8 57.4
2016 45.2 59.9
2015 45.9 58.6
2014 46.7 60
2013 50.4 60.7
2012 50.3 58.3
2011 49.3 57.1
2010 48.4 54.6
2009 48.3 56
2008 48.6 58.4
2007 50.6 59.4
2006 54.2 58.7
2005 56.5 61
2004 57.5 61.6
2003 60 62.5
2002 59.8 64
2001 - 66
2000 - 63.2
1999 - 64
1998 - 64.6
1997 - 65.5
1996 - 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
27%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

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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 (2020–2024, 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.