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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 171/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Central African Republic vs Sudan GDP by year

Central African Republic
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Sudan
2024 $2,751,494,281 $49,672,435,513
2023 $2,555,492,086 $39,898,289,821
2022 $2,382,618,615 $51,666,875,363
2021 $2,516,498,412 $34,229,513,775
2020 $2,326,720,900 $27,034,593,750
2019 $2,221,301,351 $32,338,079,165
2018 $2,220,979,146 $32,333,780,383
2017 $2,072,349,973 $41,283,617,976
2016 $1,825,018,145 $42,630,376,000
2015 $1,695,825,714 $51,726,758,677
2014 $1,894,813,389 $49,516,748,618
2013 $1,691,544,110 $43,024,018,082
2012 $2,510,126,512 $37,632,919,967
2011 $2,437,982,705 $55,018,567,211
2010 $2,142,591,540 $58,962,978,034
2009 $2,067,381,665 $51,621,044,077
2008 $1,993,407,888 $64,833,083,257
2007 $1,699,811,295 $59,440,139,775
2006 $1,461,859,762 $45,263,831,634
2005 $1,337,894,379 $35,182,711,988
2004 $1,272,360,517 $26,646,007,251
2003 $1,142,315,523 $21,355,298,460
2002 $996,068,145 $18,137,128,388
2001 $932,648,605 $15,716,361,792
2000 $916,777,283 $12,257,299,147
1999 $999,477,511 $10,682,028,340
1998 $967,338,390 $11,250,221,537
1997 $937,741,513 $11,681,175,864
1996 $1,007,791,127 $9,018,300,725
1995 $1,115,389,674 $13,830,363,900
1994 $851,174,357 $12,793,794,737
1993 $1,278,781,262 $8,881,005,436
1992 $1,411,917,553 $7,031,933,492
1991 $1,377,374,987 $44,171,194,366
1990 $1,440,711,459 $33,641,222,222
1989 $1,233,930,281 $21,408,111,111
1988 $1,264,899,288 $14,372,555,556
1987 $1,200,991,978 $12,093,333,333
1986 $1,122,265,013 $10,092,200,000
1985 $864,849,836 $8,075,259,600
1984 $637,820,670 $10,447,615,385
1983 $658,679,333 $8,230,153,846
1982 $748,312,391 $8,732,542,274
1981 $694,803,623 $10,753,888,154
1980 $797,048,199 $8,951,800,000
1979 $700,764,748 $8,418,407,787
1978 $610,578,632 $8,128,719,315
1977 $507,298,148 $7,499,005,639
1976 $451,152,461 $6,013,210,816
1975 $378,660,016 $4,823,090,192
1974 $281,398,706 $3,958,931,660
1973 $271,183,082 $3,077,254,460
1972 $230,317,883 $2,483,055,722
1971 $201,450,800 $2,288,340,041
1970 $189,106,529 $2,100,229,759
1969 $188,039,210 $1,847,501,441
1968 $191,767,442 $1,677,771,401
1967 $163,820,514 $1,607,409,539
1966 $157,930,018 $1,484,491,676
1965 $150,574,795 $1,446,869,619
1964 $142,025,079 $1,388,282,600
1963 $129,379,124 $1,351,234,926
1962 $124,482,774 $1,328,259,625
1961 $123,134,583 $1,222,860,429
1960 $112,155,598 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Sudan by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $985 $2,116
2023 $496 $1,257 $797 $2,421
2022 $467 $1,218 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $492 $1,129 $712 $3,249
2020 $463 $1,066 $578 $3,349
2019 $449 $985 $710 $3,914
2018 $455 $906 $731 $4,199
2017 $432 $884 $967 $4,252
2016 $387 $826 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $366 $769 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $410 $699 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $364 $710 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $544 $1,062 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $534 $980 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $477 $936 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $456 $877 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $437 $798 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $381 $783 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $334 $743 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $312 $702 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $303 $690 $872 $3,215
2003 $278.4 $648 $714 $3,058
2002 $248.6 $688 $621 $2,898
2001 $238 $668 $551 $2,769
2000 $239.2 $640 $441 $2,616
1999 $268 $660 $394 $2,475
1998 $266.6 $645 $425 $2,428
1997 $265.5 $626 $453 $2,358
1996 $293.3 $601 $357 $2,006
1995 $333 $631 $561 $1,902
1994 $261.3 $592 $532 $1,805
1993 $405 $570 $379 $1,794
1992 $462 $573 $307 $1,710
1991 $465 $618 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $502 $620 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $443 - $992 -
1988 $466 - $680 -
1987 $450 - $584 -
1986 $426 - $497 -
1985 $333 - $406 -
1984 $248.3 - $534 -
1983 $259.6 - $431 -
1982 $298.4 - $472 -
1981 $280.3 - $605 -
1980 $325 - $525 -
1979 $289.1 - $515 -
1978 $254.6 - $518 -
1977 $213.8 - $497 -
1976 $192.1 - $413 -
1975 $163.6 - $343 -
1974 $124 - $291.5 -
1973 $121.8 - $235.8 -
1972 $105.5 - $198.2 -
1971 $94.1 - $189 -
1970 $90.2 - $179.6 -
1969 $91.7 - $163.5 -
1968 $95.6 - $153.7 -
1967 $83.6 - $152.4 -
1966 $82.3 - $145.6 -
1965 $80.2 - $146.8 -
1964 $77.2 - $145.7 -
1963 $71.8 - $146.6 -
1962 $70.4 - $148.9 -
1961 $71 - $141.6 -
1960 $65.9 - $134.7 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

CAR Sudan
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
7.53%
2022
Population
5753659
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 16% 20.3% 18.8% 71%
2008 16% 35.8% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 16.2% 103% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 11.7% 93% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 12.9% 239%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 19.6% 386%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 50.4% 495%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 45.7% -
1990 22% 44.6% 31% -
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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 77/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Sudan
2024 -5.08% -3.46%
2023 -3.44% -3.7%
2022 -5.23% -2.15%
2021 -5.8% -0.29%
2020 -3.24% -6.03%
2019 1.33% -10.8%
2018 -0.93% -7.92%
2017 -1% -6.07%
2016 1.17% -3.92%
2015 -0.53% -3.87%
2014 -3.02% -4.72%
2013 -2.3% -5.76%
2012 -0.78% -7.37%
2011 -2.15% -2.33%
2010 -1.35% 0.11%
2009 -0.54% -3.8%
2008 -1.23% 0.49%
2007 1.04% -2.84%
2006 8.58% -1.32%
2005 -4.37% -1.88%
2004 -1.74% 0.16%
2003 -3.06% 0.77%
2002 -1.19% -0.69%
2001 -0.88% -0.77%
2000 -2.01% -0.7%
1999 -0.5% -0.8%
1998 0.001% -0.56%
1997 -1.57% -0.59%
1996 -1.06% -2.61%
1995 -4.84% -3.48%
1994 -7.57% -3.03%
1993 -5.66% -8.04%
1992 -7.33% -24.5%
1991 -8% -26.5%
1990 -6.6% -16.2%
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/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Sudan
2024 1.5% -
2023 3% -
2022 5.6% 138.8%
2021 4.3% 359%
2020 0.9% 163.3%
2019 2.8% 51%
2018 1.6% 63.3%
2017 4.2% 32.4%
2016 4.9% 17.8%
2015 1.4% 16.9%
2014 17.8% 36.9%
2013 4% 36.5%
2012 5.9% 35.6%
2011 1.2% 18.1%
2010 1.5% 13%
2009 3.6% 11.3%
2008 9.2% 14.3%
2007 0.9% 14.8%
2006 6.9% 7.2%
2005 2.9% 8.51%
2004 -2.6% 9.66%
2003 4.4% 6.49%
2002 2.3% 22.2%
2001 4.1% 1.94%
2000 3.4% 7.12%
1999 -1.6% 17.2%
1998 -2% 24.6%
1997 1.6% 47.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 26 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.43%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Metals $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8K

Balance of trade

CAR Sudan
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$114M
1994
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Sudan
Economic freedom 43.1 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 191/197
Property rights 5.6 6.5
Government integrity 19.2 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 4 2.4
Tax burden 65.5 84.7
Government spending 90.1 96.5
Fiscal health 59 64.6
Business freedom 26.5 27.3
Labor freedom 48.5 33.6
Monetary freedom 75.6 6.2
Trade freedom 47.6 29.6
Investment freedom 45 5
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Sudan
2026 43.1 32.5
2025 42.8 35.3
2024 41.3 33.9
2023 43.8 32.8
2022 45.7 32
2021 48.8 39.1
2020 50.7 45
2019 49.1 47.7
2018 49.2 49.4
2017 51.8 48.8
2016 45.2 -
2015 45.9 -
2014 46.7 -
2013 50.4 -
2012 50.3 -
2011 49.3 -
2010 48.4 -
2009 48.3 -
2008 48.6 -
2007 50.6 -
2006 54.2 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 57.5 -
2003 60 -
2002 59.8 -
2001 - -
2000 - 47.2
1999 - 39.6
1998 - 38.3
1997 - 39.9
1996 - 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Sudan
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (2018–2023, 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.