Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 171/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Central African Republic vs Suriname GDP by year

Central African Republic
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Suriname
2024 $2,751,494,281 $4,416,775,112
2023 $2,555,492,086 $3,472,693,412
2022 $2,382,618,615 $3,791,603,200
2021 $2,516,498,412 $3,107,923,198
2020 $2,326,720,900 $2,911,807,496
2019 $2,221,301,351 $4,016,040,575
2018 $2,220,979,146 $3,996,198,867
2017 $2,072,349,973 $3,591,679,431
2016 $1,825,018,145 $3,317,421,648
2015 $1,695,825,714 $5,126,237,646
2014 $1,894,813,389 $5,240,606,061
2013 $1,691,544,110 $5,145,757,576
2012 $2,510,126,512 $4,980,000,000
2011 $2,437,982,705 $4,422,276,622
2010 $2,142,591,540 $4,368,370,998
2009 $2,067,381,665 $3,875,409,836
2008 $1,993,407,888 $3,532,969,035
2007 $1,699,811,295 $2,936,612,022
2006 $1,461,859,762 $2,626,380,435
2005 $1,337,894,379 $1,793,410,397
2004 $1,272,360,517 $1,484,092,538
2003 $1,142,315,523 $1,274,190,311
2002 $996,068,145 $1,093,574,468
2001 $932,648,605 $834,279,358
2000 $916,777,283 $947,671,970
1999 $999,477,511 $886,290,698
1998 $967,338,390 $1,110,850,000
1997 $937,741,513 $926,422,500
1996 $1,007,791,127 $861,372,806
1995 $1,115,389,674 $691,590,498
1994 $851,174,357 $605,492,537
1993 $1,278,781,262 $428,764,706
1992 $1,411,917,553 $404,600,000
1991 $1,377,374,987 $448,100,000
1990 $1,440,711,459 $388,400,000
1989 $1,233,930,281 $542,600,000
1988 $1,264,899,288 $1,161,000,000
1987 $1,200,991,978 $980,000,000
1986 $1,122,265,013 $891,000,000
1985 $864,849,836 $873,000,000
1984 $637,820,670 $864,000,000
1983 $658,679,333 $883,500,000
1982 $748,312,391 $915,000,000
1981 $694,803,623 $889,000,000
1980 $797,048,199 $795,000,000
1979 $700,764,748 $782,500,000
1978 $610,578,632 $735,500,000
1977 $507,298,148 $641,500,000
1976 $451,152,461 $505,500,000
1975 $378,660,016 $465,500,000
1974 $281,398,706 $409,850,000
1973 $271,183,082 $339,450,000
1972 $230,317,883 $311,950,000
1971 $201,450,800 $301,000,000
1970 $189,106,529 $274,900,000
1969 $188,039,210 $259,650,000
1968 $191,767,442 $241,350,000
1967 $163,820,514 $220,700,000
1966 $157,930,018 $190,350,000
1965 $150,574,795 $154,150,000
1964 $142,025,079 $134,400,000
1963 $129,379,124 $125,950,000
1962 $124,482,774 $116,150,000
1961 $123,134,583 $107,700,000
1960 $112,155,598 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Suriname by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $496 $1,257 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $467 $1,218 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $492 $1,129 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $463 $1,066 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $449 $985 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $455 $906 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $432 $884 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $387 $826 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $366 $769 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $410 $699 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $364 $710 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $544 $1,062 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $534 $980 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $477 $936 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $456 $877 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $437 $798 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $381 $783 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $334 $743 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $312 $702 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $303 $690 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $278.4 $648 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $248.6 $688 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $238 $668 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $239.2 $640 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $268 $660 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $266.6 $645 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $265.5 $626 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $293.3 $601 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $333 $631 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $261.3 $592 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $405 $570 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $462 $573 $969 $6,992
1991 $465 $618 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $502 $620 $942 $6,493
1989 $443 - $1,329 -
1988 $466 - $2,886 -
1987 $450 - $2,469 -
1986 $426 - $2,271 -
1985 $333 - $2,256 -
1984 $248.3 - $2,261 -
1983 $259.6 - $2,333 -
1982 $298.4 - $2,430 -
1981 $280.3 - $2,368 -
1980 $325 - $2,118 -
1979 $289.1 - $2,072 -
1978 $254.6 - $1,928 -
1977 $213.8 - $1,666 -
1976 $192.1 - $1,302 -
1975 $163.6 - $1,190 -
1974 $124 - $1,041 -
1973 $121.8 - $858 -
1972 $105.5 - $785 -
1971 $94.1 - $768 -
1970 $90.2 - $724 -
1969 $91.7 - $708 -
1968 $95.6 - $681 -
1967 $83.6 - $644 -
1966 $82.3 - $575 -
1965 $80.2 - $482 -
1964 $77.2 - $435 -
1963 $71.8 - $424 -
1962 $70.4 - $409 -
1961 $71 - $395 -
1960 $65.9 - $378 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

CAR Suriname
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
7.92%
2016
Population
5753659
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 29% 98.2%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 32% 115.8%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 40.5% 84%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 28.7% 73%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 21% 18.7%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 21% 17.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 24% 14.6%
2008 16% 35.8% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 16.2% 103% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 11.7% 93% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 19.8% 30.5%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 21.2% 51.1%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 24.4% 64.4%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 26.6% 75.7%
1990 22% 44.6% 22.7% 72.9%
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/suriname | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 77/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Suriname
2024 -5.08% -2.42%
2023 -3.44% -1.68%
2022 -5.23% -2.69%
2021 -5.8% -5.66%
2020 -3.24% -12%
2019 1.33% -20.2%
2018 -0.93% -8.56%
2017 -1% -8.62%
2016 1.17% -10.2%
2015 -0.53% -8.29%
2014 -3.02% -2.65%
2013 -2.3% -2.64%
2012 -0.78% -0.38%
2011 -2.15% 2.32%
2010 -1.35% -0.15%
2009 -0.54% 2.03%
2008 -1.23% 2.39%
2007 1.04% 5.01%
2006 8.58% 0.59%
2005 -4.37% -3.39%
2004 -1.74% -1.2%
2003 -3.06% -0.11%
2002 -1.19% -3.3%
2001 -0.88% 3.49%
2000 -2.01% -7.76%
1999 -0.5% -4.92%
1998 0.001% -6.39%
1997 -1.57% -0.32%
1996 -1.06% 3.42%
1995 -4.84% 1.17%
1994 -7.57% -1.89%
1993 -5.66% -4.68%
1992 -7.33% -6.45%
1991 -8% -9.8%
1990 -6.6% -3.04%
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/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Suriname
2024 1.5% 16.2%
2023 3% 51.6%
2022 5.6% 52.4%
2021 4.3% 59.1%
2020 0.9% 34.9%
2019 2.8% -
2018 1.6% -
2017 4.2% 22%
2016 4.9% 55.4%
2015 1.4% 6.89%
2014 17.8% 3.38%
2013 4% 1.92%
2012 5.9% 5.01%
2011 1.2% 17.7%
2010 1.5% 6.94%
2009 3.6% -0.13%
2008 9.2% 14.7%
2007 0.9% 6.43%
2006 6.9% 11.3%
2005 2.9% 9.9%
2004 -2.6% 9.99%
2003 4.4% 23%
2002 2.3% 15.5%
2001 4.1% 38.6%
2000 3.4% 59.4%
1999 -1.6% 98.8%
1998 -2% 19%
1997 1.6% 7.15%

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/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 16.2% in Suriname.

Balance of trade

CAR Suriname
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$921M
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Suriname
Economic freedom 43.1 53
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 143/197
Property rights 5.6 40.5
Government integrity 19.2 41
Judicial effectiveness 4 46.5
Tax burden 65.5 69.1
Government spending 90.1 74.3
Fiscal health 59 76.6
Business freedom 26.5 56.9
Labor freedom 48.5 69
Monetary freedom 75.6 56.4
Trade freedom 47.6 65.2
Investment freedom 45 20
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Suriname
2026 43.1 53
2025 42.8 50.9
2024 41.3 46.7
2023 43.8 46.1
2022 45.7 48.1
2021 48.8 46.4
2020 50.7 49.5
2019 49.1 48.1
2018 49.2 48.1
2017 51.8 48
2016 45.2 53.8
2015 45.9 54.2
2014 46.7 54.2
2013 50.4 52
2012 50.3 52.6
2011 49.3 53.1
2010 48.4 52.5
2009 48.3 54.1
2008 48.6 54.3
2007 50.6 54.8
2006 54.2 55.1
2005 56.5 51.9
2004 57.5 47.9
2003 60 46.9
2002 59.8 48
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 45.8
1999 - 40.1
1998 - 39.9
1997 - 35.9
1996 - 36.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Suriname
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1996–2026, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.