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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 171/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Central African Republic vs Tanzania GDP by year

Central African Republic
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Tanzania
2024 $2,751,494,281 $78,844,405,385
2023 $2,555,492,086 $79,030,935,627
2022 $2,382,618,615 $75,749,121,843
2021 $2,516,498,412 $70,655,628,148
2020 $2,326,720,900 $66,068,737,786
2019 $2,221,301,351 $61,026,731,926
2018 $2,220,979,146 $57,003,712,892
2017 $2,072,349,973 $53,274,884,533
2016 $1,825,018,145 $49,774,409,374
2015 $1,695,825,714 $47,413,919,817
2014 $1,894,813,389 $49,986,726,461
2013 $1,691,544,110 $45,648,857,242
2012 $2,510,126,512 $39,650,394,363
2011 $2,437,982,705 $34,657,140,096
2010 $2,142,591,540 $32,012,892,919
2009 $2,067,381,665 $29,400,573,554
2008 $1,993,407,888 $27,947,821,398
2007 $1,699,811,295 $21,860,434,823
2006 $1,461,859,762 $18,619,859,795
2005 $1,337,894,379 $18,395,383,647
2004 $1,272,360,517 $16,673,062,473
2003 $1,142,315,523 $15,211,487,709
2002 $996,068,145 $14,129,651,896
2001 $932,648,605 $13,563,990,022
2000 $916,777,283 $13,371,767,082
1999 $999,477,511 $12,704,334,196
1998 $967,338,390 $12,172,790,056
1997 $937,741,513 $11,158,197,942
1996 $1,007,791,127 $9,433,528,150
1995 $1,115,389,674 $7,631,431,840
1994 $851,174,357 $6,550,480,484
1993 $1,278,781,262 $6,182,872,708
1992 $1,411,917,553 $6,681,997,469
1991 $1,377,374,987 $7,197,768,159
1990 $1,440,711,459 $6,184,384,225
1989 $1,233,930,281 $6,418,799,007
1988 $1,264,899,288 $7,406,614,407
1987 $1,200,991,978 $7,824,193,222
1986 $1,122,265,013 $10,840,864,521
1985 $864,849,836 $15,328,295,175
1984 $637,820,670 $12,906,635,133
1983 $658,679,333 $14,049,883,809
1982 $748,312,391 $13,927,383,240
1981 $694,803,623 $13,161,540,378
1980 $797,048,199 $11,409,228,087
1979 $700,764,748 $9,804,637,491
1978 $610,578,632 $9,261,675,710
1977 $507,298,148 $7,732,598,995
1976 $451,152,461 $6,472,511,988
1975 $378,660,016 $5,729,917,840
1974 $281,398,706 $4,977,337,978
1973 $271,183,082 $4,144,104,535
1972 $230,317,883 $3,472,787,266
1971 $201,450,800 $3,050,673,517
1970 $189,106,529 $2,851,419,386
1969 $188,039,210 $5,142,066,811
1968 $191,767,442 $4,895,251,824
1967 $163,820,514 $4,565,132,048
1966 $157,930,018 $4,377,998,825
1965 $150,574,795 $3,817,226,546
1964 $142,025,079 $3,748,840,925
1963 $129,379,124 $3,456,579,293
1962 $124,482,774 $3,101,589,993
1961 $123,134,583 $2,826,179,031
1960 $112,155,598 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Tanzania by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $496 $1,257 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $467 $1,218 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $492 $1,129 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $463 $1,066 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $449 $985 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $455 $906 $992 $2,728
2017 $432 $884 $957 $2,472
2016 $387 $826 $925 $2,435
2015 $366 $769 $911 $2,317
2014 $410 $699 $993 $2,221
2013 $364 $710 $935 $2,176
2012 $544 $1,062 $837 $2,083
2011 $534 $980 $753 $2,211
2010 $477 $936 $715 $2,069
2009 $456 $877 $674 $1,972
2008 $437 $798 $657 $1,908
2007 $381 $783 $528 $1,820
2006 $334 $743 $462 $1,707
2005 $312 $702 $469 $1,598
2004 $303 $690 $438 $1,482
2003 $278.4 $648 $410 $1,379
2002 $248.6 $688 $391 $1,302
2001 $238 $668 $385 $1,229
2000 $239.2 $640 $390 $1,164
1999 $268 $660 $382 $1,120
1998 $266.6 $645 $375 $1,082
1997 $265.5 $626 $353 $1,059
1996 $293.3 $601 $305 $1,026
1995 $333 $631 $251.2 $981
1994 $261.3 $592 $222.5 $958
1993 $405 $570 $218.2 $959
1992 $462 $573 $243.4 $955
1991 $465 $618 $268.8 $952
1990 $502 $620 $236.9 $925
1989 $443 - $252.3 -
1988 $466 - $299 -
1987 $450 - $326 -
1986 $426 - $466 -
1985 $333 - $681 -
1984 $248.3 - $593 -
1983 $259.6 - $667 -
1982 $298.4 - $683 -
1981 $280.3 - $665 -
1980 $325 - $595 -
1979 $289.1 - $527 -
1978 $254.6 - $515 -
1977 $213.8 - $446 -
1976 $192.1 - $387 -
1975 $163.6 - $355 -
1974 $124 - $320 -
1973 $121.8 - $276.1 -
1972 $105.5 - $239.8 -
1971 $94.1 - $218.4 -
1970 $90.2 - $211.3 -
1969 $91.7 - $394 -
1968 $95.6 - $388 -
1967 $83.6 - $374 -
1966 $82.3 - $370 -
1965 $80.2 - $333 -
1964 $77.2 - $337 -
1963 $71.8 - $320 -
1962 $70.4 - $295.7 -
1961 $71 - $277.4 -
1960 $65.9 - $267.8 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

CAR Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
2.43%
2024
Population
5753659
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 19% 47.8%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 17.3% 42%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 19.6% 30%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 19% 28.4%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 16% 20.3% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 16% 35.8% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 16.2% 103% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 17% 44.5%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 11.7% 93% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 16.8% 126%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 14.2% 106.5%
1990 22% 44.6% - -
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 (1988–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 77/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Tanzania
2024 -5.08% -3.03%
2023 -3.44% -3.67%
2022 -5.23% -3.92%
2021 -5.8% -3.55%
2020 -3.24% -2.56%
2019 1.33% -2.06%
2018 -0.93% -2.01%
2017 -1% -1.14%
2016 1.17% -2.08%
2015 -0.53% -3.17%
2014 -3.02% -2.91%
2013 -2.3% -3.76%
2012 -0.78% -4%
2011 -2.15% -3.51%
2010 -1.35% -4.74%
2009 -0.54% -4.46%
2008 -1.23% -1.92%
2007 1.04% -1.44%
2006 8.58% -3.38%
2005 -4.37% -3.28%
2004 -1.74% -2.43%
2003 -3.06% -1.77%
2002 -1.19% -0.73%
2001 -0.88% -0.41%
2000 -2.01% -0.73%
1999 -0.5% -1.14%
1998 0.001% 0.13%
1997 -1.57% -0.03%
1996 -1.06% 1.57%
1995 -4.84% -2.12%
1994 -7.57% -3.74%
1993 -5.66% -2.02%
1992 -7.33% -4.96%
1991 -8% 0.6%
1990 -6.6% -
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/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Tanzania
2024 1.5% 3.06%
2023 3% 3.8%
2022 5.6% 4.35%
2021 4.3% 3.69%
2020 0.9% 3.29%
2019 2.8% 3.46%
2018 1.6% 3.49%
2017 4.2% 5.32%
2016 4.9% 5.17%
2015 1.4% 5.59%
2014 17.8% 6.13%
2013 4% 7.87%
2012 5.9% 16%
2011 1.2% 12.7%
2010 1.5% 6.2%
2009 3.6% 12.1%
2008 9.2% 10.3%
2007 0.9% 7.03%
2006 6.9% 7.25%
2005 2.9% 5.03%
2004 -2.6% 4.74%
2003 4.4% 5.3%
2002 2.3% 5.32%
2001 4.1% 5.15%
2000 3.4% 5.92%
1999 -1.6% 7.89%
1998 -2% 12.8%
1997 1.6% 16.1%

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/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $229K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $192K
Machinery & equipment $26K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

CAR Tanzania
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Tanzania
Economic freedom 43.1 59
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 106/197
Property rights 5.6 45.2
Government integrity 19.2 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 4 29.6
Tax burden 65.5 80.4
Government spending 90.1 89.1
Fiscal health 59 75
Business freedom 26.5 48.1
Labor freedom 48.5 62.3
Monetary freedom 75.6 73.4
Trade freedom 47.6 58.8
Investment freedom 45 55
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Tanzania
2026 43.1 59
2025 42.8 59.3
2024 41.3 59.1
2023 43.8 60
2022 45.7 59.5
2021 48.8 61.3
2020 50.7 61.7
2019 49.1 60.2
2018 49.2 59.9
2017 51.8 58.6
2016 45.2 58.5
2015 45.9 57.5
2014 46.7 57.8
2013 50.4 57.9
2012 50.3 57
2011 49.3 57
2010 48.4 58.3
2009 48.3 58.3
2008 48.6 56.5
2007 50.6 56.8
2006 54.2 58.5
2005 56.5 56.3
2004 57.5 60.1
2003 60 56.9
2002 59.8 58.3
2001 - 54.9
2000 - 56
1999 - 60
1998 - 59.6
1997 - 59.3
1996 - 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (1988–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.