Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $679M for Tonga, ranking 171/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $186M (27.4% of GDP) in Tonga.

Central African Republic vs Tonga GDP by year

Central African Republic
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Tonga
2025 $3,066,109,226 $679,218,219
2024 $2,751,494,281 $647,488,244
2023 $2,555,492,086 $591,139,734
2022 $2,382,618,615 $556,514,556
2021 $2,516,498,412 $519,306,339
2020 $2,326,720,900 $506,571,487
2019 $2,221,301,351 $506,031,248
2018 $2,220,979,146 $493,530,767
2017 $2,072,349,973 $459,976,847
2016 $1,825,018,145 $420,828,255
2015 $1,695,825,714 $437,525,539
2014 $1,894,813,389 $440,997,735
2013 $1,691,544,110 $451,788,498
2012 $2,510,126,512 $471,122,971
2011 $2,437,982,705 $414,143,828
2010 $2,142,591,540 $366,887,375
2009 $2,067,381,665 $312,415,028
2008 $1,993,407,888 $344,438,844
2007 $1,699,811,295 $298,519,623
2006 $1,461,859,762 $292,232,703
2005 $1,337,894,379 $261,823,805
2004 $1,272,360,517 $230,678,011
2003 $1,142,315,523 $202,246,591
2002 $996,068,145 $182,764,281
2001 $932,648,605 $181,117,230
2000 $916,777,283 $204,848,488
1999 $999,477,511 $199,208,718
1998 $967,338,390 $191,504,893
1997 $937,741,513 $214,991,452
1996 $1,007,791,127 $222,100,576
1995 $1,115,389,674 $208,871,666
1994 $851,174,357 $195,990,986
1993 $1,278,781,262 $138,489,884
1992 $1,411,917,553 $137,066,291
1991 $1,377,374,987 $132,201,141
1990 $1,440,711,459 $113,563,822
1989 $1,233,930,281 $106,344,855
1988 $1,264,899,288 $106,657,267
1987 $1,200,991,978 $81,667,133
1986 $1,122,265,013 $68,195,856
1985 $864,849,836 $60,058,663
1984 $637,820,670 $64,248,355
1983 $658,679,333 $60,863,964
1982 $748,312,391 $62,068,161
1981 $694,803,623 $62,242,013
1980 $797,048,199 $53,260,077
1979 $700,764,748 $44,667,002
1978 $610,578,632 $41,567,472
1977 $507,298,148 $34,139,388
1976 $451,152,461 $30,036,417
1975 $378,660,016 $32,506,742
1974 $281,398,706 -
1973 $271,183,082 -
1972 $230,317,883 -
1971 $201,450,800 -
1970 $189,106,529 -
1969 $188,039,210 -
1968 $191,767,442 -
1967 $163,820,514 -
1966 $157,930,018 -
1965 $150,574,795 -
1964 $142,025,079 -
1963 $129,379,124 -
1962 $124,482,774 -
1961 $123,134,583 -
1960 $112,155,598 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Tonga by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $6,547 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $6,215 -
2023 $496 $1,257 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $467 $1,218 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $492 $1,129 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $463 $1,066 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $449 $985 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $455 $906 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $432 $884 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $387 $826 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $366 $769 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $410 $699 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $364 $710 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $544 $1,062 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $534 $980 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $477 $936 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $456 $877 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $437 $798 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $381 $783 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $334 $743 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $312 $702 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $303 $690 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $278.4 $648 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $248.6 $688 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $238 $668 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $239.2 $640 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $268 $660 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $266.6 $645 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $265.5 $626 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $293.3 $601 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $333 $631 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $261.3 $592 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $405 $570 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $462 $573 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $465 $618 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $502 $620 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $443 - $1,070 -
1988 $466 - $1,078 -
1987 $450 - $830 -
1986 $426 - $696 -
1985 $333 - $613 -
1984 $248.3 - $656 -
1983 $259.6 - $621 -
1982 $298.4 - $633 -
1981 $280.3 - $636 -
1980 $325 - $545 -
1979 $289.1 - $458 -
1978 $254.6 - $428 -
1977 $213.8 - $353 -
1976 $192.1 - $315 -
1975 $163.6 - $349 -
1974 $124 - - -
1973 $121.8 - - -
1972 $105.5 - - -
1971 $94.1 - - -
1970 $90.2 - - -
1969 $91.7 - - -
1968 $95.6 - - -
1967 $83.6 - - -
1966 $82.3 - - -
1965 $80.2 - - -
1964 $77.2 - - -
1963 $71.8 - - -
1962 $70.4 - - -
1961 $71 - - -
1960 $65.9 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $6,547 in Tonga, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

CAR Tonga
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$679M
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
191/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
2.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$6,547
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
110/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$186M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
27.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$1,793
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
123/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$4,104
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
46.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
5.59%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
1.65%
2023
Population
5798457
103283

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 46.8% 27.4%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 44.3% 31.9%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 41.5% 37.2%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 41.3% 40.2%
2021 19% 46.3% 44.5% 43%
2020 24% 42.4% 37.1% 41.7%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 39% 41.8%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 39.3% 45.5%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 32% 60%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 16% 20.3% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 16% 35.8% 24% 34%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 16.2% 103% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 20% 56.2%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 20% 43.6%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 18.1% 85.3% - -
1997 14.5% 96.1% - -
1996 11.7% 93% - -
1995 20.6% 83.8% - -
1994 22.4% 103.4% - -
1993 20.6% 68.2% - -
1992 23.1% 57.4% - -
1991 22.6% 55.8% - -
1990 22% 44.6% - -
1989 19.6% 50.9% - -
1988 21.4% 48.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $318M, or 46.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 27.4% in Tonga, ranking 72/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Tonga
2025 -5.49% 4.86%
2024 -5.03% 3.6%
2023 -3.42% 5.28%
2022 -5.13% -0.09%
2021 -5.71% -0.87%
2020 -3.23% 5.15%
2019 1.33% 3.2%
2018 -0.93% 2.9%
2017 -1% 3.58%
2016 1.18% 1.47%
2015 -0.53% -2.75%
2014 -3.02% 6.38%
2013 -2.3% -1.3%
2012 -0.78% -1.74%
2011 -2.15% -6.02%
2010 -1.35% -1.22%
2009 -0.54% 6.85%
2008 -1.23% 2.14%
2007 1.04% 5.39%
2006 8.58% 1.34%
2005 -4.37% 4.23%
2004 -1.74% 4.23%
2003 -3.06% 2.37%
2002 -1.19% 2.59%
2001 -0.88% 2.23%
2000 -2.01% 1.35%
1999 -0.5% 1.55%
1998 0.001% -
1997 -1.57% -
1996 -1.06% -
1995 -4.84% -
1994 -7.57% -
1993 -5.66% -
1992 -7.33% -
1991 -8% -
1990 -6.6% -
1989 -3.25% -
1988 -3.72% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $168M, equivalent to 5.49% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $33M, or 4.86% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.61% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.1% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Tonga
2025 1% 5.59%
2024 1.5% 3.18%
2023 3% 6.35%
2022 5.6% 11%
2021 4.3% 5.64%
2020 0.9% -0.35%
2019 2.8% 1.18%
2018 1.6% 5.03%
2017 4.2% 7.52%
2016 4.9% 2.58%
2015 1.4% -1.05%
2014 17.8% 2.51%
2013 4% 0.78%
2012 5.9% 1.15%
2011 1.2% 6.27%
2010 1.5% 3.53%
2009 3.6% 1.43%
2008 9.2% 10.4%
2007 0.9% 5.84%
2006 6.9% 6.15%
2005 2.9% 8.67%
2004 -2.2% 11%
2003 4.4% 11.6%
2002 2.3% 10.4%
2001 3.8% 8.29%
2000 3.2% 6.33%
1999 -1.4% 4.46%
1998 -1.9% 3.27%
1997 1.6% 2.12%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 5.2% in Tonga. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 5.59% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

CAR Tonga
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-6.72%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$161M
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
60.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Tonga
Economic freedom 43.1 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 107/197
Property rights 5.6 71.1
Government integrity 19.2 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 4 64.9
Tax burden 65.5 85.6
Government spending 90.1 31
Fiscal health 59 97.3
Business freedom 26.5 59.2
Labor freedom 48.5 55.9
Monetary freedom 75.6 61
Trade freedom 47.6 75.4
Investment freedom 45 40
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Tonga
2026 43.1 58.9
2025 42.8 58.5
2024 41.3 59.2
2023 43.8 60
2022 45.7 60.8
2021 48.8 57.5
2020 50.7 58.8
2019 49.1 57.7
2018 49.2 63.1
2017 51.8 63
2016 45.2 59.6
2015 45.9 59.3
2014 46.7 58.2
2013 50.4 56
2012 50.3 57
2011 49.3 55.8
2010 48.4 53.4
2009 48.3 54.1
2008 48.6 -
2007 50.6 -
2006 54.2 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 57.5 -
2003 60 -
2002 59.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Tonga
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
49.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
17.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
18.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$709M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$9,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$413M
2025
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
162/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
6.33%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
26.4%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/tonga | 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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.