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Economy of Central African Republic vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $25.9B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 171/197 and 122/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $21.8B (84.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Central African Republic vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Central African Republic
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Trinidad
2025 $3,066,109,226 $25,942,749,718
2024 $2,751,494,281 $25,633,544,529
2023 $2,555,492,086 $25,036,993,423
2022 $2,382,618,615 $28,341,164,301
2021 $2,516,498,412 $24,222,963,263
2020 $2,326,720,900 $20,888,515,184
2019 $2,221,301,351 $23,477,745,792
2018 $2,220,979,146 $23,883,058,083
2017 $2,072,349,973 $23,830,750,901
2016 $1,825,018,145 $23,624,322,193
2015 $1,695,825,714 $26,841,141,793
2014 $1,894,813,389 $29,474,180,005
2013 $1,691,544,110 $28,560,537,057
2012 $2,510,126,512 $27,147,349,937
2011 $2,437,982,705 $25,433,007,437
2010 $2,142,591,540 $22,157,920,592
2009 $2,067,381,665 $19,172,165,226
2008 $1,993,407,888 $27,871,587,350
2007 $1,699,811,295 $21,641,620,050
2006 $1,461,859,762 $18,369,361,094
2005 $1,337,894,379 $15,982,389,018
2004 $1,272,360,517 $13,280,291,990
2003 $1,142,315,523 $11,305,459,802
2002 $996,068,145 $9,008,298,229
2001 $932,648,605 $8,824,849,191
2000 $916,777,283 $8,154,342,116
1999 $999,477,511 $6,808,982,521
1998 $967,338,390 $6,043,686,654
1997 $937,741,513 $5,737,771,523
1996 $1,007,791,127 $5,759,570,336
1995 $1,115,389,674 $5,329,217,747
1994 $851,174,357 $4,947,181,646
1993 $1,278,781,262 $4,669,491,134
1992 $1,411,917,553 $5,439,552,941
1991 $1,377,374,987 $5,307,905,882
1990 $1,440,711,459 $5,068,000,000
1989 $1,233,930,281 $4,323,058,824
1988 $1,264,899,288 $4,496,910,569
1987 $1,200,991,978 $4,797,777,778
1986 $1,122,265,013 $4,794,444,444
1985 $864,849,836 $7,375,918,367
1984 $637,820,670 $7,757,083,333
1983 $658,679,333 $7,763,750,000
1982 $748,312,391 $8,140,416,667
1981 $694,803,623 $6,992,083,333
1980 $797,048,199 $6,235,833,333
1979 $700,764,748 $4,602,416,625
1978 $610,578,632 $3,562,333,458
1977 $507,298,148 $3,138,666,667
1976 $451,152,461 $2,500,424,955
1975 $378,660,016 $2,442,669,825
1974 $281,398,706 $2,042,001,071
1973 $271,183,082 $1,308,785,431
1972 $230,317,883 $1,083,391,758
1971 $201,450,800 $896,765,215
1970 $189,106,529 $821,850,000
1969 $188,039,210 $779,200,000
1968 $191,767,442 $758,899,950
1967 $163,820,514 $761,981,912
1966 $157,930,018 $723,739,857
1965 $150,574,795 $736,573,159
1964 $142,025,079 $711,897,520
1963 $129,379,124 $678,239,329
1962 $124,482,774 $619,322,810
1961 $123,134,583 $584,964,621
1960 $112,155,598 $535,673,252

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $18,967 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $496 $1,257 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $467 $1,218 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $492 $1,129 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $463 $1,066 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $449 $985 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $455 $906 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $432 $884 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $387 $826 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $366 $769 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $410 $699 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $364 $710 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $544 $1,062 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $534 $980 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $477 $936 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $456 $877 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $437 $798 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $381 $783 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $334 $743 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $312 $702 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $303 $690 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $278.4 $648 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $248.6 $688 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $238 $668 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $239.2 $640 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $268 $660 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $266.6 $645 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $265.5 $626 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $293.3 $601 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $333 $631 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $261.3 $592 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $405 $570 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $462 $573 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $465 $618 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $502 $620 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $443 - $3,482 -
1988 $466 - $3,656 -
1987 $450 - $3,941 -
1986 $426 - $3,985 -
1985 $333 - $6,212 -
1984 $248.3 - $6,613 -
1983 $259.6 - $6,690 -
1982 $298.4 - $7,091 -
1981 $280.3 - $6,160 -
1980 $325 - $5,559 -
1979 $289.1 - $4,155 -
1978 $254.6 - $3,258 -
1977 $213.8 - $2,907 -
1976 $192.1 - $2,345 -
1975 $163.6 - $2,319 -
1974 $124 - $1,962 -
1973 $121.8 - $1,273 -
1972 $105.5 - $1,067 -
1971 $94.1 - $894 -
1970 $90.2 - $829 -
1969 $91.7 - $795 -
1968 $95.6 - $783 -
1967 $83.6 - $797 -
1966 $82.3 - $768 -
1965 $80.2 - $793 -
1964 $77.2 - $780 -
1963 $71.8 - $756 -
1962 $70.4 - $704 -
1961 $71 - $678 -
1960 $65.9 - $634 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $18,967 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 65/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

CAR Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$25.9B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
-0.79%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$18,967
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
65/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$21.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
84.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$15,965
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
43/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$10,176
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
0.99%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
4.01%
2024
Population
5798457
1370916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 32.4% 84.2%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 32.2% 81.8%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 32.4% 78.2%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 28.3% 69.9%
2021 19% 46.3% 31.4% 80.2%
2020 24% 42.4% 35.1% 81.6%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 31% 62.9%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 30.2% 58.1%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 30.9% 57.2%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 31.2% 53.3%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 34.1% 43.2%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 33% 37.1%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 31.7% 32.9%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 29.9% 32.9%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 30.4% 39.2%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 31.5% 28.9%
2009 16% 20.3% 33.4% 34.2%
2008 16% 35.8% 28.2% 24.6%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 26.8% 29.4%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 34.6% 32.7%
2005 16.2% 103% 29.5% 36.6%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 23.3% 43.3%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 23.5% 52.4%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 24.6% 58.2%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 25.2% 54.2%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 24.1% 52.3%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 24.8% 55.2%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 27.3% 47.4%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 27.4% 51.3%
1996 11.7% 93% 28.2% 51.9%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 26.7% 57.3%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 26.5% 64.8%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 27.3% 59.6%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 28.8% 49.5%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 30% 50%
1990 22% 44.6% 27.9% 49.5%
1989 19.6% 50.9% 30.9% 51.9%
1988 21.4% 48.8% 45.3% 65.3%

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/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.39B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 84.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 72/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Trinidad
2025 -5.49% -5.46%
2024 -5.03% -5.92%
2023 -3.42% -1.2%
2022 -5.13% 0.96%
2021 -5.71% -8.39%
2020 -3.23% -11.8%
2019 1.33% -3.72%
2018 -0.93% -5.89%
2017 -1% -10.5%
2016 1.18% -9.84%
2015 -0.53% -7.37%
2014 -3.02% -4.34%
2013 -2.3% -2.7%
2012 -0.78% -1.28%
2011 -2.15% -0.69%
2010 -1.35% 0.14%
2009 -0.54% -4.88%
2008 -1.23% 5.7%
2007 1.04% 3.24%
2006 8.58% -0.3%
2005 -4.37% 0.84%
2004 -1.74% 1.91%
2003 -3.06% 1.9%
2002 -1.19% -0.2%
2001 -0.88% 0.62%
2000 -2.01% 0.18%
1999 -0.5% -0.9%
1998 0.001% -1.83%
1997 -1.57% 0.11%
1996 -1.06% -0.46%
1995 -4.84% 0.17%
1994 -7.57% -0.02%
1993 -5.66% 0.24%
1992 -7.33% -2.76%
1991 -8% -0.21%
1990 -6.6% -1.32%
1989 -3.25% -4.46%
1988 -3.72% -9.34%

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/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.42B, or 5.46% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Trinidad
2025 1% 0.99%
2024 1.5% 0.53%
2023 3% 4.63%
2022 5.6% 5.83%
2021 4.3% 2.06%
2020 0.9% 0.6%
2019 2.8% 1%
2018 1.6% 1.02%
2017 4.2% 1.88%
2016 4.9% 3.07%
2015 1.4% 4.66%
2014 17.8% 5.68%
2013 4% 5.2%
2012 5.9% 9.26%
2011 1.2% 5.11%
2010 1.5% 10.5%
2009 3.6% 6.98%
2008 9.2% 12%
2007 0.9% 7.89%
2006 6.9% 8.33%
2005 2.9% 6.87%
2004 -2.2% 3.72%
2003 4.4% 3.81%
2002 2.3% 4.15%
2001 3.8% 5.54%
2000 3.2% 3.56%
1999 -1.4% 3.44%
1998 -1.9% 5.61%
1997 1.6% 3.63%

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/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 4.75% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 0.99% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $2K
Trinidad
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $25K

Balance of trade

CAR Trinidad
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$1.25B
2025
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
48/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+4.81%
2025
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$6.83B
2025
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$10.2B
2025
Service imports
$114M
1994
$2.8B
2025
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$1.27B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
45%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Trinidad
Economic freedom 43.1 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 87/197
Property rights 5.6 47.3
Government integrity 19.2 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 4 58.8
Tax burden 65.5 76.1
Government spending 90.1 71.1
Fiscal health 59 86.3
Business freedom 26.5 67.1
Labor freedom 48.5 57.2
Monetary freedom 75.6 81
Trade freedom 47.6 68.8
Investment freedom 45 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Trinidad
2026 43.1 62.4
2025 42.8 63.6
2024 41.3 60.4
2023 43.8 59.5
2022 45.7 58.8
2021 48.8 59
2020 50.7 58.3
2019 49.1 57
2018 49.2 57.7
2017 51.8 61.2
2016 45.2 62.9
2015 45.9 64.1
2014 46.7 62.7
2013 50.4 62.3
2012 50.3 64.4
2011 49.3 66.5
2010 48.4 65.7
2009 48.3 68
2008 48.6 69.5
2007 50.6 70.6
2006 54.2 70.4
2005 56.5 71.5
2004 57.5 71.3
2003 60 68.8
2002 59.8 70.1
2001 - 71.8
2000 - 74.5
1999 - 72.4
1998 - 72
1997 - 71.3
1996 - 69.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$25.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$36,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
99/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$404M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
19%
2023

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/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

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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 (1996–2026, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, 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.