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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $53.9B for Uganda, ranking 171/197 and 89/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $27.8B (51.5% of GDP) in Uganda.

Central African Republic vs Uganda GDP by year

Central African Republic
Uganda
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Uganda
2024 $2,751,494,281 $53,911,907,086
2023 $2,555,492,086 $48,768,955,863
2022 $2,382,618,615 $45,565,333,211
2021 $2,516,498,412 $40,529,788,749
2020 $2,326,720,900 $37,600,368,242
2019 $2,221,301,351 $35,353,061,003
2018 $2,220,979,146 $32,927,025,620
2017 $2,072,349,973 $30,744,473,841
2016 $1,825,018,145 $29,203,988,696
2015 $1,695,825,714 $32,387,183,730
2014 $1,894,813,389 $32,612,397,257
2013 $1,691,544,110 $28,915,786,517
2012 $2,510,126,512 $27,305,915,911
2011 $2,437,982,705 $27,871,725,241
2010 $2,142,591,540 $26,673,441,431
2009 $2,067,381,665 $25,127,805,567
2008 $1,993,407,888 $14,440,404,132
2007 $1,699,811,295 $11,902,564,495
2006 $1,461,859,762 $9,977,647,683
2005 $1,337,894,379 $9,239,221,763
2004 $1,272,360,517 $7,939,487,548
2003 $1,142,315,523 $6,606,884,275
2002 $996,068,145 $6,178,563,591
2001 $932,648,605 $5,840,503,869
2000 $916,777,283 $6,193,246,837
1999 $999,477,511 $5,998,563,258
1998 $967,338,390 $6,584,815,847
1997 $937,741,513 $6,269,333,313
1996 $1,007,791,127 $6,044,585,327
1995 $1,115,389,674 $5,755,818,842
1994 $851,174,357 $3,990,430,447
1993 $1,278,781,262 $3,220,439,044
1992 $1,411,917,553 $2,857,457,762
1991 $1,377,374,987 $3,321,729,160
1990 $1,440,711,459 $4,304,399,310
1989 $1,233,930,281 $5,276,480,799
1988 $1,264,899,288 $6,508,931,652
1987 $1,200,991,978 $6,269,522,042
1986 $1,122,265,013 $3,923,244,050
1985 $864,849,836 $3,519,695,444
1984 $637,820,670 $3,615,647,477
1983 $658,679,333 $2,240,333,333
1982 $748,312,391 $2,177,500,000
1981 $694,803,623 $1,337,300,000
1980 $797,048,199 $1,244,610,000
1979 $700,764,748 $2,139,025,000
1978 $610,578,632 $2,420,260,870
1977 $507,298,148 $2,936,470,588
1976 $451,152,461 $2,447,300,000
1975 $378,660,016 $2,359,555,556
1974 $281,398,706 $2,098,944,967
1973 $271,183,082 $1,701,829,789
1972 $230,317,883 $1,490,970,181
1971 $201,450,800 $1,417,191,656
1970 $189,106,529 $1,259,554,809
1969 $188,039,210 $1,168,556,629
1968 $191,767,442 $1,037,379,252
1967 $163,820,514 $967,240,655
1966 $157,930,018 $925,381,492
1965 $150,574,795 $884,502,310
1964 $142,025,079 $589,247,687
1963 $129,379,124 $516,315,231
1962 $124,482,774 $449,158,233
1961 $123,134,583 $441,667,335
1960 $112,155,598 $423,145,605

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Uganda by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Uganda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $1,078 $3,273
2023 $496 $1,257 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $467 $1,218 $963 $2,919
2021 $492 $1,129 $883 $2,685
2020 $463 $1,066 $846 $2,532
2019 $449 $985 $822 $2,441
2018 $455 $906 $792 $2,312
2017 $432 $884 $765 $2,158
2016 $387 $826 $753 $2,165
2015 $366 $769 $863 $2,190
2014 $410 $699 $896 $2,134
2013 $364 $710 $818 $2,045
2012 $544 $1,062 $795 $2,032
2011 $534 $980 $836 $2,268
2010 $477 $936 $823 $2,092
2009 $456 $877 $799 $2,015
2008 $437 $798 $473 $1,931
2007 $381 $783 $401 $1,795
2006 $334 $743 $347 $1,660
2005 $312 $702 $330 $1,497
2004 $303 $690 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $278.4 $648 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $248.6 $688 $242 $1,255
2001 $238 $668 $236 $1,173
2000 $239.2 $640 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $268 $660 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $266.6 $645 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $265.5 $626 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $293.3 $601 $284.7 $969
1995 $333 $631 $278.5 $897
1994 $261.3 $592 $198.4 $809
1993 $405 $570 $165.6 $770
1992 $462 $573 $152.1 $719
1991 $465 $618 $183 $703
1990 $502 $620 $245 $666
1989 $443 - $310 -
1988 $466 - $395 -
1987 $450 - $393 -
1986 $426 - $253.6 -
1985 $333 - $234.3 -
1984 $248.3 - $247.5 -
1983 $259.6 - $157.5 -
1982 $298.4 - $157 -
1981 $280.3 - $98.6 -
1980 $325 - $93.8 -
1979 $289.1 - $164.5 -
1978 $254.6 - $190.7 -
1977 $213.8 - $237.6 -
1976 $192.1 - $203.3 -
1975 $163.6 - $201.2 -
1974 $124 - $183.7 -
1973 $121.8 - $152.7 -
1972 $105.5 - $137 -
1971 $94.1 - $133.5 -
1970 $90.2 - $122 -
1969 $91.7 - $116.7 -
1968 $95.6 - $106.9 -
1967 $83.6 - $102.8 -
1966 $82.3 - $101.4 -
1965 $80.2 - $100 -
1964 $77.2 - $68.6 -
1963 $71.8 - $62 -
1962 $70.4 - $55.5 -
1961 $71 - $56.2 -
1960 $65.9 - $55.4 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $1,078 in Uganda, ranking 176/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273.

Economic indicators

CAR Uganda
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$53.9B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
89/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$1,078
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$3,273
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
176/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$27.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
51.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$555
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
163/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$1,466
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
34.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
18.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
9.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
3.42%
2021
Population
5753659
53170946

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Uganda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Uganda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 18.7% 51.5%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 19.3% 50.5%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 19.5% 50.2%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 22% 50.3%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 21.4% 46.3%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 18.3% 37.5%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 16.2% 34.9%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 16.3% 33.6%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 15.2% 31.3%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 14.9% 28%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 13.6% 24.8%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 13.3% 22.1%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 13.1% 19.5%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 13.2% 18%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 15.4% 18.4%
2009 16% 20.3% 11.8% 14.8%
2008 16% 35.8% 12.9% 15.7%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 13.2% 17%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 13.7% 27.8%
2005 16.2% 103% 14.5% 42.6%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 15.6% 49%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 16.5% 55.1%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 16.8% 54.7%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 16.2% 51.4%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 15.2% 48.5%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 14.7% 47.7%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 14% 45.1%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 13.9% 44.2%
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 (1990–2024, 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/uganda | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Uganda spent $10.1B, or 18.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 51.5% in Uganda, ranking 77/185 and 103/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Uganda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Uganda
2024 -5.08% -3.99%
2023 -3.44% -4.87%
2022 -5.23% -5.45%
2021 -5.8% -7.76%
2020 -3.24% -7.76%
2019 1.33% -4.82%
2018 -0.93% -3.02%
2017 -1% -3.83%
2016 1.17% -2.64%
2015 -0.53% -2.59%
2014 -3.02% -2.74%
2013 -2.3% -3.19%
2012 -0.78% -2.39%
2011 -2.15% -2.04%
2010 -1.35% -4.64%
2009 -0.54% -1.61%
2008 -1.23% -1.99%
2007 1.04% -0.82%
2006 8.58% -0.64%
2005 -4.37% -0.17%
2004 -1.74% 0.34%
2003 -3.06% -0.97%
2002 -1.19% -2.07%
2001 -0.88% -0.99%
2000 -2.01% -0.62%
1999 -0.5% -1.24%
1998 0.001% -0.7%
1997 -1.57% -0.83%
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 (1990–2024, 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/uganda | 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 Uganda's deficit of $2.15B, or 3.99% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Uganda ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.64% of GDP for Uganda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Uganda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Uganda
2024 1.5% 3.3%
2023 3% 5.4%
2022 5.6% 7.2%
2021 4.3% 2.2%
2020 0.9% 2.8%
2019 2.8% 2.1%
2018 1.6% 2.5%
2017 4.2% 5.6%
2016 4.9% 5.2%
2015 1.4% 3.7%
2014 17.8% 4.3%
2013 4% 5.5%
2012 5.9% 14%
2011 1.2% 18.7%
2010 1.5% 4%
2009 3.6% 13%
2008 9.2% 12%
2007 0.9% 6.1%
2006 6.9% 7.2%
2005 2.9% 8.6%
2004 -2.6% 3.7%
2003 4.4% 8.7%
2002 2.3% -0.3%
2001 4.1% 1.9%
2000 3.4% 3.4%
1999 -1.6% 5.8%
1998 -2% 5.8%
1997 1.6% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 6.08% in Uganda. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 3.3% in Uganda.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $2.85M
Machinery & equipment $234K
Uganda
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.94M
Raw materials & minerals $1.48M
Textiles & consumer goods $367K
Machinery & equipment $307K
Weapons & explosives $138K
Raw agricultural goods $65K
Wood & paper products $23K
Animal & marine products $20K
Chemicals & pharma $19K
Metals $6K

Balance of trade

CAR Uganda
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$4.29B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
164/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-7.96%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$8.67B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$4.38B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$2.39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
25.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
16.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Uganda
Economic freedom 43.1 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 149/197
Property rights 5.6 42.2
Government integrity 19.2 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 4 29.4
Tax burden 65.5 73.4
Government spending 90.1 89
Fiscal health 59 58.3
Business freedom 26.5 50.2
Labor freedom 48.5 55.9
Monetary freedom 75.6 77.1
Trade freedom 47.6 58
Investment freedom 45 30
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Uganda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Uganda
2026 43.1 52.4
2025 42.8 51.3
2024 41.3 50.7
2023 43.8 51.4
2022 45.7 54.2
2021 48.8 58.6
2020 50.7 59.5
2019 49.1 59.7
2018 49.2 62
2017 51.8 60.9
2016 45.2 59.3
2015 45.9 59.7
2014 46.7 59.9
2013 50.4 61.1
2012 50.3 61.9
2011 49.3 61.7
2010 48.4 62.2
2009 48.3 63.5
2008 48.6 63.8
2007 50.6 63.1
2006 54.2 63.9
2005 56.5 62.9
2004 57.5 64.1
2003 60 60.1
2002 59.8 61
2001 - 60.4
2000 - 58.2
1999 - 64.8
1998 - 64.7
1997 - 66.6
1996 - 66.2
1995 - 62.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 52.4 for Uganda, ranking 149/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Uganda
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
43.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
24.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$3.36B
2018
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
114/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$3.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$3.26B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$400K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
2.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
20.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
22.4%
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/uganda | 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 (2020–2024, 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.