Skip to content

Economy of Central African Republic vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 171/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Central African Republic vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Central African Republic
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR UAE
2024 $2,751,494,281 $552,324,846,835
2023 $2,555,492,086 $522,622,191,967
2022 $2,382,618,615 $511,403,403,676
2021 $2,516,498,412 $422,441,388,700
2020 $2,326,720,900 $357,161,878,829
2019 $2,221,301,351 $433,926,208,305
2018 $2,220,979,146 $440,560,108,918
2017 $2,072,349,973 $403,365,010,211
2016 $1,825,018,145 $381,717,086,453
2015 $1,695,825,714 $381,973,042,886
2014 $1,894,813,389 $424,935,874,745
2013 $1,691,544,110 $409,632,675,289
2012 $2,510,126,512 $392,793,464,942
2011 $2,437,982,705 $368,881,143,635
2010 $2,142,591,540 $307,736,419,333
2009 $2,067,381,665 $253,547,358,747
2008 $1,993,407,888 $315,474,615,739
2007 $1,699,811,295 $257,916,133,424
2006 $1,461,859,762 $222,116,541,865
2005 $1,337,894,379 $180,617,467,965
2004 $1,272,360,517 $147,824,370,320
2003 $1,142,315,523 $124,346,358,067
2002 $996,068,145 $109,816,201,498
2001 $932,648,605 $103,311,640,572
2000 $916,777,283 $104,337,372,362
1999 $999,477,511 $84,445,473,111
1998 $967,338,390 $75,674,336,283
1997 $937,741,513 $78,839,008,445
1996 $1,007,791,127 $73,571,233,996
1995 $1,115,389,674 $65,743,666,576
1994 $851,174,357 $59,305,093,980
1993 $1,278,781,262 $55,625,170,253
1992 $1,411,917,553 $54,239,171,888
1991 $1,377,374,987 $51,552,165,622
1990 $1,440,711,459 $50,701,443,748
1989 $1,233,930,281 $41,464,995,914
1988 $1,264,899,288 $36,275,674,203
1987 $1,200,991,978 $36,384,908,744
1986 $1,122,265,013 $33,943,612,095
1985 $864,849,836 $40,603,650,232
1984 $637,820,670 $41,807,954,236
1983 $658,679,333 $42,803,323,345
1982 $748,312,391 $46,622,718,605
1981 $694,803,623 $49,333,424,135
1980 $797,048,199 $43,599,160,050
1979 $700,764,748 $31,225,659,621
1978 $610,578,632 $23,775,764,225
1977 $507,298,148 $24,871,775,165
1976 $451,152,461 $19,213,158,779
1975 $378,660,016 $14,720,728,249
1974 $281,398,706 $11,651,505,689
1973 $271,183,082 $4,231,243,616
1972 $230,317,883 $1,415,086,929
1971 $201,450,800 $939,893,600
1970 $189,106,529 $685,986,701
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs United Arab Emirates by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $496 $1,257 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $467 $1,218 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $492 $1,129 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $463 $1,066 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $449 $985 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $455 $906 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $432 $884 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $387 $826 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $366 $769 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $410 $699 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $364 $710 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $544 $1,062 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $534 $980 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $477 $936 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $456 $877 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $437 $798 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $381 $783 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $334 $743 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $312 $702 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $303 $690 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $278.4 $648 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $248.6 $688 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $238 $668 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $239.2 $640 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $268 $660 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $266.6 $645 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $265.5 $626 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $293.3 $601 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $333 $631 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $261.3 $592 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $405 $570 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $462 $573 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $465 $618 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $502 $620 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $443 - $23,167 -
1988 $466 - $21,570 -
1987 $450 - $23,113 -
1986 $426 - $23,132 -
1985 $333 - $29,468 -
1984 $248.3 - $32,012 -
1983 $259.6 - $34,650 -
1982 $298.4 - $39,972 -
1981 $280.3 - $44,854 -
1980 $325 - $42,925 -
1979 $289.1 - $34,238 -
1978 $254.6 - $29,379 -
1977 $213.8 - $35,020 -
1976 $192.1 - $31,197 -
1975 $163.6 - $27,117 -
1974 $124 - $23,823 -
1973 $121.8 - $9,696 -
1972 $105.5 - $3,675 -
1971 $94.1 - $2,805 -
1970 $90.2 - $2,394 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

CAR UAE
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
1.88%
2024
Population
5753659
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 35% 21.1%
2008 16% 35.8% 22% 8.95%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 16.2% 103% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 20% 3.33%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 11.7% 93% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 36% 4.97%
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 (1988–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 77/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR UAE
2024 -5.08% 6.41%
2023 -3.44% 5.82%
2022 -5.23% 9.8%
2021 -5.8% 3.96%
2020 -3.24% -2.42%
2019 1.33% 2.5%
2018 -0.93% 3.65%
2017 -1% -0.16%
2016 1.17% -2.95%
2015 -0.53% -6.35%
2014 -3.02% 1.74%
2013 -2.3% 7.99%
2012 -0.78% 8.59%
2011 -2.15% 5.05%
2010 -1.35% 0.52%
2009 -0.54% -6.13%
2008 -1.23% 17.6%
2007 1.04% 17.1%
2006 8.58% 20.2%
2005 -4.37% 16%
2004 -1.74% 6.4%
2003 -3.06% 2.35%
2002 -1.19% -1.24%
2001 -0.88% 1.21%
2000 -2.01% 10.7%
1999 -0.5% 1.31%
1998 0.001% 1%
1997 -1.57% 6.71%
1996 -1.06% 0.92%
1995 -4.84% 3.58%
1994 -7.57% -1.78%
1993 -5.66% -2.89%
1992 -7.33% 3.34%
1991 -8% 3.89%
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/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.18% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR UAE
2024 1.5% 1.7%
2023 3% 1.6%
2022 5.6% 4.8%
2021 4.3% -0.1%
2020 0.9% -2.1%
2019 2.8% -1.9%
2018 1.6% 3.1%
2017 4.2% 2%
2016 4.9% 1.6%
2015 1.4% 4.1%
2014 17.8% 2.3%
2013 4% 1.1%
2012 5.9% 0.7%
2011 1.2% 0.9%
2010 1.5% 0.9%
2009 3.6% -4.7%
2008 9.2% 12.3%
2007 0.9% 11.1%
2006 6.9% 9.3%
2005 2.9% 6.2%
2004 -2.6% 5%
2003 4.4% 3.1%
2002 2.3% 2.9%
2001 4.1% 2.8%
2000 3.4% 1.3%
1999 -1.6% 2.1%
1998 -2% 2%
1997 1.6% 3%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $5.63M
Wood & paper products $245K
Chemicals & pharma $194K
Raw materials & minerals $54K
Machinery & equipment $14K
UAE
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.47M
Machinery & equipment $6.29M
Chemicals & pharma $3.52M
Raw materials & minerals $2.06M
Metals $1.35M
Textiles & consumer goods $904K
Raw agricultural goods $164K
Wood & paper products $113K
Miscellaneous $109K
Precious metals & jewellery $64K

Balance of trade

CAR UAE
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$467B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$117B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR UAE
Economic freedom 43.1 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 29/197
Property rights 5.6 62.9
Government integrity 19.2 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 4 34.4
Tax burden 65.5 99.9
Government spending 90.1 85.1
Fiscal health 59 97.6
Business freedom 26.5 84.5
Labor freedom 48.5 63.2
Monetary freedom 75.6 81.2
Trade freedom 47.6 78.6
Investment freedom 45 50
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR UAE
2026 43.1 71.9
2025 42.8 71.6
2024 41.3 71.1
2023 43.8 70.9
2022 45.7 70.2
2021 48.8 76.9
2020 50.7 76.2
2019 49.1 77.6
2018 49.2 77.6
2017 51.8 76.9
2016 45.2 72.6
2015 45.9 72.4
2014 46.7 71.4
2013 50.4 71.1
2012 50.3 69.3
2011 49.3 67.8
2010 48.4 67.3
2009 48.3 64.7
2008 48.6 62.6
2007 50.6 62.6
2006 54.2 62.2
2005 56.5 65.2
2004 57.5 67.2
2003 60 73.4
2002 59.8 73.6
2001 - 74.9
2000 - 74.2
1999 - 71.5
1998 - 72.2
1997 - 71.9
1996 - 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR UAE
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | 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 (1988–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.