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

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $30.8T for the United States, ranking 171/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $38.1T (123.9% of GDP) in the United States.

Central African Republic vs United States GDP by year

Central African Republic
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR United States
2025 $3,066,109,226 $30,769,700,000,000
2024 $2,751,494,281 $29,298,013,000,000
2023 $2,555,492,086 $27,811,517,000,000
2022 $2,382,618,615 $26,054,614,000,000
2021 $2,516,498,412 $23,725,645,000,000
2020 $2,326,720,900 $21,375,281,000,000
2019 $2,221,301,351 $21,539,982,000,000
2018 $2,220,979,146 $20,656,516,000,000
2017 $2,072,349,973 $19,612,102,000,000
2016 $1,825,018,145 $18,804,913,000,000
2015 $1,695,825,714 $18,295,019,000,000
2014 $1,894,813,389 $17,608,138,000,000
2013 $1,691,544,110 $16,880,683,000,000
2012 $2,510,126,512 $16,253,970,000,000
2011 $2,437,982,705 $15,599,732,000,000
2010 $2,142,591,540 $15,048,971,000,000
2009 $2,067,381,665 $14,478,067,000,000
2008 $1,993,407,888 $14,769,862,000,000
2007 $1,699,811,295 $14,474,228,000,000
2006 $1,461,859,762 $13,815,583,000,000
2005 $1,337,894,379 $13,039,197,000,000
2004 $1,272,360,517 $12,217,196,000,000
2003 $1,142,315,523 $11,456,450,000,000
2002 $996,068,145 $10,929,108,000,000
2001 $932,648,605 $10,581,929,000,000
2000 $916,777,283 $10,250,952,000,000
1999 $999,477,511 $9,631,172,000,000
1998 $967,338,390 $9,062,817,000,000
1997 $937,741,513 $8,577,552,000,000
1996 $1,007,791,127 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $1,115,389,674 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $851,174,357 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $1,278,781,262 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $1,411,917,553 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $1,377,374,987 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $1,440,711,459 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $1,233,930,281 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $1,264,899,288 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $1,200,991,978 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $1,122,265,013 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $864,849,836 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $637,820,670 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $658,679,333 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $748,312,391 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $694,803,623 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $797,048,199 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $700,764,748 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $610,578,632 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $507,298,148 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $451,152,461 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $378,660,016 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $281,398,706 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $271,183,082 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $230,317,883 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $201,450,800 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $189,106,529 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $188,039,210 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $191,767,442 $940,225,000,000
1967 $163,820,514 $859,620,034,483
1966 $157,930,018 $813,032,758,621
1965 $150,574,795 $741,904,862,069
1964 $142,025,079 $684,144,620,690
1963 $129,379,124 $637,058,551,724
1962 $124,482,774 $603,639,413,793
1961 $123,134,583 $561,940,310,345
1960 $112,155,598 $541,988,586,207

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs United States by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $90,027 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $86,143 $85,810
2023 $496 $1,257 $83,041 $82,305
2022 $467 $1,218 $78,178 $77,861
2021 $492 $1,129 $71,486 $71,307
2020 $463 $1,066 $64,475 $64,402
2019 $449 $985 $65,605 $65,228
2018 $455 $906 $63,201 $62,876
2017 $432 $884 $60,322 $60,048
2016 $387 $826 $58,207 $57,977
2015 $366 $769 $57,040 $56,849
2014 $410 $699 $55,304 $55,153
2013 $364 $710 $53,410 $53,297
2012 $544 $1,062 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $534 $980 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $477 $936 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $456 $877 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $437 $798 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $381 $783 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $334 $743 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $312 $702 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $303 $690 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $278.4 $648 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $248.6 $688 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $238 $668 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $239.2 $640 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $268 $660 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $266.6 $645 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $265.5 $626 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $293.3 $601 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $333 $631 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $261.3 $592 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $405 $570 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $462 $573 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $465 $618 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $502 $620 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $443 - $22,857 -
1988 $466 - $21,417 -
1987 $450 - $20,039 -
1986 $426 - $19,071 -
1985 $333 - $18,237 -
1984 $248.3 - $17,121 -
1983 $259.6 - $15,544 -
1982 $298.4 - $14,434 -
1981 $280.3 - $13,976 -
1980 $325 - $12,613 -
1979 $289.1 - $11,674 -
1978 $254.6 - $10,565 -
1977 $213.8 - $9,453 -
1976 $192.1 - $8,592 -
1975 $163.6 - $7,801 -
1974 $124 - $7,226 -
1973 $121.8 - $6,726 -
1972 $105.5 - $6,094 -
1971 $94.1 - $5,609 -
1970 $90.2 - $5,234 -
1969 $91.7 - $5,020 -
1968 $95.6 - $4,685 -
1967 $83.6 - $4,326 -
1966 $82.3 - $4,136 -
1965 $80.2 - $3,818 -
1964 $77.2 - $3,565 -
1963 $71.8 - $3,366 -
1962 $70.4 - $3,236 -
1961 $71 - $3,059 -
1960 $65.9 - $3,000 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $90,027 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

CAR United States
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$30.8T
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
1/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$90,027
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
10/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$38.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
123.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$111,531
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
2/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$54,600
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$68.9T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
23,627,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
989
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
30.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
37.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
4.28%
2025
Population
5798457
344434632

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 37.7% 123.9%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 37.7% 122.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 37.5% 120%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 19% 46.3% 43.2% 125%
2020 24% 42.4% 44.7% 132.6%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 35.3% 107.7%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 35% 105.4%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 35.8% 105%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 38.8% 100%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 39.8% 95.7%
2009 16% 20.3% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 16% 35.8% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 16.2% 103% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 34% 59%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 18.1% 85.3% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 14.5% 96.1% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 11.7% 93% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 20.6% 83.8% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 22.4% 103.4% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 20.6% 68.2% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 23.1% 57.4% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 22.6% 55.8% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 22% 44.6% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 19.6% 50.9% 33.7% 61.6%
1988 21.4% 48.8% 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while the United States spent $11.6T, or 37.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 123.9% in the United States, ranking 72/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR United States
2025 -5.49% -6.82%
2024 -5.03% -7.86%
2023 -3.42% -7.89%
2022 -5.13% -3.72%
2021 -5.71% -11.5%
2020 -3.23% -14.1%
2019 1.33% -5.81%
2018 -0.93% -5.33%
2017 -1% -4.79%
2016 1.18% -4.36%
2015 -0.53% -3.53%
2014 -3.02% -4.03%
2013 -2.3% -4.56%
2012 -0.78% -8.11%
2011 -2.15% -9.72%
2010 -1.35% -11%
2009 -0.54% -13.2%
2008 -1.23% -6.61%
2007 1.04% -2.91%
2006 8.58% -2.04%
2005 -4.37% -3.07%
2004 -1.74% -4.24%
2003 -3.06% -4.77%
2002 -1.19% -3.82%
2001 -0.88% -0.54%
2000 -2.01% 3.62%
1999 -0.5% 2.71%
1998 0.001% 2.18%
1997 -1.57% 0.88%
1996 -1.06% -0.46%
1995 -4.84% -1.7%
1994 -7.57% -2.05%
1993 -5.66% -3.35%
1992 -7.33% -3.98%
1991 -8% -2.72%
1990 -6.6% -1.64%
1989 -3.25% -0.8%
1988 -3.72% -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/central-african-republic/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.1T, or 6.82% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.28% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR United States
2025 1% -
2024 1.5% 2.95%
2023 3% 4.12%
2022 5.6% 8%
2021 4.3% 4.7%
2020 0.9% 1.23%
2019 2.8% 1.81%
2018 1.6% 2.44%
2017 4.2% 2.13%
2016 4.9% 1.26%
2015 1.4% 0.12%
2014 17.8% 1.62%
2013 4% 1.46%
2012 5.9% 2.07%
2011 1.2% 3.16%
2010 1.5% 1.64%
2009 3.6% -0.36%
2008 9.2% 3.84%
2007 0.9% 2.85%
2006 6.9% 3.23%
2005 2.9% 3.39%
2004 -2.2% 2.68%
2003 4.4% 2.27%
2002 2.3% 1.59%
2001 3.8% 2.83%
2000 3.2% 3.38%
1999 -1.4% 2.19%
1998 -1.9% 1.55%
1997 1.6% 2.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Metals $4.62M
Machinery & equipment $65K
Precious metals & jewellery $29K
Animal & marine products $12K
United States
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11.1M
Raw materials & minerals $10.2M
Machinery & equipment $4.48M
Chemicals & pharma $1.85M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.54M
Miscellaneous $596K
Wood & paper products $427K
Raw agricultural goods $365K
Animal & marine products $351K
Metals $194K

Balance of trade

CAR United States
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$1.12T
2025
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
190/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$3.44T
2025
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$2.2T
2025
Service imports
$114M
1994
$903B
2025
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$1.23T
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
14%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
11%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR United States
Economic freedom 43.1 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 27/197
Property rights 5.6 91.6
Government integrity 19.2 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 4 76.4
Tax burden 65.5 75.3
Government spending 90.1 57.9
Fiscal health 59 18.5
Business freedom 26.5 88.6
Labor freedom 48.5 76.3
Monetary freedom 75.6 84.2
Trade freedom 47.6 67.6
Investment freedom 45 80
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR United States
2026 43.1 72.8
2025 42.8 70.2
2024 41.3 70.1
2023 43.8 70.6
2022 45.7 72.1
2021 48.8 74.8
2020 50.7 76.6
2019 49.1 76.8
2018 49.2 75.7
2017 51.8 75.1
2016 45.2 75.4
2015 45.9 76.2
2014 46.7 75.5
2013 50.4 76
2012 50.3 76.3
2011 49.3 77.8
2010 48.4 78
2009 48.3 80.7
2008 48.6 81
2007 50.6 81.2
2006 54.2 81.2
2005 56.5 79.9
2004 57.5 78.7
2003 60 78.2
2002 59.8 78.4
2001 - 79.1
2000 - 76.4
1999 - 75.5
1998 - 75.4
1997 - 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR United States
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$30.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$89,490
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$1.39T
2025
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
2/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
$21.7B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
21.5%
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/united-states | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.