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

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $2.75B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 171/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.67B in government debt (60.7% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Central African Republic vs Vietnam GDP by year

Central African Republic
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Vietnam
2024 $2,751,494,281 $476,388,230,307
2023 $2,555,492,086 $433,857,681,378
2022 $2,382,618,615 $413,445,230,669
2021 $2,516,498,412 $366,474,752,771
2020 $2,326,720,900 $346,615,738,538
2019 $2,221,301,351 $334,365,270,497
2018 $2,220,979,146 $310,106,478,395
2017 $2,072,349,973 $281,353,605,987
2016 $1,825,018,145 $257,096,001,178
2015 $1,695,825,714 $239,258,328,382
2014 $1,894,813,389 $233,451,469,643
2013 $1,691,544,110 $213,708,811,665
2012 $2,510,126,512 $195,590,661,129
2011 $2,437,982,705 $172,595,049,184
2010 $2,142,591,540 $147,201,173,197
2009 $2,067,381,665 $106,014,659,565
2008 $1,993,407,888 $99,130,304,099
2007 $1,699,811,295 $77,414,425,532
2006 $1,461,859,762 $66,371,664,817
2005 $1,337,894,379 $57,633,255,738
2004 $1,272,360,517 $45,427,854,693
2003 $1,142,315,523 $39,552,513,232
2002 $996,068,145 $35,064,105,501
2001 $932,648,605 $32,685,198,809
2000 $916,777,283 $31,172,518,403
1999 $999,477,511 $28,683,659,007
1998 $967,338,390 $27,209,602,050
1997 $937,741,513 $26,843,700,442
1996 $1,007,791,127 $24,657,470,575
1995 $1,115,389,674 $20,736,164,459
1994 $851,174,357 $16,286,433,533
1993 $1,278,781,262 $13,180,953,598
1992 $1,411,917,553 $9,866,990,236
1991 $1,377,374,987 $9,613,369,520
1990 $1,440,711,459 $6,471,740,806
1989 $1,233,930,281 $6,293,304,975
1988 $1,264,899,288 $25,423,812,649
1987 $1,200,991,978 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,122,265,013 $26,336,616,250
1985 $864,849,836 $14,094,687,821
1984 $637,820,670 -
1983 $658,679,333 -
1982 $748,312,391 -
1981 $694,803,623 -
1980 $797,048,199 -
1979 $700,764,748 -
1978 $610,578,632 -
1977 $507,298,148 -
1976 $451,152,461 -
1975 $378,660,016 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Vietnam by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $516 $1,263 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $496 $1,257 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $467 $1,218 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $492 $1,129 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $463 $1,066 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $449 $985 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $455 $906 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $432 $884 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $387 $826 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $366 $769 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $410 $699 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $364 $710 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $544 $1,062 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $534 $980 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $477 $936 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $456 $877 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $437 $798 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $381 $783 $926 $4,581
2006 $334 $743 $808 $4,237
2005 $312 $702 $711 $3,894
2004 $303 $690 $565 $3,543
2003 $278.4 $648 $497 $3,240
2002 $248.6 $688 $445 $3,002
2001 $238 $668 $419 $2,809
2000 $239.2 $640 $404 $2,614
1999 $268 $660 $376 $2,421
1998 $266.6 $645 $361 $2,308
1997 $265.5 $626 $362 $2,189
1996 $293.3 $601 $337 $2,019
1995 $333 $631 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $261.3 $592 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $405 $570 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $462 $573 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $465 $618 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $502 $620 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $443 - $98.1 -
1988 $466 - $405 -
1987 $450 - $595 -
1986 $426 - $436 -
1985 $333 - $238.6 -
1984 $248.3 - - -
1983 $259.6 - - -
1982 $298.4 - - -
1981 $280.3 - - -
1980 $325 - - -
1979 $289.1 - - -
1978 $254.6 - - -
1977 $213.8 - - -
1976 $192.1 - - -
1975 $163.6 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $516, ranking 195/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

CAR Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$2.75B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
171/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
1.5%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$516
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$1.67B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
60.7%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$313
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,078
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.5%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
1.53%
2024
Population
5753659
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 60.7% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 17.4% 49.9% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 19.2% 46.9% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 24.2% 42.8% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 19.8% 41%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 16% 20.3% 25% 36.2%
2008 16% 35.8% 21.4% 31%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 16.2% 103% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 18.2% 84.2% 16.7% -
1998 18.1% 85.3% 16% -
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 (1990–2024, 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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2024, the Central African Republic's government spending was $538M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 60.7% in the Central African Republic and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 77/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Vietnam
2024 -5.08% -1.54%
2023 -3.44% -1.72%
2022 -5.23% 0.67%
2021 -5.8% -1.43%
2020 -3.24% -2.86%
2019 1.33% -0.4%
2018 -0.93% -1.02%
2017 -1% -1.96%
2016 1.17% -3.16%
2015 -0.53% -4.98%
2014 -3.02% -5.02%
2013 -2.3% -5.96%
2012 -0.78% -5.46%
2011 -2.15% -0.9%
2010 -1.35% -2.25%
2009 -0.54% -4.82%
2008 -1.23% -0.45%
2007 1.04% -1.74%
2006 8.58% 0.2%
2005 -4.37% -0.95%
2004 -1.74% -0.15%
2003 -3.06% -2.56%
2002 -1.19% -1.85%
2001 -0.88% -2.19%
2000 -2.01% -1.61%
1999 -0.5% -1.25%
1998 0.001% -0.1%
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 (1990–2024, 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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Vietnam
2024 1.5% 3.6%
2023 3% 3.3%
2022 5.6% 3.2%
2021 4.3% 1.8%
2020 0.9% 3.2%
2019 2.8% 2.8%
2018 1.6% 3.5%
2017 4.2% 3.5%
2016 4.9% 2.7%
2015 1.4% 0.6%
2014 17.8% 4.1%
2013 4% 6.6%
2012 5.9% 9.1%
2011 1.2% 18.7%
2010 1.5% 9.1%
2009 3.6% 6.7%
2008 9.2% 23.3%
2007 0.9% 8.4%
2006 6.9% 7.7%
2005 2.9% 8.3%
2004 -2.6% 7.8%
2003 4.4% 3.1%
2002 2.3% 3.8%
2001 4.1% -0.4%
2000 3.4% -1.8%
1999 -1.6% 4.1%
1998 -2% 8.1%
1997 1.6% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.35%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 1.5% in the Central African Republic and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $2.07M
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

CAR Vietnam
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
1994
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$406B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15%
2024
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Vietnam
Economic freedom 43.1 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 73/197
Property rights 5.6 47.3
Government integrity 19.2 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 4 31.3
Tax burden 65.5 80.9
Government spending 90.1 89.5
Fiscal health 59 96.9
Business freedom 26.5 70
Labor freedom 48.5 54.7
Monetary freedom 75.6 73.2
Trade freedom 47.6 79.8
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Vietnam
2026 43.1 64.4
2025 42.8 65.2
2024 41.3 62.8
2023 43.8 61.8
2022 45.7 60.6
2021 48.8 61.7
2020 50.7 58.8
2019 49.1 55.3
2018 49.2 53.1
2017 51.8 52.4
2016 45.2 54
2015 45.9 51.7
2014 46.7 50.8
2013 50.4 51
2012 50.3 51.3
2011 49.3 51.6
2010 48.4 49.8
2009 48.3 51
2008 48.6 50.4
2007 50.6 49.8
2006 54.2 50.5
2005 56.5 48.1
2004 57.5 46.1
2003 60 46.2
2002 59.8 45.6
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 43.7
1999 - 42.7
1998 - 40.4
1997 - 38.6
1996 - 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.9%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.74B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,340
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$480M
2023
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2023
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
30.6%
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/vietnam | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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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.