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

Updated on by Georank

The Central African Republic has a GDP of $3.07B compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 171/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Central African Republic has $1.9B in government debt (61.8% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

Central African Republic vs Zambia GDP by year

Central African Republic
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
CAR Zambia
2025 $3,066,109,226 $28,879,806,220
2024 $2,751,494,281 $25,303,185,342
2023 $2,555,492,086 $27,577,956,471
2022 $2,382,618,615 $29,163,782,140
2021 $2,516,498,412 $22,096,416,932
2020 $2,326,720,900 $18,137,764,931
2019 $2,221,301,351 $23,308,667,781
2018 $2,220,979,146 $26,311,507,274
2017 $2,072,349,973 $25,873,601,261
2016 $1,825,018,145 $20,958,412,538
2015 $1,695,825,714 $21,251,216,799
2014 $1,894,813,389 $27,141,023,558
2013 $1,691,544,110 $28,037,239,463
2012 $2,510,126,512 $25,503,060,420
2011 $2,437,982,705 $23,459,515,276
2010 $2,142,591,540 $20,265,559,484
2009 $2,067,381,665 $15,328,342,304
2008 $1,993,407,888 $17,910,858,638
2007 $1,699,811,295 $14,056,957,976
2006 $1,461,859,762 $12,756,858,899
2005 $1,337,894,379 $8,331,870,169
2004 $1,272,360,517 $6,221,110,219
2003 $1,142,315,523 $4,901,869,764
2002 $996,068,145 $4,193,850,445
2001 $932,648,605 $4,094,441,301
2000 $916,777,283 $3,600,632,111
1999 $999,477,511 $3,404,284,891
1998 $967,338,390 $3,537,741,942
1997 $937,741,513 $4,303,288,480
1996 $1,007,791,127 $3,597,220,962
1995 $1,115,389,674 $3,806,983,413
1994 $851,174,357 $3,656,806,166
1993 $1,278,781,262 $3,273,505,344
1992 $1,411,917,553 $3,182,810,841
1991 $1,377,374,987 $3,376,806,697
1990 $1,440,711,459 $3,288,381,797
1989 $1,233,930,281 $3,994,673,161
1988 $1,264,899,288 $3,728,878,149
1987 $1,200,991,978 $2,265,250,972
1986 $1,122,265,013 $1,664,413,508
1985 $864,849,836 $2,252,454,500
1984 $637,820,670 $2,719,518,933
1983 $658,679,333 $3,321,048,451
1982 $748,312,391 $3,871,117,093
1981 $694,803,623 $4,008,126,497
1980 $797,048,199 $3,884,530,854
1979 $700,764,748 $3,353,445,378
1978 $610,578,632 $2,811,032,473
1977 $507,298,148 $2,515,296,940
1976 $451,152,461 $2,742,859,263
1975 $378,660,016 $2,442,672,141
1974 $281,398,706 $2,910,981,262
1973 $271,183,082 $2,434,255,237
1972 $230,317,883 $1,872,416,680
1971 $201,450,800 $1,653,259,341
1970 $189,106,529 $1,788,779,285
1969 $188,039,210 $1,926,399,230
1968 $191,767,442 $1,573,739,371
1967 $163,820,514 $1,340,639,464
1966 $157,930,018 $1,238,999,505
1965 $150,574,795 $1,061,199,576
1964 $142,025,079 $822,639,671
1963 $129,379,124 $704,339,719
1962 $124,482,774 $679,279,729
1961 $123,134,583 $682,359,727
1960 $112,155,598 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Central African Republic vs Zambia by year

Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
CAR Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $556 - $1,318 -
2024 $516 $1,263 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $496 $1,257 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $467 $1,218 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $492 $1,129 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $463 $1,066 $952 $3,157
2019 $449 $985 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $455 $906 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $432 $884 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $387 $826 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $366 $769 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $410 $699 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $364 $710 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $544 $1,062 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $534 $980 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $477 $936 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $456 $877 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $437 $798 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $381 $783 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $334 $743 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $312 $702 $711 $2,213
2004 $303 $690 $549 $2,068
2003 $278.4 $648 $446 $1,942
2002 $248.6 $688 $394 $1,837
2001 $238 $668 $397 $1,785
2000 $239.2 $640 $359 $1,709
1999 $268 $660 $350 $1,654
1998 $266.6 $645 $373 $1,601
1997 $265.5 $626 $466 $1,631
1996 $293.3 $601 $400 $1,585
1995 $333 $631 $433 $1,501
1994 $261.3 $592 $426 $1,464
1993 $405 $570 $391 $1,607
1992 $462 $573 $389 $1,505
1991 $465 $618 $423 $1,534
1990 $502 $620 $422 $1,522
1989 $443 - $526 -
1988 $466 - $504 -
1987 $450 - $315 -
1986 $426 - $238.2 -
1985 $333 - $332 -
1984 $248.3 - $413 -
1983 $259.6 - $520 -
1982 $298.4 - $627 -
1981 $280.3 - $670 -
1980 $325 - $669 -
1979 $289.1 - $595 -
1978 $254.6 - $514 -
1977 $213.8 - $474 -
1976 $192.1 - $533 -
1975 $163.6 - $490 -
1974 $124 - $601 -
1973 $121.8 - $518 -
1972 $105.5 - $410 -
1971 $94.1 - $372 -
1970 $90.2 - $414 -
1969 $91.7 - $459 -
1968 $95.6 - $387 -
1967 $83.6 - $341 -
1966 $82.3 - $325 -
1965 $80.2 - $287.4 -
1964 $77.2 - $230 -
1963 $71.8 - $203.2 -
1962 $70.4 - $202.3 -
1961 $71 - $209.7 -
1960 $65.9 - $221.6 -

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

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

The Central African Republic's GDP per capita is $556, ranking 195/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

CAR Zambia
Gross domestic product
$3.07B
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
171/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$556
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
195/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,263
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
195/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.8%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$344
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,242
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$14.9B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2021
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2017
5.67%
2024
Population
5798457
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
CAR Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.1% 61.8% 29.7% 86%
2024 19.4% 59.9% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 17.5% 55.6% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 17.1% 48.9% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 19% 46.3% 30.5% 111%
2020 24% 42.4% 34% 140%
2019 15.8% 44.9% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 16.8% 47.9% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 13.1% 47.4% 25% 66.6%
2016 11.1% 49.3% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 12.7% 54.4% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 16.7% 57.5% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 13.4% 51.8% 24% 25.9%
2012 14.7% 31.5% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 14.2% 19.7% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 17.3% 19.9% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 16% 20.3% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 16% 35.8% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 12.9% 47.9% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 13.4% 46.7% 19.7% 25%
2005 16.2% 103% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 13.1% 99.7% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 12.3% 95.9% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 16.7% 98.5% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 14.1% 103.1% 28% 210.2%
2000 17.2% 94.7% 21.4% 261%
1999 18.2% 84.2% - -
1998 18.1% 85.3% - -
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 (1990–2025, 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/zambia | CC BY

In 2025, the Central African Republic's government spending was $646M, accounting for 21.1% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.8% in the Central African Republic and 86% in Zambia, ranking 72/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Central African Republic

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
CAR Zambia
2025 -5.49% -3.83%
2024 -5.03% -3.46%
2023 -3.42% -5.48%
2022 -5.13% -7.82%
2021 -5.71% -8.13%
2020 -3.23% -13.8%
2019 1.33% -9.41%
2018 -0.93% -8.31%
2017 -1% -7.5%
2016 1.18% -5.69%
2015 -0.53% -8.88%
2014 -3.02% -5.43%
2013 -2.3% -6.4%
2012 -0.78% -3.16%
2011 -2.15% -1.78%
2010 -1.35% -2.43%
2009 -0.54% -2.06%
2008 -1.23% -0.67%
2007 1.04% -1.04%
2006 8.58% 16.9%
2005 -4.37% -2.37%
2004 -1.74% -2.51%
2003 -3.06% -5.31%
2002 -1.19% -4.5%
2001 -0.88% -5.89%
2000 -2.01% 1.16%
1999 -0.5% -
1998 0.001% -
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 (1990–2025, 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/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Central African Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Central African Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.65% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Central African Republic

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
CAR Zambia
2025 1% 13.9%
2024 1.5% 15%
2023 3% 10.9%
2022 5.6% 11%
2021 4.3% 22%
2020 0.9% 15.7%
2019 2.8% 9.2%
2018 1.6% 7.5%
2017 4.2% 6.6%
2016 4.9% 17.9%
2015 1.4% 10.1%
2014 17.8% 7.8%
2013 4% 7%
2012 5.9% 6.6%
2011 1.2% 8.7%
2010 1.5% 8.5%
2009 3.6% 13.4%
2008 9.2% 12.4%
2007 0.9% 10.7%
2006 6.9% 9%
2005 2.9% 18.3%
2004 -2.2% 18%
2003 4.4% 21.4%
2002 2.3% 22.2%
2001 3.8% 21.4%
2000 3.2% 24.1%
1999 -1.4% 23.9%
1998 -1.9% 22.7%
1997 1.6% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, the Central African Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.27%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2025, inflation was 1% in the Central African Republic and 13.9% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

CAR
Export category Export value
Zambia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.83M
Machinery & equipment $1.33M
Raw agricultural goods $198K
Raw materials & minerals $76K
Miscellaneous $75K
Chemicals & pharma $57K
Metals $4K

Balance of trade

CAR Zambia
Current account balance
-$24.7M
1994
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
1994
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.9%
1994
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$131M
1994
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$146M
1994
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$114M
1994
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$33.1M
1994
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

CAR Zambia
Economic freedom 43.1 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 182/197 152/197
Property rights 5.6 43.9
Government integrity 19.2 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 4 45
Tax burden 65.5 74.3
Government spending 90.1 78.1
Fiscal health 59 30.9
Business freedom 26.5 53.4
Labor freedom 48.5 48.8
Monetary freedom 75.6 66.6
Trade freedom 47.6 62.8
Investment freedom 45 40
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Central African Republic
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
CAR Zambia
2026 43.1 51.9
2025 42.8 50.9
2024 41.3 48.4
2023 43.8 47.8
2022 45.7 48.7
2021 48.8 50.4
2020 50.7 53.5
2019 49.1 53.6
2018 49.2 54.3
2017 51.8 55.8
2016 45.2 58.8
2015 45.9 58.7
2014 46.7 60.4
2013 50.4 58.7
2012 50.3 58.3
2011 49.3 59.7
2010 48.4 58
2009 48.3 56.6
2008 48.6 56.2
2007 50.6 56.2
2006 54.2 56.8
2005 56.5 55
2004 57.5 54.9
2003 60 55.3
2002 59.8 59.6
2001 - 59.5
2000 - 62.8
1999 - 64.2
1998 - 62.7
1997 - 62.1
1996 - 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Central African Republic is 43.1, ranking 182/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

CAR Zambia
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1B
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,390
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$489M
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
158/177
2024
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.6M
1994
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$40.4M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
68.8%
2021
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.3%
2025
23.8%
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/zambia | 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 (1995–2026, 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, 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.