The Central African Republic is a low-income country with a population of 5.33M people. The capital and largest city is Bangui, with 889K residents. The Central African Republic shares land borders with the DR Congo, Chad, South Sudan, Cameroon, the Congo and Sudan.
The Central African Republic ranks 171/197 by GDP ($2.75B) and 195/197 by GDP per capita ($516). The top category for both exports and imports is machinery & equipment.
Main facts and rankings
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Population |
5753659
|
118/197 |
| GDP |
$2.75B
2024 |
171/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$516
2024 |
195/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,263
2024 |
195/197 |
| Government debt |
$1.67B
2024 |
162/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
60.7%
2024 |
77/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$313
2024 |
178/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,078
2026 |
195/197 |
| Land area | 240,534 sq mi | 43/197 |
| Population density | 23.7 ppl/mi² | 185/197 |
| Fertility rate | 6.01 | 5/196 |
| Median age | 15.4 years | 196/196 |
| Life expectancy | 58.2 years | 194/197 |
Central African Republic trends dashboard: time-series charts
The Central African Republic's economy ranked
| Year | GDP |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,751,494,281 |
| 2023 | $2,555,492,086 |
| 2022 | $2,382,618,615 |
| 2021 | $2,516,498,412 |
| 2020 | $2,326,720,900 |
| 2019 | $2,221,301,351 |
| 2018 | $2,220,979,146 |
| 2017 | $2,072,349,973 |
| 2016 | $1,825,018,145 |
| 2015 | $1,695,825,714 |
| 2014 | $1,894,813,389 |
| 2013 | $1,691,544,110 |
| 2012 | $2,510,126,512 |
| 2011 | $2,437,982,705 |
| 2010 | $2,142,591,540 |
| 2009 | $2,067,381,665 |
| 2008 | $1,993,407,888 |
| 2007 | $1,699,811,295 |
| 2006 | $1,461,859,762 |
| 2005 | $1,337,894,379 |
| 2004 | $1,272,360,517 |
| 2003 | $1,142,315,523 |
| 2002 | $996,068,145 |
| 2001 | $932,648,605 |
| 2000 | $916,777,283 |
| 1999 | $999,477,511 |
| 1998 | $967,338,390 |
| 1997 | $937,741,513 |
| 1996 | $1,007,791,127 |
| 1995 | $1,115,389,674 |
| 1994 | $851,174,357 |
| 1993 | $1,278,781,262 |
| 1992 | $1,411,917,553 |
| 1991 | $1,377,374,987 |
| 1990 | $1,440,711,459 |
| 1989 | $1,233,930,281 |
| 1988 | $1,264,899,288 |
| 1987 | $1,200,991,978 |
| 1986 | $1,122,265,013 |
| 1985 | $864,849,836 |
| 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/facts/central-african-republic | CC BY 
The Central African Republic's economy ranked
| Year | GDP per capita |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $516 |
| 2023 | $496 |
| 2022 | $467 |
| 2021 | $492 |
| 2020 | $463 |
| 2019 | $449 |
| 2018 | $455 |
| 2017 | $432 |
| 2016 | $387 |
| 2015 | $366 |
| 2014 | $410 |
| 2013 | $364 |
| 2012 | $544 |
| 2011 | $534 |
| 2010 | $477 |
| 2009 | $456 |
| 2008 | $437 |
| 2007 | $381 |
| 2006 | $334 |
| 2005 | $312 |
| 2004 | $303 |
| 2003 | $278.4 |
| 2002 | $248.6 |
| 2001 | $238 |
| 2000 | $239.2 |
| 1999 | $268 |
| 1998 | $266.6 |
| 1997 | $265.5 |
| 1996 | $293.3 |
| 1995 | $333 |
| 1994 | $261.3 |
| 1993 | $405 |
| 1992 | $462 |
| 1991 | $465 |
| 1990 | $502 |
| 1989 | $443 |
| 1988 | $466 |
| 1987 | $450 |
| 1986 | $426 |
| 1985 | $333 |
| 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/facts/central-african-republic | CC BY
The Central African Republic's life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 58.2 |
| 2025 | 57.9 |
| 2024 | 57.7 |
| 2023 | 57.4 |
| 2022 | 18.8 |
| 2021 | 40.3 |
| 2020 | 50.6 |
| 2019 | 31.5 |
| 2018 | 52.3 |
| 2017 | 45.2 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2015 | 51.9 |
| 2014 | 40.3 |
| 2013 | 49.5 |
| 2012 | 51.3 |
| 2011 | 50.1 |
| 2010 | 46.9 |
| 2009 | 14.7 |
| 2008 | 49.9 |
| 2007 | 49.3 |
| 2006 | 48.7 |
| 2005 | 48.2 |
| 2004 | 47.7 |
| 2003 | 47.3 |
| 2002 | 46.8 |
| 2001 | 46.7 |
| 2000 | 46.6 |
| 1999 | 46.9 |
| 1998 | 47.1 |
| 1997 | 47.3 |
| 1996 | 47.7 |
| 1995 | 48.1 |
| 1994 | 48.5 |
| 1993 | 48.9 |
| 1992 | 49.2 |
| 1991 | 49.6 |
| 1990 | 49.9 |
| 1989 | 50.1 |
| 1988 | 50.2 |
| 1987 | 50.4 |
| 1986 | 50.4 |
| 1985 | 50.5 |
| 1984 | 50.4 |
| 1983 | 50.3 |
| 1982 | 50.2 |
| 1981 | 50 |
| 1980 | 49.8 |
| 1979 | 49.5 |
| 1978 | 49.2 |
| 1977 | 48.8 |
| 1976 | 48.4 |
| 1975 | 47.9 |
| 1974 | 47.4 |
| 1973 | 46.9 |
| 1972 | 46.3 |
| 1971 | 45.8 |
| 1970 | 45.2 |
| 1969 | 44.6 |
| 1968 | 44 |
| 1967 | 43.4 |
| 1966 | 42.8 |
| 1965 | 42.2 |
| 1964 | 41.6 |
| 1963 | 41.1 |
| 1962 | 40.6 |
| 1961 | 40.1 |
| 1960 | 39.6 |
| 1959 | 39.1 |
| 1958 | 38.7 |
| 1957 | 38.3 |
| 1956 | 37.8 |
| 1955 | 37.4 |
| 1954 | 37 |
| 1953 | 36.6 |
| 1952 | 36.2 |
| 1951 | 35.8 |
| 1950 | 35.4 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/central-african-republic | CC BY
The Central African Republic's population clock and projection
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5,330,690 |
| 2023 | 5,152,421 |
| 2022 | 5,098,039 |
| 2021 | 5,112,100 |
| 2020 | 5,026,628 |
| 2019 | 4,944,703 |
| 2018 | 4,878,657 |
| 2017 | 4,793,511 |
| 2016 | 4,713,663 |
| 2015 | 4,629,320 |
| 2014 | 4,623,182 |
| 2013 | 4,642,419 |
| 2012 | 4,610,848 |
| 2011 | 4,565,021 |
| 2010 | 4,492,995 |
| 2009 | 4,529,047 |
| 2008 | 4,558,984 |
| 2007 | 4,462,770 |
| 2006 | 4,377,579 |
| 2005 | 4,288,810 |
| 2004 | 4,192,826 |
| 2003 | 4,103,086 |
| 2002 | 4,006,077 |
| 2001 | 3,919,487 |
| 2000 | 3,833,416 |
| 1999 | 3,729,450 |
| 1998 | 3,628,827 |
| 1997 | 3,531,700 |
| 1996 | 3,435,965 |
| 1995 | 3,348,052 |
| 1994 | 3,257,954 |
| 1993 | 3,157,839 |
| 1992 | 3,058,831 |
| 1991 | 2,963,191 |
| 1990 | 2,871,910 |
| 1989 | 2,783,970 |
| 1988 | 2,713,965 |
| 1987 | 2,669,155 |
| 1986 | 2,634,258 |
| 1985 | 2,600,932 |
| 1984 | 2,568,610 |
| 1983 | 2,537,399 |
| 1982 | 2,507,375 |
| 1981 | 2,478,402 |
| 1980 | 2,450,535 |
| 1979 | 2,423,794 |
| 1978 | 2,397,961 |
| 1977 | 2,372,930 |
| 1976 | 2,348,566 |
| 1975 | 2,313,916 |
| 1974 | 2,269,338 |
| 1973 | 2,226,008 |
| 1972 | 2,183,769 |
| 1971 | 2,141,450 |
| 1970 | 2,097,505 |
| 1969 | 2,051,515 |
| 1968 | 2,005,100 |
| 1967 | 1,960,444 |
| 1966 | 1,918,082 |
| 1965 | 1,877,854 |
| 1964 | 1,839,583 |
| 1963 | 1,803,063 |
| 1962 | 1,768,115 |
| 1961 | 1,734,580 |
| 1960 | 1,702,346 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/central-african-republic | CC BY
The Central African Republic's birth and fertility rates
| Year | Fertility rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6.01 |
| 2022 | 6.02 |
| 2021 | 6.05 |
| 2020 | 6.06 |
| 2019 | 6.09 |
| 2018 | 6.11 |
| 2017 | 6.13 |
| 2016 | 6.13 |
| 2015 | 6.13 |
| 2014 | 6.1 |
| 2013 | 6.08 |
| 2012 | 6.05 |
| 2011 | 6.01 |
| 2010 | 5.96 |
| 2009 | 5.94 |
| 2008 | 5.9 |
| 2007 | 5.87 |
| 2006 | 5.84 |
| 2005 | 5.81 |
| 2004 | 5.78 |
| 2003 | 5.8 |
| 2002 | 5.79 |
| 2001 | 5.81 |
| 2000 | 5.85 |
| 1999 | 5.88 |
| 1998 | 5.89 |
| 1997 | 5.92 |
| 1996 | 5.96 |
| 1995 | 5.94 |
| 1994 | 5.92 |
| 1993 | 5.93 |
| 1992 | 5.96 |
| 1991 | 6.03 |
| 1990 | 6.05 |
| 1989 | 6.07 |
| 1988 | 6.1 |
| 1987 | 6.12 |
| 1986 | 6.11 |
| 1985 | 6.12 |
| 1984 | 6.14 |
| 1983 | 6.15 |
| 1982 | 6.16 |
| 1981 | 6.17 |
| 1980 | 6.13 |
| 1979 | 6.09 |
| 1978 | 6.04 |
| 1977 | 5.99 |
| 1976 | 5.94 |
| 1975 | 5.88 |
| 1974 | 5.9 |
| 1973 | 5.93 |
| 1972 | 5.96 |
| 1971 | 5.99 |
| 1970 | 6.03 |
| 1969 | 6.06 |
| 1968 | 6.1 |
| 1967 | 6.08 |
| 1966 | 6.06 |
| 1965 | 6.03 |
| 1964 | 6.01 |
| 1963 | 5.99 |
| 1962 | 5.97 |
| 1961 | 5.96 |
| 1960 | 5.95 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/central-african-republic | CC BY
The Central African Republic's demographics
| Year | Median age, years |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 15.4 |
| 2023 | 15.3 |
| 2022 | 15.3 |
| 2021 | 15.4 |
| 2020 | 15.4 |
| 2019 | 15.4 |
| 2018 | 15.4 |
| 2017 | 15.4 |
| 2016 | 15.4 |
| 2015 | 15.4 |
| 2014 | 15.6 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2012 | 16.3 |
| 2011 | 16.6 |
| 2010 | 16.7 |
| 2009 | 16.9 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2007 | 17.1 |
| 2006 | 17.1 |
| 2005 | 17.2 |
| 2004 | 17.2 |
| 2003 | 17.2 |
| 2002 | 17.1 |
| 2001 | 17.1 |
| 2000 | 17.1 |
| 1999 | 17.1 |
| 1998 | 17.1 |
| 1997 | 17.1 |
| 1996 | 17.2 |
| 1995 | 17.3 |
| 1994 | 17.4 |
| 1993 | 17.5 |
| 1992 | 17.5 |
| 1991 | 17.6 |
| 1990 | 17.8 |
| 1989 | 17.9 |
| 1988 | 18 |
| 1987 | 18.1 |
| 1986 | 18.2 |
| 1985 | 18.3 |
| 1984 | 18.3 |
| 1983 | 18.3 |
| 1982 | 18.4 |
| 1981 | 18.4 |
| 1980 | 18.5 |
| 1979 | 18.5 |
| 1978 | 18.5 |
| 1977 | 18.5 |
| 1976 | 18.5 |
| 1975 | 18.5 |
| 1974 | 18.6 |
| 1973 | 18.6 |
| 1972 | 18.7 |
| 1971 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 18.9 |
| 1969 | 18.9 |
| 1968 | 19 |
| 1967 | 19.2 |
| 1966 | 19.3 |
| 1965 | 19.4 |
| 1964 | 19.6 |
| 1963 | 19.7 |
| 1962 | 19.9 |
| 1961 | 20.1 |
| 1960 | 20.3 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/central-african-republic | CC BY
Central African Republic vs. World: Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to toggle between world maps that display different statistics comparing the Central African Republic with other countries.
Central African Republic: National Statistics
Finance
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$2.74B
2024 |
170/194 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
19.5%
2024 |
157/195 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
1.83%
2023 |
179/193 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
2.52%
2024 |
45/163 |
| Armed forces personnel |
10,000
2020 |
131/174 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-5.08%
2024 |
142/188 |
| Unemployment rate |
6.9%
2017 |
66/196 |
| Services, % of GDP |
42.1%
2024 |
172/191 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
20%
2024 |
130/194 |
| Economic freedom index |
43.1
2026 |
182/197 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
33.1%
2021 |
29/169 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.1%
2021 |
128/169 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$480M
2023 |
158/177 |
| Personal remittances received |
$159K
1993 |
189/191 |
| International tourist arrivals |
87,000
2019 |
165/188 |
| Banked people share |
13.7%
2017 |
153/158 |
Energy
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
0.34 megatons
2024 |
174/187 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.06 tons
2024 |
182/187 |
| Renewable energy use share |
90.9%
2022 |
5/193 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
96.5%
2021 |
8/192 |
| Hydroelectric share |
96.2%
2021 |
8/192 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
59/192 |
| Electricity access |
17.6%
2023 |
191/195 |
Society
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.07%
2024 |
121/197 |
| Annual migration change |
-14,693
2025 |
143/196 |
| Urban population |
44.1%
2024 |
143/195 |
| Male:Female ratio |
48:52
2024 |
N/A |
| Average male height |
5.54 ft
2025 |
143/190 |
| Average female height |
5.24 ft
2025 |
116/190 |
| Quality of life index |
0.85
2026 |
196/197 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
24
2025 |
165/197 |
| Higher education index |
3
2026 |
179/183 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
20.1
2016 |
17/197 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
37.7
2019 |
6/197 |
| Visa free countries |
59
2025 |
166/195 |
| Adult literacy rate |
37.5%
2020 |
191/196 |
| English speaking |
3%
2025 |
157/197 |
| People using the Internet |
7.51%
2019 |
194/195 |
Health
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$53.8
2023 |
169/192 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$24.2
2023 |
153/192 |
| Life expectancy |
58.2 years
2026 |
194/197 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
39.9%
2023 |
12/181 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.07
2023 |
188/193 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
692
2023 |
3/193 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
92.2
2023 |
8/192 |
| Obesity rate |
9.57%
2022 |
163/189 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
7.6%
2024 |
115/195 |
| Air quality index |
7
2026 |
186/197 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
1.75 liters
2020 |
139/186 |
Territory
|
CAR
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.42%
2026 |
43/197 |
| Land area per capita |
45,122 sq mi
2024 |
12/197 |
| Agricultural land area |
21,887 sq mi
2026 |
83/194 |
| Forest area |
85,765 sq mi
2026 |
27/196 |
| Roads length |
14,913 mi
2018 |
89/176 |
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- Wikidata (2020, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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