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Population in the Central African Republic compared to Chad: Trends, Charts, Rankings

Updated on by Georank

The latest officially reported population of the Central African Republic was 5,513,282 in 2025 vs 21,003,705 people in Chad in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Central African Republic's population is 5,798,457 people compared to 21,855,137 in Chad.

Population statistics:

  • Chad's population is 3.77 times bigger than the Central African Republic's.
  • The Central African Republic is ranked the 117th most populous country in the world, while Chad is the 64th.
  • The countries together account for 0.33% of the world: 0.07% for the Central African Republic vs 0.26% for Chad.
  • For the last 10 years, the Central African Republic has had an average growth rate of +1.62% per year vs +3.63% in Chad.
  • Since 2006, the population of the Central African Republic has increased from 4.38M people to 5.8M (32.5% growth), while Chad has grown from 10.7M to 21.9M (104.1% growth).

Central African Republic vs Chad: population by year and forecast

Central African Republic
Factual

Projection
Chad
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Population
CAR Chad
2100 19,061,127 70,311,013
2099 18,981,009 69,986,866
2098 18,896,319 69,662,155
2097 18,810,793 69,277,239
2096 18,719,993 68,889,445
2095 18,621,666 68,502,128
2094 18,521,650 68,110,775
2093 18,420,299 67,684,792
2092 18,311,751 67,233,921
2091 18,200,580 66,781,244
2090 18,083,097 66,290,702
2089 17,968,298 65,798,812
2088 17,844,377 65,317,154
2087 17,717,148 64,800,745
2086 17,581,447 64,278,192
2085 17,447,157 63,727,856
2084 17,306,435 63,168,104
2083 17,159,818 62,596,574
2082 17,010,036 62,040,380
2081 16,860,592 61,434,119
2080 16,704,486 60,826,765
2079 16,552,105 60,198,617
2078 16,392,201 59,555,772
2077 16,224,015 58,918,103
2076 16,051,483 58,275,388
2075 15,877,563 57,618,555
2074 15,706,759 56,965,122
2073 15,526,382 56,292,259
2072 15,346,626 55,597,279
2071 15,158,906 54,903,565
2070 14,964,276 54,214,047
2069 14,768,967 53,520,311
2068 14,572,130 52,818,046
2067 14,369,861 52,125,908
2066 14,167,129 51,388,975
2065 13,963,573 50,658,129
2064 13,758,257 49,900,784
2063 13,545,150 49,155,513
2062 13,332,625 48,403,186
2061 13,120,271 47,648,039
2060 12,903,195 46,859,349
2059 12,684,791 46,066,772
2058 12,464,271 45,285,757
2057 12,242,308 44,507,961
2056 12,020,446 43,722,007
2055 11,797,986 42,925,488
2054 11,575,058 42,142,940
2053 11,351,527 41,351,412
2052 11,128,939 40,559,038
2051 10,908,122 39,768,198
2050 10,686,324 38,981,624
2049 10,468,520 38,210,212
2048 10,249,810 37,418,176
2047 10,034,764 36,648,598
2046 9,819,986 35,880,269
2045 9,606,504 35,104,973
2044 9,394,614 34,352,050
2043 9,185,941 33,590,931
2042 8,980,018 32,837,006
2041 8,774,893 32,086,067
2040 8,567,893 31,362,066
2039 8,358,128 30,621,558
2038 8,149,514 29,886,177
2037 7,942,721 29,155,330
2036 7,734,436 28,422,010
2035 7,525,805 27,709,891
2034 7,314,741 27,003,635
2033 7,105,166 26,292,134
2032 6,897,152 25,581,739
2031 6,690,066 24,875,542
2030 6,486,667 24,183,856
2029 6,286,290 23,494,522
2028 6,085,426 22,809,219
2027 5,890,999 22,131,874
2026 5,700,718 21,562,855
2025 5,513,282 21,003,705
2024 5,330,690 20,299,123
2023 5,152,421 19,319,064
2022 5,098,039 18,455,316
2021 5,112,100 17,828,273
2020 5,026,628 17,224,679
2019 4,944,703 16,685,223
2018 4,878,657 16,156,531
2017 4,793,511 15,622,759
2016 4,713,663 15,114,655
2015 4,629,320 14,647,621
2014 4,623,182 14,188,678
2013 4,642,419 13,691,079
2012 4,610,848 13,210,998
2011 4,565,021 12,754,997
2010 4,492,995 12,312,575
2009 4,529,047 11,893,754
2008 4,558,984 11,476,296
2007 4,462,770 11,081,660
2006 4,377,579 10,706,424
2005 4,288,810 10,328,092
2004 4,192,826 9,920,036
2003 4,103,086 9,487,833
2002 4,006,077 9,116,192
2001 3,919,487 8,804,124
2000 3,833,416 8,512,093
1999 3,729,450 8,222,705
1998 3,628,827 7,938,840
1997 3,531,700 7,670,366
1996 3,435,965 7,410,108
1995 3,348,052 7,089,064
1994 3,257,954 6,783,450
1993 3,157,839 6,629,146
1992 3,058,831 6,474,656
1991 2,963,191 6,205,676
1990 2,871,910 5,982,833
1989 2,783,970 5,819,586
1988 2,713,965 5,625,602
1987 2,669,155 5,438,309
1986 2,634,258 5,251,069
1985 2,600,932 5,096,269
1984 2,568,610 5,045,145
1983 2,537,399 4,979,130
1982 2,507,375 4,738,483
1981 2,478,402 4,520,959
1980 2,450,535 4,515,453
1979 2,423,794 4,505,384
1978 2,397,961 4,411,366
1977 2,372,930 4,331,667
1976 2,348,566 4,251,297
1975 2,313,916 4,167,234
1974 2,269,338 4,078,356
1973 2,226,008 3,985,909
1972 2,183,769 3,893,252
1971 2,141,450 3,807,316
1970 2,097,505 3,727,828
1969 2,051,515 3,651,113
1968 2,005,100 3,578,231
1967 1,960,444 3,508,512
1966 1,918,082 3,440,903
1965 1,877,854 3,374,220
1964 1,839,583 3,307,479
1963 1,803,063 3,240,905
1962 1,768,115 3,175,598
1961 1,734,580 3,111,947
1960 1,702,346 3,049,838

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/chad | CC BY

From 2006 to 2016, the population of the Central African Republic increased by 336,084 people (a 7.68% growth), while Chad gained 4,408,231 people (a 41.2% growth).

For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, the Central African Republic gained 1,084,794 people (a 23% growth), while Chad's population increased by 6,740,482 people (a 44.6% growth).

The Central African Republic was ranked 118th most populous country in 2006 and is 117th in 2026. Chad was ranked 76th in 2006 and ranked 64th now.

The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) the Central African Republic's population will grow by 84.3% to 10,686,324 people with a rank change from 117th to 96th. The population of Chad will increase by 78.4% to 38,981,624 people and rank change from 64th to 52nd.

The Central African Republic is projected to reach its peak in 2100 at 19.1M people compared to the peak of 70.3M people in 2100 for Chad.

Population growth rate by year

Central African Republic
Factual

Projection
Chad
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Growth rate
CAR Chad
2100 0.42% 0.46%
2099 0.45% 0.47%
2098 0.45% 0.56%
2097 0.49% 0.56%
2096 0.53% 0.57%
2095 0.54% 0.57%
2094 0.55% 0.63%
2093 0.59% 0.67%
2092 0.61% 0.68%
2091 0.65% 0.74%
2090 0.64% 0.75%
2089 0.69% 0.74%
2088 0.72% 0.8%
2087 0.77% 0.81%
2086 0.77% 0.86%
2085 0.81% 0.89%
2084 0.85% 0.91%
2083 0.88% 0.9%
2082 0.89% 0.99%
2081 0.93% 1%
2080 0.92% 1.04%
2079 0.98% 1.08%
2078 1.04% 1.08%
2077 1.07% 1.1%
2076 1.1% 1.14%
2075 1.09% 1.15%
2074 1.16% 1.2%
2073 1.17% 1.25%
2072 1.24% 1.26%
2071 1.3% 1.27%
2070 1.32% 1.3%
2069 1.35% 1.33%
2068 1.41% 1.33%
2067 1.43% 1.43%
2066 1.46% 1.44%
2065 1.49% 1.52%
2064 1.57% 1.52%
2063 1.59% 1.55%
2062 1.62% 1.58%
2061 1.68% 1.68%
2060 1.72% 1.72%
2059 1.77% 1.72%
2058 1.81% 1.75%
2057 1.85% 1.8%
2056 1.89% 1.86%
2055 1.93% 1.86%
2054 1.97% 1.91%
2053 2% 1.95%
2052 2.02% 1.99%
2051 2.08% 2.02%
2050 2.08% 2.02%
2049 2.13% 2.12%
2048 2.14% 2.1%
2047 2.19% 2.14%
2046 2.22% 2.21%
2045 2.26% 2.19%
2044 2.27% 2.27%
2043 2.29% 2.3%
2042 2.34% 2.34%
2041 2.42% 2.31%
2040 2.51% 2.42%
2039 2.56% 2.46%
2038 2.6% 2.51%
2037 2.69% 2.58%
2036 2.77% 2.57%
2035 2.89% 2.62%
2034 2.95% 2.71%
2033 3.02% 2.78%
2032 3.1% 2.84%
2031 3.14% 2.86%
2030 3.19% 2.93%
2029 3.3% 3%
2028 3.3% 3.06%
2027 3.34% 2.64%
2026 3.4% 2.66%
2025 3.43% 3.47%
2024 3.46% 5.07%
2023 1.07% 4.68%
2022 -0.28% 3.52%
2021 1.7% 3.5%
2020 1.66% 3.23%
2019 1.35% 3.27%
2018 1.78% 3.42%
2017 1.69% 3.36%
2016 1.82% 3.19%
2015 0.13% 3.23%
2014 -0.41% 3.63%
2013 0.68% 3.63%
2012 1% 3.58%
2011 1.6% 3.59%
2010 -0.8% 3.52%
2009 -0.66% 3.64%
2008 2.16% 3.56%
2007 1.95% 3.5%
2006 2.07% 3.66%
2005 2.29% 4.11%
2004 2.19% 4.56%
2003 2.42% 4.08%
2002 2.21% 3.54%
2001 2.25% 3.43%
2000 2.79% 3.52%
1999 2.77% 3.58%
1998 2.75% 3.5%
1997 2.79% 3.51%
1996 2.63% 4.53%
1995 2.77% 4.51%
1994 3.17% 2.33%
1993 3.24% 2.39%
1992 3.23% 4.33%
1991 3.18% 3.72%
1990 3.16% 2.81%
1989 2.58% 3.45%
1988 1.68% 3.44%
1987 1.32% 3.57%
1986 1.28% 3.04%
1985 1.26% 1.01%
1984 1.23% 1.33%
1983 1.2% 5.08%
1982 1.17% 4.81%
1981 1.14% 0.12%
1980 1.1% 0.22%
1979 1.08% 2.13%
1978 1.05% 1.84%
1977 1.04% 1.89%
1976 1.5% 2.02%
1975 1.96% 2.18%
1974 1.95% 2.32%
1973 1.93% 2.38%
1972 1.98% 2.26%
1971 2.1% 2.13%
1970 2.24% 2.1%
1969 2.31% 2.04%
1968 2.28% 1.99%
1967 2.21% 1.96%
1966 2.14% 1.98%
1965 2.08% 2.02%
1964 2.03% 2.05%
1963 1.98% 2.06%
1962 1.93% 2.05%
1961 1.89% 2.04%

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/chad | CC BY

In 2025, the population of the Central African Republic grew by 3.43%, while Chad's population grew by 3.47%.

Live population counters

CAR Chad
Current population
5798457
21855137
Population rank 117/197 64/197
Percent of world population 0.07% 0.26%
One net population change
2.89 minutes
44.9 seconds
One birth every
2.13 minutes
35.9 seconds
One death every
10.5 minutes
2.34 minutes
Daily growth/decline +500 +1,930
Annual growth/decline +182,592 +704,582
Annual growth/decline rate +3.43% +3.47%
Population growth rate rank 7/197 6/197
One migration net change every
35.9 minutes
4.28 minutes
Annual migration change -14,693 -123,104
Net migration rank 143/196 184/196
Foreign-born residents 94,556 1,269,673
Foreign-born residents rank 132/195 50/195
Foreign-born share of population 1.8% 6.3%
Foreign-born share rank 135/195 83/195

Natural population change vs migration

Central African Republic
Natural

Migration
Chad
Natural

Migration
1x
Year Population change
CAR Chad
Natural Migration Natural Migration
2025 - -14,693 - -123,104
2024 196,244 -15,357 653,307 204,040
2023 190,325 -14,682 605,924 496,830
2022 -49,456 -17,430 588,060 36,670
2021 124,408 -85,646 554,851 74,509
2020 156,911 -24,745 541,234 36,605
2019 68,523 -36,849 530,540 -29,451
2018 153,361 -52,954 509,642 46,661
2017 128,461 -58,584 494,304 16,916
2016 142,419 -52,607 483,442 21,540
2015 141,912 -63,045 478,010 -48,918
2014 107,448 -174,051 467,957 20,842
2013 140,489 -112,382 454,517 51,887
2012 146,791 -111,764 444,246 9,514
2011 142,913 -86,281 428,989 29,256
2010 130,539 -43,126 416,177 10,427
2009 -130,613 -28,899 401,937 9,108
2008 128,627 -28,983 387,439 36,446
2007 123,137 -30,352 376,732 -11,339
2006 118,882 -41,282 362,027 23,052
2005 113,534 -13,604 352,302 19,281
2004 108,548 -16,510 334,136 110,387
2003 105,540 -18,097 314,740 105,140
2002 100,588 5,992 302,995 20,400
2001 99,598 -33,006 297,254 3,484
2000 97,468 8,079 287,173 -3,845
1999 96,108 6,284 278,264 17,175
1998 94,361 4,479 270,055 2,232
1997 93,378 2,034 261,030 3,631
1996 93,369 2,697 254,589 1,259
1995 92,748 -12,986 234,010 152,232
1994 90,943 9,496 223,996 986
1993 89,873 9,930 229,984 -146,386
1992 88,939 9,269 219,348 6,013
1991 88,688 4,381 200,102 112,492
1990 87,507 1,995 191,959 -58,884
1989 85,969 409 188,485 4,924
1988 84,654 -31,016 178,489 16,085
1987 83,408 -47,428 156,797 23,220
1986 81,149 -47,332 152,360 42,093
1985 79,266 -46,427 145,845 -30,686
1984 77,395 -45,591 151,511 -164,489
1983 75,399 -44,780 144,684 247
1982 73,330 -43,908 119,121 217,242
1981 71,391 -42,872 111,907 -13,232
1980 68,759 -41,539 122,468 -210,126
1979 66,104 -39,850 117,780 -9,974
1978 63,285 -37,874 115,084 -34,856
1977 60,436 -35,782 113,498 -34,318
1976 57,725 -33,645 111,324 -29,755
1975 55,106 -9,895 109,315 -22,768
1974 53,777 -9,838 106,898 -15,686
1973 52,525 -9,800 104,418 -10,737
1972 51,390 -9,634 101,142 -9,526
1971 50,142 -7,259 89,404 -9,153
1970 48,690 -3,693 87,660 -8,931
1969 47,066 -80 83,413 -8,714
1968 45,377 474 79,465 -8,396
1967 42,979 474 76,142 -7,771
1966 40,804 474 73,123 -6,283
1965 38,710 474 70,913 -4,384
1964 36,878 474 69,483 -2,518
1963 35,218 474 67,414 -1,228
1962 33,731 474 65,312 -890
1961 32,383 474 63,639 -760
1960 31,131 474 62,003 -672

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

GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/chad | CC BY

Over the last 10 years, 74.8% of the population change in the Central African Republic is from natural causes (a gain of 1,253,108 people) and 25.2% is from migration (a loss of 421,899 people). In Chad 86.4% is from natural causes (a gain of 5,439,314 people) and 13.6% is from migration (a gain of 855,402 people).

As of 2024, 94,556 residents or 1.8% of the population were not native-born in the Central African Republic, compared to 1,269,673 people or 6.3% in Chad.

Biggest cities by population

CAR
City Population
Bangui 889K
Berberati 76.9K
Bria 35.2K
Chad
City Population
N'Djamena 1.09M
Sarh 108K
Abeche 76.5K
Bongor 27.8K
Bol 11.7K

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Population map with other countries

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/chad | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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