The latest officially reported population of the Central African Republic was 5,513,282 in 2025 vs 2,593,130 people in Gabon in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Central African Republic's population is 5,798,457 people compared to 2,676,097 in Gabon.
Population statistics:
- The Central African Republic's population is 2.17 times bigger than Gabon's.
- The Central African Republic is ranked the 117th most populous country in the world, while Gabon is the 141st.
- The countries together account for 0.1% of the world: 0.07% for the Central African Republic vs 0.03% for Gabon.
- For the last 10 years, the Central African Republic has had an average growth rate of +1.62% per year vs +2.49% in Gabon.
- Since 2006, the population of the Central African Republic has increased from 4.38M people to 5.8M (32.5% growth), while Gabon has grown from 1.51M to 2.68M (77.4% growth).
Central African Republic vs Gabon: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
CAR
|
Gabon
|
|
| 2100 | 19,061,127 | 6,954,294 |
| 2099 | 18,981,009 | 6,910,493 |
| 2098 | 18,896,319 | 6,866,307 |
| 2097 | 18,810,793 | 6,820,547 |
| 2096 | 18,719,993 | 6,773,966 |
| 2095 | 18,621,666 | 6,726,296 |
| 2094 | 18,521,650 | 6,678,568 |
| 2093 | 18,420,299 | 6,629,929 |
| 2092 | 18,311,751 | 6,580,775 |
| 2091 | 18,200,580 | 6,530,868 |
| 2090 | 18,083,097 | 6,480,029 |
| 2089 | 17,968,298 | 6,428,505 |
| 2088 | 17,844,377 | 6,375,420 |
| 2087 | 17,717,148 | 6,321,768 |
| 2086 | 17,581,447 | 6,267,763 |
| 2085 | 17,447,157 | 6,213,719 |
| 2084 | 17,306,435 | 6,158,629 |
| 2083 | 17,159,818 | 6,102,442 |
| 2082 | 17,010,036 | 6,045,631 |
| 2081 | 16,860,592 | 5,988,064 |
| 2080 | 16,704,486 | 5,930,182 |
| 2079 | 16,552,105 | 5,871,726 |
| 2078 | 16,392,201 | 5,812,947 |
| 2077 | 16,224,015 | 5,753,559 |
| 2076 | 16,051,483 | 5,694,479 |
| 2075 | 15,877,563 | 5,634,771 |
| 2074 | 15,706,759 | 5,575,361 |
| 2073 | 15,526,382 | 5,515,257 |
| 2072 | 15,346,626 | 5,455,007 |
| 2071 | 15,158,906 | 5,394,448 |
| 2070 | 14,964,276 | 5,334,065 |
| 2069 | 14,768,967 | 5,273,626 |
| 2068 | 14,572,130 | 5,213,228 |
| 2067 | 14,369,861 | 5,152,264 |
| 2066 | 14,167,129 | 5,091,437 |
| 2065 | 13,963,573 | 5,030,629 |
| 2064 | 13,758,257 | 4,969,636 |
| 2063 | 13,545,150 | 4,908,522 |
| 2062 | 13,332,625 | 4,847,599 |
| 2061 | 13,120,271 | 4,786,626 |
| 2060 | 12,903,195 | 4,725,275 |
| 2059 | 12,684,791 | 4,663,235 |
| 2058 | 12,464,271 | 4,601,048 |
| 2057 | 12,242,308 | 4,539,043 |
| 2056 | 12,020,446 | 4,476,231 |
| 2055 | 11,797,986 | 4,413,481 |
| 2054 | 11,575,058 | 4,349,956 |
| 2053 | 11,351,527 | 4,286,663 |
| 2052 | 11,128,939 | 4,223,303 |
| 2051 | 10,908,122 | 4,159,520 |
| 2050 | 10,686,324 | 4,095,784 |
| 2049 | 10,468,520 | 4,032,066 |
| 2048 | 10,249,810 | 3,968,081 |
| 2047 | 10,034,764 | 3,903,843 |
| 2046 | 9,819,986 | 3,839,466 |
| 2045 | 9,606,504 | 3,774,934 |
| 2044 | 9,394,614 | 3,710,854 |
| 2043 | 9,185,941 | 3,647,133 |
| 2042 | 8,980,018 | 3,583,886 |
| 2041 | 8,774,893 | 3,520,765 |
| 2040 | 8,567,893 | 3,458,116 |
| 2039 | 8,358,128 | 3,396,244 |
| 2038 | 8,149,514 | 3,335,082 |
| 2037 | 7,942,721 | 3,274,559 |
| 2036 | 7,734,436 | 3,214,394 |
| 2035 | 7,525,805 | 3,155,079 |
| 2034 | 7,314,741 | 3,096,672 |
| 2033 | 7,105,166 | 3,038,828 |
| 2032 | 6,897,152 | 2,981,674 |
| 2031 | 6,690,066 | 2,925,030 |
| 2030 | 6,486,667 | 2,868,829 |
| 2029 | 6,286,290 | 2,813,220 |
| 2028 | 6,085,426 | 2,757,931 |
| 2027 | 5,890,999 | 2,702,815 |
| 2026 | 5,700,718 | 2,647,878 |
| 2025 | 5,513,282 | 2,593,130 |
| 2024 | 5,330,690 | 2,538,952 |
| 2023 | 5,152,421 | 2,484,789 |
| 2022 | 5,098,039 | 2,430,747 |
| 2021 | 5,112,100 | 2,376,722 |
| 2020 | 5,026,628 | 2,322,539 |
| 2019 | 4,944,703 | 2,267,706 |
| 2018 | 4,878,657 | 2,212,318 |
| 2017 | 4,793,511 | 2,156,900 |
| 2016 | 4,713,663 | 2,100,306 |
| 2015 | 4,629,320 | 2,040,989 |
| 2014 | 4,623,182 | 1,978,399 |
| 2013 | 4,642,419 | 1,913,059 |
| 2012 | 4,610,848 | 1,846,889 |
| 2011 | 4,565,021 | 1,781,985 |
| 2010 | 4,492,995 | 1,719,879 |
| 2009 | 4,529,047 | 1,661,556 |
| 2008 | 4,558,984 | 1,607,175 |
| 2007 | 4,462,770 | 1,556,237 |
| 2006 | 4,377,579 | 1,508,337 |
| 2005 | 4,288,810 | 1,463,495 |
| 2004 | 4,192,826 | 1,421,609 |
| 2003 | 4,103,086 | 1,382,350 |
| 2002 | 4,006,077 | 1,345,135 |
| 2001 | 3,919,487 | 1,309,589 |
| 2000 | 3,833,416 | 1,275,572 |
| 1999 | 3,729,450 | 1,243,016 |
| 1998 | 3,628,827 | 1,211,736 |
| 1997 | 3,531,700 | 1,181,439 |
| 1996 | 3,435,965 | 1,152,015 |
| 1995 | 3,348,052 | 1,123,213 |
| 1994 | 3,257,954 | 1,094,720 |
| 1993 | 3,157,839 | 1,066,405 |
| 1992 | 3,058,831 | 1,038,380 |
| 1991 | 2,963,191 | 1,010,818 |
| 1990 | 2,871,910 | 983,734 |
| 1989 | 2,783,970 | 957,138 |
| 1988 | 2,713,965 | 931,020 |
| 1987 | 2,669,155 | 905,479 |
| 1986 | 2,634,258 | 880,705 |
| 1985 | 2,600,932 | 856,726 |
| 1984 | 2,568,610 | 833,501 |
| 1983 | 2,537,399 | 811,005 |
| 1982 | 2,507,375 | 789,286 |
| 1981 | 2,478,402 | 768,385 |
| 1980 | 2,450,535 | 748,389 |
| 1979 | 2,423,794 | 729,375 |
| 1978 | 2,397,961 | 711,245 |
| 1977 | 2,372,930 | 693,984 |
| 1976 | 2,348,566 | 677,628 |
| 1975 | 2,313,916 | 662,197 |
| 1974 | 2,269,338 | 647,691 |
| 1973 | 2,226,008 | 633,995 |
| 1972 | 2,183,769 | 620,960 |
| 1971 | 2,141,450 | 608,348 |
| 1970 | 2,097,505 | 595,846 |
| 1969 | 2,051,515 | 583,276 |
| 1968 | 2,005,100 | 572,257 |
| 1967 | 1,960,444 | 563,108 |
| 1966 | 1,918,082 | 554,463 |
| 1965 | 1,877,854 | 546,308 |
| 1964 | 1,839,583 | 538,657 |
| 1963 | 1,803,063 | 531,452 |
| 1962 | 1,768,115 | 524,649 |
| 1961 | 1,734,580 | 518,266 |
| 1960 | 1,702,346 | 512,316 |
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/gabon | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of the Central African Republic increased by 336,084 people (a 7.68% growth), while Gabon gained 591,969 people (a 39.2% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, the Central African Republic gained 1,084,794 people (a 23% growth), while Gabon's population increased by 575,791 people (a 27.4% growth).
The Central African Republic was ranked 118th most populous country in 2006 and is 117th in 2026. Gabon was ranked 147th in 2006 and ranked 141st 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 Gabon will increase by 53.1% to 4,095,784 people and rank change from 141st to 133rd.
The Central African Republic is projected to reach its peak in 2100 at 19.1M people compared to the peak of 6.95M people in 2100 for Gabon.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
CAR
|
Gabon
|
|
| 2100 | 0.42% | 0.63% |
| 2099 | 0.45% | 0.64% |
| 2098 | 0.45% | 0.67% |
| 2097 | 0.49% | 0.69% |
| 2096 | 0.53% | 0.71% |
| 2095 | 0.54% | 0.71% |
| 2094 | 0.55% | 0.73% |
| 2093 | 0.59% | 0.75% |
| 2092 | 0.61% | 0.76% |
| 2091 | 0.65% | 0.78% |
| 2090 | 0.64% | 0.8% |
| 2089 | 0.69% | 0.83% |
| 2088 | 0.72% | 0.85% |
| 2087 | 0.77% | 0.86% |
| 2086 | 0.77% | 0.87% |
| 2085 | 0.81% | 0.89% |
| 2084 | 0.85% | 0.92% |
| 2083 | 0.88% | 0.94% |
| 2082 | 0.89% | 0.96% |
| 2081 | 0.93% | 0.98% |
| 2080 | 0.92% | 1% |
| 2079 | 0.98% | 1.01% |
| 2078 | 1.04% | 1.03% |
| 2077 | 1.07% | 1.04% |
| 2076 | 1.1% | 1.06% |
| 2075 | 1.09% | 1.07% |
| 2074 | 1.16% | 1.09% |
| 2073 | 1.17% | 1.1% |
| 2072 | 1.24% | 1.12% |
| 2071 | 1.3% | 1.13% |
| 2070 | 1.32% | 1.15% |
| 2069 | 1.35% | 1.16% |
| 2068 | 1.41% | 1.18% |
| 2067 | 1.43% | 1.19% |
| 2066 | 1.46% | 1.21% |
| 2065 | 1.49% | 1.23% |
| 2064 | 1.57% | 1.25% |
| 2063 | 1.59% | 1.26% |
| 2062 | 1.62% | 1.27% |
| 2061 | 1.68% | 1.3% |
| 2060 | 1.72% | 1.33% |
| 2059 | 1.77% | 1.35% |
| 2058 | 1.81% | 1.37% |
| 2057 | 1.85% | 1.4% |
| 2056 | 1.89% | 1.42% |
| 2055 | 1.93% | 1.46% |
| 2054 | 1.97% | 1.48% |
| 2053 | 2% | 1.5% |
| 2052 | 2.02% | 1.53% |
| 2051 | 2.08% | 1.56% |
| 2050 | 2.08% | 1.58% |
| 2049 | 2.13% | 1.61% |
| 2048 | 2.14% | 1.65% |
| 2047 | 2.19% | 1.68% |
| 2046 | 2.22% | 1.71% |
| 2045 | 2.26% | 1.73% |
| 2044 | 2.27% | 1.75% |
| 2043 | 2.29% | 1.76% |
| 2042 | 2.34% | 1.79% |
| 2041 | 2.42% | 1.81% |
| 2040 | 2.51% | 1.82% |
| 2039 | 2.56% | 1.83% |
| 2038 | 2.6% | 1.85% |
| 2037 | 2.69% | 1.87% |
| 2036 | 2.77% | 1.88% |
| 2035 | 2.89% | 1.89% |
| 2034 | 2.95% | 1.9% |
| 2033 | 3.02% | 1.92% |
| 2032 | 3.1% | 1.94% |
| 2031 | 3.14% | 1.96% |
| 2030 | 3.19% | 1.98% |
| 2029 | 3.3% | 2% |
| 2028 | 3.3% | 2.04% |
| 2027 | 3.34% | 2.07% |
| 2026 | 3.4% | 2.11% |
| 2025 | 3.43% | 2.13% |
| 2024 | 3.46% | 2.18% |
| 2023 | 1.07% | 2.22% |
| 2022 | -0.28% | 2.27% |
| 2021 | 1.7% | 2.33% |
| 2020 | 1.66% | 2.42% |
| 2019 | 1.35% | 2.5% |
| 2018 | 1.78% | 2.57% |
| 2017 | 1.69% | 2.69% |
| 2016 | 1.82% | 2.91% |
| 2015 | 0.13% | 3.16% |
| 2014 | -0.41% | 3.42% |
| 2013 | 0.68% | 3.58% |
| 2012 | 1% | 3.64% |
| 2011 | 1.6% | 3.61% |
| 2010 | -0.8% | 3.51% |
| 2009 | -0.66% | 3.38% |
| 2008 | 2.16% | 3.27% |
| 2007 | 1.95% | 3.18% |
| 2006 | 2.07% | 3.06% |
| 2005 | 2.29% | 2.95% |
| 2004 | 2.19% | 2.84% |
| 2003 | 2.42% | 2.77% |
| 2002 | 2.21% | 2.71% |
| 2001 | 2.25% | 2.67% |
| 2000 | 2.79% | 2.62% |
| 1999 | 2.77% | 2.58% |
| 1998 | 2.75% | 2.56% |
| 1997 | 2.79% | 2.55% |
| 1996 | 2.63% | 2.56% |
| 1995 | 2.77% | 2.6% |
| 1994 | 3.17% | 2.66% |
| 1993 | 3.24% | 2.7% |
| 1992 | 3.23% | 2.73% |
| 1991 | 3.18% | 2.75% |
| 1990 | 3.16% | 2.78% |
| 1989 | 2.58% | 2.81% |
| 1988 | 1.68% | 2.82% |
| 1987 | 1.32% | 2.81% |
| 1986 | 1.28% | 2.8% |
| 1985 | 1.26% | 2.79% |
| 1984 | 1.23% | 2.77% |
| 1983 | 1.2% | 2.75% |
| 1982 | 1.17% | 2.72% |
| 1981 | 1.14% | 2.67% |
| 1980 | 1.1% | 2.61% |
| 1979 | 1.08% | 2.55% |
| 1978 | 1.05% | 2.49% |
| 1977 | 1.04% | 2.41% |
| 1976 | 1.5% | 2.33% |
| 1975 | 1.96% | 2.24% |
| 1974 | 1.95% | 2.16% |
| 1973 | 1.93% | 2.1% |
| 1972 | 1.98% | 2.07% |
| 1971 | 2.1% | 2.1% |
| 1970 | 2.24% | 2.16% |
| 1969 | 2.31% | 1.93% |
| 1968 | 2.28% | 1.62% |
| 1967 | 2.21% | 1.56% |
| 1966 | 2.14% | 1.49% |
| 1965 | 2.08% | 1.42% |
| 1964 | 2.03% | 1.36% |
| 1963 | 1.98% | 1.3% |
| 1962 | 1.93% | 1.23% |
| 1961 | 1.89% | 1.16% |
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/gabon | CC BY
In 2025, the population of the Central African Republic grew by 3.43%, while Gabon's population grew by 2.13%.
Live population counters
|
CAR
|
Gabon
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
5798457
|
2676097
|
| Population rank | 117/197 | 141/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| One net population change |
2.89 minutes
|
9.73 minutes
|
| One birth every |
2.13 minutes
|
7.63 minutes
|
| One death every |
10.5 minutes
|
33.3 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | +500 | +148 |
| Annual growth/decline | +182,592 | +54,178 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +3.43% | +2.13% |
| Population growth rate rank | 7/197 | 42/197 |
| One migration net change every |
35.9 minutes
|
7.87 hours
|
| Annual migration change | -14,693 | +1,116 |
| Net migration rank | 143/196 | 62/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 94,556 | 449,746 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 132/195 | 84/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 1.8% | 17.7% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 135/195 | 34/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CAR
|
Gabon
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -14,693 | - | 1,116 |
| 2024 | 196,244 | -15,357 | 53,067 | 1,105 |
| 2023 | 190,325 | -14,682 | 53,167 | 987 |
| 2022 | -49,456 | -17,430 | 52,944 | 987 |
| 2021 | 124,408 | -85,646 | 52,611 | 1,503 |
| 2020 | 156,911 | -24,745 | 52,745 | 1,506 |
| 2019 | 68,523 | -36,849 | 53,185 | 2,233 |
| 2018 | 153,361 | -52,954 | 52,476 | 2,886 |
| 2017 | 128,461 | -58,584 | 51,455 | 4,013 |
| 2016 | 142,419 | -52,607 | 50,321 | 7,398 |
| 2015 | 141,912 | -63,045 | 48,876 | 12,041 |
| 2014 | 107,448 | -174,051 | 47,704 | 16,565 |
| 2013 | 140,489 | -112,382 | 46,829 | 19,587 |
| 2012 | 146,791 | -111,764 | 45,941 | 19,973 |
| 2011 | 142,913 | -86,281 | 44,922 | 18,967 |
| 2010 | 130,539 | -43,126 | 43,061 | 17,274 |
| 2009 | -130,613 | -28,899 | 41,037 | 15,277 |
| 2008 | 128,627 | -28,983 | 39,002 | 13,441 |
| 2007 | 123,137 | -30,352 | 37,394 | 12,045 |
| 2006 | 118,882 | -41,282 | 35,984 | 10,382 |
| 2005 | 113,534 | -13,604 | 34,766 | 8,555 |
| 2004 | 108,548 | -16,510 | 33,615 | 6,830 |
| 2003 | 105,540 | -18,097 | 32,633 | 5,434 |
| 2002 | 100,588 | 5,992 | 31,777 | 4,582 |
| 2001 | 99,598 | -33,006 | 30,941 | 3,801 |
| 2000 | 97,468 | 8,079 | 30,210 | 3,086 |
| 1999 | 96,108 | 6,284 | 29,330 | 2,480 |
| 1998 | 94,361 | 4,479 | 28,697 | 2,055 |
| 1997 | 93,378 | 2,034 | 28,053 | 1,786 |
| 1996 | 93,369 | 2,697 | 27,450 | 1,555 |
| 1995 | 92,748 | -12,986 | 27,290 | 1,314 |
| 1994 | 90,943 | 9,496 | 27,271 | 1,110 |
| 1993 | 89,873 | 9,930 | 27,235 | 1,009 |
| 1992 | 88,939 | 9,269 | 26,810 | 990 |
| 1991 | 88,688 | 4,381 | 26,334 | 990 |
| 1990 | 87,507 | 1,995 | 25,858 | 990 |
| 1989 | 85,969 | 409 | 25,359 | 990 |
| 1988 | 84,654 | -31,016 | 24,888 | 990 |
| 1987 | 83,408 | -47,428 | 24,212 | 990 |
| 1986 | 81,149 | -47,332 | 23,362 | 990 |
| 1985 | 79,266 | -46,427 | 22,617 | 990 |
| 1984 | 77,395 | -45,591 | 21,851 | 990 |
| 1983 | 75,399 | -44,780 | 21,162 | 990 |
| 1982 | 73,330 | -43,908 | 20,292 | 990 |
| 1981 | 71,391 | -42,872 | 19,528 | 990 |
| 1980 | 68,759 | -41,539 | 18,503 | 990 |
| 1979 | 66,104 | -39,850 | 17,553 | 990 |
| 1978 | 63,285 | -37,874 | 16,714 | 990 |
| 1977 | 60,436 | -35,782 | 15,842 | 972 |
| 1976 | 57,725 | -33,645 | 14,998 | 899 |
| 1975 | 55,106 | -9,895 | 14,162 | 792 |
| 1974 | 53,777 | -9,838 | 13,381 | 680 |
| 1973 | 52,525 | -9,800 | 12,731 | 608 |
| 1972 | 51,390 | -9,634 | 12,095 | 639 |
| 1971 | 50,142 | -7,259 | 11,357 | 1,130 |
| 1970 | 48,690 | -3,693 | 10,635 | 1,882 |
| 1969 | 47,066 | -80 | 9,969 | 2,650 |
| 1968 | 45,377 | 474 | 9,417 | 0 |
| 1967 | 42,979 | 474 | 8,883 | 0 |
| 1966 | 40,804 | 474 | 8,410 | 0 |
| 1965 | 38,710 | 474 | 7,902 | 0 |
| 1964 | 36,878 | 474 | 7,402 | 0 |
| 1963 | 35,218 | 474 | 7,001 | 0 |
| 1962 | 33,731 | 474 | 6,609 | 0 |
| 1961 | 32,383 | 474 | 6,161 | 0 |
| 1960 | 31,131 | 474 | 5,732 | 0 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/gabon | 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 Gabon 93.8% is from natural causes (a gain of 520,847 people) and 6.24% is from migration (a gain of 34,659 people).
As of 2024, 94,556 residents or 1.8% of the population were not native-born in the Central African Republic, compared to 449,746 people or 17.7% in Gabon.
Biggest cities by population
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Population differences between the Central African Republic and Gabon
|
CAR
|
Gabon
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 58.2 years | 68.9 years |
| Average age | 19.8 years | 26.3 years |
| Median age | 15.5 years | 22.6 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 48.1:51.9 | 50.7:49.3 |
| Fertility rate | 5.95 births per woman | 3.59 births per woman |
| Population density | 23.7 ppl/mi² | 26.6 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
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/gabon | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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