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

Updated on by Georank

The latest officially reported population of the Central African Republic was 5,513,282 in 2025 vs 25,198,821 people in Mali in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Central African Republic's population is 5,798,457 people compared to 26,322,576 in Mali.

Population statistics:

  • Mali's population is 4.54 times bigger than the Central African Republic's.
  • The Central African Republic is ranked the 117th most populous country in the world, while Mali is the 58th.
  • The countries together account for 0.39% of the world: 0.07% for the Central African Republic vs 0.32% for Mali.
  • For the last 10 years, the Central African Republic has had an average growth rate of +1.62% per year vs +3.1% in Mali.
  • Since 2006, the population of the Central African Republic has increased from 4.38M people to 5.8M (32.5% growth), while Mali has grown from 14M to 26.3M (88.2% growth).

Central African Republic vs Mali: population by year and forecast

Central African Republic
Factual

Projection
Mali
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Population
CAR Mali
2100 19,061,127 80,362,778
2099 18,981,009 80,043,103
2098 18,896,319 79,704,143
2097 18,810,793 79,354,569
2096 18,719,993 78,987,874
2095 18,621,666 78,602,449
2094 18,521,650 78,192,601
2093 18,420,299 77,771,649
2092 18,311,751 77,337,997
2091 18,200,580 76,884,320
2090 18,083,097 76,409,599
2089 17,968,298 75,916,129
2088 17,844,377 75,405,009
2087 17,717,148 74,874,565
2086 17,581,447 74,331,613
2085 17,447,157 73,769,979
2084 17,306,435 73,189,821
2083 17,159,818 72,588,675
2082 17,010,036 71,975,720
2081 16,860,592 71,340,622
2080 16,704,486 70,699,377
2079 16,552,105 70,036,857
2078 16,392,201 69,359,523
2077 16,224,015 68,668,133
2076 16,051,483 67,965,034
2075 15,877,563 67,249,105
2074 15,706,759 66,516,075
2073 15,526,382 65,768,739
2072 15,346,626 65,009,716
2071 15,158,906 64,232,600
2070 14,964,276 63,450,597
2069 14,768,967 62,657,123
2068 14,572,130 61,850,168
2067 14,369,861 61,035,806
2066 14,167,129 60,215,831
2065 13,963,573 59,394,005
2064 13,758,257 58,560,766
2063 13,545,150 57,720,905
2062 13,332,625 56,873,801
2061 13,120,271 56,020,633
2060 12,903,195 55,160,220
2059 12,684,791 54,298,509
2058 12,464,271 53,431,783
2057 12,242,308 52,559,686
2056 12,020,446 51,686,173
2055 11,797,986 50,807,502
2054 11,575,058 49,930,546
2053 11,351,527 49,048,457
2052 11,128,939 48,161,836
2051 10,908,122 47,275,159
2050 10,686,324 46,385,854
2049 10,468,520 45,500,920
2048 10,249,810 44,612,126
2047 10,034,764 43,725,546
2046 9,819,986 42,836,054
2045 9,606,504 41,946,522
2044 9,394,614 41,057,406
2043 9,185,941 40,168,481
2042 8,980,018 39,281,666
2041 8,774,893 38,402,142
2040 8,567,893 37,521,801
2039 8,358,128 36,648,491
2038 8,149,514 35,768,661
2037 7,942,721 34,898,973
2036 7,734,436 34,032,460
2035 7,525,805 33,174,985
2034 7,314,741 32,324,451
2033 7,105,166 31,482,783
2032 6,897,152 30,652,485
2031 6,690,066 29,830,213
2030 6,486,667 29,025,640
2029 6,286,290 28,232,427
2028 6,085,426 27,453,124
2027 5,890,999 26,687,226
2026 5,700,718 25,937,442
2025 5,513,282 25,198,821
2024 5,330,690 24,478,595
2023 5,152,421 23,769,127
2022 5,098,039 23,072,640
2021 5,112,100 22,388,630
2020 5,026,628 21,713,836
2019 4,944,703 21,068,405
2018 4,878,657 20,442,030
2017 4,793,511 19,813,011
2016 4,713,663 19,191,289
2015 4,629,320 18,593,022
2014 4,623,182 18,020,267
2013 4,642,419 17,459,615
2012 4,610,848 16,957,033
2011 4,565,021 16,469,049
2010 4,492,995 15,945,198
2009 4,529,047 15,435,539
2008 4,558,984 14,940,782
2007 4,462,770 14,457,775
2006 4,377,579 13,990,139
2005 4,288,810 13,538,647
2004 4,192,826 13,102,409
2003 4,103,086 12,684,955
2002 4,006,077 12,288,050
2001 3,919,487 11,912,158
2000 3,833,416 11,559,290
1999 3,729,450 11,227,415
1998 3,628,827 10,919,573
1997 3,531,700 10,646,495
1996 3,435,965 10,407,278
1995 3,348,052 10,185,365
1994 3,257,954 9,967,031
1993 3,157,839 9,754,786
1992 3,058,831 9,553,540
1991 2,963,191 9,362,888
1990 2,871,910 9,178,830
1989 2,783,970 8,999,938
1988 2,713,965 8,833,996
1987 2,669,155 8,681,164
1986 2,634,258 8,531,277
1985 2,600,932 8,374,663
1984 2,568,610 8,208,599
1983 2,537,399 8,034,400
1982 2,507,375 7,860,194
1981 2,478,402 7,692,766
1980 2,450,535 7,530,515
1979 2,423,794 7,375,266
1978 2,397,961 7,229,651
1977 2,372,930 7,090,979
1976 2,348,566 6,960,979
1975 2,313,916 6,837,261
1974 2,269,338 6,715,436
1973 2,226,008 6,597,106
1972 2,183,769 6,483,726
1971 2,141,450 6,377,944
1970 2,097,505 6,276,472
1969 2,051,515 6,177,704
1968 2,005,100 6,082,979
1967 1,960,444 5,990,906
1966 1,918,082 5,902,204
1965 1,877,854 5,815,487
1964 1,839,583 5,730,125
1963 1,803,063 5,646,605
1962 1,768,115 5,563,917
1961 1,734,580 5,482,283
1960 1,702,346 5,402,550

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/mali | CC BY

From 2006 to 2016, the population of the Central African Republic increased by 336,084 people (a 7.68% growth), while Mali gained 5,201,150 people (a 37.2% growth).

For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, the Central African Republic gained 1,084,794 people (a 23% growth), while Mali's population increased by 7,131,287 people (a 37.2% growth).

The Central African Republic was ranked 118th most populous country in 2006 and is 117th in 2026. Mali was ranked 66th in 2006 and ranked 58th 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 Mali will increase by 76.2% to 46,385,854 people and rank change from 58th to 47th.

The Central African Republic is projected to reach its peak in 2100 at 19.1M people compared to the peak of 80.4M people in 2100 for Mali.

Population growth rate by year

Central African Republic
Factual

Projection
Mali
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Growth rate
CAR Mali
2100 0.42% 0.4%
2099 0.45% 0.43%
2098 0.45% 0.44%
2097 0.49% 0.46%
2096 0.53% 0.49%
2095 0.54% 0.52%
2094 0.55% 0.54%
2093 0.59% 0.56%
2092 0.61% 0.59%
2091 0.65% 0.62%
2090 0.64% 0.65%
2089 0.69% 0.68%
2088 0.72% 0.71%
2087 0.77% 0.73%
2086 0.77% 0.76%
2085 0.81% 0.79%
2084 0.85% 0.83%
2083 0.88% 0.85%
2082 0.89% 0.89%
2081 0.93% 0.91%
2080 0.92% 0.95%
2079 0.98% 0.98%
2078 1.04% 1.01%
2077 1.07% 1.03%
2076 1.1% 1.06%
2075 1.09% 1.1%
2074 1.16% 1.14%
2073 1.17% 1.17%
2072 1.24% 1.21%
2071 1.3% 1.23%
2070 1.32% 1.27%
2069 1.35% 1.3%
2068 1.41% 1.33%
2067 1.43% 1.36%
2066 1.46% 1.38%
2065 1.49% 1.42%
2064 1.57% 1.46%
2063 1.59% 1.49%
2062 1.62% 1.52%
2061 1.68% 1.56%
2060 1.72% 1.59%
2059 1.77% 1.62%
2058 1.81% 1.66%
2057 1.85% 1.69%
2056 1.89% 1.73%
2055 1.93% 1.76%
2054 1.97% 1.8%
2053 2% 1.84%
2052 2.02% 1.88%
2051 2.08% 1.92%
2050 2.08% 1.94%
2049 2.13% 1.99%
2048 2.14% 2.03%
2047 2.19% 2.08%
2046 2.22% 2.12%
2045 2.26% 2.17%
2044 2.27% 2.21%
2043 2.29% 2.26%
2042 2.34% 2.29%
2041 2.42% 2.35%
2040 2.51% 2.38%
2039 2.56% 2.46%
2038 2.6% 2.49%
2037 2.69% 2.55%
2036 2.77% 2.58%
2035 2.89% 2.63%
2034 2.95% 2.67%
2033 3.02% 2.71%
2032 3.1% 2.76%
2031 3.14% 2.77%
2030 3.19% 2.81%
2029 3.3% 2.84%
2028 3.3% 2.87%
2027 3.34% 2.89%
2026 3.4% 2.93%
2025 3.43% 2.94%
2024 3.46% 2.98%
2023 1.07% 3.02%
2022 -0.28% 3.06%
2021 1.7% 3.11%
2020 1.66% 3.06%
2019 1.35% 3.06%
2018 1.78% 3.17%
2017 1.69% 3.24%
2016 1.82% 3.22%
2015 0.13% 3.18%
2014 -0.41% 3.21%
2013 0.68% 2.96%
2012 1% 2.96%
2011 1.6% 3.29%
2010 -0.8% 3.3%
2009 -0.66% 3.31%
2008 2.16% 3.34%
2007 1.95% 3.34%
2006 2.07% 3.33%
2005 2.29% 3.33%
2004 2.19% 3.29%
2003 2.42% 3.23%
2002 2.21% 3.16%
2001 2.25% 3.05%
2000 2.79% 2.96%
1999 2.77% 2.82%
1998 2.75% 2.56%
1997 2.79% 2.3%
1996 2.63% 2.18%
1995 2.77% 2.19%
1994 3.17% 2.18%
1993 3.24% 2.11%
1992 3.23% 2.04%
1991 3.18% 2.01%
1990 3.16% 1.99%
1989 2.58% 1.88%
1988 1.68% 1.76%
1987 1.32% 1.76%
1986 1.28% 1.87%
1985 1.26% 2.02%
1984 1.23% 2.17%
1983 1.2% 2.22%
1982 1.17% 2.18%
1981 1.14% 2.15%
1980 1.1% 2.1%
1979 1.08% 2.01%
1978 1.05% 1.96%
1977 1.04% 1.87%
1976 1.5% 1.81%
1975 1.96% 1.81%
1974 1.95% 1.79%
1973 1.93% 1.75%
1972 1.98% 1.66%
1971 2.1% 1.62%
1970 2.24% 1.6%
1969 2.31% 1.56%
1968 2.28% 1.54%
1967 2.21% 1.5%
1966 2.14% 1.49%
1965 2.08% 1.49%
1964 2.03% 1.48%
1963 1.98% 1.49%
1962 1.93% 1.49%
1961 1.89% 1.48%

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/mali | CC BY

In 2025, the population of the Central African Republic grew by 3.43%, while Mali's population grew by 2.94%.

Live population counters

CAR Mali
Current population
5798457
26322576
Population rank 117/197 58/197
Percent of world population 0.07% 0.32%
One net population change
2.89 minutes
43.9 seconds
One birth every
2.13 minutes
32.6 seconds
One death every
10.5 minutes
2.52 minutes
Daily growth/decline +500 +1,973
Annual growth/decline +182,592 +720,226
Annual growth/decline rate +3.43% +2.94%
Population growth rate rank 7/197 14/197
One migration net change every
35.9 minutes
11 minutes
Annual migration change -14,693 -48,019
Net migration rank 143/196 173/196
Foreign-born residents 94,556 545,323
Foreign-born residents rank 132/195 76/195
Foreign-born share of population 1.8% 2.2%
Foreign-born share rank 135/195 131/195

Natural population change vs migration

Central African Republic
Natural

Migration
Mali
Natural

Migration
1x
Year Population change
CAR Mali
Natural Migration Natural Migration
2025 - -14,693 - -48,019
2024 196,244 -15,357 759,375 -46,880
2023 190,325 -14,682 746,398 -39,953
2022 -49,456 -17,430 726,465 -39,951
2021 124,408 -85,646 703,674 -22,210
2020 156,911 -24,745 683,053 -14,962
2019 68,523 -36,849 667,110 -44,373
2018 153,361 -52,954 670,723 -40,710
2017 128,461 -58,584 661,973 -33,942
2016 142,419 -52,607 645,652 -30,251
2015 141,912 -63,045 630,006 -48,872
2014 107,448 -174,051 614,419 -50,068
2013 140,489 -112,382 597,887 -40,951
2012 146,791 -111,764 588,748 -140,507
2011 142,913 -86,281 570,899 -43,160
2010 130,539 -43,126 554,447 -34,483
2009 -130,613 -28,899 533,730 -34,383
2008 128,627 -28,983 514,665 -24,509
2007 123,137 -30,352 495,800 -19,945
2006 118,882 -41,282 477,665 -18,247
2005 113,534 -13,604 460,964 -17,413
2004 108,548 -16,510 439,717 -10,796
2003 105,540 -18,097 417,766 -11,768
2002 100,588 5,992 396,732 -8,914
2001 99,598 -33,006 376,472 -12,507
2000 97,468 8,079 359,159 -17,395
1999 96,108 6,284 343,705 -21,702
1998 94,361 4,479 323,940 -30,255
1997 93,378 2,034 308,429 -55,978
1996 93,369 2,697 293,953 -67,974
1995 92,748 -12,986 285,598 -67,763
1994 90,943 9,496 282,356 -63,533
1993 89,873 9,930 274,480 -68,816
1992 88,939 9,269 267,605 -70,789
1991 88,688 4,381 261,656 -77,172
1990 87,507 1,995 252,308 -68,668
1989 85,969 409 249,929 -75,771
1988 84,654 -31,016 245,682 -87,952
1987 83,408 -47,428 238,871 -90,940
1986 81,149 -47,332 233,799 -81,970
1985 79,266 -46,427 224,734 -63,347
1984 77,395 -45,591 218,078 -47,331
1983 75,399 -44,780 211,795 -34,132
1982 73,330 -43,908 204,892 -34,140
1981 71,391 -42,872 198,227 -34,130
1980 68,759 -41,539 190,560 -30,156
1979 66,104 -39,850 182,449 -32,353
1978 63,285 -37,874 172,652 -31,520
1977 60,436 -35,782 165,071 -28,853
1976 57,725 -33,645 157,778 -33,999
1975 55,106 -9,895 150,222 -26,572
1974 53,777 -9,838 142,448 -22,449
1973 52,525 -9,800 135,801 -19,137
1972 51,390 -9,634 129,687 -19,594
1971 50,142 -7,259 123,591 -22,127
1970 48,690 -3,693 118,952 -17,479
1969 47,066 -80 114,361 -18,302
1968 45,377 474 111,403 -18,015
1967 42,979 474 107,650 -16,900
1966 40,804 474 103,684 -17,032
1965 38,710 474 100,451 -13,662
1964 36,878 474 97,166 -13,226
1963 35,218 474 95,055 -11,951
1962 33,731 474 93,101 -10,821
1961 32,383 474 91,115 -10,139
1960 31,131 474 88,802 -10,314

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

GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/mali | 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 Mali 95% is from natural causes (a gain of 6,894,429 people) and 4.99% is from migration (a loss of 362,104 people).

As of 2024, 94,556 residents or 1.8% of the population were not native-born in the Central African Republic, compared to 545,323 people or 2.2% in Mali.

Biggest cities by population

CAR
City Population
Bangui 889K
Berberati 76.9K
Bria 35.2K
Mali
City Population
Bamako 4.23M
Sikasso 226K
Segou 131K
Bougouni 59.7K
Markala 46K
Koulikoro 43.2K
Banamba 30.6K

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/mali | 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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