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

Updated on by Georank team

The latest officially reported population of the Central African Republic was 5,330,690 in 2024 vs 6,916,140 people in Nicaragua in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Central African Republic's population is 5,753,659 people compared to 7,124,343 in Nicaragua.

Population statistics:

  • Nicaragua's population is 1.24 times bigger than the Central African Republic's.
  • The Central African Republic is ranked the 118th most populous country in the world, while Nicaragua is the 107th.
  • The countries together account for 0.16% of the world: 0.07% for the Central African Republic vs 0.09% for Nicaragua.
  • For the last 10 years, the Central African Republic has had an average growth rate of +1.27% per year vs +1.33% in Nicaragua.
  • Since 2006, the population of the Central African Republic has increased from 4.38M people to 5.75M (31.4% growth), while Nicaragua has grown from 5.42M to 7.12M (31.5% growth).

Central African Republic vs Nicaragua: population by year and forecast

Central African Republic
Factual

Projection
Nicaragua
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Population
CAR Nicaragua
2100 19,066,004 8,688,116
2099 18,985,867 8,724,538
2098 18,901,154 8,760,232
2097 18,815,607 8,794,755
2096 18,724,783 8,828,433
2095 18,626,431 8,861,157
2094 18,526,390 8,892,755
2093 18,425,013 8,924,287
2092 18,316,437 8,954,488
2091 18,205,237 8,984,026
2090 18,087,725 9,012,075
2089 17,972,896 9,039,709
2088 17,848,943 9,065,862
2087 17,721,681 9,090,942
2086 17,585,946 9,115,336
2085 17,451,621 9,138,363
2084 17,310,863 9,160,205
2083 17,164,209 9,180,483
2082 17,014,388 9,199,639
2081 16,864,906 9,217,574
2080 16,708,761 9,233,677
2079 16,556,341 9,247,995
2078 16,396,395 9,260,269
2077 16,228,166 9,271,296
2076 16,055,590 9,280,355
2075 15,881,626 9,287,263
2074 15,710,778 9,293,340
2073 15,530,355 9,297,217
2072 15,350,553 9,298,930
2071 15,162,785 9,298,548
2070 14,968,105 9,296,541
2069 14,772,746 9,292,245
2068 14,575,859 9,285,519
2067 14,373,538 9,277,073
2066 14,170,754 9,266,063
2065 13,967,146 9,253,359
2064 13,761,777 9,238,451
2063 13,548,616 9,221,261
2062 13,336,037 9,201,687
2061 13,123,628 9,180,231
2060 12,906,496 9,156,164
2059 12,688,037 9,129,485
2058 12,467,461 9,100,437
2057 12,245,441 9,069,770
2056 12,023,522 9,037,076
2055 11,801,006 9,002,004
2054 11,578,020 8,964,646
2053 11,354,432 8,925,248
2052 11,131,786 8,883,323
2051 10,910,913 8,838,651
2050 10,689,058 8,791,647
2049 10,471,199 8,743,003
2048 10,252,433 8,691,701
2047 10,037,332 8,638,293
2046 9,822,499 8,583,244
2045 9,608,962 8,525,953
2044 9,397,018 8,466,669
2043 9,188,292 8,405,733
2042 8,982,316 8,342,871
2041 8,777,138 8,278,159
2040 8,570,085 8,211,510
2039 8,360,267 8,143,346
2038 8,151,599 8,072,943
2037 7,944,754 8,000,701
2036 7,736,415 7,926,969
2035 7,527,731 7,851,540
2034 7,316,613 7,774,327
2033 7,106,984 7,695,506
2032 6,898,917 7,615,273
2031 6,691,778 7,533,169
2030 6,488,327 7,449,842
2029 6,287,899 7,364,850
2028 6,086,983 7,278,061
2027 5,892,506 7,189,755
2026 5,702,177 7,100,090
2025 5,514,692 7,008,896
2024 5,330,690 6,916,140
2023 5,152,421 6,823,613
2022 5,098,039 6,730,654
2021 5,112,100 6,644,741
2020 5,026,628 6,565,267
2019 4,944,703 6,483,657
2018 4,878,657 6,400,080
2017 4,793,511 6,316,231
2016 4,713,663 6,232,666
2015 4,629,320 6,149,417
2014 4,623,182 6,066,492
2013 4,642,419 5,983,845
2012 4,610,848 5,901,287
2011 4,565,021 5,819,051
2010 4,492,995 5,737,450
2009 4,529,047 5,656,601
2008 4,558,984 5,576,593
2007 4,462,770 5,497,243
2006 4,377,579 5,418,855
2005 4,288,810 5,342,105
2004 4,192,826 5,272,912
2003 4,103,086 5,210,963
2002 4,006,077 5,149,909
2001 3,919,487 5,087,825
2000 3,833,416 5,022,633
1999 3,729,450 4,954,018
1998 3,628,827 4,883,655
1997 3,531,700 4,809,573
1996 3,435,965 4,729,974
1995 3,348,052 4,642,931
1994 3,257,954 4,549,316
1993 3,157,839 4,453,732
1992 3,058,831 4,357,026
1991 2,963,191 4,259,637
1990 2,871,910 4,162,559
1989 2,783,970 4,066,476
1988 2,713,965 3,972,320
1987 2,669,155 3,882,164
1986 2,634,258 3,794,157
1985 2,600,932 3,706,479
1984 2,568,610 3,619,104
1983 2,537,399 3,530,282
1982 2,507,375 3,438,745
1981 2,478,402 3,345,674
1980 2,450,535 3,252,403
1979 2,423,794 3,164,525
1978 2,397,961 3,080,314
1977 2,372,930 2,992,534
1976 2,348,566 2,903,851
1975 2,313,916 2,816,943
1974 2,269,338 2,732,075
1973 2,226,008 2,649,278
1972 2,183,769 2,573,578
1971 2,141,450 2,499,825
1970 2,097,505 2,423,065
1969 2,051,515 2,348,398
1968 2,005,100 2,275,836
1967 1,960,444 2,205,567
1966 1,918,082 2,137,820
1965 1,877,854 2,072,681
1964 1,839,583 2,010,176
1963 1,803,063 1,950,159
1962 1,768,115 1,892,320
1961 1,734,580 1,836,451
1960 1,702,346 1,782,370

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

From 2006 to 2016, the population of the Central African Republic increased by 336,084 people (a 7.68% growth), while Nicaragua gained 813,811 people (a 15% growth).

For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, the Central African Republic gained 1,039,996 people (a 22.1% growth), while Nicaragua's population increased by 891,677 people (a 14.3% growth).

The Central African Republic was ranked 118th most populous country in 2006 and is still 118th in 2026. Nicaragua was ranked 109th in 2006 and ranked 107th now.

The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) the Central African Republic's population will grow by 85.8% to 10,689,058 people with a rank change from 118th to 96th. The population of Nicaragua will increase by 23.4% to 8,791,647 people and rank change from 107th to 108th.

The Central African Republic is projected to reach its peak in 2100 at 19.1M people compared to the peak of 9.3M people in 2072 for Nicaragua.

Population growth rate by year

Central African Republic
Factual

Projection
Nicaragua
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Growth rate
CAR Nicaragua
2100 0.42% -0.42%
2099 0.45% -0.41%
2098 0.45% -0.39%
2097 0.49% -0.38%
2096 0.53% -0.37%
2095 0.54% -0.36%
2094 0.55% -0.35%
2093 0.59% -0.34%
2092 0.61% -0.33%
2091 0.65% -0.31%
2090 0.64% -0.31%
2089 0.69% -0.29%
2088 0.72% -0.28%
2087 0.77% -0.27%
2086 0.77% -0.25%
2085 0.81% -0.24%
2084 0.85% -0.22%
2083 0.88% -0.21%
2082 0.89% -0.19%
2081 0.93% -0.17%
2080 0.92% -0.15%
2079 0.98% -0.13%
2078 1.04% -0.12%
2077 1.07% -0.1%
2076 1.1% -0.07%
2075 1.09% -0.07%
2074 1.16% -0.04%
2073 1.17% -0.02%
2072 1.24% 0.004%
2071 1.3% 0.02%
2070 1.32% 0.05%
2069 1.35% 0.07%
2068 1.41% 0.09%
2067 1.43% 0.12%
2066 1.46% 0.14%
2065 1.49% 0.16%
2064 1.57% 0.19%
2063 1.59% 0.21%
2062 1.62% 0.23%
2061 1.68% 0.26%
2060 1.72% 0.29%
2059 1.77% 0.32%
2058 1.81% 0.34%
2057 1.85% 0.36%
2056 1.89% 0.39%
2055 1.93% 0.42%
2054 1.97% 0.44%
2053 2% 0.47%
2052 2.02% 0.51%
2051 2.08% 0.53%
2050 2.08% 0.56%
2049 2.13% 0.59%
2048 2.14% 0.62%
2047 2.19% 0.64%
2046 2.22% 0.67%
2045 2.26% 0.7%
2044 2.27% 0.72%
2043 2.29% 0.75%
2042 2.34% 0.78%
2041 2.42% 0.81%
2040 2.51% 0.84%
2039 2.56% 0.87%
2038 2.6% 0.9%
2037 2.69% 0.93%
2036 2.77% 0.96%
2035 2.89% 0.99%
2034 2.95% 1.02%
2033 3.02% 1.05%
2032 3.1% 1.09%
2031 3.14% 1.12%
2030 3.19% 1.15%
2029 3.3% 1.19%
2028 3.3% 1.23%
2027 3.34% 1.26%
2026 3.4% 1.3%
2025 3.45% 1.34%
2024 3.46% 1.36%
2023 1.07% 1.38%
2022 -0.28% 1.29%
2021 1.7% 1.21%
2020 1.66% 1.26%
2019 1.35% 1.31%
2018 1.78% 1.33%
2017 1.69% 1.34%
2016 1.82% 1.35%
2015 0.13% 1.37%
2014 -0.41% 1.38%
2013 0.68% 1.4%
2012 1% 1.41%
2011 1.6% 1.42%
2010 -0.8% 1.43%
2009 -0.66% 1.43%
2008 2.16% 1.44%
2007 1.95% 1.45%
2006 2.07% 1.44%
2005 2.29% 1.31%
2004 2.19% 1.19%
2003 2.42% 1.19%
2002 2.21% 1.22%
2001 2.25% 1.3%
2000 2.79% 1.39%
1999 2.77% 1.44%
1998 2.75% 1.54%
1997 2.79% 1.68%
1996 2.63% 1.87%
1995 2.77% 2.06%
1994 3.17% 2.15%
1993 3.24% 2.22%
1992 3.23% 2.29%
1991 3.18% 2.33%
1990 3.16% 2.36%
1989 2.58% 2.37%
1988 1.68% 2.32%
1987 1.32% 2.32%
1986 1.28% 2.37%
1985 1.26% 2.41%
1984 1.23% 2.52%
1983 1.2% 2.66%
1982 1.17% 2.78%
1981 1.14% 2.87%
1980 1.1% 2.78%
1979 1.08% 2.73%
1978 1.05% 2.93%
1977 1.04% 3.05%
1976 1.5% 3.09%
1975 1.96% 3.11%
1974 1.95% 3.13%
1973 1.93% 2.94%
1972 1.98% 2.95%
1971 2.1% 3.17%
1970 2.24% 3.18%
1969 2.31% 3.19%
1968 2.28% 3.19%
1967 2.21% 3.17%
1966 2.14% 3.14%
1965 2.08% 3.11%
1964 2.03% 3.08%
1963 1.98% 3.06%
1962 1.93% 3.04%
1961 1.89% 3.03%

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

In 2024, the population of the Central African Republic grew by 3.46%, while Nicaragua's population grew by 1.36%.

Live population counters

CAR Nicaragua
Current population
5753659
7124343
Population rank 118/197 107/197
Percent of world population 0.07% 0.09%
One net population change
2.95 minutes
5.68 minutes
One birth every
2.2 minutes
3.98 minutes
One death every
10.8 minutes
16.8 minutes
Daily growth/decline +488 +253
Annual growth/decline +178,269 +92,527
Annual growth/decline rate +3.46% +1.36%
Population growth rate rank 9/197 78/197
One migration net change every
35.9 minutes
1.05 hours
Annual migration change -14,693 -8,371
Net migration rank 143/196 129/196
Foreign-born residents 94,556 43,757
Foreign-born residents rank 132/195 154/195
Foreign-born share of population 1.8% 0.6%
Foreign-born share rank 135/195 172/195

Natural population change vs migration

Central African Republic
Natural

Migration
Nicaragua
Natural

Migration
1x
Year Population change
CAR Nicaragua
Natural Migration Natural Migration
2025 - -14,693 - -8,371
2024 - -15,357 - -8,189
2023 190,325 -14,682 100,921 -7,996
2022 -49,456 -17,430 100,987 -7,996
2021 124,408 -85,646 89,213 -10,383
2020 156,911 -24,745 90,515 -10,383
2019 68,523 -36,849 102,817 -19,730
2018 153,361 -52,954 104,814 -20,742
2017 128,461 -58,584 105,468 -21,849
2016 142,419 -52,607 106,585 -23,076
2015 141,912 -63,045 107,344 -24,353
2014 107,448 -174,051 108,420 -25,570
2013 140,489 -112,382 109,032 -26,587
2012 146,791 -111,764 110,065 -27,389
2011 142,913 -86,281 110,026 -28,221
2010 130,539 -43,126 110,475 -29,081
2009 -130,613 -28,899 110,213 -29,913
2008 128,627 -28,983 110,395 -30,675
2007 123,137 -30,352 110,341 -31,357
2006 118,882 -41,282 110,073 -32,274
2005 113,534 -13,604 108,984 -33,280
2004 108,548 -16,510 106,904 -44,222
2003 105,540 -18,097 106,142 -44,931
2002 100,588 5,992 105,805 -44,906
2001 99,598 -33,006 107,109 -43,837
2000 97,468 8,079 109,192 -42,087
1999 96,108 6,284 110,217 -40,095
1998 94,361 4,479 108,862 -38,260
1997 93,378 2,034 114,415 -36,851
1996 93,369 2,697 116,849 -35,208
1995 92,748 -12,986 118,325 -25,889
1994 90,943 9,496 119,565 -24,773
1993 89,873 9,930 120,469 -24,091
1992 88,939 9,269 121,204 -24,171
1991 88,688 4,381 121,787 -24,028
1990 87,507 1,995 120,677 -24,280
1989 85,969 409 120,128 -24,364
1988 84,654 -31,016 117,299 -24,753
1987 83,408 -47,428 112,885 -25,127
1986 81,149 -47,332 113,054 -24,805
1985 79,266 -46,427 110,949 -23,840
1984 77,395 -45,591 110,133 -22,493
1983 75,399 -44,780 110,618 -20,620
1982 73,330 -43,908 112,468 -19,395
1981 71,391 -42,872 110,421 -17,353
1980 68,759 -41,539 108,604 -15,130
1979 66,104 -39,850 96,429 -14,152
1978 63,285 -37,874 98,419 -12,273
1977 60,436 -35,782 100,498 -11,082
1976 57,725 -33,645 98,100 -10,155
1975 55,106 -9,895 95,230 -9,349
1974 53,777 -9,838 92,505 -8,639
1973 52,525 -9,800 89,662 -7,947
1972 51,390 -9,634 76,906 -7,219
1971 50,142 -7,259 84,139 -6,328
1970 48,690 -3,693 81,127 -5,423
1969 47,066 -80 78,237 -4,592
1968 45,377 474 75,458 -3,979
1967 42,979 474 72,722 -3,666
1966 40,804 474 69,883 -3,443
1965 38,710 474 67,056 -3,231
1964 36,878 474 64,227 -3,043
1963 35,218 474 61,738 -2,881
1962 33,731 474 59,547 -2,727
1961 32,383 474 57,499 -2,579
1960 31,131 474 55,664 -2,418

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the last 10 years, 66.7% of the population change in the Central African Republic is from natural causes (a gain of 1,164,312 people) and 33.3% is from migration (a loss of 580,593 people). In Nicaragua 85.5% is from natural causes (a gain of 1,017,084 people) and 14.5% is from migration (a loss of 172,078 people).

As of 2024, 94,556 residents or 1.8% of the population were not native-born in the Central African Republic, compared to 43,757 people or 0.6% in Nicaragua.

Biggest cities by population

CAR
City Population
Bangui 889K
Berberati 76.9K
Bria 35.2K
Nicaragua
City Population
Managua 937K
Leon 174K
Masaya 140K
Matagalpa 133K
Chinandega 122K
Esteli 112K
Granada 105K
Jinotega 99.4K
Juigalpa 51.8K
San Juan del Sur 14.7K

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Population map with other countries

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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