Central African Republic
CAFSub-Saharan Africa Low incomeCapital: BanguiEconomy
Fiscal
People
Health
Education
Trade
Energy / Env
Tech
Governance
Equality
Infra
Labor
67/80 indicators · percentile vs world (IMF / WB / WHO)underover
GDP
$4
2027▲ 10.5%
Population
5.3M
2024▲ 3.5%
GDP per Capita
$696
2027▲ 6.9%
Life Expectancy
57.4 years
2023▲ 205.1%
Central African Republic in world space2000–2023
192 countries · log scale on X world Central African Republic· trajectory line: 1980 → today
▶About Central African Republic
Central African Republic's GDP is $3.71B (2026), with a population of 5.3M, and GDP per capita of $651. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 3.3%, inflation at 3.3%, government debt at 52.5% of GDP, life expectancy of 57.4 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
Located in Sub-Saharan Africa, this country has a low-income economy with a GDP of $3.71 billion in 2026, ranking 166th globally. The GDP per capita is $651, reflecting the challenges of widespread poverty. The economy is projected to grow by 3.3% in 2026, with a similar rate of inflation. Trade is a significant component, accounting for 46.4% of GDP in 2024, indicating a relatively open economy. Foreign direct investment inflows are modest at 1.5% of GDP. The capital, Bangui, serves as the economic hub, although the country faces substantial economic hurdles including limited infrastructure and political instability. The population is approximately 5.3 million as of 2024, with a life expectancy at birth of 57.4 years in 2023. The fertility rate is high at 6.0 births per woman. Health spending is substantial at 10.7% of GDP, highlighting the priority given to public health amidst limited resources. Unemployment stands at 6.3% in 2025. The Gini Index of 43.0 in 2021 indicates moderate income inequality. Development indicators reflect ongoing challenges in improving living standards and economic opportunities.
▶Economy28 indicators · 2021–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Fiscal & Monetary18 indicators · 2021–2027 · IMF / WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation, Consumer Prices (%) | 2.9% | 2027 | ▼ 12.1% | IMF |
| Govt Gross Debt (% of GDP) | 47.6% | 2027 | ▼ 9.3% | IMF |
| Fiscal Balance (% of GDP) | 0.3% | 2027 | — | IMF |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | -3.1% | 2027 | ▲ 24.4% | IMF |
| Total Investment (% of GDP) | 16.5% | 2026 | ▲ 2.3% | IMF |
| Gross National Savings (% of GDP) | 12.5% | 2026 | ▲ 37.9% | IMF |
| Inflation, CPI (%, World Bank) | 1.5% | 2024 | ▼ 50.4% | WB |
| Government Revenue (% of GDP) | 9.2% | 2021 | ▼ 3.2% | WB |
| Government Expenditure (% of GDP) | 11.7% | 2021 | ▼ 16.5% | WB |
| Tax Revenue (% of GDP) | 8.2% | 2021 | ▼ 5.8% | WB |
| Taxes on Goods & Services (% of revenue) | 30.1% | 2021 | ▲ 33.0% | WB |
| Taxes on International Trade (% of revenue) | 15.9% | 2021 | ▲ 61.4% | WB |
| Taxes on Income, Profits & Capital Gains (% of rev) | 10.7% | 2021 | ▲ 43.9% | WB |
| Net Investment in Nonfinancial Assets (% of GDP) | 6.7% | 2021 | ▼ 13.1% | WB |
| Total Reserves incl. Gold (USD) | $479.6M | 2023 | ▲ 28.1% | WB |
| Official Exchange Rate (per USD) | 606.35 | 2024 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| PPP Conversion Factor | 247.78 | 2024 | ▲ 3.5% | WB |
| Broad Money (% of GDP) | 32.9% | 2022 | ▼ 3.8% | WB |
▶Trade10 indicators · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade (% of GDP) | 46.4% | 2024 | ▲ 6.8% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 15.0% | 2024 | ▲ 3.9% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 31.4% | 2024 | ▲ 8.2% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (USD) | $412.9M | 2024 | ▲ 11.9% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (USD) | $864.7M | 2024 | ▲ 16.5% | WB |
| Merchandise Exports (USD) | $121.0M | 2024 | ▼ 29.2% | WB |
| Merchandise Imports (USD) | $533.0M | 2024 | ▲ 22.5% | WB |
| FDI Inflows (% of GDP) | 1.5% | 2024 | ▼ 3.1% | WB |
| FDI Net Inflows (USD) | $40.4M | 2024 | ▲ 4.3% | WB |
| High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured) | 8.3% | 2024 | ▲ 341.8% | WB |
▶External Debt7 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External Debt (% of GNI) | 35.9% | 2024 | ▼ 10.4% | WB |
| External Debt Stocks (USD) | $1.05B | 2024 | ▼ 3.5% | WB |
| Total Debt Service (% of GNI) | 1.9% | 2024 | ▲ 34.0% | WB |
| Present Value of External Debt (USD) | $588.1M | 2024 | — | WB |
| Use of IMF Credit (USD) | $480.7M | 2024 | ▼ 4.7% | WB |
| Net ODA Received (% of GNI) | 27.3% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Net ODA Received (USD) | $737.6M | 2023 | ▲ 7.9% | WB |
▶Finance7 indicators · 2017–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Credit to Private Sector (% of GDP) | 13.0% | 2022 | ▲ 10.5% | WB |
| Bank Capital to Assets Ratio (%) | 11.1% | 2023 | ▼ 20.7% | WB |
| Bank Nonperforming Loans (%) | 16.2% | 2023 | ▲ 11.8% | WB |
| Account Ownership at Financial Institution (%) | 13.7% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Account Ownership, Female (%) | 9.7% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Account Ownership, Male (%) | 18.1% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Firms Using Banks to Finance Investment (%) | 56.5% | 2023 | — | WB |
▶Business Environment1 indicator · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Get Electricity (days) | 15 | 2023 | — | WB |
▶Private Sector6 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firms Expected to Pay Bribes (%) | 34.9% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Top Manager (%) | 57.5% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Participation in Ownership (%) | 10.2% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms Offering Training (%) | 37.5% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Average Firm Age (years) | 2 years | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms Using Computers (%) | 69.3% | 2023 | — | WB |
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5.3M | 2024 | ▲ 3.5% | WB |
| Population Growth (%) | 3.4% | 2024 | ▲ 220.6% | WB |
| Population Density (per km²) | 8 | 2023 | ▲ 1.1% | WB |
| Surface Area (sq km) | 622,980 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Land Area (sq km) | 622,980 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (%) | 44.1% | 2024 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (total) | 2.4M | 2024 | ▲ 4.5% | WB |
| Rural Population (%) | 55.9% | 2024 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 57.4 years | 2023 | ▲ 205.1% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Male | 55.3 years | 2023 | ▲ 259.1% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Female | 59.3 years | 2023 | ▲ 132.0% | WB |
| Fertility Rate (births per woman) | 6 | 2023 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000) | 46.4 | 2023 | ▲ 2.1% | WB |
| Death Rate (per 1,000) | 9.4 | 2023 | ▼ 82.9% | WB |
| Net Migration | -14,693 | 2025 | ▲ 4.3% | WB |
| Population Ages 0–14 (%) | 49.0% | 2024 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Population Ages 15–64 (%) | 48.8% | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Population Ages 65+ (%) | 2.2% | 2024 | ▲ 2.7% | WB |
| Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 104.7% | 2024 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 4.4% | 2024 | ▲ 2.4% | WB |
| Youth Dependency Ratio (%) | 100.3% | 2024 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000) | 393.5 | 2023 | ▼ 60.1% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000) | 326.8 | 2023 | ▼ 56.6% | WB |
▶Labor17 indicators · 2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labor Force | 2.1M | 2025 | ▲ 4.0% | WB |
| Labor Force Participation (%) | 73.4% | 2025 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation (%) | 65.5% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Male Labor Force Participation (%) | 82.8% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Unemployment (%) | 6.3% | 2025 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Female Unemployment (%) | 7.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Male Unemployment (%) | 5.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Youth Unemployment (%) | 10.1% | 2025 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
| Employment in Agriculture (%) | 66.1% | 2025 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Employment in Industry (%) | 13.4% | 2025 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Employment in Services (%) | 20.5% | 2025 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Vulnerable Employment (%) | 79.4% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Wage & Salaried Workers (% of total) | 14.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Employers (% of total employment) | 6.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Labor Force, Female (% of total) | 48.3% | 2025 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Employment to Population Ratio (%) | 68.8% | 2025 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Self-Employed (% of total) | 85.4% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
▶Education14 indicators · 2010–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Spending (% of GDP) | 1.8% | 2023 | ▼ 13.5% | WB |
| Education Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 10.0% | 2023 | ▼ 7.0% | WB |
| Primary School Enrollment (%) | 96.8% | 2016 | — | WB |
| Secondary School Enrollment (%) | 15.8% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Primary Completion Rate (%) | 38.5% | 2016 | — | WB |
| Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%) | 8.9% | 2016 | — | WB |
| Primary School Teachers | 9,756 | 2016 | — | WB |
| Secondary School Teachers | 4,357 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Primary | 83 | 2016 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Secondary | 32 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Expenditure per Student, Primary (% of GDP/cap) | 53.3% | 2010 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio (Primary) | 46.6 | 2011 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Secondary (% of govt) | 24.0% | 2010 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Tertiary (% of govt) | 27.3% | 2011 | — | WB |
▶Health39 indicators · 2019–2024 · WHO
▶Energy & Environment13 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita) | 0.1 | 2024 | ▼ 1.9% | WB |
| CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes) | 0 | 2024 | ▲ 1.5% | WB |
| Renewable Electricity Output (%) | 96.5% | 2021 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Renewable Energy Consumption (%) | 90.9% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Electricity (%) | 17.6% | 2023 | ▲ 12.1% | WB |
| Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%) | 1.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³) | 34.4 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Forest Area (%) | 35.7% | 2023 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Forest Area (sq km) | 222,130 | 2023 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Arable Land (%) | 2.9% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Terrestrial Protected Areas (%) | 14.8% | 2024 | ▼ 18.2% | WB |
| Access to Basic Drinking Water (%) | 36.5% | 2024 | ▲ 0.3% | WHO |
| Access to Basic Sanitation (%) | 14.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.7% | WHO |
▶Agriculture11 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (%) | 9.1% | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Cereal Yield (kg per hectare) | 878 | 2023 | ▲ 5.8% | WB |
| Food Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 148 | 2022 | ▲ 2.1% | WB |
| Crop Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 173.4 | 2022 | ▲ 2.4% | WB |
| Livestock Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 109.9 | 2022 | ▲ 1.5% | WB |
| Land Under Cereal Production (hectares) | 344,610 | 2023 | ▼ 2.7% | WB |
| Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes) | 29,000 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare) | 0 | 2023 | ▲ 314.2% | WB |
| Prevalence of Undernourishment (%) | 29.8% | 2023 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Annual Freshwater Withdrawals (% of internal) | 0.1% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Production (metric tons) | 302,592 | 2023 | ▲ 2.9% | WB |
▶Technology5 indicators · 2022–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people) | 39 | 2022 | ▲ 8.4% | WB |
| Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100) | 0 | 2022 | ▲ 64.3% | WB |
| Secure Internet Servers (per million) | 1.7 | 2024 | ▼ 33.1% | WB |
| Scientific Journal Articles | 20 | 2022 | ▲ 29.8% | WB |
| High-Technology Exports (USD) | $12.2M | 2024 | ▲ 5392.0% | WB |
▶Infrastructure4 indicators · 2001–2022 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transport, Passengers Carried | 46,364 | 2001 | — | WB |
| Logistics Performance Index (1–5) | 2.50 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Electricity from Oil (%) | 3.5% | 2021 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Electricity from Nuclear (%) | 0.0% | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Gender7 indicators · 2016–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Parliament (%) | 11.4% | 2024 | ▼ 11.1% | WB |
| Female Wage & Salaried Workers (%) | 11.7% | 2025 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| Girls Out-of-School Rate (%) | 115.7% | 2016 | — | WB |
| Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000) | 163.1 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Primary | 128.09 | 2016 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Secondary | 0.67 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity in Primary Education | 0.77 | 2017 | — | WB |
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Corruption | -1.31 | 2023 | ▼ 5.2% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness | -1.74 | 2023 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Political Stability | -2.2 | 2023 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Regulatory Quality | -1.47 | 2023 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Rule of Law | -1.76 | 2023 | ▼ 3.5% | WB |
| Voice & Accountability | -1.26 | 2023 | ▼ 4.0% | WB |
| Control of Corruption (percentile rank) | 9.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness (percentile rank) | 4.2% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Rule of Law (percentile rank) | 3.3% | 2023 | ▼ 12.5% | WB |
| Political Stability (percentile rank) | 3.3% | 2023 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
▶Military5 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Spending (% of GDP) | 2.5% | 2024 | ▲ 6.0% | WB |
| Military Expenditure (USD) | $71.2M | 2024 | ▲ 13.8% | WB |
| Armed Forces Personnel | 10,000 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Armed Forces (% of labor force) | 0.5% | 2020 | ▼ 0.9% | WB |
| Military Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 14.1% | 2024 | ▲ 6.4% | WB |
▶Poverty & Inequality10 indicators · 2021 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty at $2.15/day (%) | 71.6% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Poverty at $3.65/day (%) | 83.9% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Poverty at $6.85/day (%) | 96.1% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Poverty Headcount, National (%) | 68.8% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Gini Index | 43 | 2021 | — | WB |
| Income Share, Top 10% | 33.1% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Income Share, Bottom 10% | 2.1% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Income Share, Top 20% | 49.2% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Income Share, Bottom 20% | 5.6% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Poverty Gap at $2.15/day (%) | 34.4% | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Social Protection2 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Index (0–1) | 0.29 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Learning-Adjusted Years of School | 2.7 years | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Tourism1 indicator · 2019 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Tourism, Arrivals | 87,000 | 2019 | — | WB |
▶Urban Development7 indicators · 2022–2025 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Population Growth (%) | 4.4% | 2024 | ▲ 114.9% | WB |
| Population in Largest City | 1.0M | 2025 | ▲ 3.1% | WB |
| Population in Largest City (% of urban) | 41.4% | 2025 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
| Population in Slums (% of urban) | 68.9% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Rural Population Growth (%) | 2.6% | 2024 | ▲ 746.1% | WB |
| Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water (%) | 6.2% | 2024 | ▲ 0.8% | WHO |
| Access to Safely Managed Sanitation (%) | 13.5% | 2024 | ▲ 0.7% | WHO |
