Capital
Bangui
Region
Africa
Population
6,470,307
Area (km²)
622,984
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked nation in Central Africa with a population of about 6.5 million people spread across 622,984 km², making it one of the continent's most sparsely populated countries. Its capital, Bangui, serves as the economic and political hub, though the country faces ongoing challenges like political instability and humanitarian crises despite rich natural resources such as diamonds and timber. With GDP data unavailable, CAR remains one of the world's poorest nations, heavily reliant on agriculture and international aid.
Despite its low economic development and infrastructure challenges, the Central African Republic maintains a substantial forest area, covering 35.656% of its land. This indicates a significant natural resource that could be leveraged for sustainable development, if managed properly.
The Central African Republic faces significant economic hurdles, characterized by an extremely low GDP per capita of $495.98. This is compounded by a meager GDP growth rate of just 0.700%, indicating minimal economic expansion and limited improvement in living standards for its population.
A high fertility rate of 6.01 children per woman, coupled with a very low life expectancy of 57.41 years, highlights significant development challenges. This demographic pattern suggests limited access to healthcare, education, and other essential services, contributing to a cycle of poverty.
The Central African Republic is experiencing a severe public health crisis, evidenced by an alarming infant mortality rate of 60.400 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure is significantly higher than global averages and underscores urgent needs in maternal and child healthcare.
GDP (Current US$)
$2.56B
Year: 2023
GDP Per Capita
$495.98
GDP Growth (%)
0.7%
Inflation (%)
2.98%
Unemployment (%)
5.88%
Debt to GDP (%)
N/A%
Source: World Bank • Last updated: 12/24/2025
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