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Central African Republic
Central African Republic
Population
5.3M
Rank #121Source: World Bank
Capital
Bangui
Source: REST Countries
Region
Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Source: REST Countries
GDP (Nominal)
$2.75B
Rank #169Source: World Bank
Land Area
623.0K km²
Rank #43Source: REST Countries
Life Expectancy
57.408 yrs
Source: World Bank
Historical Trends
Population Trend (5-Year)
Source: World Bank
GDP Trend (5-Year, Nominal USD)
Source: World Bank
Geography
Area: 622,984 km²
Landlocked: Yes
Independent: Yes
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Elevation: mean elevation: 635 m lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,410 m
Natural Hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
Environmental Issues: water pollution; tap water is not potable; poaching and mismanagement have diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation; soil erosion
Land Use: agricultural land: 8.1% (2011 est.) forest: 36.2% (2011 est.) other: 55.7% (2011 est.)
Geography Note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Natural Resources
diamondsuraniumtimbergoldoilhydropower
People & Society
Fertility Rate
6.01
Population
5.3M
Ethnic Groups
Baya (28.8%)Banda (22.9%)Mandjia (9.9%)Sara (7.9%)M'Baka-Bantu (7.9%)Arab-Fulani (Peul) (6%)Mbum (6%)Ngbanki (5.5%)Zande-Nzakara (3%)other Central African Republic ethnic groups (2%)non-Central African Republic ethnic groups (0.1%)
Religions
Christian (89.5%)Muslim (8.5%)folk (1%)unaffiliated (1%)
Economy
GDP per Capita
$516.161
GDP per Capita PPP
1,263.102
(2024)
(2024)
GNI per Capita
510
(2024)
(2024)
Gini Index
43
(2021)
(2021)
Unemployment
6.253%
(2024)
(2024)
Inflation
1.477%
(2024)
(2024)
Public Debt
Not Available
Energy
Electricity Access
17.6%
(2023)
(2023)
Renewable Energy
90.9%
(2022)
(2022)
CO₂ Emissions
0.337 Mt
(2024)
(2024)
Energy Intensity
8.31 MJ/$
(2022)
(2022)
Renewable Electricity
96.473%
(2021)
(2021)
Environment
Forest Coverage
35.656% of land
(2023)
(2023)
Communications
Internet Users
7.509%
(2019)
(2019)
Mobile Penetration
38.822%
(2022)
(2022)
Broadband Subscribers
0.016%
(2022)
(2022)
Transportation
Air Transport Freight
Not Available
Container Port Traffic
Not Available
Airports
N/A
Rail Lines
N/A
Roads Total
24,000 km(©IRF)
Military
Military Forces
Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces (includes Military Air Service), General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG); National Police
Personnel Strength
the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) have an estimated 8,000 Army troops (including an Air Service component of about 150) and 1,500 Gendarmerie
Military Expenditure (USD)
$0.07B
Military Expenditure (% of GDP)
2.52%
Military Expenditure History
1.5% of GDP (2019) 1.41% of GDP (2018) 1.44% of GDP (2017) 1.53% of GDP (2016) 1.69% of GDP (2015)
Equipment & Inventories
the FACA is armed mostly with second-hand equipment from China, Russia, and Ukraine (2020 )
Service Age & Obligation
18 years of age for military service; no conscription
Education
Pre-Primary Enrollment
2.926%
(2017)
(2017)
Primary Enrollment
96.813%
(2016)
(2016)
Secondary Enrollment
15.807%
(2017)
(2017)
Tertiary Enrollment
2.775%
(2012)
(2012)
Education Spending
1.83% of GDP
(2023)
(2023)
Adult Literacy Rate
42.44%
(2019)
(2019)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
83.412:1
(2016)
(2016)
Health
Physicians per 1,000
0.074
(2023)
(2023)
Safe Water Access
36.504%
(2024)
(2024)
Safe Drinking Water
6.217%
(2024)
(2024)
Under-5 Mortality
92.2 per 1,000
(2023)
(2023)
Maternal Mortality (World Bank)
13.633 per 100,000
(2021)
(2021)
Hospital Beds per 1,000
55.379
(2021)
(2021)
UHC Coverage Index
39
(2023)
(2023)
Measles Immunization
42%
(2024)
(2024)
Social Indicators
Extreme Poverty Rate
71.6%
(2021)
(2021)
Food Insecurity
29.8%
(2023)
(2023)
Youth NEET Rate
Not Available
Governance
Women in Government
11.429%
(2024)
(2024)
Voice & Accountability
-1.26
(Weak)
(2023)
(Weak)
(2023)
Political Stability
-2.20
(Weak)
(2023)
(Weak)
(2023)
Government Effectiveness
-1.74
(Weak)
(2023)
(Weak)
(2023)
Regulatory Quality
-1.47
(Weak)
(2023)
(Weak)
(2023)
Rule of Law
-1.76
(Weak)
(2023)
(Weak)
(2023)
Control of Corruption
-1.31
(Weak)
(2023)
(Weak)
(2023)
Government
Government Type
presidential republic
Legal System
civil law system based on the French model
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 30 March 2016) head of government: Prime Minister Firmin NGREBADA (since 25 February 2019) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the...
Legislative Branch
description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (140 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members...
Judicial Branch
highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, at least 3 of whom are women) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court...
National Symbols
Flag Description
four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band; banner combines the Pan-African...
National Symbols
elephant; national colors: blue, white, green, yellow, red
National Anthem
name: "Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance) lyrics/music: Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER note: adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA wrote the anthem's lyrics and was the first prime minister of the...
Safety
Homicide Rate
20.12 per 100,000
(2016)
(2016)
Travel Information
Language(s): French, Sango
Currency: XAF (Fr)
Timezone(s): UTC+01:00
Landlocked: Yes
Independent: Yes
Driving Side: Right
Calling Code: +236
Car Sign: RCA
Week Starts: Monday
Photos
1 photo available
Data sources: World Bank, UN Data • Updated daily •Learn about our data