Central African Republic profile

Demography and Health

Central African Republic (CAR) presents a young and rapidly growing population, with about 5.33 million people in 2024 and a population size that places it around the 122nd globally. The country experiences a very high birth rate of 46.4 births per 1,000 people (2023), reflecting a youthful demographic and potential for a demographic dividend if health and education gains are achieved. However, this is paired with a relatively high crude death rate of 9.42 per 1,000 (2023) and a life expectancy at birth of 57.4 years (2023), signaling substantial health system pressures and ongoing epidemiological challenges. Under-5 mortality is alarmingly high at 92.2 per 1,000 live births (2023), underscoring gaps in maternal, newborn, and child health services, nutrition, and basic preventive care. The country also faces widespread poverty and malnutrition: 68.8% of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2021, and 23.5% were undernourished in 2022, indicating deep vulnerabilities that hinder human development outcomes. Health financing shows significant needs: current health expenditure is 9.96% of GDP (2022) and domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, is 17.5 international dollars (2022). The healthcare workforce remains critically scarce, with physicians at only 0.021 per 1,000 people (2021), reducing access to care and capacity to respond to health emergencies. The health and development picture is further affected by governance and security challenges that undermine service delivery and stability. Mortality and morbidity are shaped not only by health system capacity but also by ongoing political and security concerns, which the country continues to confront as it pursues improvements in health outcomes and social protection. The population’s overall trajectory is influenced by migration patterns and economic conditions, with life expectancy and child health outcomes closely tied to investment in health infrastructure, nutrition, education, and targeted social programs.

Economy

CAR’s economy remains fragile and low-income, with a GDP per capita of 516 current US$ in 2024 and a GDP per capita, PPP of 1,264 current international US$, signaling limited material living standards for most citizens. The inflation rate was 2.98% in 2023, suggesting modest price stability amidst structural challenges. The poverty headcount stands at 68.8% of the population (2021), reflecting persistent deprivation despite macroeconomic indicators that may show nominal stability. The country’s export and production structure remains underdeveloped: exports of goods and services amount to 15.5% of GDP in 2024, while imports account for 32.4% of GDP in 2024, indicating a considerable reliance on external goods and inputs and a modest external balance. High-technology exports are small, totaling 221,989 current US$ (2023), signaling limited industrial sophistication and capacity for technologically advanced production. The economy is heavily dependent on natural resources and agriculture, with governance and security constraints hindering diversification and private investment. The current military expenditure stands at about 62.3 million US$ in 2023, a modest level relative to GDP but illustrative of security priorities. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 1.52% of GDP (2023), reflecting a relatively subdued investment climate and the need for improvements in governance, rule of law, and business climate to attract investment. The energy profile includes a substantial renewable energy share, with renewables accounting for 90.9% of total final energy consumption (2022), pointing to potential resilience and low-carbon opportunities if reliability and scalability are addressed. Net migration was negative in 2024 (-15,357), suggesting outflows that may constrain labor supply and domestic markets. Taken together, these indicators illustrate a economy with significant development needs, a reliance on external trade, and considerable potential if governance, security, and infrastructure reforms are pursued to spur growth and reduce poverty.

Trade and Investment

CAR’s trade and investment landscape shows modest export depth and resilience but notable structural constraints. Exports of goods and services account for 15.5% of GDP in 2024, and imports constitute 32.4% of GDP, indicating a trade structure that is heavily import-dependent and vulnerable to global price shifts and supply chain disruptions. The country’s high-technology exports are relatively small at 221,989 current US$ (2023), reflecting limited advanced manufacturing capabilities and specialization. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 1.52% of GDP (2023), signaling a relatively cautious investment climate characterized by policy uncertainty, security concerns, and underdeveloped financial markets. The Logistics Performance Index (Quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure) stands at 2.6 (2022) on a 1–5 scale, with a rank of 20, suggesting that trade-related infrastructure is still an obstacle to efficient commerce, transport, and regional integration. Nevertheless, a substantial renewable energy footprint and the potential for climate and resource-driven opportunities offer policy levers for future investment in energy, infrastructure, and industrial development. The negative net migration trend and governance constraints further affect market size, human capital, and consumer demand, underlining the need for targeted reforms to attract investment, improve connectivity, and support value-added production. Overall, the investment climate remains challenging but could improve with credible reforms that enhance security, rule of law, and the ease of doing business, alongside investments in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure to unlock more diversified growth.

Governance and Institutions

The governance and institutional environment in CAR is characterized by weak state capacity and fragility. Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism registers at -2.2 in 2023, signaling persistent security risks and exposure to political shocks. Regulatory Quality stands at -1.47, Rule of Law at -1.76, and Control of Corruption at -1.31, all indicating weak formal institutions, corruption vulnerabilities, and limited rule of law enforcement. Government Effectiveness is -1.74 in 2023, reinforcing concerns about public administration performance, service delivery, and policy implementation. These negative scores reflect ongoing conflict dynamics and governance challenges that undermine public trust, deter investment, complicate service delivery, and hamper reform efforts. While these indicators point to a fragile governance framework, they also highlight areas for priority interventions: strengthening security and rule of law, improving transparency and accountability, and building institutional capacity to deliver basic services, protect rights, and create a more predictable policy environment. Addressing governance deficits is crucial for improving health outcomes, crowding in investment, and achieving sustainable development in a context marked by fragility and volatility.

Infrastructure and Technology

CAR faces substantial infrastructure constraints that impede economic development and competitiveness. The Logistics Performance Index score of 2.6 (2022) on a 1–5 scale shows middling to weak trade and transport infrastructure, challenging efficient movement of goods, reducing market access, and increasing the cost of doing business. Despite these constraints, the country exhibits a notable energy feature: renewable energy consumption accounts for 90.9% of total final energy consumption (2022), suggesting a favorable stance toward low-emission energy sources and potential resilience against fossil fuel price shocks. However, this heavy reliance on renewables can also reflect gaps in electricity access and reliability if generation, transmission, and grid management are insufficient to meet demand. High-technology exports are limited in scale (about 222k current US$ in 2023), indicating nascent technological capabilities in production and research. The health and social sectors require digital and telecommunications improvements to support service delivery, while water stress indicators (see Environment) emphasize the need for climate-resilient water and energy infrastructure. The combination of renewable energy potential and gaps in transport, telecommunications, and industrial infrastructure suggests a strategic opportunity: targeted investments in electricity generation, grid reliability, road and port upgrades, and digital connectivity could unlock productivity, reduce logistics costs, and foster diversification into higher value-added activities. Investments in climate-resilient and accessible infrastructure would help make renewable advantages translate into sustained development gains.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmentally, CAR faces a climate and resource management profile shaped by both vulnerability and resilience. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita (excluding LULUCF) are 2.43 tCO2e per person (2023), a relatively modest footprint tied to limited industrial activity but still contributing to global emissions. Renewable energy consumption is exceptionally high at 90.9% of total final energy consumption (2022), indicating a strong reliance on renewable sources, which can support climate resilience and reduce emissions if reliability and scale are enhanced. Water resources show stress, with freshwater withdrawal as a share of available freshwater resources at 0.336 (2021), signaling substantial use of a finite resource and potential vulnerability to droughts or climate variability. The environmental perimeter is further influenced by persistent population pressures, poverty, and limited institutional capacity to enforce environmental regulations and implement climate adaptation strategies. As CAR contemplates growth, prioritizing climate resilience, sustainable water management, and energy stability will be essential. Strategic emphasis on protecting ecosystems, improving water-use efficiency, and expanding inclusive access to clean energy can help mitigate risks and support sustainable development while leveraging the country’s renewable energy endowment for resilient growth.