Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate (2026)
The Central African Republic has a fragile developing economy supported by agriculture, forestry, mining, trade, and public-sector activity. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+2.6%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#110
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-2.2 pp
2025: +4.8%
Africa Rank
#42
Out of 54 countries
1. Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Economic growth is influenced by agriculture, mining, trade, external assistance, and security conditions. Political stability and infrastructure availability remain especially important.
2. Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
The country’s growth history has been shaped by conflict, weak institutions, commodity production, and repeated disruptions to trade and investment.
3. Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +2.6% | -2.2 pp |
| 2025 | +4.8% | +1.7 pp |
| 2024 | +3.1% | +3.0 pp |
| 2023 | +0.1% | -0.7 pp |
| 2022 | +0.8% | +0.7 pp |
| 2021 | +0.1% | -0.8 pp |
| 2020 | +0.9% | -3.1 pp |
| 2019 | +4.0% | +0.8 pp |
| 2018 | +3.2% | -1.3 pp |
| 2017 | +4.5% | -0.3 pp |
| 2016 | +4.8% | +0.5 pp |
| 2015 | +4.3% | +4.2 pp |
| 2014 | +0.1% | +36.5 pp |
| 2013 | -36.4% | -41.5 pp |
| 2012 | +5.1% | +0.9 pp |
| 2011 | +4.2% | -0.4 pp |
| 2010 | +4.6% | +1.8 pp |
| 2009 | +2.8% | +0.2 pp |
| 2008 | +2.6% | -1.4 pp |
| 2007 | +4.0% | -0.8 pp |
| 2006 | +4.8% | +1.9 pp |
| 2005 | +2.9% | +3.0 pp |
| 2004 | -0.1% | +2.1 pp |
| 2003 | -2.2% | -4.3 pp |
| 2002 | +2.1% | -0.5 pp |
| 2001 | +2.6% | +6.2 pp |
| 2000 | -3.6% | -6.5 pp |
| 1999 | +2.9% | -0.4 pp |
| 1998 | +3.3% | -0.8 pp |
| 1997 | +4.1% | +10.3 pp |
| 1996 | -6.2% | -9.4 pp |
| 1995 | +3.2% | -9.4 pp |
| 1994 | +12.6% | +13.8 pp |
| 1993 | -1.2% | +3.7 pp |
| 1992 | -4.9% | -4.1 pp |
| 1991 | -0.8% | -2.2 pp |
| 1990 | +1.4% | -2.4 pp |
| 1989 | +3.8% | +2.1 pp |
| 1988 | +1.7% | -5.5 pp |
| 1986 | +7.2% | +3.5 pp |
| 1985 | +3.7% | -6.2 pp |
| 1984 | +9.9% | +15.9 pp |
| 1983 | -6.0% | -2.4 pp |
| 1982 | -3.6% | -16.6 pp |
| 1981 | +13.0% | +16.0 pp |
| 1980 | -3.0% | — |
4. Central African Republic GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+2.6%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+2.3%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+2.4%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+1.0%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from significant natural resources, but insecurity, poor infrastructure, and limited investment continue to restrict productive activity.
5. Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Central African Republic
+2.6%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.1%
4.1%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Central African Republic’s GDP growth rate is approximately
1.5 pp
below the
Africa average
and
0.2 pp
below the world average.
6. Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #38 | Cameroon | +3.3% |
| #39 | Congo | +2.8% |
| #40 | Eritrea | +2.8% |
| #41 | Gabon | +2.7% |
| #42 | Central African Republic | +2.6% |
| #43 | Somalia | +2.6% |
| #44 | Namibia | +2.4% |
| #45 | Angola | +2.3% |
| #46 | Malawi | +2.2% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Central African Republic
Central African Republic GDP (Nominal)
$3.5 Billion
(2026)
Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate
+2.6%
(2026)
The Central African Republic generally grows less consistently than stronger regional economies because security and institutional challenges dominate normal economic drivers.
Explore more:
Central African Republic GDP
9. Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on peace, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and external support. Continued insecurity and weak institutions remain major risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +3.0% | +0.4 pp |
| 2028 | +3.2% | +0.2 pp |
| 2029 | +3.5% | +0.3 pp |
| 2030 | +3.5% | 0.0 pp |
10. Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Central African Republic GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.6% in 2026.
It ranks #110 globally and #42 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 2.2 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +2.3%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +2.4%.
The current rate is 1.5 percentage points below the Africa average.
The current rate is 0.2 percentage points below the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +3.5% in 2030, 0.9 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Central African Republic GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Central African Republic GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.6% in 2026.
Central African Republic ranks #110 globally and #42 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +2.6% in 2026.
Central African Republic GDP growth rate was +4.3% in 2015.
Central African Republic GDP growth rate is 1.5 percentage points below the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.