Country Profile: Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked nation situated in the heart of Africa, bordered by several countries including Cameroon, Chad, and South Sudan. With a population of approximately 5.65 million people, the country has faced ongoing internal conflict, which has contributed to high levels of poverty and displacement. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, alongside rich natural resources such as diamonds and gold. Governance has been unstable, characterized by a series of coups, the latest occurring in 2013, although recent elections have attempted to bring some degree of order and democracy.

Geography

Central African Republic is located in the center of Africa, bordered by Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan. The terrain consists mostly of flat to rolling plateaus with some hills in the northeast and southwest. The country has a tropical climate, characterized by hot, dry winters and mild to hot, wet summers.

Area: 622,984 sq km, slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries: 5,920 km, shared with five countries
Elevation: Highest point at 1,410 m (Mont Ngaoui) and lowest at 335 m (Oubangui River)
Natural resources: Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, and hydropower
Forest coverage: 72.5% of land (2023 estimate)

People and Society

The population of the Central African Republic is estimated at about 5.65 million, with a median age of 20.4 years. The country is ethnically diverse, with the largest groups being Baya and Banda. French and Sangho serve as the primary languages, with a mix of religions including Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam.

Population growth rate: 1.76% (2024 estimate)
Life expectancy: 56.4 years (2024 estimate)
Urbanization: 43.6% of the population lives in urban areas (2023)
Literacy rate: 42.4% (2019 estimate), significantly lower among females (27.1%)
Child marriage: 25.8% of women were married by age 15 (2019)

Economy

The economy of the Central African Republic is heavily reliant on agriculture, which constitutes 32.5% of GDP, but it is severely hampered by instability and weak governance. Both poverty and unemployment are significant challenges, with 68.8% of the population living below the poverty line. Despite these challenges, there have been improvements in agriculture, which helped mitigate some of the economic downturn from external shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic.

GDP (PPP): $5.926 billion (2024 estimate)
GDP per capita: $1,100 (2024 estimate)
Unemployment rate: 5.9% (2024 estimate)
Inflation rate: 3% (2023 estimate)
Exports: $425.306 million (2024 estimate), primarily gold and diamonds

Government

The Central African Republic operates as a presidential republic, with significant authority held by the president. The current president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, was elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. The country faced numerous coups throughout its history, which have disrupted governance and public order.

Capital: Bangui
Independence: Achieved on August 13, 1960
Constitution: Recently amended in July 2023, allowing for extended presidential terms
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly with 140 seats
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age

Military and Security

The Central African Armed Forces (FACA) are tasked with internal security and have faced significant challenges, particularly since the civil conflict began in 2013. External assistance from foreign countries, including Russia and France, has been critical in rebuilding the military capacity.

Military personnel: Estimated 10-15,000 active members (2025)
Military spending: 2.5% of GDP (2024 estimate)
UN Peacekeeping: The UN mission (MINUSCA) has been active since 2014 to help stabilize the region
Military service age: Conscription possible at 18 years of age
Military equipment: Many heavy weapons were lost during civil unrest; rebuilding efforts include new acquisitions from foreign sources

Energy

Energy access in the Central African Republic remains low, with only 15.7% of the population having access to electricity. The vast majority of electricity generation comes from hydropower.

Installed generating capacity: 63,000 kW (2023 estimate)
Electricity consumption: 132.105 million kWh (2023 estimate)
Electrification in urban areas: 34.7%
Electrification in rural areas: 1.6%
Energy consumption per capita: 954,000 Btu/person (2023 estimate)

Environment

The Central African Republic faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The country is rich in biodiversity but struggles with wildlife mismanagement.

Carbon dioxide emissions: 313,000 metric tonnes (2023 estimate)
Forest coverage: 72.5% of land (2023 estimate)
Waste recycling rate: 9.1% (2022 estimate)
Total renewable water resources: 141 billion cubic meters (2022 estimate)

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in the Central African Republic is underdeveloped, which hampers trade and mobility. The country has a limited number of airports to support air travel.

Airports: 43 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration: TL

Communications

Communication services in the Central African Republic are limited, with low internet penetration and few fixed-line telephones. However, mobile phone usage is more prevalent.

Internet users: Approximately 8% of the population (2019)
Mobile cellular subscriptions: 1.83 million (2021)
Fixed line subscriptions: Less than 1 per 100 inhabitants (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,650,957 (2024 est.)
Area	622,984 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$5.926 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	5.9% (2024 est.)
Birth rate	31.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	56.4 years (2024 est.)
Military expenditures	2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Electricity access	15.7% (2022 est.)
Urban population	43.6% (2023)
Refugees	53,378 (2024 est.)