Country Profile: Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked nation situated at the heart of Africa, characterized by its vast natural resources, including diamonds and gold, which are overshadowed by significant challenges such as extreme poverty and political instability. The population of approximately 5.75 million is primarily engaged in subsistence agriculture, contributing to a GDP of around $5.93 billion (PPP) as of 2024. Governance in CAR has been tumultuous, marred by coups and ongoing conflicts that have displaced a significant portion of its populace.

Geography

Central African Republic is located in Central Africa, bordered by Cameroon to the west, Chad to the north, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, and South Sudan to the east. The country covers an area of 622,984 sq km, making it slightly smaller than Texas. Being landlocked, it has no coastline and a tropical climate with hot, dry winters and mild to hot, wet summers.

Highest Point: Mont Ngaoui at 1,410 m
Natural Resources: Diamonds, uranium, gold, oil
Terrain: Flat to rolling plateau with scattered hills
Land Use: 72.5% forest, 9.1% agricultural land
Mean Elevation: 635 m

People and Society

The CAR has a diverse population of about 5.75 million, with ethnic groups such as Baya (28.8%) and Banda (22.9%) being the most prominent. The capital, Bangui, houses a significant portion of the population, with around 43.6% living in urban areas. The country's official languages are French and Sangho, while its religious landscape is predominantly Christian with a notable Muslim minority.

Urban Population: 43.6% (2023)
Median Age: 20.6 years (2025 est.)
Birth Rate: 31.49 births/1,000 (2025)
Literacy Rate: 42.4% (2019)
Life Expectancy: 56.4 years (2024 est.)

Economy

The economy of the Central African Republic is largely dependent on its rich natural resources, yet it remains plagued by extreme poverty and weak institutional frameworks. With a GDP of $5.93 billion (PPP) in 2024, economic activities largely revolve around agriculture, which comprises 32.5% of the GDP.

GDP per Capita: $1,100 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 5.9% (2024 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line: 68.8% (2021 est.)
Inflation Rate: 3% (2023)
Exports: $425.306 million (2024)

Government

The Central African Republic operates as a presidential republic, with Faustin-Archange Touadéra as the current president since 2016. The political landscape has evolved through several coups and conflicts, with a new constitution approved in 2023 effectively eliminating term limits for the president.

Capital: Bangui
Legislature: National Assembly with 140 seats
Suffrage Age: 18 years
Last Election: December 2025
Governance Type: Presidential republic

Military and Security

The Central African Armed Forces (FACA) are responsible for internal security, supported by various international forces due to the ongoing civil unrest and the presence of multiple armed groups since 2013. Military expenditures have recently increased, reflecting the ongoing security challenges.

Active Personnel: Estimated 10-15,000 in FACA (2025)
Military Expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Support: Assistance from Russia, France, and UN forces
Conscription Age: Voluntary service starting at 18

Energy

Electricity access in the Central African Republic remains critically low, with only 15.7% of the population having access as of 2022. Hydroelectricity is the primary source of energy generation, constituting 99.2% of the installed capacity.

Installed Capacity: 63,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 132.105 million kWh (2023)
Rural Electrification Rate: 1.6%

Environment

The Central African Republic faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and soil erosion, while also being a participant in significant international agreements related to biodiversity and climate change. The tropical climate leads to common natural hazards such as floods.

Forest Coverage: 72.5% of land area
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 313,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Total Renewable Water Resources: 141 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure includes 43 airports as of 2025, with significant reliance on air travel due to poor ground transport networks.

Civil Aircraft Registration Code: TL

Communications

Telecommunication infrastructure is developing, with about 1.98 million mobile subscriptions recorded in 2022; however, overall internet penetration remains low at 8% of the population.

Fixed-line Subscriptions: 2,090 (2022)
Internet Users: 8% of population (2019 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,750,570 (2025 est.)
Area	622,984 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$5.926 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	954,000 Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	31.49 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.9% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	56.4 years (2024 est.)
Urban Population	43.6% (2023)
Military Expenditures	2.5% of GDP (2024)
Literacy Rate	42.4% (2019)