World · permanent entity record · CT

Central African Republic

Thirty-second orientation

Central African Republic at a glance

Capital: Bangui; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 5,513,282; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 622,984 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Central African(s); adjective: Central African; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Central African Republic through time

1960-09-20
Admitted to the United Nations
Central African Republic became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	5,513,282World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 5,750,570 (2025 est.) male: 2,864,870 female: 2,885,700CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $3.1 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $556; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 57.7 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 44.6%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 18.2%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 13.8%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Bangui; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 622,984 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 5,513,282; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Central African(s); adjective: Central African; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1960-09-20; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Roman Catholic 34.6%, Protestant 15.7%, other Christian 22.9%, Muslim 13.8%, ethnic religionist 12%, Baha'i 0.2%, agnostic/atheist 0.7% (2020 est.) note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: blue, white, green, yellow, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: elephant; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Mont Ngaoui · 4,626 ft (1,410 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Oubangui River · 1,099 ft (335 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: The Central African Republic (CAR) is a perennially weak state that sits at the crossroads of ethnic and linguistic groups in the center of the African continent. Among the last areas of Sub-Saharan Africa to be drawn into the world economy, its introduction into trade networks around the early 1700s fostered significant competition among its population. The local population sought to benefit from the lucrative Atlantic, trans-Saharan, and Indian Ocean trade in enslaved people and ivory. Slave raids aided by the local populations fostered animosity between ethnic groups that remains today. The territory was established as a French colony named Ubangui-Shari in 1903, and France modeled its administration of the colony after the Belgian Congo, subcontracting control of the territory to private companies that collected rubber and ivory. Although France banned the domestic slave trade in CAR in the 1910s, the private companies continued to exploit the population through forced labor. The colony of Ubangi-Shari gained independence from France as the Central African Republic in 1960, but the death of independence leader Barthelemy BOGANDA six months prior led to an immediate struggle for power. CAR’s political history has since been marred by a series of coups, the first of which brought Jean-Bedel BOKASSA to power in 1966. Widespread corruption and intolerance for any political opposition characterized his regime. In an effort to prolong his mandate, BOKASSA named himself emperor in 1976 and changed the country’s name to the Central African Empire. His regime’s economic mismanagement culminated in widespread student protests in 1979 that were violently suppressed by security forces. BOKASSA fell out of favor with the international community and was overthrown in a French-backed coup in 1979. After BOKASSA’s departure, the country’s name once again became the Central African Republic. CAR’s fifth coup in 2013 unseated President Francois BOZIZE after the Seleka, a mainly Muslim rebel coalition, seized the capital and forced BOZIZE to flee the country. The Seleka's widespread abuses spurred the formation of mainly Christian self-defense groups that called themselves the anti-Balaka, which have also committed human rights abuses against Muslim populations in retaliation. Since the rise of these groups, conflict in CAR has become increasingly ethnoreligious, although focused on identity rather than religious ideology. Elections in 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president; he was reelected in 2020. A peace agreement signed in 2019 between the government and the main armed factions has had little effect, and armed groups remain in control of large swaths of the country's territory. TOUADERA's United Hearts Movement has governed the country since 2016, and a new constitution approved by referendum on 30 July 2023 effectively ended term limits, creating the potential for TOUADERA to extend his rule.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography20 fields

Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 622,984 sq km land: 622,984 sq km water: 0 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas; about four times the size of Georgia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 5,920 km border countries (5): Cameroon 901 km; Chad 1556 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,747 km, Republic of the Congo 487 km; South Sudan 1055 km; Sudan 174 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: none (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,410 m lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m mean elevation: 635 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 9.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.8% (2023 est.) forest: 72.5% (2023 est.) other: 18.4% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Oubangui (Ubangi) river [s] (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major aquifers: Congo Basin, Lake Chad Basin; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: majority of residents live in the western and central areas of the country, especially in and around the capital of Bangui, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society32 fields

Population: total: 5,750,570 (2025 est.) male: 2,864,870 female: 2,885,700; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Baya 28.8%, Banda 22.9%, Mandjia 9.9%, Sara 7.9%, M'Baka-Bantu 7.9%, Arab-Fulani (Peuhl) 6%, Mbum 6%, Ngbanki 5.5%, Zande-Nzakara 3%, other Central African Republic ethnic groups 2%, non-Central African Republic ethnic groups .1% (2003 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Roman Catholic 34.6%, Protestant 15.7%, other Christian 22.9%, Muslim 13.8%, ethnic religionist 12%, Baha'i 0.2%, agnostic/atheist 0.7% (2020 est.) note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.5% (male 1,113,795/female 1,063,971) 15-64 years: 58% (male 1,613,770/female 1,662,522) 65 years and over: 3.5% (2024 est.) (male 86,932/female 109,967); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 71.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 65.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 16.6 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 20.6 years (2025 est.) male: 19.7 years female: 21.2 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 1.74% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 31.49 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 11.04 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -3.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: majority of residents live in the western and central areas of the country, especially in and around the capital of Bangui, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 43.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 958,000 BANGUI (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 692 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 79.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 86.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 74.5 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.4 years (2024 est.) male: 55.1 years female: 57.7 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 3.89 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.92 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 48.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 27.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 36.3% of population (2022 est.) urban: 51.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 72.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 63.7% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 9.1% of GDP (2021) 9% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 53.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 12.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 30.2% of population (2022 est.) urban: 46.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 87.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 69.8% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 7.5% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 0.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.55 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 18.4% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 65.4% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 25.8% (2019) women married by age 18: 61% (2019) men married by age 18: 17.1% (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 10% national budget (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 42.4% (2019 est.) male: 59.8% (2019 est.) female: 27.1% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: water pollution; tap water not potable; poaching; wildlife mismanagement; desertification; deforestation; soil erosion; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 9.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.8% (2023 est.) forest: 72.5% (2023 est.) other: 18.4% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 43.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 313,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 313,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 25.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.106 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 9.1% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 60.1 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 12 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 400,000 cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 141 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government23 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local long form: République centrafricaine local short form: none former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire abbreviation: CAR etymology: self-descriptive name specifying the country's location on the continent; "Africa" is derived from the Roman designation of the area corresponding to present-day Tunisia, "Africa terra," which meant "Land of the Afri" (the tribe resident in that area), but which eventually came to mean the entire continent; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Bangui geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: established as a French military post in 1889; the name means "rapids" in the local Bobangui language, because of the city's location above the first great rapid on the Ubangi River; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (préfectures, singular - préfecture), 2 economic prefectures* (préfectures économiques, singular - préfecture économique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law system based on the French model; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: several previous; latest constitution passed by a national referendum on 30 July 2023 and validated by the Constitutional Court on 30 August 2023 amendment process: proposals require support of the government, two thirds of the National Council of Transition, and assent by the "Mediator of the Central African" crisis; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the National Council membership; non-amendable constitutional provisions include those on the secular and republican form of government, fundamental rights and freedoms, amendment procedures, or changes to the authorities of various high-level executive, parliamentary, and judicial officials; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen of the Central African Republic dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 35 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Faustin-Archange TOUADÉRA (since 30 March 2016) head of government: Prime Minister Félix MOLOUA (since 7 February 2022) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president election/appointment process: current president was directly elected for 5-year term; constitutional referendum in July 2023 removed term limits and instituted 7-year terms most recent election date: 28 December 2025 election results: 2025: Faustin-Archange TOUADÉRA reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Faustin-Archange TOUADÉRA (independent) 76.2%, Anicet Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 14.7%, other 9.1% expected date of next election: December 2032; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 140 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 12/27/2020 to 7/25/2021 parties elected and seats per party: United Hearts Movement (MCU) (63); National Movement of Independents (MOUNI) (9); Union for Central African Renewal (URCA) (7); Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC) (7); Other (34); Independents (20) percentage of women in chamber: 11.4% expected date of next election: 28 December 2025 note 1: on 27 December 2020, the day of first round elections, voting in many electoral areas was disrupted by armed groups; on 13 February 2021, President TOUADERA announced that new first round elections would be held on 27 February 2021 for those areas controlled by armed groups and the second round on 6 March 2021; ultimately, two additional rounds were held on 23 May and 25 July 2021 in areas that continued to suffer from election security problems note 2: in accordance with article 98 of the constitution published in August 2023, the parliamentary term has increased from five to seven years and will be first applied to the legislature due to be elected in late 2025; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (number of judges unknown); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, at least 3 of whom are women) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president; Constitutional Court judge appointments - 2 by the president, 1 by the speaker of the National Assembly, 2 elected by their peers, 2 are advocates elected by their peers, and 2 are law professors elected by their peers; judges serve 7-year non-renewable terms subordinate courts: high courts; magistrates' courts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Action Party for Development or PAD African Party for Radical Transformation and Integration of States or PATRIE Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP Be Africa ti e Kwe (also known as Central Africa for Us All or BTK) Central African Democratic Rally or RDC Central African Party for Integrated Development or PCDI Democratic Movement for the Renewal and Evolution of Central Africa or MDREC Kodro Ti Mo Kozo Si Movement or MKMKS Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC National Convergence (also known as Kwa Na Kwa or KNK) National Movement of Independents or MOUNI National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP National Union of Republican Democrats or UNADER New Impetus for Central Africa or CANE Party for Democracy and Solidarity - Kélémba or KPDS Party for Democratic Governance or PGD Path of Hope or CDE Renaissance for Sustainable Development or RDD Socialist Party or PS Transformation Through Action Initiative or ITA Union for Central African Renewal or URCA Union for Renaissance and Development or URD United Hearts Movement or MCU; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Martial NDOUBOU (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 2704 Ontario Road NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893 email address and website: centrafricwashington@yahoo.com https://www.usrcaembassy.org/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Melanie Anne ZIMMERMAN (since July 2025) embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: 2060 Bangui Place, Washington DC 20521-2060 telephone: [236] 2161-0200 FAX: [236] 2161-4494 email address and website: https://cf.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country) (suspended), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Republic Day, 1 December (1958); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in the center; a five-pointed yellow star sits in the top left corner of the flag, on the blue band meaning: combines the pan-African and French flag colors; red stands for blood spilled in the struggle for independence, blue for the sky and freedom, white for peace and dignity, green for hope and faith, and yellow for tolerance; the star represents aspiring to a vibrant future; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): elephant; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): blue, white, green, yellow, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "La Renaissance" (The Renaissance) lyrics/music: Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER history: adopted 1960; BOGANDA wrote the anthem's lyrics and was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park; Sangha Trinational Forest; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy30 fields

Economic overview: enormous natural resources; extreme poverty; weak public institutions and infrastructure; political and gender-based violence have led to displacement of roughly 25% of population; Bangui-Douala corridor blockade reduced activity and tax collection; strong agricultural performance offset COVID-19 downturn; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.926 billion (2024 est.) $5.836 billion (2023 est.) $5.795 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 1.5% (2024 est.) 0.7% (2023 est.) 0.5% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $1,100 (2024 est.) $1,100 (2023 est.) $1,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.752 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2023 est.) 5.6% (2022 est.) 4.3% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 32.5% (2024 est.) industry: 17.8% (2024 est.) services: 40.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 94.7% (2024 est.) government consumption: 9.7% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 15.4% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 15.5% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -32.4% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: cassava, groundnuts, yams, coffee, maize, sesame seeds, taro, sugarcane, beef, milk (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, sugar refining; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 9.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 2 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 5.9% (2024 est.) 5.9% (2023 est.) 6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 9.5% (2024 est.) male: 8.5% (2024 est.) female: 10.6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 68.8% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 43 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 33.1% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 0% of GDP (2023 est.) 0% of GDP (2022 est.) 0% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $360.48 million (2021 est.) expenditures: $462.104 million (2021 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 56% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 8.2% (of GDP) (2021 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $425.306 million (2024 est.) $369.034 million (2023 est.) $293.074 million (2022 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: UAE 54%, China 14%, France 6%, Turkey 5%, Belgium 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: gold, wood, diamonds, vehicle parts/accessories, cotton (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $890.572 million (2024 est.) $742.108 million (2023 est.) $784.669 million (2022 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: China 16%, Cameroon 14%, France 8%, Belgium 6%, Cote d'Ivoire 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicine, vaccines, tanks and armored vehicles (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $479.593 million (2023 est.) $374.405 million (2022 est.) $483.872 million (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $724.179 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 606.345 (2024 est.) 606.57 (2023 est.) 623.76 (2022 est.) 554.531 (2021 est.) 575.586 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy6 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 15.7% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 34.7% electrification - rural areas: 1.6%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 63,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 132.105 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 10 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 99.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: imports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 3 million metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 954,000 Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,090 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1.98 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: government-owned network, Radiodiffusion Télévision Centrafricaine, provides limited TV broadcasting; state-owned radio network is supplemented by a small number of privately owned broadcast stations, as well as a few community radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2017); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .cf; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 8% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,000 (2022 est.) Data available for 2019 only. subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation2 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TL; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 43 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Army (includes an air squadron, Escadrille Centrafricaine) Ministry of Interior: National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale), National Police (2025) note: the Special Republican Protection Group (Groupement Spécial Chargé de la Protection Républicaine or GSPR) provides protection to the head of state; it is part of the Army but reports to the president; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 10-15,000 active FACA (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: most of the military's heavy weapons and equipment were lost during the 2012–2014 civil war; prior to the war, most of its inventory was of French, Russian, or Soviet origin; in recent years, it has received some donated equipment from China and Russia, including armored vehicles, drones, helicopters, jet trainer aircraft, and some light weapons (2025) note: the CAR was under a UNSC arms embargo from 2013-July 2024; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-22 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription although the constitution provides for the possibility of conscription in the event of an imminent threat to the country (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) are focused on internal security; since the 2013 coup, multiple armed groups have been active in the country, carrying out attacks, controlling territory, and undermining security; the coup resulted in the institutional collapse of the FACA; its forces were overwhelmed and forced to flee to neighboring countries; it has been estimated that only 10% of the FACA returned afterwards; over the past decade, the FACA has sought to rebuild with considerable foreign assistance, including from France, the EU, Russia, Rwanda, Uganda, and the UN; Russian private military contractors and Rwandan military forces have assisted the FACA in its operations against rebel groups the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has operated in the country since 2014; its mission includes providing security, protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian assistance, disarming and demobilizing armed groups, and supporting the country’s transitional government (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 53,378 (2024 est.) IDPs: 469,342 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

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Central African Republic at a glance

Central African Republic through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile