GeoRealityMatch

The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of the country, and all but essential travel to other areas. FCDO travel advice, read 29 October 2026.

Tranquil view of the Bukavu waterfront with modern architecture and lake in Sud-Kivu, DRC.A lone tree standing by the riverbanks in Brazzaville, Congo.

Central African Republic

Africa · Middle Africa

Very low safetyLow development

It is among the least peaceful countries.

Safety

148th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
2.906lower is more peacefulVery low safety
#148 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Money

Incomes below the median country

GNI per person
$560national income per person, US dollarsVery low
World Bank · 2025

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 66% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and fell 10% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$750$1.5K$1,314 PPP$556Inflation, % a year15%0200620102015202020252006, $334 a person, $743 at PPP, inflation 6.7%2007, $381 a person, $783 at PPP, inflation 1%2008, $437 a person, $798 at PPP, inflation 9.3%2009, $456 a person, $877 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2010, $477 a person, $936 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2011, $534 a person, $980 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2012, $544 a person, $1,062 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2013, $364 a person, $710 at PPP, inflation 7%2014, $410 a person, $699 at PPP, inflation 14.9%2015, $366 a person, $769 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2016, $387 a person, $826 at PPP, inflation 4.9%2017, $432 a person, $884 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2018, $455 a person, $906 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2019, $449 a person, $985 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2020, $463 a person, $1,066 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2021, $492 a person, $1,129 at PPP, inflation 4.3%2022, $467 a person, $1,218 at PPP, inflation 5.6%2023, $496 a person, $1,258 at PPP, inflation 3%2024, $516 a person, $1,265 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2025, $556 a person, $1,314 at PPP, inflation 1%$0$750$1.5KInflation, % a year15%0200620102015202020252006, $334 a person, $743 at PPP, inflation 6.7%2007, $381 a person, $783 at PPP, inflation 1%2008, $437 a person, $798 at PPP, inflation 9.3%2009, $456 a person, $877 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2010, $477 a person, $936 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2011, $534 a person, $980 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2012, $544 a person, $1,062 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2013, $364 a person, $710 at PPP, inflation 7%2014, $410 a person, $699 at PPP, inflation 14.9%2015, $366 a person, $769 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2016, $387 a person, $826 at PPP, inflation 4.9%2017, $432 a person, $884 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2018, $455 a person, $906 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2019, $449 a person, $985 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2020, $463 a person, $1,066 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2021, $492 a person, $1,129 at PPP, inflation 4.3%2022, $467 a person, $1,218 at PPP, inflation 5.6%2023, $496 a person, $1,258 at PPP, inflation 3%2024, $516 a person, $1,265 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2025, $556 a person, $1,314 at PPP, inflation 1%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the shortest life expectancies

Life expectancy
57.7years, at birthVery low
#192 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
39WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100Very lowWHO · 2023
Air pollution
25.0PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageHighWHO · 2023
Work and internet
Unemployment rate
6.3%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
A lone tree standing by the riverbanks in Brazzaville, Congo.
How it changed

Central African Republic's Human Development Index

0.414Low human development

191st of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 52nd of 54 in Africa.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #188Niger0.419
  2. #190Chad0.416
  3. #191Central African Republic0.414
  4. #192Somalia0.404
  5. #193South Sudan0.388
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.342 in 1990 to 0.414 in 2023.

0.250.350.450.41419902000201020231990: 0.3421991: 0.3361992: 0.3211993: 0.3211994: 0.3231995: 0.3261996: 0.3231997: 0.3251998: 0.3281999: 0.3322000: 0.3332001: 0.3352002: 0.3372003: 0.3382004: 0.3422005: 0.3462006: 0.3502007: 0.3562008: 0.3622010: 0.3582011: 0.3772012: 0.3852013: 0.3592014: 0.3192015: 0.3772016: 0.3762017: 0.3562018: 0.3912019: 0.2792020: 0.3862021: 0.3392023: 0.4140.250.350.4519902000201020231990: 0.3421991: 0.3361992: 0.3211993: 0.3211994: 0.3231995: 0.3261996: 0.3231997: 0.3251998: 0.3281999: 0.3322000: 0.3332001: 0.3352002: 0.3372003: 0.3382004: 0.3422005: 0.3462006: 0.3502007: 0.3562008: 0.3622010: 0.3582011: 0.3772012: 0.3852013: 0.3592014: 0.3192015: 0.3772016: 0.3762017: 0.3562018: 0.3912019: 0.2792020: 0.3862021: 0.3392023: 0.414

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 32 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
57.7 years2024at birthUp 9.5 years from 48.2 years in 2005
Internet users
14%2024of people onlineUp 13 points from 0% in 2006
Urban population
45%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 6 points from 38% in 2006
Births per woman
5.952024births per womanUp 0.14 from 5.81 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
91%2022of energy usedLevel with 2004
Access to electricity
18%2024of people with electricityUp 11 points from 7% in 2005
Infant mortality
592024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 31 from 90 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
0.1 t2024of CO2 per person a yearLevel with 2005
Forest area
36%2023of land under forestDown 1 point from 37% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Extreme instability with a Russian Wagner presence; diamonds and timber, very dangerous. The case against is a low peace ranking, low incomes and short lives.

About Central African Republic

The Central African Republic is one of the most remote and least visited countries in Africa, with vast rainforests, extraordinary wildlife including forest elephants and lowland gorillas, and a natural environment that remains largely untouched. The culture has deep roots in Bantu and Sudanic traditions, with a rich oral history and crafts culture. It is exclusively for experienced travellers comfortable with very limited infrastructure and genuine remoteness.

Practical facts

  • CapitalBangui
  • LanguagesFrench, Sango
  • CurrencyCentral African CFA franc (XAF)
  • Area622,980 km²
  • Plug typeType C/E
  • Drives on theright
Weigh Central African Republic against your priorities
Every figure

Everything we hold on Central African Republic

Compare Central African Republic

Borders

CameroonChadDR CongoRepublic of the CongoSouth SudanSudan

Side by side

Compare any two countries

Quick answers

What is Central African Republic's Human Development Index?

Central African Republic's Human Development Index is 0.414 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #191 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Central African Republic safe?

Central African Republic scores 2.91 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #148 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

What is life expectancy in Central African Republic?

Life expectancy at birth in Central African Republic is 57.7 yrs (World Bank), ranked #192 of 195 countries.