People & economy

Central African Republic: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Central African Republic: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

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Population & Geography

Population
4,666,377
#125 of 197 countries
Area
622,984 km²
#45 of 248 countries
Density
7.5 / km²
#226 of 245 countries

Central African Republic has a population of 4,666,377 spread across 622,984 km², giving it an average density of 7.5 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.

Demographics

Median Age
20.6
Life Expectancy
56.4 yrs
Literacy Rate
42.4%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Central African Republic is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 39% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here: accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita
$496
Cost of Living
39% of US
Inflation
3.0%
Inequality
43.0
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$1,100
Unemployment
5.9%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors.

Air Passengers
46,364
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Central African Republic there are 0.07 doctors per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.07/1k
Hospital Beds
1.0/1k
Health Spend
$54/person
Infant Mortality
60.4/1k
Immunization
41%
Safe Drinking Water
36.5%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
14.0%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Central African Republic, 8% of the population uses the internet, so connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 39 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
7.5%
Mobile Subs
39/100
Broadband
0.0/100
Electricity Access
17.6%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data