National Debt (% of GDP): Central African Republic

Analysis# Central African Republic National Debt (% of GDP) Central African Republic's national debt stands at 52.5% of GDP in 2026, representing a dramatic recovery from its catastrophic peak of 103.1% in 2001. The country achieved its lowest debt ratio of 19.7% in 2011, but has since climbed substantially. Overall, national debt has declined 45.4 percentage points since 1997, though this long-term improvement masks significant recent volatility. A sharp reversal began in 2022, when debt rose from 49.9% to 60.7% by 2024—the highest level in over two decades. The 2026 projection of 52.5% suggests a moderation of this trend, though the country remains well above the sustainable levels achieved a decade earlier. The recent spike reflects renewed fiscal pressures that could require close monitoring in coming years.