Updated
Overview
The Republic of the Congo has 18% more people than the Central African Republic: 6.48 million against 5.51 million (2025).
The Republic of the Congo's economy is 5.3 times the size of the Central African Republic's, at $16.31B versus $3.07B.
Per person, the Republic of the Congo is the wealthier of the two: $2,515 against $556 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Republic of the Congo | Central African Republic | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $16.31B | $3.07B | 2025 | $15.72B / $2.75B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $2,515 | $556 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.1% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 1.0% | 2025 | 3.1% / 3.0% |
| Unemployment | 19.9% | Lower: 6.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 35 | 42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $198 | $58 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 6.48 million | 5.51 million | 2025 | 6.10 million / 5.75 million |
| Population growth | 2.4% | 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.6 yrs | 14.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.05 | 5.81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 66.0 yrs | 57.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 45% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 47% | 14% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 342,000 km² | 622,984 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 19.0/km² | 8.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 8.84 Mt | Lower: 0.40 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 1.4 t | Lower: 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $182.04M | $71.17M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.2% | 2.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 12,000 | 10,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
The Central African Republic is growing faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 3.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in the Republic of the Congo and 1.0% in the Central African Republic.
People and society
The Central African Republic is the younger society: median age 14.5 versus 18.6 years.
Life expectancy is 8.3 years longer in the Republic of the Congo (66.0 vs 57.7).
The Republic of the Congo is considerably more urbanized: 64% of people live in cities, against 45%.
Internet adoption is higher in the Republic of the Congo (47% vs 14% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the Republic of the Congo is 45% smaller than the Central African Republic: 342,000 km² versus 622,984 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
The Republic of the Congo is far more densely settled: 19 people per km² against 9.
Military
The Republic of the Congo spends 2.6 times as much on defence as the Central African Republic: $182.04M versus $71.17M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the Central African Republic carries the heavier military burden: 2.5% of GDP versus 1.2%.
The Republic of the Congo fields the larger armed forces: 12,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Republic of the Congo bigger than the Central African Republic?
- The Central African Republic is larger by land area. The Republic of the Congo covers 342,000 km² while the Central African Republic covers 622,984 km², so the Central African Republic is 82% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the Republic of the Congo or the Central African Republic?
- The Republic of the Congo has the larger population: 6.48 million versus 5.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Republic of the Congo richer than the Central African Republic?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Republic of the Congo is richer: $2,515 against $556. Total GDP tells the same story: $16.31B for the Republic of the Congo versus $3.07B for the Central African Republic.
- Who spends more on their military, the Republic of the Congo or the Central African Republic?
- The Republic of the Congo spends more: $182.04M versus $71.17M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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