Updated
Overview
Sudan has 9.4 times the population of the Central African Republic: 51.66 million people against 5.51 million (2025).
Sudan's economy is 20 times the size of the Central African Republic's, at $60.16B versus $3.07B.
Per person, Sudan is the wealthier of the two: $1,165 against $556 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Sudan | Central African Republic | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $60.16B | $3.07B | 2025 | $49.91B / $2.75B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,165 | $556 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.1% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 138.8% | Lower: 1.0% | 2022 / 2025 | — / 3.0% |
| Unemployment | 7.5% | Lower: 6.3% | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 42 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $284 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $58 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.66 million | 5.51 million | 2025 | 50.47 million / 5.75 million |
| Population growth | 2.4% | 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.5 yrs | 14.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.19 | 5.81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 66.5 yrs | 57.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 35% | 45% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 19% | 14% | 2017 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,886,068 km² | 622,984 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 27.4/km² | 8.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 18 Mt | Lower: 0.40 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.4 t | Lower: 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $375.21M | $71.17M | 2021 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 2.5% | 2021 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 144,000 | 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 a serious concern in Sudan at 138.8%, while the other economy sits at 1.0%.
People and society
The Central African Republic is the younger society: median age 14.5 versus 18.5 years.
Life expectancy is 8.9 years longer in Sudan (66.5 vs 57.7).
Geography
By land area, Sudan is 3.0 times the size of the Central African Republic: 1,886,068 km² versus 622,984 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Sudan is far more densely settled: 27 people per km² against 9.
Military
Sudan spends 5.3 times as much on defence as the Central African Republic: $375.21M 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 0.9%.
Sudan fields the larger armed forces: 144,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Sudan bigger than the Central African Republic?
- Sudan is larger by land area. Sudan covers 1,886,068 km² while the Central African Republic covers 622,984 km², so Sudan is 3.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Sudan or the Central African Republic?
- Sudan has the larger population: 51.66 million versus 5.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Sudan richer than the Central African Republic?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sudan is richer: $1,165 against $556. Total GDP tells the same story: $60.16B for Sudan versus $3.07B for the Central African Republic.
- Who spends more on their military, Sudan or the Central African Republic?
- Sudan spends more: $375.21M versus $71.17M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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