Central African Republic

The main languages spoken in the Central African Republic are:
French - the official language, used in government and formal education.
Sango - the lingua franca and national language, spoken by nearly the entire population regardless of ethnic background.
Numerous tribal languages are also spoken across the country's diverse ethnic groups.
French and Sango are both official/national languages of the Central African Republic.

Geography

Location: Central Africa, landlocked, north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references: Africa

Land boundaries:
border countries: Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan

Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common

People

Population: 5.15-6.5 million (varies significantly by source; 2024-2025 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.5%
15-64 years: 58%
65 years and over: 3.5% (2024 est.)

Nationality:
noun/adjective: Central African(s)

Ethnic groups: Baya 28.8%, Banda 22.9%, Mandjia 9.9%, Sara 7.9%, M'Baka-Bantu 7.9%, Arab-Fulani (Peuhl) 6%, Mbum 6%, Ngbanki 5.5%, Zande-Nzakara 3% (2003 est.)

Religions: Roman Catholic 34.6%, other Christian 22.9%, Protestant 15.7%, Muslim 13.8%, ethnic religionist 12% (2020 est.); animistic beliefs strongly influence the Christian majority

Languages: French (official), Sango (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

Population distribution: majority of residents live in the western and central areas, especially in and around the capital, Bangui; about 60% of the population lives in outlying rural areas

Government

Country name:
conventional short form: Central African Republic

Data code: CT

Government type: presidential republic

National capital: Bangui

Economy

Economy - overview: low-income, least-developed economy; subsistence agriculture, forestry, and mining remain the backbone; timber and diamonds account for most export earnings, followed by cotton; important constraints include landlocked geography, poor transportation infrastructure, and a largely unskilled workforce; ongoing factional conflict continues to drag on economic revitalization; gold mining (largely artisanal) is expanding, and the country holds substantial untapped uranium deposits

GDP (purchasing power parity): $7.33 billion (2025 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (2025)

GDP - per capita: $1,330 PPP (2025 est.)

Inflation rate: 2.6% (2020 est.)

Unemployment rate: 6.3% (2025 est.)

Population below poverty line: 62.0% (2008)

Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)