World SurveyPlay
Sheet 33 of 195 · AfricaCAF · 7.0°N 21.7°E

Central African Republic

Central African Republic

Capital
Bangui
Population
5.51 million 2025
Area
622,984 km²
Neighbours
6
Locator map of Central African RepublicCENTRAL AFRICANREPUBLICBanguiDR CONGOCHADSUDANCAMEROONREPUBLIC OFTHE CONGONIGERIA0250 km
Central African Republic hatched, Bangui marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 6.6°N 20.9°E; the scale bar is true at the centre.

Landlocked in Middle Africa, the Central African Republic has six land neighbours: Cameroon, Chad, the DR Congo, the Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Sudan. With 622,984 km², it is about the size of South Sudan and Somalia and ranks 42nd of 195 by area.

Its population was 5.51 million in 2025 (World Bank), the 77th-smallest of the 194 countries with data. Density is 8.8 people per km². Most people live outside urban areas: the urban share was 44.6% in 2025. It grew by 3.37% in 2025, the 7th-fastest rate of the 194.

GDP per capita was US$556 in 2025 (World Bank, current US$), 189th of 191 and 51st of 52 in Africa. Life expectancy at birth was 57.7 years in 2024; only three countries are lower. The fertility rate was 5.95 births per woman in 2024. Forest covers 72.5% of its land (2024).

Its main landmass lies entirely in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres. North to south it runs about 970 km, between 2.3°N and 11.0°N. Bangui's antipode is in the South Pacific Ocean, about 630 km from Kiribati, the nearest land.

How it compares Africa: 54 countries

MeasureFigureWorldAfrica
Population5,513,2822025, World Bank118th of 19438th of 54
Area622,984 km²world-countries42nd of 19519th of 54
GDPUS$3.1 billion2025, World Bank, current US$166th of 19145th of 52
GDP per capitaUS$5562025, World Bank, current US$189th of 19151st of 52
Population density8.8 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries182nd of 19450th of 54
Life expectancy57.7 years2024, World Bank191st of 19451st of 54
Urban population44.6%2025, World Bank142nd of 19431st of 54
Forest area72.5% of land2024, World Bank14th of 1944th of 54
Population growth+3.37% a year2025, World Bank7th of 1942nd of 54
Internet users13.8%2024, World Bank184th of 18849th of 53
Fertility rate5.95 births per woman2024, World Bank4th of 1944th of 54
Land neighbours6world-countries; among the 19520th of 1957th of 54
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaSouth Sudan, Somalia and Ukraine

Closest in populationOman, Ireland and Norway

Neighbours 6 countries by land, nearest capital first

  • Cameroon783 km
    Bangui to Yaoundé, capital to capital
  • Chad944 km
    Bangui to N'Djamena, capital to capital
  • Republic of the Congo1,026 km
    Bangui to Brazzaville, capital to capital
  • DR Congo1,032 km
    Bangui to Kinshasa, capital to capital
  • South Sudan1,444 km
    Bangui to Juba, capital to capital
  • Sudan1,973 km
    Bangui to Khartoum, capital to capital

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Northern and Eastern
Capital
Bangui
4.37°N 18.56°E
Northernmost latitude
11.00°N
Southernmost latitude
2.27°N
Westernmost longitude
14.43°E
Easternmost longitude
27.40°E
North to south
about 970 km
Antipode of Bangui
4.37°S 161.44°W
in the South Pacific Ocean, about 630 km from the nearest land (Kiribati)