Central African Republic vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 159 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 11.5 times as many people as Central African Republic (65.49 million vs 5.7 million). South Africa's economy is 148 times the size of Central African Republic's ($424.75 billion vs $2.86 billion GDP).
Comparing Central African Republic and South Africa: Central African Republic leads on Major Urban Areas Population (958,000 people) against South Africa (10.32 people); Central African Republic leads on Radios (283,000) against South Africa (17); South Africa leads on People Living With HIV/AIDS (7.80) against Central African Republic (88,000). Across 159 compared metrics, Central African Republic wins on 48 and South Africa wins on 103.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 58 metrics compared
- Environment: 11 metrics compared
- Geography: 6 metrics compared
- Government: 8 metrics compared
- Health: 21 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 38 metrics compared
- Transportation: 3 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
- Other: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 0.02 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | 3.12 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 13.78 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 7.51 % | 69.7 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 8% (2019 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 0.02 Mbps | 3.12 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 60.15 points | 75.71 points★ | |
| Radios | 283,000★ | 17 | |
| Televisions | 18,000★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | 900 | NA |
Economy
58 metricsEnvironment
11 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 5,402★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | -46,523.44 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 26.65 °C★ | 18.35 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 313,000 | 446.7★ | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 967.18 mm★ | 652.17 mm | |
| Population Distribution | majority of residents live in the western and central areas of the country, especially in and around the capital of Bangui, as shown in this population distribution map | the population is concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densely populated than the west, as shown in this population distribution map | |
| Protected Land Area for Adaptation | 13.81 sq km★ | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 14.8 %★ | 9.6 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 56 Cubic meters per year★ | 4.8 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 141★ | 51.35 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 20 species★ | 33 species |
Geography
6 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 0.16 % | 1.94 %★ | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 217.09★ | 85.66 | |
| Agricultural land | 61,222.8 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 622,980 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 0 km | 2,798 km★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 10 | 16,700★ |
Government
8 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 3.51 % | 61.59 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 14★ | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 24 index★ | 41 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 24 index | 41 index★ | |
| Independence | 13 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 2.07 | 10.94★ | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 24★ | 41 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
21 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 9,000 personnel | 74,000 personnel★ | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 2.33 % | 0.74 %★ | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 10,000 | 89,000★ |
People and Society
38 metricsTransportation
3 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.02 | 0.37★ | |
| Airports | 43 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 2 | 90★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 30.90M USD | 2.72B USD★ |
Other
1 metric| Metric | 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Bank Rate | 4.5 % | 7 %★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Central African Republic vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Central African Republic or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 11.5 times as many people as Central African Republic (65.49 million vs 5.7 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Central African Republic or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 148 times the size of Central African Republic's ($424.75 billion vs $2.86 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Central African Republic or South Africa?▾
South Africa is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $6,486 in South Africa vs $502.47 in Central African Republic (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).