2013 Edition

Background

The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. In March, 2003 President Ange-Felix PATASSE was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Elections held in 2005 affirmed General BOZIZE as president; he was reelected in 2011 in voting widely viewed as flawed. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. The militant group the Lord's Resistance Army continues to destabilize southeastern Central African Republic, and several rebel groups joined together in early December 2012 to launch a series of attacks that left them in control of numerous towns in the northern and central parts of the country. The rebels - who are unhappy with BOZIZE's government - participated in peace talks in early January 2013 which resulted in a coalition government including the rebellion's leadership. In March 2013, the coalition government dissolved, rebels seized the capital, and President BOZIZE fled the country. Rebel leader Michel DJOTODIA assumed the presidency, reappointed Nicolas TIANGAYE as Prime Minister, and established a transitional government on 31 March. On 13 April 2013, the National Transitional Council affirmed DJOTODIA as President.

Area

622,984 sq km 622,984 sq km 0 sq km

total

622,984 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Oubangui River 335 m Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m

highest point

Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m

lowest point

Oubangui River 335 m

Environment - current issues

tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Law of the Sea

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.07 cu km/yr (83%/17%/1%) 17.42 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

17.42 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.07 cu km/yr (83%/17%/1%)

Geographic coordinates

7 00 N, 21 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa

Irrigated land

1.35 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

5,203 km Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, South Sudan 990 km, Sudan 175 km

border countries

Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, South Sudan 990 km, Sudan 175 km

total

5,203 km

Land use

2.89% 0.13% 96.98% (2011)

arable land

2.89%

other

96.98% (2011)

permanent crops

0.13%

Location

Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

Terrain

vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest

Total renewable water resources

144.4 cu km (2011)

Age structure

40.7% (male 1,058,523/female 1,045,664) 20.2% (male 525,581/female 520,274) 31.5% (male 814,003/female 815,169) 3.9% (male 86,860/female 113,190) 3.6% (male 73,942/female 113,304) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

40.7% (male 1,058,523/female 1,045,664)

15-24 years

20.2% (male 525,581/female 520,274)

25-54 years

31.5% (male 814,003/female 815,169)

55-64 years

3.9% (male 86,860/female 113,190)

65 years and over

3.6% (male 73,942/female 113,304) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

35.8 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

532,518 47 % (2006 est.)

percentage

47 % (2006 est.)

total number

532,518

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

28% (2006)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

19% (2006)

Death rate

14.42 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

77.5 % 70.7 % 6.8 % 14.7 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

6.8 %

potential support ratio

14.7 (2013)

total dependency ratio

77.5 %

youth dependency ratio

70.7 %

Drinking water source

urban: 92% of population rural: 51% of population total: 67% of population urban: 8% of population rural: 49% of population total: 33% of population (2010 est.)

rural

49% of population

total

33% of population (2010 est.)

urban

8% of population

Education expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%

Health expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

4.7% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

11,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

130,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

95.04 deaths/1,000 live births 102.83 deaths/1,000 live births 87.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

87.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

95.04 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

Life expectancy at birth

50.9 years 49.64 years 52.2 years (2013 est.)

female

52.2 years (2013 est.)

total population

50.9 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 56.6% 69.6% 44.2% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

44.2% (2011 est.)

male

69.6%

total population

56.6%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever meningococcal meningitis schistosomiasis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

BANGUI (capital) 740,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

890 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

19.3 years 19 years 19.7 years (2013 est.)

female

19.7 years (2013 est.)

male

19 years

total

19.3 years

Nationality

Central African(s) Central African

adjective

Central African

noun

Central African(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

3.5% (2008)

Physicians density

0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

5,166,510 (July 2013 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

2.14% (2013 est.)

Religions

indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority

Sanitation facility access

urban: 43% of population rural: 28% of population total: 34% of population urban: 57% of population rural: 72% of population total: 66% of population (2010 est.)

rural

72% of population

total

66% of population (2010 est.)

urban

57% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

7 years 8 years 5 years (2011)

female

5 years (2011)

male

8 years

total

7 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.75 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.66 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.52 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Urbanization

39.1% of total population (2011) 2.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

39.1% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga

Capital

Bangui 4 22 N, 18 35 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

4 22 N, 18 35 E

name

Bangui

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest ratified by referendum 5 December 2004, effective 27 December 2004; amended 2010 (2010)

Country name

Central African Republic none Republique Centrafricaine none Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire CAR

abbreviation

CAR

conventional long form

Central African Republic

conventional short form

none

former

Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire

local long form

Republique Centrafricaine

local short form

none

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Laurence D. WOHLERS (since September 2010) Avenue David Dacko, Bangui B. P. 924, Bangui [236] 21 61 02 00 [236] 21 61 44 94 the embassy temporarily suspended operations in December, 2012

chief of mission

Ambassador Laurence D. WOHLERS (since September 2010)

embassy

Avenue David Dacko, Bangui

FAX

[236] 21 61 44 94

mailing address

B. P. 924, Bangui

telephone

[236] 21 61 02 00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Stanislas MOUSSA-KEMBE (since 24 August 2009) 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-7800 [1] (202) 332-9893

chancery

1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Stanislas MOUSSA-KEMBE (since 24 August 2009)

FAX

[1] (202) 332-9893

telephone

[1] (202) 483-7800

Executive branch

President Michel DJOTODIA (since 24 March 2013 coup) note - a rebel force seized the capital in March 2013, forcing former president BOZIZE to flee the country; President DJOTODIA assumed the presidency, reinstated the Prime Minister, established a transitional government, and was subsequently affirmed as President by the National Transitional Council on 13 April 2013; an 18-month transition period officially began on 18 August 2013 Prime Minister Nicolas TIANGAYE (since 17 January 2013) Council of Ministers president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 23 January 2011 (next to be held in 2014 - as specified in the January 2013 Libreville agreement); prime minister appointed by the president Francois BOZIZE elected to a second term as president; percent of vote - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.4%, Ange-Felix PATASSE 21.4%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 6.8%, Emile Gros Raymond NAKOMBO (RDC) 4.6%, Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH (NAP) 2.8%

cabinet

Council of Ministers

chief of state

President Michel DJOTODIA (since 24 March 2013 coup) note - a rebel force seized the capital in March 2013, forcing former president BOZIZE to flee the country; President DJOTODIA assumed the presidency, reinstated the Prime Minister, established a transitional government, and was subsequently affirmed as President by the National Transitional Council on 13 April 2013; an 18-month transition period officially began on 18 August 2013

election results

Francois BOZIZE elected to a second term as president; percent of vote - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.4%, Ange-Felix PATASSE 21.4%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 6.8%, Emile Gros Raymond NAKOMBO (RDC) 4.6%, Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH (NAP) 2.8%

elections

president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 23 January 2011 (next to be held in 2014 - as specified in the January 2013 Libreville agreement); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Nicolas TIANGAYE (since 17 January 2013)

Flag description

four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band; banner combines the Pan-African and French flag colors; red symbolizes the blood spilled in the struggle for independence, blue represents the sky and freedom, white peace and dignity, green hope and faith, and yellow tolerance; the star represents aspiration towards a vibrant future

Government type

republic

Independence

13 August 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, at least 3 of which are women) Supreme Court judges appointed by the president; Constitutional Court judge appointments - 2 by the president, 1 by the speaker of the National Assembly, 2 elected by their peers, 2 are advocates elected by their peers, and 2 are law professors elected by their peers; judges serve 7-year non-renewable terms high courts; magistrates' courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, at least 3 of which are women)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the president; Constitutional Court judge appointments - 2 by the president, 1 by the speaker of the National Assembly, 2 elected by their peers, 2 are advocates elected by their peers, and 2 are law professors elected by their peers; judges serve 7-year non-renewable terms

subordinate courts

high courts; magistrates' courts

Legal system

civil law system based on the French model

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 23 January 2011 and 27 March 2011 (next to be held in 2016) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 62, independents 26, MLPC 2, other 15

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 62, independents 26, MLPC 2, other 15

elections

last held on 23 January 2011 and 27 March 2011 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance) Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA, who wrote the anthem's lyrics, was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory

lyrics/music

Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER

name

"Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance)

National holiday

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

National symbol(s)

elephant

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS] Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Louis-Pierre GAMBA] Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA] Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Saturnin NDOMBY] Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON] Londo Association or LONDO Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Martin ZIGUELE ] National Convergence or KNK National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE] New Alliance for Progress or NAP [Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH] Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Alexandre Philippe GOUMBA] People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber

Budget

$340.8 million $356.9 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$356.9 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$340.8 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009) 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15% (31 December 2012 est.) 15% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-197.6 million (2012 est.) $-191.4 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$632.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) $573 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

61.3 (1993)

Economy - overview

Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry and mining, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with about 60% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of GDP. Timber and diamonds account for most export earnings, followed by cotton. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Since 2009 the IMF has worked closely with the government to institute reforms that have resulted in some improvement in budget transparency, but other problems remain. The government's additional spending in the run-up to the election in 2011 worsened CAR's fiscal situation. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. In 2012 the World Bank approved $125 million in funding for transport infrastructure and regional trade, focused on the route between CAR's capital and the port of Douala in Cameroon. After a two year lag in donor support, the IMF's first review of CAR's extended credit facility for 2012-15 praised improvements in revenue collection but warned of weak management of spending.

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 510.53 (2012 est.) 471.87 (2011 est.) 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008)

Exports

$207.7 million (2012 est.) $186.3 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee

Exports - partners

Belgium 31.7%, China 27.9%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.8%, Indonesia 5.2%, France 4.5% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

91.3% 8.4% 13% 0% 12.7% -25.5% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

12.7%

government consumption

8.4%

household consumption

91.3%

imports of goods and services

-25.5%

investment in fixed capital

13%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

55.6% 14.7% 29.7% (2012 est.)

agriculture

55.6%

industry

14.7%

services

29.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$900 (2012 est.) $800 (2011 est.) $800 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.1% (2012 est.) 3.3% (2011 est.) 3% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.143 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.849 billion (2012 est.) $3.698 billion (2011 est.) $3.579 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

3.8% of GDP (2012 est.) 3.7% of GDP (2011 est.) 4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 33% (2003)

highest 10%

33% (2003)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$333.7 million (2012 est.) $319.8 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners

Netherlands 20.3%, France 9.7%, Cameroon 9.1%, South Korea 9.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2012 est.)

Industries

gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, sugar refining

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.8% (2012 est.) 1.3% (2011 est.)

Labor force

2.082 million (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$459.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) $406.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$507.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) $444.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$337.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) $329.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (2001 est.) 23% unemployment in Bangui

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

293,900 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

148.8 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

43.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

56.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

44,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

160 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,175 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,318 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

government-owned network, Radiodiffusion Television Centrafricaine, provides domestic TV broadcasting; licenses for 2 private TV stations are pending; state-owned radio network is supplemented by a small number of privately owned broadcast stations as well as a few community radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.cf

Internet hosts

20 (2012)

Internet users

22,600 (2009)

Telephone system

network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication limited telephone service with less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular service providers, cellular usage is increasing from a low base; most fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

limited telephone service with less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular service providers, cellular usage is increasing from a low base; most fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui

general assessment

network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication

international

country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

5,600 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.07 million (2012)

Airports

39 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

6 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

11

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

19

total

37

Ports and terminals

Bangui (Oubangui); Nola (Sangha)

river port(s)

Bangui (Oubangui); Nola (Sangha)

Roadways

20,278 km (2010)

total

20,278 km (2010)

Waterways

2,800 km (the primary navigable river is the Ubangi, which joins the River Congo; it was the traditional route for the export of products because it connected with the Congo-Ocean railway at Brazzaville; because of the warfare on both sides of the River Congo from 1997, however, routes through Cameroon became preferred by importers and exporters) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

1,149,856 1,145,897 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,145,897 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,149,856

Manpower fit for military service

655,875 661,308 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

661,308 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

655,875

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

54,843 53,999 (2010 est.)

female

53,999 (2010 est.)

male

54,843

Military branches

Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces (includes Military Air Service), General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), National Police (2011)

Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA)

Ground Forces (includes Military Air Service), General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), National Police (2011)

Military expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for selective military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2012)

Disputes - international

periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist

Refugees and internally displaced persons

10,662 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2012) 710,000 (clashes between army and rebel groups since 2005; tensions between ethnic groups) (2013)

IDPs

710,000 (clashes between army and rebel groups since 2005; tensions between ethnic groups) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

10,662 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2012)

Trafficking in persons

Central African Republic (CAR) is a source and destination country for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and possibly women subjected to forced prostitution; most victims appear to be CAR citizens exploited within the country, and that a smaller number are transported back and forth between the CAR and Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan; children are forced into domestic servitude, commercial sexual exploitation, agricultural labor, mining, and street vending; armed groups operating in the CAR, including the Lord's Resistance Army, continue to recruit and use children for military activities, while village self-defense units use children as combatants, lookouts, and porters Tier 3 - Central African Republic does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not investigate or prosecute any suspected cases of human trafficking, including the use of child soldiers; the government also fails to identify, provide protection to, or refer to service providers any trafficking victims; in collaboration with an NGO, the government has convened a working group to develop a national action plan to combat human trafficking (2013)

current situation

Central African Republic (CAR) is a source and destination country for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and possibly women subjected to forced prostitution; most victims appear to be CAR citizens exploited within the country, and that a smaller number are transported back and forth between the CAR and Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan; children are forced into domestic servitude, commercial sexual exploitation, agricultural labor, mining, and street vending; armed groups operating in the CAR, including the Lord's Resistance Army, continue to recruit and use children for military activities, while village self-defense units use children as combatants, lookouts, and porters

tier rating

Tier 3 - Central African Republic does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not investigate or prosecute any suspected cases of human trafficking, including the use of child soldiers; the government also fails to identify, provide protection to, or refer to service providers any trafficking victims; in collaboration with an NGO, the government has convened a working group to develop a national action plan to combat human trafficking (2013)