2016 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 but lasted only a 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 lacks full control of the countryside, where lawlessness persists. The militant group, 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 - 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 and the following month established a National Transitional Council (CNT). In January 2014, the CNT elected Catherine SAMBA-PANZA as interim president. Elections completed in March 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president.

Area

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

land

622,984 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

635 m lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m

highest point

Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m

mean elevation

635 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

Geographic coordinates

7 00 N, 21 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

5,920 km Cameroon 901 km, Chad 1,556 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,747 km, Republic of the Congo 487 km, South Sudan 1,055 km, Sudan 174 km

border countries (6)

Cameroon 901 km, Chad 1,556 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,747 km, Republic of the Congo 487 km, South Sudan 1,055 km, Sudan 174 km

total

5,920 km

Land use

8.1% arable land 2.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 5.1% 36.2% 55.7% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

8.1%

forest

36.2%

other

55.7% (2011 est.)

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 plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest

Age structure

40.27% (male 1,114,727/female 1,102,809) 19.98% (male 553,264/female 547,308) 32.24% (male 888,304/female 887,348) 4.04% (male 101,306/female 120,964) 3.47% (male 74,516/female 116,711) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

40.27% (male 1,114,727/female 1,102,809)

15-24 years

19.98% (male 553,264/female 547,308)

25-54 years

32.24% (male 888,304/female 887,348)

55-64 years

4.04% (male 101,306/female 120,964)

65 years and over

3.47% (male 74,516/female 116,711) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

34.7 births/1,000 population (2016 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

23.5% (2011)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

15.2% (2010/11)

Death rate

13.5 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

The Central African Republic’s (CAR) humanitarian crisis has worsened since a coup in March 2013. CAR’s high mortality rate and low life expectancy are attributed to elevated rates of preventable and treatable diseases (including malaria and malnutrition), an inadequate health care system, precarious food security, and armed conflict. Some of the worst mortality rates are in western CAR’s diamond mining region, which is impoverished because of government attempts to control the diamond trade and the fall in industrial diamond prices. To make matters worse, the government and international donors have reduced health funding in recent years. The CAR’s weak educational system and low literacy rate have also suffered as a result of the country’s ongoing conflict. Schools are closed, qualified teachers are scarce, infrastructure, funding, and supplies are lacking and subject to looting, and many students and teachers are displaced by violence. Rampant poverty, human rights violations, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and a lack of security and stability have led to forced displacement internally and externally. Since the political crisis that resulted in CAR’s March 2013 coup began in December 2012, approximately 370,000 people have fled to Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and other neighboring countries, while an estimated 385,000 are displaced internally. The UN has urged countries to refrain from repatriating CAR refugees amid the heightened lawlessness.

Dependency ratios

75.2% 68.4% 6.8% 14.8% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6.8%

potential support ratio

14.8% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

75.2%

youth dependency ratio

68.4%

Drinking water source

urban: 89.6% of population rural: 54.4% of population total: 68.5% of population urban: 10.4% of population rural: 45.6% of population total: 31.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

45.6% of population

total

31.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

10.4% 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

4.2% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.7% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

7,800 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

118,800 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

88.4 deaths/1,000 live births 95.9 deaths/1,000 live births 80.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

80.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

95.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

88.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

52.3 years 51 years 53.7 years (2016 est.)

female

53.7 years (2016 est.)

male

51 years

total population

52.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 36.8% 50.7% 24.4% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

24.4% (2015 est.)

male

50.7%

total population

36.8%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever meningococcal meningitis schistosomiasis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

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) 794,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

882 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

19.6 years 19.3 years 19.9 years (2016 est.)

female

19.9 years (2016 est.)

male

19.3 years

total

19.6 years

Nationality

Central African(s) Central African

adjective

Central African

noun

Central African(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.4% (2014)

Physicians density

0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

5,507,257 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 (July 2016 est.)

note

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 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

2.12% (2016 est.)

Religions

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

note

animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority

Sanitation facility access

urban: 43.6% of population rural: 7.2% of population total: 21.8% of population urban: 56.4% of population rural: 92.8% of population total: 78.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

92.8% of population

total

78.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

56.4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

7 years 8 years 6 years (2012)

female

6 years (2012)

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 0.84 male(s)/female 0.64 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 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

0.84 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.64 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.36 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Urbanization

40% of total population (2015) 2.59% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.59% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

40% of total population (2015)

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)

Citizenship

no least one parent must be a citizen of the Central African Republic yes 35 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

least one parent must be a citizen of the Central African Republic

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

35 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted by referendum in December 2015 (2016)

Country name

Central African Republic none Republique Centrafricaine none Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire CAR self-descriptive name specifying the country's location on the continent; "Africa" is derived from the Roman designation of the area corresponding to present-day Tunisia "Africa terra," which meant "Land of the Afri" (the tribe resident in that area), but which eventually came to mean the entire continent

abbreviation

CAR

conventional long form

Central African Republic

conventional short form

none

etymology

self-descriptive name specifying the country's location on the continent; "Africa" is derived from the Roman designation of the area corresponding to present-day Tunisia "Africa terra," which meant "Land of the Afri" (the tribe resident in that area), but which eventually came to mean the entire continent

former

Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire

local long form

Republique Centrafricaine

local short form

none

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Jeffrey HAWKINS (30 October 2015) Avenue David Dacko, Bangui P.O. Box 924, Bangui [236] 21 61 0200 [236] 21 61 4494 embassy operations suspended in December 2012; resumed limited operations on 15 Septermber 2014

chief of mission

Ambassador Jeffrey HAWKINS (30 October 2015)

embassy

Avenue David Dacko, Bangui

FAX

[236] 21 61 4494

mailing address

P.O. Box 924, Bangui

note

embassy operations suspended in December 2012; resumed limited operations on 15 Septermber 2014

telephone

[236] 21 61 0200

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Stanislas MOUSSA-KEMBE (since 24 August 2009) 2704 Ontario Road NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 483-7800 [1] (202) 332-9893

chancery

2704 Ontario Road NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Stanislas MOUSSA-KEMBE (since 24 August 2009)

FAX

[1] (202) 332-9893

telephone

[1] (202) 483-7800

Executive branch

President Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 30 March 2016) Prime Minister Simplice SARANDJI (since 2 April 2016) Council of Ministers appointed by the president under the new constitution, the president is elected by universal direct sufferage for a period of 5 years renewable for a second term; last election was held 20 February 2016 (next to be held April 2021) First round held on 30 December 2015, percent of vote - Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 23.7%, Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (independent) 19.1%, Desire KOLINGBA (RDC) 12.0%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 11.4%, other 33.8%; second round held on 20 February 2016, percent of vote - Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (independent) 62.7%, Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 37.3% rebel forces seized the capital in March 2013, forcing former President BOZIZE to flee the country; Interim President Michel DJOTODIA assumed the presidency, reinstated the prime minister, and established a National Transitional Council (CNT) in April 2013; the NTC elected Catherine SAMBA-PANZA interim president in January 2014 to serve until February 2015 when new elections were to be held; her term was extended because instability delayed new elections and the transition did not take place until the end of March 2016

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 30 March 2016)

election results

First round held on 30 December 2015, percent of vote - Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 23.7%, Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (independent) 19.1%, Desire KOLINGBA (RDC) 12.0%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 11.4%, other 33.8%; second round held on 20 February 2016, percent of vote - Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (independent) 62.7%, Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 37.3%

elections/appointments

under the new constitution, the president is elected by universal direct sufferage for a period of 5 years renewable for a second term; last election was held 20 February 2016 (next to be held April 2021)

head of government

Prime Minister Simplice SARANDJI (since 2 April 2016)

note

rebel forces seized the capital in March 2013, forcing former President BOZIZE to flee the country; Interim President Michel DJOTODIA assumed the presidency, reinstated the prime minister, and established a National Transitional Council (CNT) in April 2013; the NTC elected Catherine SAMBA-PANZA interim president in January 2014 to serve until February 2015 when new elections were to be held; her term was extended because instability delayed new elections and the transition did not take place until the end of March 2016

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

presidential 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) (suspended), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, at least 3 of whom 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 or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, at least 3 of whom 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 (131 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 5-year terms) last held February 2016 and 31 March 2016 (next election to be held in 2021) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UNDP 13, URCA 13, RDC 10, MLPC 9, KNK 7, independents 56, other 23

description

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (131 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UNDP 13, URCA 13, RDC 10, MLPC 9, KNK 7, independents 56, other 23

elections

last held February 2016 and 31 March 2016 (next election to be held in 2021)

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER

name

"Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance)

note

adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA wrote the anthem's lyrics and was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory

National holiday

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

National symbol(s)

elephant; national colors: blue, white, green, yellow, red

elephant; national colors

blue, white, green, yellow, red

Political parties and leaders

Action Party for Development or PAD Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Clement BELIBANGA] Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Desire Nzanga KOLINGBA] Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [Louis PAPENIAH] Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Martin ZIGUELE] National Convergence (also known as Kwa Na Kwa) or KNK [Francois BOZIZE] National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Amine MICHEL] New Alliance for Progress or NAP [Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] Union for Central African Renewal or URCA [Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$176.2 million $255.1 million (2015 est.)

expenditures

$255.1 million (2015 est.)

revenues

$176.2 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.5% (31 December 2015 est.) 15% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$205 million (2015 est.) -$95 million (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$661.9 million (31 December 2015 est.) $657.4 million (31 December 2014 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 geography, poor transportation system, largely unskilled work force, and legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. 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 2011 election worsened CAR's fiscal situation. 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. Kimberley Process participants partially lifted the ban on diamond exports from the country in 2015, but persistent insecurity will prevent GDP from recovering to its pre-2013 level.

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 591.45 (2015 est.) 494.42 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) 510.53 (2012 est.) 471.87 (2011 est.)

Exports

$70.5 million (2015 est.) $76.7 million (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee

Exports - partners

Norway 52.2%, China 14.1%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 8.3% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

109.6% 8.8% 10.4% 0.1% 13.5% -42.4% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

13.5%

government consumption

8.8%

household consumption

109.6%

imports of goods and services

-42.4% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

10.4%

investment in inventories

0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

58.3% 11.9% 29.8% (2015 est.)

agriculture

58.3%

industry

11.9%

services

29.8% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$600 (2015 est.) $600 (2014 est.) $600 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.3% (2015 est.) 1% (2014 est.) -36% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.605 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.018 billion (2015 est.) $2.893 billion (2014 est.) $2.864 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

1.8% of GDP (2015 est.) 4.1% of GDP (2014 est.) 5.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 33% (2003)

highest 10%

33% (2003)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$360.4 million (2015 est.) $401.3 million (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Norway 39.6%, France 6.8%, US 4.6% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2015 est.)

Industries

gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, sugar refining

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.5% (2015 est.) 11.6% (2014 est.)

Labor force

2.358 million (2015 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$410.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) $454.7 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$444.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) $457.8 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$340.9 million (31 December 2015 est.) $376.7 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

11% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (2001 est.) 23% unemployment in the capital, Bangui

note

23% unemployment in the capital, Bangui

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

400,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

200 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

43.2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

56.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

44,000 kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

200 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

4,500,000 3% 5% 1% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

1% (2013)

electrification - total population

3%

electrification - urban areas

5%

population without electricity

4,500,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,828 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 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 users

246,000 4.6% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

4.6% (July 2015 est.)

total

246,000

Telephone system

network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication very 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) (2015)

domestic

very 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) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

1,000 less than 1 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

1,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

982,000 18 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

18 (July 2015 est.)

total

982,000

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

under 914 m

6 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

TL (2016)

National air transport system

46,364 0 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

46,364

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

2

number of registered air carriers

2

Ports and terminals

Bangui (Oubangui); Nola (Sangha)

river port(s)

Bangui (Oubangui); Nola (Sangha)

Roadways

20,278 km 1,385 km 18,893 km (2010)

paved

1,385 km

total

20,278 km

unpaved

18,893 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, importers and exporters preferred routes through Cameroon) (2011)

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 service age and obligation

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

Disputes - international

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

5,183 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2016) 420,681 (clashes between army and rebel groups since 2005; tensions between ethnic groups) (2016)

IDPs

420,681 (clashes between army and rebel groups since 2005; tensions between ethnic groups) (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

5,183 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2016)

Trafficking in persons

Central African Republic (CAR) is a source, transit, and destination country for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking, women subjected to forced prostitution, and adults subjected to forced labor; most victims appear to be CAR citizens exploited within the country, with a smaller number transported back forth between the CAR and nearby countries; armed groups operating in the CAR, including those aligned with the former Seleka Government and the Lord’s Resistance Army, continue to recruit and re-recruit children for military activities and labor; children are also subject to domestic servitude, commercial sexual exploitation, and forced labor in agriculture, mines, shops, and street vending; women and girls are subject to domestic servitude, sexual slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, and forced marriage Tier 3 – the 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 conducted a limited number of investigations and prosecutions of cases of suspected human trafficking in 2014 but did not identify, provide protection to, or refer to care providers any trafficking victims; the government did not directly provide reintegration programs for demobilized child soldiers, leaving victims vulnerable to further exploitation or retrafficking by armed groups, including those affiliated with the government; in 2014, an NGO and the government began drafting a national action plan against trafficking but no efforts were reported to establish a policy against child soldiering or to raise awareness about existing laws prohibiting the use of children in the armed forces (2015)

current situation

Central African Republic (CAR) is a source, transit, and destination country for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking, women subjected to forced prostitution, and adults subjected to forced labor; most victims appear to be CAR citizens exploited within the country, with a smaller number transported back forth between the CAR and nearby countries; armed groups operating in the CAR, including those aligned with the former Seleka Government and the Lord’s Resistance Army, continue to recruit and re-recruit children for military activities and labor; children are also subject to domestic servitude, commercial sexual exploitation, and forced labor in agriculture, mines, shops, and street vending; women and girls are subject to domestic servitude, sexual slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, and forced marriage

tier rating

Tier 3 – the 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 conducted a limited number of investigations and prosecutions of cases of suspected human trafficking in 2014 but did not identify, provide protection to, or refer to care providers any trafficking victims; the government did not directly provide reintegration programs for demobilized child soldiers, leaving victims vulnerable to further exploitation or retrafficking by armed groups, including those affiliated with the government; in 2014, an NGO and the government began drafting a national action plan against trafficking but no efforts were reported to establish a policy against child soldiering or to raise awareness about existing laws prohibiting the use of children in the armed forces (2015)