Population · Africa · 2025 data
Central African Republic Population
Central African Republic had a population of 5.51 million in 2025, ranking #119 of 216 countries and territories (0.07% of the world). The population grew by 19.1% over the past ten years.
Population of Central African Republic, 1960–2025
Values in millions · World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0)
Population by year (table)
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5,513,282 | +3.43% |
| 2024 | 5,330,690 | +3.46% |
| 2023 | 5,152,421 | +1.07% |
| 2022 | 5,098,039 | -0.28% |
| 2021 | 5,112,100 | +1.70% |
| 2020 | 5,026,628 | +1.66% |
| 2019 | 4,944,703 | +1.35% |
| 2018 | 4,878,657 | +1.78% |
| 2017 | 4,793,511 | +1.69% |
| 2016 | 4,713,663 | +1.82% |
| 2015 | 4,629,320 | +0.13% |
| 2014 | 4,623,182 | -0.41% |
| 2013 | 4,642,419 | +0.68% |
| 2012 | 4,610,848 | +1.00% |
| 2011 | 4,565,021 | +1.60% |
| 2010 | 4,492,995 | -0.80% |
| 2009 | 4,529,047 | -0.66% |
| 2008 | 4,558,984 | +2.16% |
| 2007 | 4,462,770 | +1.95% |
| 2006 | 4,377,579 | +2.07% |
| 2005 | 4,288,810 | +2.29% |
| 2004 | 4,192,826 | +2.19% |
| 2003 | 4,103,086 | +2.42% |
| 2002 | 4,006,077 | +2.21% |
| 2001 | 3,919,487 | +2.25% |
| 2000 | 3,833,416 | +2.79% |
| 1999 | 3,729,450 | +2.77% |
| 1998 | 3,628,827 | +2.75% |
| 1997 | 3,531,700 | +2.79% |
| 1996 | 3,435,965 | +2.63% |
| 1995 | 3,348,052 | +2.77% |
| 1994 | 3,257,954 | +3.17% |
| 1993 | 3,157,839 | +3.24% |
| 1992 | 3,058,831 | +3.23% |
| 1991 | 2,963,191 | +3.18% |
| 1990 | 2,871,910 | +3.16% |
| 1989 | 2,783,970 | +2.58% |
| 1988 | 2,713,965 | +1.68% |
| 1987 | 2,669,155 | +1.32% |
| 1986 | 2,634,258 | +1.28% |
| 1985 | 2,600,932 | +1.26% |
| 1984 | 2,568,610 | +1.23% |
| 1983 | 2,537,399 | +1.20% |
| 1982 | 2,507,375 | +1.17% |
| 1981 | 2,478,402 | +1.14% |
| 1980 | 2,450,535 | +1.10% |
| 1979 | 2,423,794 | +1.08% |
| 1978 | 2,397,961 | +1.05% |
| 1977 | 2,372,930 | +1.04% |
| 1976 | 2,348,566 | +1.50% |
| 1975 | 2,313,916 | +1.96% |
| 1974 | 2,269,338 | +1.95% |
| 1973 | 2,226,008 | +1.93% |
| 1972 | 2,183,769 | +1.98% |
| 1971 | 2,141,450 | +2.10% |
| 1970 | 2,097,505 | +2.24% |
| 1969 | 2,051,515 | +2.31% |
| 1968 | 2,005,100 | +2.28% |
| 1967 | 1,960,444 | +2.21% |
| 1966 | 1,918,082 | +2.14% |
| 1965 | 1,877,854 | +2.08% |
| 1964 | 1,839,583 | +2.03% |
| 1963 | 1,803,063 | +1.98% |
| 1962 | 1,768,115 | +1.93% |
| 1961 | 1,734,580 | +1.89% |
| 1960 | 1,702,346 | — |
Demographics of Central African Republic
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%, other Central African Republic ethnic groups 2%, non-Central African Republic ethnic groups .1% (2003 est.)
Languages
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Religions
Roman Catholic 34.6%, Protestant 15.7%, other Christian 22.9%, Muslim 13.8%, ethnic religionist 12%, Baha'i 0.2%, agnostic/atheist 0.7% (2020 est.)
Where people live
Urban population: 43.6% of total population (2023).
Largest cities
Central African Republic and its neighbours
Frequently asked questions about the population of Central African Republic
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Population and demographics: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Cities, ethnic groups, languages and religions: CIA World Factbook (public domain).