EnglishEnglish
中文Chinese (Simplified)
EspañolSpanish
हिन्दीHindi
العربيةArabic
FrançaisFrench
PortuguêsPortuguese
РусскийRussian
DeutschGerman
日本語Japanese
United States
Poland
Maldives
Iraq ↑ 54
Austria vs Czechia
Central African Republic vs Lesotho
Side-by-side comparison of Central African Republic and Lesotho from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
Central African Republic
Sub-Saharan Africa · nation age 66 years
In short
Lesotho scores 24.0 in the NationsTree Index (179th in the world) and Central African Republic scores 15.0 (196th), a gap of 9.0 points. Their trees are 1.3 m and 1.4 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Central African Republic has 2.3 times the population of Lesotho. Central African Republic is 21 times larger than Lesotho by land area. Central African Republic and Lesotho have economies of similar size (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Central African Republic 5.5 million and Lesotho 2.4 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $3,184 in Lesotho and $1,314 in Central African Republic (2025, international dollars). Life expectancy is almost the same: 57.7 and 57.8 years.
Of 30 indicators reported by both countries, Central African Republic ranks higher in the world on 9 and Lesotho on 21. Central African Republic is clearly stronger in environment & energy, military and land & people. Lesotho is clearly stronger in tourism, institutions & safety and society & health.
As a nation, Central African Republic is the older of the two (statehood since 1960, 66 years), compared with Lesotho (since 1966). Over the last five years Central African Republic improved faster (direction score 45 vs 44 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Central African Republic and Lesotho.
Central African Republic
-3.8%
125th of 192
Lesothobetter
4.9%
6th of 192
InflationEconomy
Central African Republicbetter
1.0%
37th of 180
Lesotho
4.3%
130th of 180
High-tech exportsTrade
Central African Republicbetter
8.3%
79th of 168
Lesotho
0.1%
162nd of 168
Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI)Infrastructure & digital
Central African Republicbetter
2.60
80th of 164
Lesotho
1.96
152nd of 164
Renewable freshwater per personNatural resources
Central African Republicbetter
27,658
22nd of 183
Lesotho
2,288
98th of 183
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Lesotho overtook Central African Republic in life expectancy in 2024, the latest year with data.
Lesotho overtook Central African Republic in GDP (PPP) in 2022 and has stayed ahead since.
Lesotho overtook Central African Republic in the NationsTree Index in 2003 and has stayed ahead since.
Lesotho has been ahead of Central African Republic in GDP per person (PPP) in every year since 1990.
Central African Republic has been ahead of Lesotho in population in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
Central African RepublicLesotho All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | Central African Republic | Lesotho |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 622,98044th/216 · 2024 | 30,360138th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 622,98043rd/216 · 2024 | 30,360137th/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 5.5 m119th/217 · 2025 | 2.4 m144th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 3.37%7th/217 · 2025 | 1.10%96th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 8.6204th/216 · 2024 | 77.0129th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 44.6%163rd/217 · 2025 | 44.7%162nd/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 48.7%1st/217 · 2025 | 34.1%54th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 2.2%213th/217 · 2025 | 3.9%169th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $3.07 bn180th/210 · 2025 | $2.57 bn184th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $7.24 bn167th/199 · 2025 | $7.53 bn164th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $6.19 bn167th/199 · 2025 | $6.43 bn164th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $556208th/210 · 2025 | $1,089195th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $1,314198th/199 · 2025 | $3,184184th/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $560198th/201 · 2025 | $1,280178th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 4.5%64th/210 · 2025 | 2.0%146th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 1.0%37th/180 · 2025 | 4.3%130th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 6.3%115th/187 · 2025 | 16.3%174th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | — | 3.0%1st/55 · 2020 |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 42.6%70th/189 · 2025 | 49.4%83rd/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -3.8%125th/192 · 2025 | 4.9%6th/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 27.6%16th/197 · 2025 | 6.5%96th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 21.2%119th/200 · 2025 | 25.2%85th/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 18.0%30th/192 · 2023 | 12.1%78th/192 · 2024 |
| Services % of GDP | 41.4%184th/200 · 2025 | 55.6%115th/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $593.1 m165th/182 · 2025 | $1.27 bn158th/182 · 2025 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $1.03 bn168th/182 · 2025 | $2.69 bn153rd/182 · 2025 |
| Exports % of GDP | 19.3%147th/183 · 2025 | 49.5%53rd/183 · 2025 |
| Imports % of GDP | 33.6%120th/183 · 2025 | 104.5%6th/183 · 2025 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 52.9%138th/183 · 2025 | 154.0%19th/183 · 2025 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 0.0%141st/170 · 2024 | 0.0%146th/170 · 2024 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 71.8%40th/171 · 2024 | 70.1%42nd/171 · 2024 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 0.2%168th/171 · 2024 | 23.3%62nd/171 · 2024 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 6.3%54th/171 · 2024 | 1.5%120th/171 · 2024 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 8.3%79th/168 · 2024 | 0.1%162nd/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -2.6%107th/191 · 2025 | -1.2%95th/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 1.4%122nd/196 · 2025 | 1.3%130th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 10.3%45th/209 · 2021 | 4.3%78th/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 0.77%49th/209 · 2021 | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 9.49%6th/209 · 2021 | 4.32%18th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 2.9%158th/206 · 2024 | 19.0%58th/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 27,65822nd/183 · 2022 | 2,28898th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 87,000168th/194 · 2019 | 1.1 m91st/194 · 2019 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $15.6 m2013 | $23.1 m1999 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | — | 10.1%1999 |
| Outbound trips departures | 38,0002010 | — |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 57.7215th/217 · 2024 | 57.8213th/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 89.7188th/196 · 2024 | 60.0176th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 0.07170th/174 · 2023 | 0.24141st/174 · 2022 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 1.02011 | 1.32006 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 42%190th/193 · 2024 | 86%125th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 12.5%2019 | 37.2%122nd/153 · 2024 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 15.8%2017 | 59.4%2017 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | — | 74.8%2017 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 4.5%208th/217 · 2025 | 6.3%172nd/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 10.7%22nd/193 · 2023 | 12.6%8th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 42.4%2019 | 90.4%51st/98 · 2024 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 2.8%2012 | 9.9%2018 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.414191st/193 · 2023 | 0.550167th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 43.095th/108 · 2021 | 44.92017 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 71.6%106th/108 · 2021 | 41.9%2017 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 18.2%212th/215 · 2024 | 60.6%187th/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | 6.2%150th/150 · 2024 | 31.3%126th/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 13.5%134th/144 · 2024 | 43.8%92nd/144 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 13.8%183rd/186 · 2024 | 51.8%147th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 39205th/210 · 2022 | 70179th/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 0.0203rd/208 · 2022 | 0.4182nd/208 · 2024 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 2.6080th/164 · 2022 | 1.96152nd/164 · 2018 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 46,3642001 | 1,3001999 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 0.0612th/203 · 2024 | 0.4338th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 90.9%5th/212 · 2022 | 34.9%69th/212 · 2022 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 33.3163rd/200 · 2023 | 26.4143rd/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 72.5%15th/214 · 2024 | 1.1%196th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | — | 102007 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 19.3197th/205 · 2025 | 39.2155th/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 21.3190th/207 · 2025 | 42.5111th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 30.7198th/207 · 2025 | 51.0131st/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 35.9191st/207 · 2025 | 65.4118th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 33.0188th/205 · 2025 | 47.1135th/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 34.5171st/205 · 2025 | 59.696th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 20.12016 | 38.22008 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $74.2 m142nd/156 · 2025 | $39.9 m145th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 2.3%46th/156 · 2025 | 1.6%81st/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 12.5%22nd/154 · 2025 | 2.7%126th/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 10,000131st/170 · 2020 | 2,000154th/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 0.54%109th/168 · 2020 | 0.24%149th/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 43.0 m68th/163 · 2023 | 1.0 m2019 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | — | 0.09%99th/110 · 2023 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | — | 12019 |
| Scientific articles articles | 26170th/197 · 2023 | 60149th/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Central African Republic or Lesotho?
Central African Republic has the larger population: 5.5 m (2025) compared with 2.4 m for Lesotho (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Central African Republic or Lesotho?
Central African Republic is larger: 622,980 km² (2024) compared with 30,360 km² for Lesotho (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Central African Republic or Lesotho?
Lesotho has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $7.53 bn intl. (2025) compared with $7.24 bn intl. for Central African Republic (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Central African Republic or Lesotho?
Lesotho has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $3,184 intl. (2025) compared with $1,314 intl. for Central African Republic (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Central African Republic or Lesotho?
Lesotho has the higher life expectancy at birth: 57.8 years (2024) compared with 57.7 years for Central African Republic (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Central African Republic or Lesotho?
Central African Republic spends more on the military: $74.2 m (2025) compared with $39.9 m for Lesotho (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Central African Republic or Lesotho?
Lesotho: 24.0 points (179th in the world); Central African Republic: 15.0 points (196th). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Cabo Verde
Comoros
Gambia
Guinea-Bissau
São Tomé and Príncipe
Seychelles
LiberiaSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). Central African Republic vs Lesotho — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/central-african-republic-vs-lesotho. Data as of 26 October 2026.