Central African Republic: cost of living

How fast are food prices rising in the Central African Republic?

Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages were 12.5% higher in April 2026 than a year earlier, according to the monthly consumer price index published by ICASEES. The food index rose from 119.0 in February 2026 to 131.8 in April, a sharp increase over two months. Overall consumer prices were up 5.1% over the year.

The rates here are calculated from the index values ICASEES publishes in its spreadsheet. ICASEES publishes monthly bulletins explaining price movements on its IHPC page.

Official sources: ICASEES: Monthly IHPC 2015-2026 (spreadsheet) · ICASEES: IHPC page

What is the poverty rate in the Central African Republic?

71.6% of people in the Central African Republic lived on less than $3.00 a day (2021 purchasing power parity) in 2021, the latest survey year, according to the World Bank. The figure comes from the national household living conditions survey (EHCVM).

The $3.00 line is the World Bank's international extreme poverty line. ICASEES is running a second round of the household living conditions survey (EHCVM2) with technical support from CEMAC and UEMOA, according to its website, which will give a newer estimate.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day, CAR · ICASEES

What is the Central African Republic's inflation rate?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in the Central African Republic at 1.0% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 14.9%; its low point was 2007, at 1.0%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 3.4%; the Central African Republic is 32nd highest of 39. Worldwide: 131st of 165.

How much do people in the Central African Republic spend?

In 2025, household consumption per person in the Central African Republic was $459, according to the World Bank. The peak was $537 in 2012 and the low $288 in 2013. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $840, and the Central African Republic placed 32nd highest of 37. Worldwide: 119th of 124.

How many people in the Central African Republic live on under $3 a day?

According to the World Bank, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in the Central African Republic was 71.6% in 2021. That compares with 67.3% in 2008. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 38.6%; the Central African Republic is 1st highest of 13. Worldwide: 1st of 80.

How many people in the Central African Republic are poor?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2021, is 68.8%. It is 2nd highest of 13 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 41.2%. World rank, highest first: 3rd of 72.

What is the Central African Republic's Gini coefficient?

43.0: that is the Gini index in the Central African Republic for 2021, according to the World Bank. That compares with 56.2 in 2008. It is 1st highest of 13 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 36.2. World rank, highest first: 7th of 80.

What is food insecurity in the Central African Republic?

According to the FAO, moderate or severe food insecurity in the Central African Republic was 88.1% in 2022. It is 2nd highest of 38 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 59.2%. Worldwide: 2nd of 147.