The Central African Republic (CAR) has a relatively high rate of natural increase (RNI), reflecting its high birth rate and comparatively high, though declining, death rate. As of recent estimates, CAR’s RNI hovers around 2.0% per year, indicating moderate population growth. This rate is somewhat lower than that of some of its neighbors, such as Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which have RNIs closer to 2.5% or higher, due to even higher birth rates and slightly lower mortality rates. In contrast, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo have similar or slightly lower RNIs, reflecting ongoing demographic transitions with declining fertility and improving health outcomes. Despite these differences, all these countries share youthful populations and high fertility, but CAR’s growth is tempered by persistent conflict, poor health infrastructure, and higher mortality, which distinguish its demographic profile from some of its more stable neighbors.
| Year | Rate of Natural Increase | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 2.609 | 2,057,734 |
| 1980 | 2.594 | 2,347,881 |
| 1985 | 2.653 | 2,704,525 |
| 1990 | 2.622 | 3,054,458 |
| 1995 | 2.391 | 3,501,664 |
| 2000 | 2.238 | 3,942,356 |
| 2005 | 2.115 | 4,331,911 |
| 2010 | 2.179 | 4,683,051 |
| 2015 | 2.141 | 4,900,242 |
| 2020 | 2.134 | 5,262,642 |
| 2024 | 2.067 | 5,650,957 |
| 2025 | 2.045 | 5,750,570 |
| 2026 | 2.02 | 5,850,877 |
| 2030 | 1.917 | 6,257,134 |
| 2035 | 1.784 | 6,771,878 |
| 2040 | 1.665 | 7,290,316 |
| 2045 | 1.547 | 7,808,806 |
| 2050 | 1.435 | 8,322,885 |
| 2055 | 1.329 | 8,828,065 |
| 2060 | 1.209 | 9,315,795 |
| 2065 | 1.082 | 9,774,648 |
| 2070 | 0.953 | 10,194,786 |
| 2075 | 0.824 | 10,568,241 |
| 2080 | 0.697 | 10,888,682 |
| 2085 | 0.572 | 11,150,702 |
| 2090 | 0.445 | 11,349,120 |
| 2095 | 0.316 | 11,478,722 |
| 2100 | 0.183 | 11,534,845 |
Data from US Census International Database