The Central African Republic (CAR) has experienced steady but moderate population growth over recent decades. As of 2024, the estimated population is around 5.7 million people, up from approximately 3.5 million in the early 2000s. This growth is driven by a relatively high birth rate, despite challenges such as political instability, conflict, and limited access to healthcare, which have contributed to high mortality rates and life expectancy below the global average. The country remains predominantly rural, with a significant portion of the population living in small villages and relying on subsistence agriculture. While the population is increasing, ongoing humanitarian crises and displacement have affected demographic patterns, leading to uneven growth across regions and significant numbers of internally displaced persons.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 1,259,816 | 2 |
| 1955 | 1,348,342 | 2.2 |
| 1960 | 1,467,449 | 2.4 |
| 1965 | 1,627,540 | 2.6 |
| 1970 | 1,839,245 | 3 |
| 1975 | 2,057,734 | 3.3 |
| 1980 | 2,347,881 | 3.8 |
| 1985 | 2,704,525 | 4.3 |
| 1990 | 3,054,458 | 4.9 |
| 1995 | 3,501,664 | 5.6 |
| 2000 | 3,942,356 | 6.3 |
| 2005 | 4,331,911 | 7 |
| 2010 | 4,683,051 | 7.5 |
| 2015 | 4,900,242 | 7.9 |
| 2020 | 5,262,642 | 8.4 |
| 2022 | 5,454,533 | 8.8 |
| 2023 | 5,552,228 | 8.9 |
| 2024 | 5,650,957 | 9.1 |
| 2025 | 5,750,570 | 9.2 |
| 2030 | 6,257,134 | 10 |
| 2035 | 6,771,878 | 10.9 |
| 2040 | 7,290,316 | 11.7 |
| 2045 | 7,808,806 | 12.5 |
| 2050 | 8,322,885 | 13.4 |
| 2055 | 8,828,065 | 14.2 |
| 2060 | 9,315,795 | 15 |
| 2065 | 9,774,648 | 15.7 |
| 2070 | 10,194,786 | 16.4 |
| 2075 | 10,568,241 | 17 |
| 2080 | 10,888,682 | 17.5 |
| 2085 | 11,150,702 | 17.9 |
| 2090 | 11,349,120 | 18.2 |
| 2095 | 11,478,722 | 18.4 |
| 2100 | 11,534,845 | 18.5 |
Data from US Census International Database