Introduction:
Central African Rep.
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The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993; it lasted one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest; in 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist.
Capital City:
Bangui (+1 GMT)
Chief of State:
President Francois Bozize
Head of Govt.:
Prime Minister Faustin-Archange Touadera
Currency:
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc
Main Cities:
Berberati, Bouar, Bambari
Major Languages:
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Calling Code:
236
Voltage:
220
Primary Religions:
indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%
Main Airports
Bangui M’Poko (BGF)
U.S. Embassy
Blvd David Dacko, Bangui
tel: 236-61-02-0
Key Facts
-
GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
-
$700 (2008 est.)
-
Inflation Rate
-
0.9% (2007 est.)
-
Population
-
4,511,488
-
Country Risk Ratings
-
D
-
Ease of Doing Business
-
180/181
-
Global Competitiveness
-
-/134
Statistics
- Labor force:
- 1.926 million (2007)
- Exports:
- $146.7 million (2007 est.)
- Exports - partners:
- Japan 43.2%, Belgium 10.4%, China 8.3%, Indonesia 6%, France 4.7%, Italy 4.3%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4.3% (2008)
- Imports:
- $237.3 million (2007 est.)
- Imports - partners:
- France 17.3%, Cameroon 9.8%, Netherlands 7.3%, US 6.7% (2008)
- Major Industries:
- gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Rankings
Corruption Perceptions Index
2.4
out of 180
The Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) is reported annually by Transparency International, an international civil society organization. The CPI ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption exists in the misuse of public power for private benefit among public officials and politicians. CPI is a composite index determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The highest ranked country is the country with the least amount of perceived corruption. Index units, 10=least corrupt, 0=most corrupt.
Data collected in
2006
Source:
Transparency International
The E-readiness Ranking is reported yearly by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research and advisory firm. The E-readiness Ranking evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of countries to assess the information and communications technology infrastructure, and the infrastructures benefits on the country's consumers, businesses and governments. The higher ranked countries have a better ability to leverage digital channels for communication, commerce, and government in order to further development.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
EIU
Freedom of the Press
61
out of 191
The Freedom of the Press Survey is an annual report by The Freedom House, an organization that promotes and researches advocacy of freedom across countries. The Press Survey assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate (0-30 points), political influences on reporting and access to information (0-40 points), and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news (0-30 points). The highest ranked country has the greatest degree of press freedom. Index units, 1-30: Free, 31-60: Partly Free, 61-100: Not Free.
Data collected in
2006
Source:
Freedom House
Global Services Location Index
-
The Global Services Location Index is published annually by A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm. The Global Services Location Index measures the viability of countries as a potential offshore destination for services, based on their financial attractiveness (0-4 points), people and skills availability (0-3 points), and business environment (0-3 points). The highest ranked country is the most attractive as a potential offshoring destination. Index units, 0=location does not provide offshore support, 10=location does provide offshore support.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
A.T. Kearney
Index of Economic Freedom
141
out of 155
The Index of Economic Freedom is reported annually by the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute. The Index of Economic Freedom analyzes a wide range of issues including trade barriers, corruption, government expenditures, property rights, and tax rates to generate an overall ranking of economic freedom. The highest ranked country is the country with the least number of restrictions and constraints on businesses.
Data collected in
2008
Source:
Heritage Foundation
Tax Misery & Reform Index
-
The Forbes Tax Misery Index is annually compiled by Forbes, an American publishing and media company. The Tax Misery Index reflects the sum of corporate income, personal income and wealth taxes plus employer social security, employee social security and VAT/sales taxes at the highest marginal rate in each locale. The highest ranked countries impose the harshest taxes while those at the bottom are the most tax friendly.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
Forbes
The Globalization Index
-
The Globalization Index is compiled annually by A.T. Kearney and Foreign Policy. The Globalization Index ranks the major developed and developing countries in the world by analyzing key components of global integration, such as economic, personal, technological, and political integration. The highest ranked country is the most globalized.
Data collected in
2007
Source:
Foreign Policy
