Population in largest city in Central African Republic
Central African Republic: Population in largest city was 1.02 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population in largest city in Central African Republic, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in largest city in Central African Republic is 1.02 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.1% on the previous year and up 27.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Central African Republic peaked at 1.02 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 94,350, in 1960.
That places Central African Republic 127th out of 153 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population in largest city in Central African Republic, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 94,350 | — |
| 1961 | 102,334 | +8.5% |
| 1962 | 111,006 | +8.5% |
| 1963 | 120,413 | +8.5% |
| 1964 | 130,626 | +8.5% |
| 1965 | 141,662 | +8.4% |
| 1966 | 153,199 | +8.1% |
| 1967 | 164,523 | +7.4% |
| 1968 | 176,702 | +7.4% |
| 1969 | 189,744 | +7.4% |
| 1970 | 203,770 | +7.4% |
| 1971 | 218,832 | +7.4% |
| 1972 | 235,031 | +7.4% |
| 1973 | 252,379 | +7.4% |
| 1974 | 271,035 | +7.4% |
| 1975 | 291,069 | +7.4% |
| 1976 | 305,885 | +5.1% |
| 1977 | 315,594 | +3.2% |
| 1978 | 325,626 | +3.2% |
| 1979 | 335,977 | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 346,672 | +3.2% |
| 1981 | 357,676 | +3.2% |
| 1982 | 369,045 | +3.2% |
| 1983 | 380,776 | +3.2% |
| 1984 | 392,897 | +3.2% |
| 1985 | 405,369 | +3.2% |
| 1986 | 418,254 | +3.2% |
| 1987 | 431,550 | +3.2% |
| 1988 | 445,286 | +3.2% |
| 1989 | 456,973 | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 466,876 | +2.2% |
| 1991 | 476,994 | +2.2% |
| 1992 | 487,345 | +2.2% |
| 1993 | 497,892 | +2.2% |
| 1994 | 508,682 | +2.2% |
| 1995 | 519,706 | +2.2% |
| 1996 | 530,984 | +2.2% |
| 1997 | 542,475 | +2.2% |
| 1998 | 554,231 | +2.2% |
| 1999 | 566,242 | +2.2% |
| 2000 | 578,530 | +2.2% |
| 2001 | 591,050 | +2.2% |
| 2002 | 603,859 | +2.2% |
| 2003 | 616,945 | +2.2% |
| 2004 | 630,334 | +2.2% |
| 2005 | 643,975 | +2.2% |
| 2006 | 657,931 | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 672,189 | +2.2% |
| 2008 | 686,777 | +2.2% |
| 2009 | 701,639 | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 716,845 | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 732,380 | +2.2% |
| 2012 | 748,273 | +2.2% |
| 2013 | 764,467 | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 781,034 | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 797,960 | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 815,276 | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 832,920 | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 850,946 | +2.2% |
| 2019 | 869,599 | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 889,231 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 910,270 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 933,176 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | 958,335 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | 985,965 | +2.9% |
| 2025 | 1.02 million | +3.1% |
Central African Republic compared with similar countries
- Central African Republic's 1.02 million is below the median for low income countries, which is 1.98 million, 51% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Central African Republic's 1.02 million is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.18 million, 47% of the median. (40 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 138,456 | 94,350 | 189,744 | 10 |
| 1970s | 275,520 | 203,770 | 335,977 | 10 |
| 1980s | 400,450 | 346,672 | 456,973 | 10 |
| 1990s | 515,143 | 466,876 | 566,242 | 10 |
| 2000s | 638,323 | 578,530 | 701,639 | 10 |
| 2010s | 790,970 | 716,845 | 869,599 | 10 |
| 2020s | 948,854 | 889,231 | 1.02 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Central African Republic
More urban development data for Central African Republic
- Population in the largest city 41.4% (2025)
- Population density 8.27 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 33.29 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 23 - Ecological 16.44 Hectares (2020)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 100.0% (2017)
- Dollar value of all resources made available to strengthen 3.37 million current US$ (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Central African Republic?
- Population in largest city in Central African Republic was 1.02 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Central African Republic?
- The highest recorded value was 1.02 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Central African Republic?
- The lowest recorded value was 94,350 in 1960.
- How does Central African Republic rank for population in largest city?
- Central African Republic ranks 127th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Central African Republic?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Central African Republic data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.