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Welcome To Central African Republic
Country number
98
Selected MR Agencies

An Introduction to Central African Republic

The Central African Republic was previously a French Colony known as Ubangi-Chari: it gained full independence in 1960. For more than three decades, it was then ruled by Presidents who were not freely elected or took power by force - but local discontent reinforced by international pressure brought the first multi-party democratic elections in 1993 and the ten-year Presidency of Ange-Fãlix Patassã. Despite another coup and government bankruptcy, the country remains free of dictatorship. See full country profile.

Latest Research News from Africa

Feb 6
Ipsos has appointed Ziad Issa as the new Media CEO in the MENA region, succeeding Elie Aoun who has decided to step down after 32 years at the company. Feb 6 2024
Jan 16
Insight and communities firm Verve has announced eighteen promotions across its locations in London, Manchester, Sydney, Iasi (Romania) and Johannesburg, including the appointment of Kim Howard as Semiotics Research Director. Jan 16 2024


1 current African job:

Survey Research Manager, Remote Working - Worldwide, $ Competitive salary - (posted Feb 27 2024)
Know of an MR agency based in Central African Republic? We don't - please get in touch


Fast Facts
Map of Central African Republic
CAPITAL: Bangui
GOVERNMENT: republic
AREA: 622,984 sq km
POPULATION: 4,950,027 (July 2011 est.)
MAJOR LANGUAGE: French, Sango
Cotton picker's break, Cent.Af.Rep.
Cotton picker's break, Cent.Af.Rep.


Legal madness Amazingly, around 40% of cases that go to court in the Central African Republic are witchcraft prosecutions. Everything from infected toes to murder, from damage to property to something as mundane as bad weather, can be and is attributed to meddling by witches. While there is usually 'no evidence' to support witchcraft being practised, a number of legal professionals in the country appear to believe in the reality of shape-shifting and killing with magic spells.

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Central African Republic in Profile

The Central African Republic was previously a French Colony known as Ubangi-Chari: it gained full independence in 1960. For more than three decades, it was then ruled by Presidents who were not freely elected or took power by force - but local discontent reinforced by international pressure brought the first multi-party democratic elections in 1993 and the ten-year Presidency of Ange-Fãlix Patassã. Despite another coup and government bankruptcy, the country remains free of dictatorship.

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world and among the te' poorest countries in Africa. The Human Development Index score of 0.369 gives the country a rank of 179 out of 182 countries with data.

Some Business and General Info

GDP: $3.446 billion (2010 est.) - Per capita = $700 (2010 est.)

Religions indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%. Note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority

Currency: Central African Franc (XAF) - GBP 1 = XAF 746.25

Telephone Code: +236

Research Industry

None.

Overview of Trade and Industry

Subsistence agriculture and forestry are the backbone of the economy, generating more than half of GDP. Timber (16%) and diamonds (40%) between them make up the majority of export earnings (2010: $146.7m). Constraints to economic development include the country's landlocked position, poor transportation, a largely unskilled work force, unsuccessful economic policies and factional fighting between the government and its opponents. Humanitarian grants are provided by France and the international community, but the distribution of income is extraordinarily uneven.

The much-quoted per capita income figure of c.$300 a year is based mostly on reported sales of exports and mostly ignores the larger unregistered economy which includes foods, locally produced alcohol, diamonds, ivory and other products.

Major partners for export were Belgium (35.6%), China and Morocco. A wide range of imports (2010: $237.3m) come from countries including France (14.7%), the USA (9.6%), Cameroon (9.1%) and the Netherlands (8.3%).

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Central African Republic
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If you are a researcher based in Central African Republic, in whatever capacity, then we would love to hear from you!

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