country profile

Central African Republic

Sub-Saharan AfricaLow income5.33M population

Last updated May 3, 2026

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Fragile/Conflict-Affected Country: This country is classified as experiencing conflict.

Composite GEFRI Score

Critically unprepared

Central African Republic shows critically low readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (1st percentile worldwide). Core capabilities are weak across most dimensions, and essential systems face significant constraints. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.

14.57Composite score
Global percentile
1st
Global rank
#178
Regional rank
#47
Viewing data for
Infrastructure
9.70
2nd percentileGlobal avg. 54.77
Human Capital
12.24
2nd percentileGlobal avg. 47.01
Innovation
32.48
22nd percentileGlobal avg. 45.21
Governance
18.44
9th percentileGlobal avg. 47.75
Access & Parity
0.00
8th percentileGlobal avg. 49.65

Country profile

Central African Republic trails global peers in Innovation (32, 22nd percentile), Governance (18, 9th percentile), GEFRI Composite (15, 1st percentile), Human Capital (12, 2nd percentile), Infrastructure (10, 2nd percentile), and School Access and Gender Parity (0, 8th percentile). A coordinated reform effort is needed to strengthen education futures readiness.

Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. Limited electricity or internet coverage still constrains classrooms, preventing large-scale digital instruction. Literacy or tertiary enrollment gaps thin the talent pipeline and limit the country’s capacity to develop future-ready skills.

Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Policy execution and regulatory capacity remain weak, leaving reforms fragmented and hard to sustain. Gender parity leans toward boys in secondary pathways, signalling persistent barriers for girls.

Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.

Key insights

  • Falls below many peers at the 1st percentile.
  • Places 178th worldwide.
  • Holds a regional position of 47th within Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Scores range from Innovation (32.5) to Access & Parity (0.0), reflecting variation across dimensions.
  • Trails regional peers most clearly in Infrastructure.

Regional peers: Sub-Saharan Africa

Composite GEFRI Score

Global rankRegional rankCountryScore
681South Africa57.33
742Mauritius56.48
SeychellesMicrostate55.12
803Botswana54.11
1024Ghana47.72
1085Namibia44.24
1136Cabo Verde40.09
1177Eswatini38.07
1248Senegal35.40
1259Equatorial Guinea35.01
12610Gabon34.48
12911Rwanda33.75
13312Kenya33.02
13413Gambia, The32.24
13514Cote d'Ivoire32.18
Sao Tome and PrincipeFCSMicrostate31.75
14015Lesotho31.04
14116Benin29.70
14217ZimbabweFCS29.57
14418Togo29.28
14519Tanzania29.23
14620CameroonFCS28.46
14721Zambia27.96
14822Mauritania27.82
15023Angola26.39
15224ComorosFCS25.64
15325Congo, Rep.FCS25.59
15526MozambiqueFCS25.26
15627EthiopiaFCS25.24
15728Uganda24.82
15829NigeriaFCS24.64
15930Sierra Leone24.58
16031Madagascar24.32
16132Burkina FasoFCS23.86
16233MaliFCS23.71
16334Malawi23.40
16435Guinea22.78
16636Liberia22.50
16737NigerFCS20.78
16838SudanFCS20.28
16939Guinea-BissauFCS19.28
17645Somalia, Fed. Rep.FCS19.26
17141BurundiFCS18.78
17242EritreaFCS18.78
17443Congo, Dem. Rep.FCS17.87
17544ChadFCS16.32
17645SomaliaFCS15.80
17746South SudanFCS15.44
17847Central African RepublicFCS14.57