Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Central African Republic instead of Washington, you would:

Health

live 23.7 years less

In Washington, the average life expectancy is 79 years (78 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020. In Central African Republic, that number is 56 years (54 years for men, 57 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

make 98.9% less money

Washington has a GDP per capita of $87,768 as of 2024, while in Central African Republic, the GDP per capita is $1,000 as of 2023.

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be 18.7% more likely to be unemployed

In Washington, 5.3% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Central African Republic, that number is 6.3% as of 2023.

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be 7.3 times more likely to live below the poverty line

In Washington, 9.4% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Central African Republic, however, that number is 68.8% as of 2021.

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Basic Needs

be 88.2% less likely to have internet access

In Washington, approximately 93.1% of the population has internet access as of 2023. In Central African Republic, about 11.0% do as of 2021.

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The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Compare further: Washington vs. Central African Republic

Cost of Living Comparison · 5 categories - 2026 data
Central African Republic is 24.2% more expensive than Washington
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Size Comparison · See true size
Washington is about 3.6 times smaller than Central African Republic.
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Central African Republic: At a glance

Central African Republic is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 622,984 sq km. 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 and lasted for one decade. In March, 2003 President Ange-Felix PATASSE was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Elections held in 2005 affirmed General BOZIZE as president; he was reelected in 2011 in voting widely viewed as flawed. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. The militant group the Lord's Resistance Army continues to destabilize southeastern Central African Republic, and several rebel groups joined together in early December 2012 to launch a series of attacks that left them in control of numerous towns in the northern and central parts of the country. The rebels - who are unhappy with BOZIZE's government - participated in peace talks in early January 2013 which resulted in a coalition government including the rebellion's leadership. In March 2013, the coalition government dissolved, rebels seized the capital, and President BOZIZE fled the country. Rebel leader Michel DJOTODIA assumed the presidency, reappointed Nicolas TIANGAYE as Prime Minister, and established a transitional government on 31 March. On 13 April 2013, the National Transitional Council affirmed DJOTODIA as President.
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