Photo: David Holt London · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Central African Republic: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
Central African Republic is placed joint 197th of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 57.41 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 89.73 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
joint197th
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 57.41Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 89.73Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- 37.9Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
- —Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024No reading for this country
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Central African Republic on health & wellbeing — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
57.41
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
Central African Republic: 57.41. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in Middle Africa
- 69.72 São Tomé and Príncipe
- Land neighbours
- Cameroon 63.7 · DR Congo 61.9 · Republic of the Congo 65.77 · Sudan 66.33 · South Sudan 57.62 · Chad 55.07
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
89.73
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
Central African Republic: 89.73. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in Middle Africa
- 13.55 São Tomé and Príncipe
- Land neighbours
- Cameroon 64.84 · DR Congo 89.68 · Republic of the Congo 39.11 · Sudan 61.6 · South Sudan 96.71 · Chad 97.26
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Central African Republic’s is from 2022 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
37.9
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
Central African Republic: 37.9. Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in Middle Africa
- 11.74 São Tomé and Príncipe
- Land neighbours
- Cameroon 28.93 · DR Congo 44.7 · Republic of the Congo 21.19 · Sudan 38.24 · South Sudan 31.28 · Chad 31.92
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
No reading
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
FAO publishes no 2024 figure for Central African Republic, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in Middle Africa
- 16.2 Angola
- Land neighbours
- Cameroon 23.9 · DR Congo 43.9 · South Sudan 62.9 · Chad 25.2
02Over time
Which way Central African Republic is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
Central African RepublicWorld median
Central African Republic rose from 46.61 in 2000 to 57.41 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year Central African Republic World median 2023 57.41 74.630 2022 18.82 74.313 2021 40.28 72.433 2020 50.60 73.063 2019 31.53 74.196 2018 52.30 74.081 2017 45.23 74.029 2016 51.00 74.013 2015 51.93 73.783 2014 40.27 73.330 2013 49.49 73.386 2012 51.34 73.210 2011 50.11 73.003 2010 46.87 72.827 2009 14.67 72.426 2008 49.87 72.264 2007 49.33 72.113 2006 48.69 72.027 2005 48.21 71.876 2004 47.70 71.477 2003 47.31 71.409 2002 46.84 71.173 2001 46.73 70.926 2000 46.61 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
Central African RepublicWorld median
Central African Republic fell from 165.46 in 2000 to 89.73 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year Central African Republic World median 2024 90 14.5 2023 93 15.2 2022 425 14.7 2021 179 15.1 2020 124 15.3 2019 255 15.7 2018 120 16.3 2017 155 16.8 2016 127 17.5 2015 114 17.9 2014 187 18.3 2013 134 18.7 2012 122 18.8 2011 125 19.0 2010 151 19.2 2009 489 20.8 2008 135 20.7 2007 139 21.8 2006 143 22.8 2005 148 24.0 2004 152 25.9 2003 156 26.9 2002 159 28.0 2001 162 29.1 2000 165 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
Central African RepublicWorld median
Central African Republic was at 56.3 in both 2020 and 2022; the world median went from 5.6 to 5.45.
Every year’s figures
Year Central African Republic World median 2024 — 4.9 2023 — 4.7 2022 56 5.4 2021 56 5.7 2020 56 5.6 2019 — 5.0 2018 — 4.2 2017 — 4.0 2016 — 3.4 2015 — 3.4
03In context
Central African Republic beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 200 countries on health & wellbeing, never a place within the region.
Central African Republic and the countries it borders
Standing among all 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Republic of the Congo | 158th | 65.77 | 39.11 | 21.19 | — |
 Cameroon | 180th | 63.7 | 64.84 | 28.93 | 23.9 |
 Sudan | 185th | 66.33 | 61.6 | 38.24 | — |
 Chad | 195th | 55.07 | 97.26 | 31.92 | 25.2 |
| Central African Republic | =197th | 57.41 | 89.73 | 37.9 | — |
 DR Congo | =197th | 61.9 | 89.68 | 44.7 | 43.9 |
 South Sudan | 200th | 57.62 | 96.71 | 31.28 | 62.9 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Middle Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
The countries immediately above and below Central African Republic in the topic’s list.
Lesotho194th- Chad195th
Nigeria196th- Central African Republic=197th
- DR Congo=197th
Somalia199th- South Sudan200th
04Context, no vote
Where Central African Republic is ahead of the world, and behind
46 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which Central African Republic does better than the middle country measured.
Insecticide-Treated Net UseMAP · 2025 · world median 4574.6645▲ Improved since 2015
Central African Republic: 74.66 · world median 45 · Population that slept under an insecticide-treated net (%). Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.586 to 88.58; higher is better.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.52.2885.5▲ Improved since 2014
Central African Republic: 2.288 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 149th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.9562.552.95No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 62.5 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 43rd of 136 · derived.
Female Genital Mutilation PrevalenceUNICEF · 2024 · world median 34.121.634.1No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 21.6 · world median 34.1 · Women aged 15-49 who have undergone FGM (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.3 to 99.2; lower is better.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.2619.0321.26No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 19.03 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 60th of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median33
Statistics on which Central African Republic does worse than the middle country measured.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7436.1540.74No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 36.15 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 83rd of 136 · derived.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5726.637.57No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 26.6 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 115 · derived.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5465.23.546No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 5.2 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 55th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.958.682.9No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 58.6 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 82nd of 109 · derived.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.30.25▲ Improved since 2014
Central African Republic: 0.3 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
INFORM Severity IndexACAPS · 2025 · world median 3.143.1No real change since 2020
Central African Republic: 4 · world median 3.1 · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis). ACAPS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.3 to 4.7; lower is better.
Position 16th of 81 · derived, 1st = worst.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4529.414.45▲ Improved since 2013
Central African Republic: 29.4 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 37th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2116.3510.21▼ Worsened since 2010
Central African Republic: 16.35 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 24th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.523.441.5No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 23.4 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 111th of 127 · derived.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.48104.913.48▼ Worsened since 2015
Central African Republic: 104.91 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
Global Report on Food CrisesFSIN · 2024 · world median 224122▼ Worsened since 2016
Central African Republic: 41 · world median 22 · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population). Food Security Information Network (FSIN), 2025 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3 to 56; lower is better.
Position 5th of 44 · derived, 1st = worst.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.958.396.9No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 58.3 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.2538.271.25No real change since 2013
Central African Republic: 38.2 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 180th of 196 · derived.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.89075.8No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 90 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 7th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.734.767.7No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 34.7 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 119th of 127 · derived.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8141.481No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 41.4 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 144th of 153 · derived.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.13429.938.134No real change since 2014
Central African Republic: 29.93 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 12th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.229.85.2No real change since 2013
Central African Republic: 29.8 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 10th of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3912.8516.39▲ Improved since 2013
Central African Republic: 12.85 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 210th of 222 · derived.
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 26.487.626.4No real change since 2017
Central African Republic: 87.6 · world median 26.4 · Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 93.9; lower is better.
Position 7th of 145 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2658.8312.26▲ Improved since 2014
Central African Republic: 58.83 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 8th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.85821.422.858▲ Improved since 2014
Central African Republic: 21.42 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 7th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.47332.7652.47No real change since 2015
Central African Republic: 332.76 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.10698.88.106▼ Worsened since 2014
Central African Republic: 98.8 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.4610.039▼ Worsened since 2018
Central African Republic: 0.461 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.65691.7446.65No real change since 2013
Central African Republic: 691.74 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 4th of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.4140.762No real change since 2013
Central African Republic: 0.414 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 191st of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 914691No real change since 2015
Central African Republic: 46 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 904490No real change since 2015
Central African Republic: 44 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16332.38.163▼ Worsened since 2013
Central African Republic: 32.3 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 2nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.7355.45133.7No real change since 2013
Central African Republic: 355.45 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 2nd of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.46163.0927.46No real change since 2013
Central African Republic: 163.09 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 1st of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.2920.564No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 0.292 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 172nd of 172 · derived.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1331.413No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 31.4 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8939.9438.89No real change since 2015
Central African Republic: 39.94 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 84th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.886.7486.88No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 6.748 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.554.344.55Moved since 2017
Central African Republic: 4.34 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2520.741.25No real change since 2013
Central African Republic: 20.7 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.416.235.4Moved since 2013
Central African Republic: 16.2 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.021.73No real change since 2014
Central African Republic: 0.02 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 173rd of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.652.220.65No earlier reading
Central African Republic: 2.2 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
No current reading for Central African Republic
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Agreement That Vaccines Are Safe, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff (last 2019), Dietary Energy Supply, Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Fish and Seafood Supply per Person, Fruit Supply per Person, Gender Inequality Index, HPV Vaccination Coverage, Girls, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Meat Supply per Person, Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity (last 2022), Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity (last 2022), Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and Tubers (last 2008) and Vegetable Supply per Person. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Health & Wellbeing among Central African Republic’s 15 topics
Health & Wellbeing is Central African Republic’s 14th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability6th of 1863/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade86th of 1772/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture146th of 1843/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties160th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality148th of 1834/4 keys
- Work & Labour149th of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 170th of 1933/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions176th of 1944/4 keys
- Peace & Security163rd of 1774/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality153rd of 1593/3 keys
- Digital & Technology192nd of 1983/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital193rd of 1963/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge195th of 1982/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 197th of 2003/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation174th of 1762/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders Central African Republic can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Africa
Cabo Verde80th4/4 keysHighest in Middle Africa
São Tomé and Príncipe=110th3/4 keysThis page
Central African Republic=197th3/4 keys
Positions out of 200 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Central African Republic and health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
Central African Republic on health & wellbeing: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Central African Republic rank on health & wellbeing?
Central African Republic is placed joint 197th of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate and Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for Central African Republic?
57.41 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for Central African Republic?
89.73 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How does Central African Republic compare with DR Congo on health & wellbeing?
DR Congo is placed joint 197th of 200, and Central African Republic joint 197th. Life Expectancy at Birth: DR Congo 61.9, Central African Republic 57.41; Under-Five Mortality Rate: DR Congo 89.68, Central African Republic 89.73; Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five: DR Congo 44.7, Central African Republic 37.9.
How have Central African Republic’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 46.61 in 2000 to 57.41 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 165.46 in 2000 to 89.73 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity was 56.3 in both 2020 and 2022.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for Central African Republic?
No current reading is published for Central African Republic on Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry On, Agreement That Vaccines Are Safe, Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff, Dietary Energy Supply, Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Fish and Seafood Supply per Person, Fruit Supply per Person, Gender Inequality Index, HPV Vaccination Coverage, Girls, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Meat Supply per Person, Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity, Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and Tubers and Vegetable Supply per Person. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 46 statistics on this page come from 17 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Central African Republic’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Central African Republic (banner) — David Holt London, CC BY-SA 2.0
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Central African Republic: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/central-african-republic/health