Demographics of the Central African Republic
There are more than 80 ethnic groups in the Central African Republic (CAR), each with its own language. About 50% are Baya-Mandjia and Banda--40% (largely located in the northern and central parts of the country), and 7% are M'Baka (southwestern corner of the CAR). Sangho, the language of a small group along the Oubangui River, is the national language spoken by the majority of Central Africans. Only a small part of the population has more than an elemental knowledge of French, the official language.
More than 55% of the population of the CAR lives in rural areas. The chief agricultural areas are around the Bossangoa and Bambari. Bangui, Berberati, Bangassou, and Bossangoa are the most densely populated urban centers.
Demographic data from the CIA World Factbook
Population
- 3,799,897
- Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years: 42.5% (male 813,596/female 802,728)
- 15-64 years: 54% (male 1,010,696/female 1,041,903)
- 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 54,345/female 76,629) (2005 est.)
- 15-64 years: 54% (male 1,010,696/female 1,041,903)
Median age
- Total: 18.12 years
- Male: 17.75 years
- Female: 18.5 years (2005 est.)
- Male: 17.75 years
Population growth rate
- 1.49% (2005 est.)
Birth rate
- 35.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate
- 20.27 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate
- 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio
- At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
- Under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
- Total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
- Under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate
- Total: 91 deaths/1,000 live births
- Male: 97.84 deaths/1,000 live births
- Female: 83.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
- Male: 97.84 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
- Total population: 41.01 years
- Male: 39.21 years
- Female: 42.86 years (2005 est.)
- Male: 39.21 years
Total fertility rate
- 4.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS
- Adult prevalence rate: 13.5% (2003 est.)
- People living with HIV/AIDS: 260,000 (2003 est.)
- Deaths: 23,000 (2003 est.)
- People living with HIV/AIDS: 260,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases
- Degree of risk: very high
- Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
- Vectorborne disease: malaria
- Respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)
- Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Nationality
- Noun: Central African(s)
- Adjective: Central African
Ethnic groups
- Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
Religions
- Indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%
- Note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Languages
- French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Literacy
- Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
- Total population: 51%
- Male: 63.3%
- Female: 39.9% (2003 est.)
- Total population: 51%