People and Society of Central African Republic

Nationality

Central African(s)

Ethnic Groups

Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%

Population

5,579,144

Population in Major Urban Areas

BANGUI (capital) 740,000

Medical facilities are extremely limited in the CAR, and the quality of care is unreliable. Sanitation levels are low. Many medicines are not available; you should carry properly labeled prescription drugs and other medications with you that will suffice for your entire visit. Routine immunizations and protection from vaccine-preventable diseases such as yellow fever, rabies, polio, meningitis, typhoid, and hepatitis A and B are recommended. Malaria (predominantly P. falciparum) exists throughout the year and chemoprophylaxis is strongly recommended. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information. Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in the CAR. For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB. Insect-borne illnesses are of concern as is Schistosomiasis, an illness related to contact with fresh water. Insect precautions and avoiding freshwater are recommended.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in the Central African Republic remains among the lowest in the world, reflecting the country's severe and persistent challenges in health, security, and development. As of the most recent data available, the average life expectancy at birth stands at approximately 53 to 54 years for the overall population, with women living slightly longer than men on average. Several deeply rooted factors contribute to this low figure. The country has endured decades of political instability and armed conflict, which has devastated its health infrastructure and displaced millions of people. Access to basic medical care is extremely limited, particularly in rural areas where the majority of the population lives. The Central African Republic has one of the lowest densities of healthcare workers per capita in the world, with severe shortages of physicians, nurses, and midwives. Maternal and infant mortality rates are critically high, which significantly drags down average life expectancy figures. The country's under-five mortality rate remains one of the highest globally, with children dying from preventable and treatable conditions such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition. Malaria alone is a leading cause of death and illness across all age groups. HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant public health concern, with adult prevalence rates that remain elevated relative to regional averages. Tuberculosis is also widespread and frequently goes undiagnosed or untreated due to limited diagnostic capacity and a fragile health system that struggles to maintain consistent care delivery. Food insecurity is another critical driver of poor health outcomes. Chronic malnutrition weakens immune systems and increases vulnerability to disease, particularly among children under five. Humanitarian crises linked to ongoing armed conflict have repeatedly disrupted food production and aid delivery, compounding an already dire situation. Despite these challenges, international organizations including the United Nations and the World Health Organization have been working alongside the government to improve vaccination coverage, maternal care, and emergency health services. Progress has been incremental, and while modest gains in life expectancy were recorded in earlier decades, recent instability has stalled and in some periods reversed those improvements. The Central African Republic continues to face an enormous burden in raising the overall health and longevity of its population, and sustained international support alongside lasting peace remain essential to any meaningful long-term progress.

Infant Mortality Rate

The Central African Republic (CAR) has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the country's severe challenges in healthcare access, poverty, and ongoing humanitarian crises. The infant mortality rate is approximately 77 to 80 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that roughly one in every 13 infants does not survive to their first birthday. This figure places the CAR among the nations with the worst infant survival outcomes globally. Several interconnected factors drive this alarming rate. The country suffers from a critically underfunded and understaffed healthcare system, with an extreme shortage of trained medical personnel, functioning health facilities, and essential medicines. Large portions of the population live in remote, rural areas with little to no access to prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, or postnatal support. Many births take place outside of clinical settings, significantly increasing risks for both mother and newborn. Neonatal infections, birth asphyxia, prematurity, and complications during delivery are among the leading direct causes of infant deaths. Malnutrition is another major contributing factor — widespread food insecurity leaves many infants vulnerable to disease and unable to recover from common illnesses such as malaria, diarrhea, and acute respiratory infections, which remain leading killers of children under one year of age in the country. Ongoing armed conflict and political instability have further devastated health infrastructure across much of the CAR. Displaced populations face dramatically reduced access to clean water, sanitation, and medical care, compounding already difficult conditions. Vaccination coverage, while supported by international organizations and humanitarian agencies, remains inconsistent due to logistical barriers and security concerns in conflict-affected zones. International efforts led by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and various non-governmental organizations are working to improve maternal and child health outcomes through vaccination campaigns, nutrition programs, and support for community health workers. However, progress has been slow and uneven. Without significant improvements in security, governance, and investment in public health infrastructure, the infant mortality rate in the Central African Republic is likely to remain among the highest in the world for the foreseeable future.

Major Infectious Diseases

very high

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

• indigenous beliefs35.0%
• Protestant25.0%
• Roman Catholic25.0%
• Muslim15.0%

French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

• French

Crime Information

Crime remains a concern in the capital and has increased since the March 2013 overthrow of the government. You should exercise caution while traveling around the city and its immediate environs. Petty theft remains a problem in large market areas, particularly in the crowded markets near KM 5 on the outskirts of the city. Armed gangs may operate in outlying residential areas. During periods of civil unrest and conflict, citizens engage in violent, sometimes deadly, demonstrations which include widespread looting, burning of buildings, and blocking of roads. In the interior of the country, there are frequent reports of armed robbery and kidnapping by highway bandits (called “coupeurs de routes” or “zaraguinas”), especially during the December to May dry season. When a crime does occur in Bangui, the victim may have to pay to send a vehicle to pick up police officers due to the shortage of police vehicles and fuel.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the CAR, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Central African laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in the CAR are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in the CAR your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in the CAR, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. In some cases, U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals have been detained indefinitely without due process.