Editing Central African Republic (section)

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of the Central African Republic}}
[[File:Group of Peul women in Paoua.jpg|thumb|Fula women in [[Paoua]]]]

The population of the Central African Republic has almost quadrupled since independence. In 1960, the population was 1,232,000; as of a {{UN_Population|Year}} UN estimate, it is approximately {{UN_Population|Central African Republic}}.{{UN_Population|ref}}

The [[United Nations]] estimates that approximately 4% of the population aged between 15 and 49 is [[HIV]] positive.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/centralafricanrepublic/ |title=Central African Republic |publisher=Unaids.org |date=29 July 2008 |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830105442/http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/centralafricanrepublic/ |archive-date=30 August 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Only 3% of the country has [[antiretroviral]] therapy available, compared to 17% coverage in the neighboring countries of [[Chad]] and the [[Republic of the Congo]].<ref>[http://data.unaids.org/pub/GlobalReport/2006/2006_GR_ANN3_en.pdf ANNEX 3: Country progress indicators] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809020627/http://data.unaids.org/pub/GlobalReport/2006/2006_GR_ANN3_en.pdf |date=9 August 2007 }}. 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. unaids.org</ref>

The nation comprises over 80 ethnic groups, each having its own language. The largest ethnic groups are the [[Baggara|Baggara Arabs]], [[Baka people (Cameroon and Gabon)|Baka]], [[Banda people|Banda]], [[Aka people|Bayaka]], [[Fula people|Fula]], [[Gbaya people|Gbaya]], [[Kara people|Kara]], [[Kresh people|Kresh]], [[Mbaka people|Mbaka]], [[Mandja people|Mandja]], [[Ngbandi people|Ngbandi]], [[Sara people|Sara]], [[Vidiri people|Vidiri]], [[Wodaabe]], [[Yakoma people|Yakoma]], [[Yulu people|Yulu]], and [[Zande people|Zande]], with [[Demographics of the Central African Republic#Ethnic groups|others]] including [[Ethnic groups in Europe|Europeans]] of mostly [[French people|French descent]].<ref name="CIA">{{Citation |title=Central African Republic |date=2024-02-01 |work=The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/central-african-republic/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |language=en |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224211128/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ct.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The most common ethnic groups are [[Gbaya people|Gbaya]] (Baya) (28.8%) and [[Banda people|Banda]] (22.9%), comprising together slightly over half of the country's population in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/central-african-republic/#people-and-society |title=Central African Republic: People and Society |work=The World Factbook |access-date=23 January 2025}}</ref>

{{Largest cities
| country      = Central African Republic
| stat_ref     = According to the 2003 Census<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://citypopulation.de/Centralafrica.html|title=Central African Republic|work=City Population|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-date=21 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521070346/http://citypopulation.de/Centralafrica.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| div_name     = Prefecture

| img_1 = Bangui City Centre.jpg
|city_1 = Bangui
| div_1 = Bangui
| pop_1 = 622,771

|city_2 = Bimbo, Central African Republic{{!}}Bimbo
| div_2 = Bangui
| pop_2 = 124,176

|city_3 = Berbérati
| div_3 = Mambéré-Kadéï
| pop_3 = 76,918

|city_4 = Carnot, Central African Republic{{!}}Carnot
| div_4 = Mambéré-Kadéï
| pop_4 = 45,421

|city_5 = Bambari
| div_5 = Ouaka
| pop_5 = 41,356

|city_6 = Bouar
| div_6 = Nana-Mambéré
| pop_6 = 40,353

|city_7 = Bossangoa
| div_7 = Ouham
| pop_7 = 36,478

|city_8 = Bria, Central African Republic{{!}}Bria
| div_8 = Haute-Kotto
| pop_8 = 35,204

|city_9 = Bangassou
| div_9 = Mbomou
| pop_9 = 31,553

|city_10 = Nola, Central African Republic{{!}}Nola
| div_10 = Sangha-Mbaéré
| pop_10 = 29,181

|city_11 = Kaga-Bandoro
| div_11 = Nana-Grébizi
| pop_11 = 24,661

|city_12 = Sibut
| div_12 = Kémo
| pop_12 = 22,419

|city_13 = Mbaïki
| div_13 = Lobaye
| pop_13 = 22,166

|city_14 = Bozoum
| div_14 = Ouham-Pendé
| pop_14 = 20,665

|city_15 = Paoua
| div_15 = Ouham-Pendé
| pop_15 = 17,370

|city_16 = Batangafo
| div_16 = Ouham
| pop_16 = 16,420

|city_17 = Kabo
| div_17 = Ouham
| pop_17 = 16,279

|city_18 = Bocaranga
| div_18 = Ouham-Pendé
| pop_18 = 15,744

|city_19 = Ippy
| div_19 = Ouaka
| pop_19 = 15,196

|city_20 = Alindao
| div_20 = Basse-Kotto
| pop_20 = 14,401
}}

=== Languages ===
{{main|Languages of the Central African Republic}}
The Central African Republic's two official languages are [[French language|French]] and [[Sango language|Sango]] (also spelled ''Sangho''),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Central African Republic 2016 Constitution |url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Central_African_Republic_2016?lang=en |website=Constitute |access-date=20 May 2021 |archive-date=20 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520234829/https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Central_African_Republic_2016?lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> a [[Creole language|creole]] developed as an inter-ethnic [[lingua franca]] based on the local [[Ngbandi language]]. The Central African Republic is one of the few African countries to have granted official status to an [[Languages of Africa|African language]].

=== Religion ===
{{main|Religion in the Central African Republic}}
[[File:Une foule devant la Cathédrale de Bangui, le 7 mai 2018.jpg|thumb|Worshippers at the [[Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Bangui)|Bangui Cathedral]]. [[Christianity]] is the main religion in the Central African Republic.]]
According to the 2003 national census, 80.3% of the population was [[Christianity|Christian]] (51.4% [[Protestantism|Protestant]] and 28.9% [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]]), 10% was [[Islam|Muslim]] and 4.5 percent other religious groups, with 5.5 percent having no religious beliefs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=International Religious Freedom Report 2010|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm?year=2016&dlid=268630|work=U.S. Department of State|access-date=23 April 2018|archive-date=1 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801161938/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm?year=2016&dlid=268630|url-status=live}}</ref> More recent work from the Pew Research Center estimated that, as of 2010, Christians constituted 89.8% of the population (60.7% Protestant and 28.5% Catholic) while Muslims made up 8.9%.<ref name="Pew Christians">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/table-christian-population-as-percentages-of-total-population-by-country/|title=Table: Christian Population as Percentages of Total Population by Country|publisher=Pew Research Center|access-date=16 April 2018|date=19 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511124911/http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/table-christian-population-as-percentages-of-total-population-by-country/|archive-date=11 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pew Muslims">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2011/01/27/table-muslim-population-by-country/|title=Table: Muslim Population by Country|publisher=Pew Research Center|access-date=16 April 2018|date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406100706/http://www.pewforum.org/2011/01/27/table-muslim-population-by-country/|archive-date=6 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Catholic Church claims over 1.5&nbsp;million adherents, approximately one-third of the population.<ref name="Catholic Stats">{{Cite web|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/sccf1.html|title=Central African Republic, Statistics by Diocese|publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy.org|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518074018/http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/sccf1.html|archive-date=18 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Indigenous belief ([[animism]]) is also practiced, and many indigenous beliefs are [[Religious syncretism|incorporated into]] Christian and Islamic practice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010/148671.htm|title=Central African Republic|work=U.S. Department of State|access-date=16 October 2014|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220222715/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010/148671.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> A UN director described religious tensions between Muslims and Christians as being high.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24802898|title=Central African Republic: Religious tinderbox|work=BBC News|date=4 November 2013|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710010623/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24802898|archive-date=10 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are many missionary groups operating in the country, including [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Baptists]], [[Catholicism|Catholics]], [[Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches|Grace Brethren]], and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]. While these missionaries are predominantly from the United States, France, Italy, and Spain, many are also from [[Nigeria]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and other African countries. Large numbers of missionaries left the country when fighting broke out between rebel and government forces in 2002–3, but many of them have now returned to continue their work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71292.htm|title=Central African Republic. International Religious Freedom Report 2006|work=U.S. Department of State|access-date=24 June 2017|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727185933/https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71292.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to Overseas Development Institute research, during the crisis ongoing since 2012, religious leaders have mediated between communities and armed groups; they also provided refuge for people seeking shelter.<ref name="odi.org">Veronique Barbelet (2015) [http://www.odi.org/publications/10103-protection-car-africa-conflict-seleka-anti-balaka-peacekeepers Central African Republic: addressing the protection crisis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222100429/http://www.odi.org/publications/10103-protection-car-africa-conflict-seleka-anti-balaka-peacekeepers |date=22 December 2015 }} London: Overseas Development Institute</ref>

=== Education ===
{{main|Education in the Central African Republic}}
[[File:CAR classroom.jpg|thumb|200px|Classroom in [[Sam Ouandja]].]]

Public education in the Central African Republic is free and is compulsory from ages 6 to 14.<ref name=ilab>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110417022856/http://www.dol.gov/ILAB/media/reports/iclp/tda2001/central-african-republic.htm "Central African Republic"]. ''Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor (2001)''. [[Bureau of International Labor Affairs]], [[United States Department of Labor|U.S. Department of Labor]] (2002). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> However, approximately half of the adult population of the country is [[Literacy|illiterate]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/car_statistics.html |title=Central African Republic – Statistics |work=UNICEF |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623150127/http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/car_statistics.html |archive-date=23 June 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The two institutions of higher education in the Central African Republic are the [[University of Bangui]], a public university located in Bangui, which includes a [[medical school]]; and [[Euclid University]], an international university.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.univ-bangui.org/|title=Accueil – Université de Bangui|date=18 August 2022|website=www.univ-bangui.org|accessdate=26 December 2022|archive-date=26 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226093154/https://www.univ-bangui.org/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euclid.int/|title=EUCLID (Euclid University) &#124; Official Site|first=EUCLID|last=University|website=www.euclid.int|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203204738/https://www.euclid.int/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Health ===
{{main|Health in the Central African Republic}}
[[File:Caf babies.jpg|thumb|left|Mothers and babies aged between 0 and 5 years are lining up in a Health Post at Begoua, a district of [[Bangui]], waiting for the two drops of the oral [[polio vaccine]].]]
The largest hospitals in the country are located in the Bangui district. As a member of the [[World Health Organization]], the Central African Republic receives vaccination assistance, such as a 2014 intervention for the prevention of a measles epidemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.who.int/hac/crises/caf/en/|title=WHO – Health in Central African Republic|access-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013121133/http://www.who.int/hac/crises/caf/en/|archive-date=13 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2007, female [[life expectancy at birth]] was 48.2 years, and male life expectancy at birth was 45.1 years.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org">{{Cite web|url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_CAF.html |title=Human Development Report 2009 – Central African Republic |publisher=Hdrstats.undp.org |access-date=27 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905183727/http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_CAF.html |archive-date=5 September 2010 }}</ref>

[[Women's health]] is poor in the Central African Republic. {{As of|2010}}, the country had the fourth highest [[maternal mortality]] rate in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2223rank.html|title=Country Comparison :: Maternal mortality rate|work=The World Factbook|access-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418113820/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2223rank.html|archive-date=18 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[total fertility rate]] in 2014 was estimated at 4.46 children born/woman.<ref name=CIA /> Approximately 25% of women had undergone [[female genital mutilation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/|title=WHO – Female genital mutilation and other harmful practices|access-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012192739/http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/|archive-date=12 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Many births in the country are guided by traditional [[Birth attendant|birth attendants]], who often have little or no formal training.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org.uk/where-we-work/africa/central-african-republic/mother-and-child-health-in-central-african-republic/|title=Mother and child health in Central African Republic|access-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020000642/http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org.uk/where-we-work/africa/central-african-republic/mother-and-child-health-in-central-african-republic/|archive-date=20 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Malaria]] is endemic in the Central African Republic and one of the leading causes of death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.msfaccess.org/content/malaria-%E2%80%93-one-leading-causes-death-central-african-republic|title=Malaria – one of the leading causes of death in the Central African Republic|access-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104172444/http://www.msfaccess.org/content/malaria-%E2%80%93-one-leading-causes-death-central-african-republic|archive-date=4 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> According to 2009 estimates, the HIV/AIDS [[prevalence]] rate is about 4.7% of the adult population (ages 15–49).<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2155rank.html CIA World Factbook: HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221190412/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2155rank.html |date=21 December 2014 }}. Cia.gov. Retrieved 6 April 2013.</ref> This is in general agreement with the 2016 [[United Nations]] estimate of approximately 4%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/centralafricanrepublic/ |title=Central African Republic |publisher=Unaids.org |date=29 July 2016 |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701002023/http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/centralafricanrepublic/ |archive-date=1 July 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Government expenditure on health was US$20 (PPP) per person in 2006<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> and 10.9% of total government expenditure in 2006.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> There was only around 1 physician for every 20,000 people in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/central-african-republic/physicians |title=WHO Country Offices in the WHO African Region – WHO &#124; Regional Office for Africa |publisher=Afro.who.int |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231102/http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/central-african-republic/physicians |archive-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In the 2024 Global Hunger Index, Central African Rep. ranks 119th out of the 127 countries with sufficient data to calculate 2024 GHI scores. With a score of 31.5<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Hunger Index Scores by 2024 GHI Rank |url=https://www.globalhungerindex.org/ranking.html |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Global Hunger Index (GHI) - peer-reviewed annual publication designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and country levels |language=en}}</ref>