Central African Republic People - 1986

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Population: 2,744,000 (July 1986), average annual growth rate 3.0%

Nationality: noun—Central African(s); adjective—Central African

Ethnic divisions: approximately 80 ethnic groups, the majority of which have related ethnic and linguistic characteristics, 34% Baya, 28% Banda, 10% Sara, 9% Mandjia, 9% Mboum, 7% M’Baka; 6,500Europeans, of whom 3 600 are French

Religion: 25% Protestant, 25% Roman Catholic, 24% indigenous beliefs, 10% Muslim; animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority

Language French (official); Sango is the lingua franca and the national language

Infant mortality rate 142/1,000(1985)

Life expec tancy. 47

Literacy: est. 33%

Labor force. 1,320,000^1983); 90% agriculture 4% industry and commerce, 4% services, 4% government; approximately 64,000 salaried workers

Organized labor: 1% of labor force

NOTE: The information regarding Central African Republic on this page is re-published from the 1986 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Central African Republic 1986 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Central African Republic 1986 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.