Country Profile: Liberia

Liberia, located in Western Africa along the North Atlantic Ocean, is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. It has a diverse population of approximately 5.56 million people, representing 28 ethnic groups and a mix of languages, with English as the official language. The nation has a low-income economy heavily reliant on agriculture and natural resources, coupled with significant challenges such as high poverty and unemployment rates. Liberia functions as a presidential republic, with a history marked by a struggle for democracy and governance, recently witnessing a political transition in 2023.

Geography

Liberia's geography is characterized by a coastal plain and a tropical climate, featuring flat to rolling terrain that ascends to low mountains in the northeast. The country spans an area of 111,369 sq km, which includes 96,320 sq km of land and 15,049 sq km of water. Its coastline is marked by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars, contributing to the biodiversity of the region.

579 km of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean
1,667 km of land boundaries with Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone
66.5% of land covered by forests (2023)
20% of land used for agriculture (2023)

People and Society

As of 2025, Liberia's estimated population stands at 5,563,541, with a nearly equal gender distribution and a significant youth demographic, where 38.9% are aged 0-14 years. The nation is predominantly Christian (84.9%), with a rich cultural tapestry represented by 28 ethnic groups, including the Kpelle, Bassa, and Grebo. The median age is 20.1 years, highlighting a youthful population, while urbanization has led to more than half the population residing in urban areas.

53.6% of the population lives in urban settings (2023)
31.72 births/1,000 population birth rate (2025)
61.6 years life expectancy at birth (2024)
10.9% of children under 5 years are underweight (2019)

Economy

Liberia's economy is classified as low-income and is primarily based on agriculture and natural resources. The GDP is estimated at $4.75 billion for 2024, with a growth rate of 4.8%. The informal economy plays a significant role, as does the rubber industry, which includes the longest continuously operated rubber plantation in the world. Economic challenges include food scarcity and high inflation, driven by external and internal pressures.

33.6% of GDP derived from agriculture (2024)
2.9% unemployment rate (2024)
50.9% of the population below the poverty line (2016)
18.2% of GDP from remittances (2023)

Government

Liberia is a presidential republic with a political history shaped by civil conflict and recent democratic transitions. The capital city is Monrovia, and the national government comprises an executive branch headed by President Joseph Boakai. The current constitution was adopted in 1986, allowing for a multi-party system and universal suffrage at the age of 18. The country has a mixed legal system, incorporating both common law and customary law.

Independence declared on 26 July 1847
15 counties make up the administrative divisions
Legislative body is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) consists of a small army and coast guard, with about 2,000 active personnel. Military expenditures account for approximately 0.7% of GDP for 2024. The AFL has undergone significant rebuilding efforts since the end of the civil wars and is primarily responsible for external defense and some domestic security operations.

0.7% military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024)
Military service is voluntary for ages 18 and over

Energy

Energy access in Liberia remains limited, with approximately 31.8% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022, highlighting the need for infrastructure development. The country's installed electricity generation capacity stands at 199,000 kW, with a mix of fossil fuels and hydropower sources.

66.1% of electricity generation from fossil fuels (2023)
1.822 million Btu/person total energy consumption per capita (2023)

Environment

Liberia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. The government is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements, aimed at addressing these issues. Urbanization and industrial activities have contributed to pollution, particularly in coastal waters and rivers.

671,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023)
232 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022)

Transportation

The country has a developing transportation network, which includes 19 airports and a limited railway system of 429 km (mostly inoperable due to past conflicts).

4,821 vessels in merchant marine (2023)
4 ports total, with major ones being Buchanan, Cape Palmas, and Monrovia

Communications

Liberia's communication infrastructure is evolving, with an estimated 24% of the population using the internet by 2023. Mobile cellular subscriptions reached 1.72 million in 2022, illustrating increasing connectivity in urban areas.

15,000 broadband fixed subscriptions (2022)
6,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2021)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,563,541 (2025 est.)
Area	111,369 sq km
GDP (official exchange rate)	$4.75 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	1.822 million Btu/person	2023
Birth rate	31.72 births/1,000 population	2025
Unemployment rate	2.9% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Life expectancy at birth	61.6 years (2024 est.)
Percentage of urban population	53.6% (2023)
Military expenditures	0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions	671,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)