Country Profile: Liberia

Liberia, located in Western Africa, is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, Cote d'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone. It is one of the most ethnically diverse countries, featuring 28 ethnic groups and languages, with a population of approximately 5.5 million people. The economy is classified as low-income, facing challenges such as food scarcity and high inflation, but it has notable natural resources including iron ore and timber. Governed as a presidential republic, Liberia has experienced a tumultuous political history, recently transitioning to new leadership in 2023.

Geography

Liberia covers an area of 111,369 sq km, slightly larger than the state of Virginia, and features a coastline of 579 km. The country's terrain consists of mostly flat to rolling coastal plains that rise into low mountains in the northeast. Its climate is tropical, characterized by hot, humid conditions and a wet summer season.

Population distribution: More than half of the population resides in urban areas.
Natural resources: Rich in iron ore, diamonds, gold, and hydropower.
Land use: 66.5% is forested, while 20% is used for agriculture.
Elevation: Highest point is Mount Wuteve at 1,447 m.
Natural hazards: Dust-laden harmattan winds occur from December to March.

People and Society

Liberia's estimated population is 5,563,541 as of 2025, with a median age of 20.1 years. The country is home to a mixture of ethnic groups, with the largest being Kpelle (20.2%) and Bassa (13.6%). The predominant religion is Christianity, practiced by 84.9% of the population.

Urbanization: 53.6% of the population lives in urban areas as of 2023.
Life expectancy: Average of 61.6 years at birth (2024 est.).
Birth rate: High at 31.72 births/1,000 population (2025 est.).
Dependency ratio: Total dependency ratio is 72 (2025 est.).
Health expenditure: Constitutes 16.6% of GDP (2021).

Economy

Liberia's economy is primarily agricultural, contributing 33.6% to its GDP, but suffers from food scarcity and widespread poverty. The GDP (PPP) for 2024 is projected at $9.308 billion, indicating gradual growth despite previous recessions. The unemployment rate is low at 2.9% (2024 est.).

GDP per capita: Estimated at $1,700 (2024 est.).
Inflation rate: 10.1% (2023 est.).
Exports: Valued at $1.22 billion (2022 est.), with major partners including Switzerland (30%).
Public debt: Estimated at 28.3% of GDP (2016).
Poverty rate: 50.9% below the national poverty line (2016).

Government

Liberia operates as a presidential republic with a government led by President Joseph BOAKAI, who took office in January 2024. The legislative body is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, with universal suffrage granted at age 18.

Independence: Declared on 26 July 1847.
Administrative divisions: Comprises 15 counties.
Legal system: A mixed system of common and customary law.
Election: The last was in October 2023, with the next expected in October 2029.
National colors: Red, white, and blue.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Liberia are small, consisting of around 2,000 active personnel. Military expenditure was 1.3% of GDP in 2023, reflecting limited resources but strategic partnerships for equipment support.

Military service age: Starts at 18 years for both men and women.
Military history: The AFL was reestablished after civil unrest, with origins dating back to 1908.
Security forces: Include the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency.

Energy

Electricity access remains limited, with only 31.8% of the population having access as of 2022. The primary means of electricity generation include fossil fuels (66.1%) and hydroelectric sources (32.4%).

Installed capacity: 199,000 kW (2023 est.).
Per capita consumption: 1.822 million Btu per person (2023).
Rural electrification: Only 14.9% of rural areas have electricity.

Environment

Liberia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution of water bodies. The country is signatory to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at preserving biodiversity and addressing climate change.

Total water resources: Estimated at 232 billion cubic meters (2022).
Municipal waste: Approximately 564,500 tons generated annually (2024 est.).
Significant biodiversity issues: Includes loss of species due to hunting and habitat destruction.

Transportation

The transportation network includes 19 airports, a limited but recovering railway system, and a small but expanding merchant marine fleet.

Railway length: Approximately 429 km, largely inoperable due to past conflict.
Ports: 4 total, with key ports in Monrovia and Buchanan.
Civil aircraft: Registration country code is A8.

Communications

Liberia has a developing communications infrastructure with a small number of fixed-line and mobile subscriptions relative to its population size.

Internet users: Represents 24% of the population (2023 est.).
Mobile subscriptions: Approximately 1.72 million in 2022.
Broadcast media: Comprises multiple private and state-run outlets.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,563,541 (2025 est.)
Area	111,369 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$9.308 billion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	2.9% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	31.72 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	61.6 years	(2024 est.)
Urban Population	53.6%	(2023)
Military Expenditures	1.3% of GDP	(2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	1.822 million Btu	(2023 est.)
Environmental Waste Generated	564,500 tons	(2024 est.)