Country Profile: Liberia

Liberia, located in Western Africa, is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and shares its borders with Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone. It is one of the most ethnically diverse countries globally, with over 28 ethnic groups and languages. The economy faces challenges such as high poverty and inflation, largely due to historical events, including a prolonged civil war and the recent Ebola crisis. Liberia operates as a presidential republic, with a recently elected government striving for economic improvement and national reconciliation.

Geography

Liberia is situated on the coast of West Africa, characterized by its tropical climate and flat to rolling coastal plains. The country has a total area of 111,369 sq km, with a coastline extending 579 km along the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders of 1,667 km with Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone. The terrain includes a variety of natural resources such as iron ore, diamonds, and timber, while forests cover 66.5% of the land.

Population density: Approximately 5.0 million people (2025 estimate).
Highest point: Mount Wuteve at 1,447 m above sea level.
Urban population: Over 53.6% live in urban areas (2023).
Climate: Tropical, with dry winters and wet, cloudy summers.

People and Society

The population of Liberia is estimated at 5,563,541 in 2025, with a median age of 20.1 years. The country boasts a diverse cultural landscape, with the Kpelle, Bassa, and Grebo being the largest ethnic groups. Approximately 84.9% of the population identifies as Christian, and English is the official language, spoken alongside many indigenous languages. Urbanization is growing at an annual rate of 3.41%.

Population growth rate: 2.27% (2025).
Life expectancy: 61.6 years (2024 estimate).
Birth rate: 31.72 births/1,000 population (2025).
Maternal mortality ratio: 628 deaths/100,000 live births (2023).

Economy

Liberia's economy is classified as low-income, facing significant challenges such as food scarcity and high inflation rates. The estimated GDP (PPP) for 2024 is $9.308 billion, with GDP per capita at $1,700. The economy is driven by agriculture, industry (notably mining and rubber processing), and services. Agricultural products like cassava and rubber are significant, and remittances account for 18.2% of GDP in 2023.

Unemployment rate: 2.9% (2024).
Inflation rate: 10.1% (2023).
Public debt: 28.3% of GDP (2016).
Exports: $1.22 billion (2022).

Government

Liberia is a presidential republic with a capital in Monrovia. The current president, Joseph Boakai, took office in January 2024 after winning a closely contested election. The country's legal system is a mix of common and customary law, with a bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The constitution allows for an amendment process that requires significant legislative consensus.

Legal system: Mixed system of common law and customary law.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age.
Next election: Scheduled for October 2029.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) include the Army and the Coast Guard, with an estimated 2,000 active personnel. Military expenditures are around 0.7% of GDP in 2024. The AFL is primarily responsible for external defense, while also potentially aiding in domestic security roles. The military has been reconstructed with international assistance and continues to maintain a limited inventory of equipment.

Military personnel: Approximately 2,000 (2025).
Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2024).
Service age: 18 years for both men and women.

Energy

Electricity access in Liberia is quite limited, with only 31.8% of the total population having access to electricity as of 2022. The installed generating capacity reaches 199,000 kW, and fossil fuels comprise the majority of electricity generation. Rural areas face significant challenges with only 14.9% electrification.

Energy consumption per capita: 1.822 million Btu/person (2023).
Electricity consumption: 215.96 million kWh (2023).
Rural electrification rate: 14.9% (2022).

Environment

Liberia's environment faces significant challenges, including deforestation and pollution from industrial runoff and household waste. The country is a party to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues. Agriculture plays a crucial role in land use, yet only 20% of the land is allocated for agricultural purposes.

Forest coverage: 66.5% of land area (2023).
Municipal solid waste generated: 564,500 tons annually (2024).
Carbon dioxide emissions: 671,000 metric tonnes (2023).

Transportation

Liberia's transport infrastructure includes 19 airports and a limited railway system largely inoperable due to civil conflict damage. The country boasts a significant merchant marine fleet totaling 4,821 ships. Key ports include Monrovia and Buchanan, critical for trade and logistics.

Railway length: 429 km (2008).
Airports: 19 (2025).
Ports: 4 total ports (2024).

Communications

Telecommunications in Liberia include a growing mobile network with 1.72 million mobile subscriptions as of 2022. The country has made strides in internet access, with 24% of the population using the internet in 2023. Fixed-line subscriptions remain low.

Total fixed-line subscriptions: 6,000 (2021).
Internet users: 24% of the population (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,563,541	2025 estimate
Area	111,369 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$9.308 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	2.9%	2024 estimate
Inflation Rate	10.1%	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	31.72 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	61.6 years	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption Per Capita	1.822 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Military Expenditures	0.7% of GDP	2024 estimate
Urban Population	53.6%	2023 estimate