2011 Edition

Background

Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822; by 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic. William TUBMAN, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendents of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel DOE ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE himself was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought TAYLOR to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF to power. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) maintains a strong presence throughout the country, but the security situation is still fragile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country continues.

Area

111,369 sq km 96,320 sq km 15,049 sq km

total

111,369 sq km

water

15,049 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Tennessee

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers

Coastline

579 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Wuteve 1,380 m

highest point

Mount Wuteve 1,380 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.11 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%) 34 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

34 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.11 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%)

Geographic coordinates

6 30 N, 9 30 W

Geography - note

facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture

Irrigated land

30 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

1,585 km Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km

border countries

Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km

total

1,585 km

Land use

3.43% 1.98% 94.59% (2005)

arable land

3.43%

other

94.59% (2005)

permanent crops

1.98%

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

200 nm

territorial sea

200 nm

Natural hazards

dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)

Natural resources

iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower

Terrain

mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast

Total renewable water resources

232 cu km (1987)

Age structure

44.3% (male 843,182/female 834,922) 52.7% (male 989,623/female 1,007,577) 2.9% (male 56,189/female 55,271) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

44.3% (male 843,182/female 834,922)

15-64 years

52.7% (male 989,623/female 1,007,577)

65 years and over

2.9% (male 56,189/female 55,271) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

37.25 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

20.4% (2007)

Death rate

10.62 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 79% of population rural: 51% of population total: 68% of population urban: 21% of population rural: 49% of population total: 32% of population (2008)

rural

49% of population

total

32% of population (2008)

urban

21% of population

Education expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Kpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, other 20.1% (2008 census)

Health expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.5% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,600 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

37,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

74.52 deaths/1,000 live births 78.96 deaths/1,000 live births 69.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

69.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

74.52 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence

Life expectancy at birth

57 years 55.44 years 58.6 years (2011 est.)

female

58.6 years (2011 est.)

total population

57 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 57.5% 73.3% 41.6% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

41.6% (2003 est.)

male

73.3%

total population

57.5%

Major cities - population

MONROVIA (capital) 882,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever schistosomiasis Lassa fever rabies (2009)

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease

Lassa fever

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and yellow fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Maternal mortality rate

990 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

18.3 years 18.2 years 18.3 years (2011 est.)

female

18.3 years (2011 est.)

male

18.2 years

total

18.3 years

Nationality

Liberian(s) Liberian

adjective

Liberian

noun

Liberian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.014 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

3,786,764 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.663% (2011 est.)

Religions

Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, other 0.2%, none 1.4% (2008 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 25% of population rural: 4% of population total: 17% of population urban: 75% of population rural: 96% of population total: 83% of population (2008)

rural

96% of population

total

83% of population (2008)

urban

75% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 13 years 9 years (2000)

female

9 years (2000)

male

13 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.03 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

5.13 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

4.7% 5.7% 3.7% (2007)

female

3.7% (2007)

total

4.7%

Urbanization

48% of total population (2010) 3.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

48% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe

Capital

Monrovia 6 18 N, 10 48 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

6 18 N, 10 48 W

name

Monrovia

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

6 January 1986

Country name

Republic of Liberia Liberia

conventional long form

Republic of Liberia

conventional short form

Liberia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Linda THOMAS-GREENFIELD 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 98, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10 use embassy street address [231] 7-705-4826 [231] 7-701-0370

chief of mission

Ambassador Linda THOMAS-GREENFIELD

embassy

111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 98, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10

FAX

[231] 7-701-0370

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[231] 7-705-4826

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires William V. BULL 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 [1] (202) 723-0437 [1] (202) 723-0436 New York

chancery

5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires William V. BULL

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 723-0436

telephone

[1] (202) 723-0437

Executive branch

President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); note - the President is both the chief of state and head of government President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006) Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 11 October and 8 November 2011 (next to be held in 2017) Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF re-elected president; percent of vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 90.7%, Winston TUBMAN 9.3%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate

chief of state

President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); note - the President is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF re-elected president; percent of vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 90.7%, Winston TUBMAN 9.3%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 11 October and 8 November 2011 (next to be held in 2017)

head of government

President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006)

Flag description

11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a white five-pointed star appears on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the stripes symbolize the signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence; the blue square represents the African mainland, and the star represents the freedom granted to the ex-slaves; according to the constitution, the blue color signifies liberty, justice, and fidelity, the white color purity, cleanliness, and guilelessness, and the red color steadfastness, valor, and fervor the design is based on the US flag

Government type

republic

Independence

26 July 1847

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of common law (based on Anglo-American law) and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (73 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) Senate - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in 2020); House of Representatives - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held 1n 2017) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 10, NPP 6, CDC 3, ADP 2, NUDP 2, LDP 1, LP 1, NDC 1, NDP 1, independents 3 ; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 30, CDC 11, LP 7, NUDP 6, NDC 5, ADP 3, NPP3, MPC 2, LDP1, LTP 1, NRP 1, independents 9

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 10, NPP 6, CDC 3, ADP 2, NUDP 2, LDP 1, LP 1, NDC 1, NDP 1, independents 3 ; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 30, CDC 11, LP 7, NUDP 6, NDC 5, ADP 3, NPP3, MPC 2, LDP1, LTP 1, NRP 1, independents 9

elections

Senate - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in 2020); House of Representatives - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held 1n 2017)

National anthem

"All Hail, Liberia Hail!" Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA lyrics adopted 1847, music adopted 1860; the anthem's author would become the third president of Liberia

lyrics/music

Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA

name

"All Hail, Liberia Hail!"

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1847)

National symbol(s)

white star

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Togba-na TIPOTEH]; Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [George WEAH]; Liberty Party or LP [Charles BRUMSKINE]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Roland MASSAQUOI]; Unity Party or UP [Varney SHERMAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

demobilized former military officers

other

demobilized former military officers

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber

Budget

$NA $NA

expenditures

$NA

revenues

$NA

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.3% (31 December 2010 est.) 14.183% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$692.5 million (2010 est.) -$541.1 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$1.66 billion (31 December 2009 est.) $3.2 billion (2005 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

38.2 (2007)

Economy - overview

Liberia is a low income country heavily reliant on foreign assistance for revenue. Civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2006, several have returned. Liberia has the distinction of having the highest ratio of direct foreign investment to GDP in the world. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, primarily raw timber and rubber and is reviving those sectors. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. President JOHNSON SIRLEAF, a Harvard-trained banker and administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment. Embargos on timber and diamond exports have been lifted, opening new sources of revenue for the government and Liberia shipped its first major timber exports to Europe in 2010. The country reached its Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative completion point in 2010 and nearly $5 billion of international debt was permanently eliminated. This new status will enable Liberia to establish a sovereign credit rating and issue bonds. Liberia's Paris Club creditors agreed to cancel Liberia's debt as well. Rebuilding infrastructure and raising incomes will depend on generous financial and technical assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation.

Electricity - consumption

311.6 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

335 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - NA (2007) 59.43 (2006) 53.098 (2005) 54.906 (2004) 59.379 (2003)

Exports

$207 million (2010 est.) $180 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee

Exports - partners

South Africa 26.9%, US 18.1%, Spain 7.8%, Denmark 5.4%, Venezuela 4.8%, Malaysia 4.3% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

76.9% 5.4% 17.7% (2002 est.)

agriculture

76.9%

industry

5.4%

services

17.7% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$500 (2010 est.) $400 (2009 est.) $400 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.1% (2010 est.) 4.6% (2009 est.) 7.1% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$974 million (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.691 billion (2010 est.) $1.608 billion (2009 est.) $1.537 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.4% 30.1% (2007)

highest 10%

30.1% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.4%

Imports

$726.7 million (2010 est.) $559 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs

Imports - partners

South Korea 37.2%, China 26.3%, Singapore 17.3%, Japan 11.5% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.3% (2010 est.) 7.4% (2009 est.)

Labor force

1.372 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

70% 8% 22% (2000 est.)

agriculture

70%

industry

8%

services

22% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

4,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

23 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

4,552 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

80% (2000 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$399.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) $372.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$398.6 million $343.6 million

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$1.334 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.269 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$289 million (31 December 2010 est.) $260.1 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

34.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

85% (2003 est.)

Broadcast media

3 private TV stations; satellite TV service is available; 1 state-owned radio station; about 15 independent radio stations broadcasting in Monrovia, with another 25 local stations operating in other areas; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.lr

Internet hosts

8 (2010)

Internet users

20,000 (2009)

Telephone system

the limited services available are found almost exclusively in the capital Monrovia; fixed-line service stagnant and extremely limited; telephone coverage extended to a number of other towns and rural areas by four mobile-cellular network operators mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity reached 25 per 100 persons in 2009 country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

domestic

mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity reached 25 per 100 persons in 2009

general assessment

the limited services available are found almost exclusively in the capital Monrovia; fixed-line service stagnant and extremely limited; telephone coverage extended to a number of other towns and rural areas by four mobile-cellular network operators

international

country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

5,900 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.571 million (2010)

Airports

29 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2010)

over 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

14 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

8

total

27

under 914 m

14 (2010)

Merchant marine

2,512 barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 507, cargo 136, carrier 1, chemical tanker 232, combination ore/oil 6, container 875, liquefied gas 93, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 509, refrigerated cargo 109, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 25 2,356 (Angola 1, Argentina 3, Australia 2, Belgium 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 20, Canada 4, Chile 7, China 10, Croatia 2, Cyprus 7, Denmark 4, Finland 2, Germany 1049, Gibraltar 5, Greece 454, Hong Kong 47, India 1, Indonesia 4, Isle of Man 19, Israel 31, Italy 48, Japan 102, Latvia 9, Lebanon 1, Monaco 10, Netherlands 35, Nigeria 4, Norway 42, Poland 13, Qatar 5, Romania 3, Russia 108, Saudi Arabia 24, Singapore 27, Slovenia 5, South Korea 1, Sweden 10, Switzerland 17, Syria 1, Taiwan 88, Turkey 15, UAE 27, UK 25, Ukraine 16, Uruguay 1, US 39, Vietnam 3) this country allows large numbers of ships owned by foreign entities to be registered in its national shipping registry and to fly its flag; these ships operate under the laws of the flag state (2010)

foreign-owned

2,356 (Angola 1, Argentina 3, Australia 2, Belgium 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 20, Canada 4, Chile 7, China 10, Croatia 2, Cyprus 7, Denmark 4, Finland 2, Germany 1049, Gibraltar 5, Greece 454, Hong Kong 47, India 1, Indonesia 4, Isle of Man 19, Israel 31, Italy 48, Japan 102, Latvia 9, Lebanon 1, Monaco 10, Netherlands 35, Nigeria 4, Norway 42, Poland 13, Qatar 5, Romania 3, Russia 108, Saudi Arabia 24, Singapore 27, Slovenia 5, South Korea 1, Sweden 10, Switzerland 17, Syria 1, Taiwan 88, Turkey 15, UAE 27, UK 25, Ukraine 16, Uruguay 1, US 39, Vietnam 3)

total

2,512

Pipelines

oil 4 km

Ports and terminals

Buchanan, Monrovia

Railways

429 km 345 km 1.435-m gauge 84 km 1.067-m gauge most sections of the railways were inoperable because of damage suffered during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003, but many are being rebuilt (2010)

narrow gauge

84 km 1.067-m gauge

total

429 km

Roadways

10,600 km 657 km 9,943 km (2000)

total

10,600 km

unpaved

9,943 km (2000)

Manpower available for military service

815,826 828,484 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

828,484 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

815,826

Manpower fit for military service

524,243 544,349 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

544,349 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

524,243

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

36,585 38,516 (2010 est.)

female

38,516 (2010 est.)

male

36,585

Military branches

Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force

Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

Disputes - international

although civil unrest continues to abate with the assistance of 18,000 UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) peacekeepers, as of January 2007, Liberian refugees still remain in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire; despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to Ivorian cocoa plantations; UN sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center

Refugees and internally displaced persons

12,600 (Cote d'Ivoire) 13,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began in November 2004) (2007)

IDPs

13,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began in November 2004) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

12,600 (Cote d'Ivoire)

Trafficking in persons

Liberia is a source, transit, and destination country, principally for young women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; most trafficking victims originate from within the country's borders and are subjected to domestic servitude, forced begging, forced labor in street vending, on rubber plantations, and alluvial diamond sites, or sex trafficking; victims of cross-border trafficking come to Liberia from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Nigeria and are subjected to the same types of exploitation as internally trafficked victims Tier 2 Watch List - the government has not shown evidence of increased efforts to prosecute and to punish trafficking offenders and to protect trafficking victims; the Liberian Government has never convicted a trafficking offender using its 2005 anti-trafficking law; it reported conducting two investigations of trafficking cases during the year, but did not initiate any prosecutions or convict any traffickers; it also did not provide training to law enforcement officials or magistrates (2011)

current situation

Liberia is a source, transit, and destination country, principally for young women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; most trafficking victims originate from within the country's borders and are subjected to domestic servitude, forced begging, forced labor in street vending, on rubber plantations, and alluvial diamond sites, or sex trafficking; victims of cross-border trafficking come to Liberia from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Nigeria and are subjected to the same types of exploitation as internally trafficked victims

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the government has not shown evidence of increased efforts to prosecute and to punish trafficking offenders and to protect trafficking victims; the Liberian Government has never convicted a trafficking offender using its 2005 anti-trafficking law; it reported conducting two investigations of trafficking cases during the year, but did not initiate any prosecutions or convict any traffickers; it also did not provide training to law enforcement officials or magistrates (2011)