2013 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 descendants 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 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. She subsequently won reelection in 2011 in a second round vote that was boycotted by the opposition and remains challenged to build Liberia's economy and reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. The United Nations Security Council in September 2012 passed Resolution 2066 which calls for a reduction of UN troops in Liberia by half by 2015, bringing the troop total down to fewer than 4000, and challenging Liberia's security sector to fill the gaps.

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)

0.13 cu km/yr (55%/37%/8%) 43.66 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

43.66 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.13 cu km/yr (55%/37%/8%)

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

21 sq km (2003)

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

4.04% 1.62% 94.34% (2011)

arable land

4.04%

other

94.34% (2011)

permanent crops

1.62%

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 (2011)

Age structure

43.6% (male 876,696/female 863,873) 17.8% (male 345,357/female 363,746) 31.3% (male 622,806/female 624,707) 4.3% (male 84,252/female 87,250) 3% (male 60,288/female 60,728) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

43.6% (male 876,696/female 863,873)

15-24 years

17.8% (male 345,357/female 363,746)

25-54 years

31.3% (male 622,806/female 624,707)

55-64 years

4.3% (male 84,252/female 87,250)

65 years and over

3% (male 60,288/female 60,728) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

35.75 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

177,160 21 % (2007 est.)

percentage

21 % (2007 est.)

total number

177,160

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

20.4% (2007)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

11.4% (2007)

Death rate

10.12 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

84.9 % 79.3 % 5.6 % 17.8 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

5.6 %

potential support ratio

17.8 (2013)

total dependency ratio

84.9 %

youth dependency ratio

79.3 %

Drinking water source

urban: 88% of population rural: 60% of population total: 73% of population urban: 12% of population rural: 40% of population total: 27% of population (2010 est.)

rural

40% of population

total

27% of population (2010 est.)

urban

12% of population

Education expenditures

2.8% 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

19.5% of GDP (2011)

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

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

70.93 deaths/1,000 live births 75.25 deaths/1,000 live births 66.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

66.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

70.93 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

57.81 years 56.2 years 59.47 years (2013 est.)

female

59.47 years (2013 est.)

total population

57.81 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 60.8% 64.8% 56.8% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

56.8% (2010 est.)

male

64.8%

total population

60.8%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever schistosomiasis Lassa fever rabies (2013)

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease

Lassa fever

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

MONROVIA (capital) 882,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

770 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

17.9 years 17.7 years 18.1 years (2013 est.)

female

18.1 years (2013 est.)

male

17.7 years

total

17.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.1 (2007 est.)

Nationality

Liberian(s) Liberian

adjective

Liberian

noun

Liberian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.8% (2008)

Physicians density

0.01 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

3,989,703 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

2.56% (2013 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 29% of population rural: 7% of population total: 18% of population urban: 71% of population rural: 93% of population total: 82% of population (2010 est.)

rural

93% of population

total

82% of population (2010 est.)

urban

71% 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 0.95 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.95 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.01 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.92 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

5.1% 3.4% 6.6% (2010)

female

6.6% (2010)

total

5.1%

Urbanization

48.2% of total population (2011) 3.43% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.43% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

48.2% of total population (2011)

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

previous 1847 (at independence); latest drafted 19 October 1983, revised version adopted by referendum 3 July 1984, effective 6 January 1986; amended 2011 (2011)

Country name

Republic of Liberia Liberia

conventional long form

Republic of Liberia

conventional short form

Liberia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Deborah R. MALAC (since 20 July 2012) U.S. Embassy, P.O. Box 98, 502 Benson Street, Monrovia P.O. Box 98, Monrovia [231] 77-677-7000 [231] 77-677-7370

chief of mission

Ambassador Deborah R. MALAC (since 20 July 2012)

embassy

U.S. Embassy, P.O. Box 98, 502 Benson Street, Monrovia

FAX

[231] 77-677-7370

mailing address

P.O. Box 98, Monrovia

telephone

[231] 77-677-7000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Jeremiah Congbeh SULUNTEH (since 25 April 2012) 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 Jeremiah Congbeh SULUNTEH (since 25 April 2012)

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); Vice President Joseph BOAKAI (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); Vice President Joseph BOAKAI (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 reelected 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); Vice President Joseph BOAKAI (since 16 January 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF reelected 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); Vice President Joseph BOAKAI (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, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of a chief Justice and 4 associate justices) note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction for all constitutional cases chief justice and associate justices appointed by the president of Liberia with consent of the Senate; judges can serve until age 70 judicial circuit courts; special courts including criminal, civil, labor, traffic; magistrate and traditional or customary courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of a chief Justice and 4 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office

chief justice and associate justices appointed by the president of Liberia with consent of the Senate; judges can serve until age 70

subordinate courts

judicial circuit courts; special courts including criminal, civil, labor, traffic; magistrate and traditional or customary courts

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 2014); House of Representatives - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in 2017) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 10, NPP 6, CDC 3, APD 2, NUDP 2, LDP 1, LP 1, NDC 1, NDPL 1, independents 3; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 24, CDC 11, LP 7, NUDP 6, NDC 5, APD 3, NPP 3, MPC 2, LDP 1, LTP 1, NRP 1, independents 9

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 10, NPP 6, CDC 3, APD 2, NUDP 2, LDP 1, LP 1, NDC 1, NDPL 1, independents 3; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 24, CDC 11, LP 7, NUDP 6, NDC 5, APD 3, NPP 3, MPC 2, LDP 1, LTP 1, NRP 1, independents 9

elections

Senate - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in 2014); House of Representatives - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in 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 [Marcus S. G. DAHN] Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [Geraldine DOE-SHERIFF] Liberia Destiny Party or LDP [Nathaniel BARNES] Liberty Party or LP [Isreal ARKINSAYAN] Liberia Transformation Party or LTP [Julius SUKU] Movement for Progressive Change or MPC [Simeon FREEMAN] National Democratic Coalition or NDC [Dew MAYSON] National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL [D. Nyandeh SIEH] National Patriotic Party or NPP [Theophilus C. GOULD] National Reformist Party or NRP [Maximillian T. W. DIABE] National Union for Democratic Progress or NUDP [Emmanuel LOMAX] 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 (manioc), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber

Budget

$380.9 million $427.1 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$427.1 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$380.9 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.52% (31 December 2012 est.) 13.75% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-918.8 million (2012 est.) $-953 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$349.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) $447.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

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. The IMF has completed the sixth review of Liberia's extended credit facility, bringing total disbursements to over $379 million. The African Development Bank approved a grant of $48 million in 2011 to support economic governance and competitiveness. 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. The country has achieved high growth during 2010-12 due to favorable world prices for its commodities.

Exchange rates

Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - 73.52 (2012 est.) 72.23 (2011 est.) 71.4 (2010 est.)

Exports

$774.8 million (2012 est.) $645.7 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee

Exports - partners

China 24%, US 15.3%, Spain 11%, Algeria 6.5%, Thailand 4.5%, Malaysia 4.1%, France 4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

125.6% 15.2% 25% 0% 27.5% -93.3% (2011 est.)

exports of goods and services

27.5%

government consumption

15.2%

household consumption

125.6%

imports of goods and services

-93.3%

investment in fixed capital

25%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

76.9% 5.4% 17.7% (2002 est.)

agriculture

76.9%

industry

5.4%

services

17.7% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$700 (2012 est.) $600 (2011 est.) $600 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

8.3% (2012 est.) 7.9% (2011 est.) 6.1% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.711 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.645 billion (2012 est.) $2.442 billion (2011 est.) $2.264 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

NA (2012 est.) -36.6% of GDP (2011 est.) -30.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.4% 30.1% (2007)

highest 10%

30.1% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.4%

Imports

$2.275 billion (2012 est.) $2.068 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Korea 26.7%, China 24.4%, Singapore 23.2%, Japan 16.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.8% (2012 est.) 8.5% (2011 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

Population below poverty line

80% (2000 est.)

Public debt

0.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$664.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) $560.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$201 million (31 December 2012 est.) $201 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.574 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.912 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$521.9 million (31 December 2012 est.) $475.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$408.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) $433.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

85% (2003 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

588,000 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

311.6 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

197,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

335 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,533 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

23.37 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,673 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

3 private TV stations; satellite TV service 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

7 (2012)

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 50 per 100 persons in 2011 country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

domestic

mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity reached 50 per 100 persons in 2011

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) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

3,200 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.394 million (2012)

Airports

29 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

14 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

8

total

27

Merchant marine

2,771 barge carrier 5, bulk carrier 662, cargo 143, carrier 2, chemical tanker 248, combination ore/oil 8, container 937, liquefied gas 92, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 526, refrigerated cargo 102, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 27 2,581 (Angola 1, Argentina 1, Australia 1, Belgium 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 20, Canada 2, Chile 9, China 4, Croatia 1, Cyprus 9, Denmark 8, Egypt 3, Germany 1185, Gibraltar 5, Greece 505, Hong Kong 48, India 8, Indonesia 4, Israel 34, Italy 47, Japan 110, Latvia 5, Lebanon 1, Monaco 8, Netherlands 31, Nigeria 4, Norway 38, Poland 13, Qatar 5, Romania 3, Russia 109, Saudi Arabia 20, Singapore 22, Slovenia 7, South Korea 2, Sweden 12, Switzerland 25, Syria 1, Taiwan 94, Turkey 16, UAE 37, UK 32, UK 22, Ukraine 10, Uruguay 1, US 53) (2010)

foreign-owned

2,581 (Angola 1, Argentina 1, Australia 1, Belgium 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 20, Canada 2, Chile 9, China 4, Croatia 1, Cyprus 9, Denmark 8, Egypt 3, Germany 1185, Gibraltar 5, Greece 505, Hong Kong 48, India 8, Indonesia 4, Israel 34, Italy 47, Japan 110, Latvia 5, Lebanon 1, Monaco 8, Netherlands 31, Nigeria 4, Norway 38, Poland 13, Qatar 5, Romania 3, Russia 109, Saudi Arabia 20, Singapore 22, Slovenia 7, South Korea 2, Sweden 12, Switzerland 25, Syria 1, Taiwan 94, Turkey 16, UAE 37, UK 32, UK 22, Ukraine 10, Uruguay 1, US 53) (2010)

total

2,771

Pipelines

oil 4 km (2013)

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 (2008)

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

0.8% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Disputes - international

although civil unrest continues to abate with the assistance of 18,000 UN Mission in Liberia 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 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

54,621 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2013) undetermined (civil war from 1990-2004; post-election violence in March and April 2011; unclear how many have found durable solutions; many dwell in slums in Monrovia) (2012)

IDPs

undetermined (civil war from 1990-2004; post-election violence in March and April 2011; unclear how many have found durable solutions; many dwell in slums in Monrovia) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

54,621 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2013)

Trafficking in persons

Liberia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; most victims are Liberian and are exploited within the country, where they are forced into domestic servitude, begging, prostitution, street vending, agricultural work, and diamond mining; a small number of Liberian men, women, and children are trafficked to Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and the US, while trafficking victims are brought to Liberia from neighboring West African countries, including Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Nigeria Tier 2 Watch List - Liberia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has increased its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts and achieved its first conviction under its 2005 anti-trafficking law; the government has failed to make adequate efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims and has not adopted or implemented the standard operating procedures for assisting victims finalized by the anti-trafficking secretariat in 2012; the referral of victims to NGOs for protective services is inconsistent (2013)

current situation

Liberia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; most victims are Liberian and are exploited within the country, where they are forced into domestic servitude, begging, prostitution, street vending, agricultural work, and diamond mining; a small number of Liberian men, women, and children are trafficked to Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and the US, while trafficking victims are brought to Liberia from neighboring West African countries, including Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Nigeria

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Liberia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has increased its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts and achieved its first conviction under its 2005 anti-trafficking law; the government has failed to make adequate efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims and has not adopted or implemented the standard operating procedures for assisting victims finalized by the anti-trafficking secretariat in 2012; the referral of victims to NGOs for protective services is inconsistent (2013)