2017 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 an election 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 was convicted by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague for 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 and remains challenged to rebuild Liberia's economy, particularly following the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic, and to reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. The UN Security Council in September 2015 passed Resolution 2239, which renewed the mandate for the UN Mission in Liberia for another year. In July 2016, the UN handed over peacekeeping responsibility to Liberia and reduced the UN troop presence, which now serves a support role. Liberia is scheduled to hold presidential and legislative elections in October 2017. Constitutional term limits bar

Area

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

land

96,320 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

243 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,447 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point

Mount Wuteve 1,447 m

mean elevation

243 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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

1,667 km Guinea 590 km, Cote d'Ivoire 778 km, Sierra Leone 299 km

border countries (3)

Guinea 590 km, Cote d'Ivoire 778 km, Sierra Leone 299 km

total

1,667 km

Land use

28.1% arable land 5.2%; permanent crops 2.1%; permanent pasture 20.8% 44.6% 27.3% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

28.1%

forest

44.6%

other

27.3% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

more than half of the population lives in urban areas, with approximately one-third living within an 80-km radius of Monrovia

Terrain

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

Age structure

43.82% (male 1,038,452/female 1,016,491) 19.56% (male 457,806/female 459,289) 30.33% (male 699,879/female 722,244) 3.43% (male 82,616/female 78,003) 2.86% (male 65,979/female 68,262) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

43.82% (male 1,038,452/female 1,016,491)

15-24 years

19.56% (male 457,806/female 459,289)

25-54 years

30.33% (male 699,879/female 722,244)

55-64 years

3.43% (male 82,616/female 78,003)

65 years and over

2.86% (male 65,979/female 68,262) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

38.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

15.3% (2013)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

20.2% (2013)

Death rate

7.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Liberia’s high fertility rate of nearly 5 children per woman and large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – will sustain a high dependency ratio for many years to come. Significant progress has been made in preventing child deaths, despite a lack of health care workers and infrastructure. Infant and child mortality have dropped nearly 70% since 1990; the annual reduction rate of about 5.4% is the highest in Africa. Nevertheless, Liberia’s high maternal mortality rate remains among the world’s worst; it reflects a high unmet need for family planning services, frequency of early childbearing, lack of quality obstetric care, high adolescent fertility, and a low proportion of births attended by a medical professional. Female mortality is also increased by the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC), which is practiced by 10 of Liberia’s 16 tribes and affects more than two-thirds of women and girls. FGC is an initiation ritual performed in rural bush schools, which teach traditional beliefs on marriage and motherhood and are an obstacle to formal classroom education for Liberian girls. Liberia has been both a source and a destination for refugees. During Liberia’s 14-year civil war (1989-2003), more than 250,000 people became refugees and another half million were internally displaced. Between 2004 and the cessation of refugee status for Liberians in June 2012, the UNHCR helped more than 155,000 Liberians to voluntarily repatriate, while others returned home on their own. Some Liberian refugees spent more than two decades living in other West African countries. Liberia hosted more than 125,000 Ivoirian refugees escaping post-election violence in 2010-11; as of mid-2017, about 12,000 Ivoirian refugees were still living in Liberia as of October 2017 because of instability.

Dependency ratios

83.2 77.6 5.5 18.1 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.5

potential support ratio

18.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

83.2

youth dependency ratio

77.6

Drinking water source

urban: 88.6% of population rural: 62.6% of population total: 75.6% of population urban: 11.4% of population rural: 37.4% of population total: 24.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

37.4% of population

total

24.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

11.4% of population

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2012)

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

10% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.6% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,800 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

43,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

52.2 deaths/1,000 live births 56.7 deaths/1,000 live births 47.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

47.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

56.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

52.2 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

63.3 years 61.2 years 65.5 years (2017 est.)

female

65.5 years (2017 est.)

male

61.2 years

total population

63.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 47.6% 62.4% 32.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

32.8% (2015 est.)

male

62.4%

total population

47.6%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever schistosomiasis Lassa fever rabies (2016)

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease

Lassa fever

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

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) 1.264 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

725 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

17.8 years 17.5 years 18 years (2017 est.)

female

18 years (2017 est.)

male

17.5 years

total

17.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.2 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

Nationality

Liberian(s) Liberian

adjective

Liberian

noun

Liberian(s)

Net migration rate

-5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

9.9% (2016)

Physicians density

0.01 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

4,689,021 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

more than half of the population lives in urban areas, with approximately one-third living within an 80-km radius of Monrovia

Population growth rate

2.5% (2017 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 28% of population rural: 5.9% of population total: 16.9% of population urban: 72% of population rural: 94.1% of population total: 83.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

94.1% of population

total

83.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

72% of population

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.97 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.97 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.06 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

6% 4.3% 7.6% (2010 est.)

female

7.6% (2010 est.)

male

4.3%

total

6%

Urbanization

50.5% of total population (2017) 3.24% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.24% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

50.5% of total population (2017)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Liberia no 2 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Liberia

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

2 years

Constitution

previous 1847 (at independence); latest drafted 19 October 1983, revised version adopted by referendum 3 July 1984, effective 6 January 1986 proposed by agreement of at least two-thirds of both National Assembly houses or by petition of at least 10,000 citizens; passage requires at least two-thirds majority approval of both houses and approval in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of registered voters; amended 2011; note - a series of amendment proposals approved by the Constitution Review Conference in early 2015 are pending a referendum ahead of October 2017 elections (2017)

amendments

proposed by agreement of at least two-thirds of both National Assembly houses or by petition of at least 10,000 citizens; passage requires at least two-thirds majority approval of both houses and approval in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of registered voters; amended 2011; note - a series of amendment proposals approved by the Constitution Review Conference in early 2015 are pending a referendum ahead of October 2017 elections (2017)

history

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

Country name

Republic of Liberia Liberia name derives from the Latin word "liber" meaning "free"; so named because the nation was created as a homeland for liberated African-American slaves

conventional long form

Republic of Liberia

conventional short form

Liberia

etymology

name derives from the Latin word "liber" meaning "free"; so named because the nation was created as a homeland for liberated African-American slaves

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Christine A. ELDER (since 23 June 2016) U.S. Embassy, 502 Benson Street, Monrovia P.O. Box 98, Monrovia [231] 77-677-7000 [231] 77-677-7370

chief of mission

Ambassador Christine A. ELDER (since 23 June 2016)

embassy

U.S. Embassy, 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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jeff Gongoer DOWANA (since 12 April 2017) 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 Jeff Gongoer DOWANA (since 12 April 2017)

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 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, confirmed by the Senate president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 October 2017 (run-off scheduled for 7 November 2017 has been halted pending a ruling on fraud allegations) percent of vote in first round - George WEAH (Coalition for Democratic Change) 38.4%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 28.8%, Charles BRUMSKINE (LP) 9.6%, Prince JOHNSON (MDR) 8.2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS (ANC) 7.2%, other 7.8% Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF is the first elected female head of state in Africa

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president, 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 chief of state and head of government

election results

percent of vote in first round - George WEAH (Coalition for Democratic Change) 38.4%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 28.8%, Charles BRUMSKINE (LP) 9.6%, Prince JOHNSON (MDR) 8.2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS (ANC) 7.2%, other 7.8%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 October 2017 (run-off scheduled for 7 November 2017 has been halted pending a ruling on fraud allegations)

head of government

President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); Vice President Joseph BOAKAI (since 16 January 2006)

note

Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF is the first elected female head of state in Africa

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

note

the design is based on the US flag

Government type

presidential 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), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, 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); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction for all constitutional cases

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 directly elected in 15 2-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 9-year staggered terms with one seat in each district up for election after 3 years followed by a 6-year hiatus; eligible for a second term; and the House of Representatives (73 seats; members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms; eligible for a second term) Senate - last held on 20 December 2014 (originally scheduled for 14 October 2014 but postponed due to Ebola-virus epidemic; next to be held in October 2020); House of Representatives - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held on 10 October 2017) Senate - percent of vote by party - CDC 29.8%, UP 10.3%, LP 11.5%, NPP 6.1%, PUP 4.9%, ANC 4.2%, NDC 1.3%, other 7.6%, independent 24.3%; seats by party - UP 4, CDC 2, LP 2, ANC 1, NDC 1, NPP 1, PUP 1, independent 3 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - UP 17.8%, CDC 12.8%, LP 9.2%, NDC 5.7%, LTP 4.5%, NUDP 3.9%, NPP 3.3%, MPC 2.4%, APD 2.1%,LDP 1.0%, NRP 0.8%, other 16.8% independent 19.7%; 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, independent 9

description

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; members directly elected in 15 2-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 9-year staggered terms with one seat in each district up for election after 3 years followed by a 6-year hiatus; eligible for a second term; and the House of Representatives (73 seats; members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms; eligible for a second term)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - CDC 29.8%, UP 10.3%, LP 11.5%, NPP 6.1%, PUP 4.9%, ANC 4.2%, NDC 1.3%, other 7.6%, independent 24.3%; seats by party - UP 4, CDC 2, LP 2, ANC 1, NDC 1, NPP 1, PUP 1, independent 3

elections

Senate - last held on 20 December 2014 (originally scheduled for 14 October 2014 but postponed due to Ebola-virus epidemic; next to be held in October 2020); House of Representatives - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held on 10 October 2017)

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA

name

"All Hail, Liberia Hail!"

note

lyrics adopted 1847, music adopted 1860; the anthem's author later became the third president of Liberia

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1847)

National symbol(s)

white star; national colors: red, white, blue

white star; national colors

red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Marcus S. G. DAHN] Alternative National Congress or ANC [Orishil GOULD] Coalition for Democratic Change [George WEAH] (includes CDC, NPP, LPDP) Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [George WEAH] Liberia Destiny Party or LDP [Nathaniel BARNES] Liberia Transformation Party or LTP [Julius SUKU] Liberian People Democratic Party or LPDP [Alex J. TYLER] Liberty Party or LP [J. Fonati KOFFA] Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction or MDR [Prince Y. JOHNSON] 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 [Jewel HOWARD TAYLOR] National Reformist Party or NRP [Maximillian T. W. DIABE] National Union for Democratic Progress or NUDP [Victor BARNEY] People's Unification Party or PUP [Isobe GBORKORKOLLIE] Unity Party or UP [Varney SHERMAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Liberian Federation of Labor Unions or LFLU [Aloysius KIE] MCSS Teachers Association National Health Workers Association of Liberia National Teachers Association of Liberia or NTAL [Mary MULBAH] demobilized former military officers

other

demobilized former military officers

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$638.1 million $719.5 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$719.5 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$638.1 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.2% (2016)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.59% (31 December 2016 est.) 13.61% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-520 million (2016 est.) $-859.6 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$938.9 million (31 December 2016 est.) $836.3 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32 (2014) 38.2 (2007)

Economy - overview

Liberia is a low-income country that relies heavily on foreign assistance and remittances from the diaspora. It is richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture. Its principal exports are iron ore, rubber, diamonds, and gold. Palm oil and cocoa are emerging as new export products. The government has attempted to revive raw timber extraction and is encouraging oil exploration. In the 1990s and early 2000s, civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially infrastructure in and around the capital. Much of the conflict was fueled by control over Liberia’s natural resources. With the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically elected government in 2006, businesses that had fled the country began to return. The country achieved high growth during the period 2010-13 due to favorable world prices for its commodities. However, during the 2014-2015 Ebola crisis, the economy declined and many foreign-owned businesses departed with their capital and expertise. The epidemic forced the government to divert scarce resources to combat the spread of the virus, reducing funds available for needed public investment. The cost of addressing the Ebola epidemic coincided with decreased economic activity reducing government revenue, although higher donor support significantly offset this loss. During the same period, global commodities prices for key exports fell and have yet to recover to pre-Ebola levels. In 2017, gold is expected to be a key driver of growth, as a new mining project begins its first full year of production, and iron ore exports are also expected to improve as Arcelor Mittal opens new mines at Mount Gangra. The completion of the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Dam in 2017 will increase electricity production to support ongoing and future economic activity, although electricity tariffs remain high relative to other countries in the region and transmission infrastructure is limited. Scheduled presidential and legislative elections in October 2017 will generate election-related spending pressures. Revitalizing the economy in the future will depend on economic diversification, increasing investment and trade, higher global commodity prices, sustained foreign aid and remittances, development of infrastructure and institutions, combating corruption, and maintaining political stability and security.

Exchange rates

Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - 93.4 (2016 est.) 93.4 (31 December 2015 est.) 85.3 (2014 est.) 83.893 (2013 est.) 73.52 (2012 est.)

Exports

$169.8 million (2016 est.) $277 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee

Exports - partners

Poland 18.5%, Switzerland 9.7%, UAE 9.4%, Netherlands 8.9%, Germany 6.1%, US 5.9%, South Africa 5%, China 4.4%, Ghana 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

128.8% 16.7% 19.5% 6.7% 17.5% -89.2% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

17.5%

government consumption

16.7%

household consumption

128.8%

imports of goods and services

-89.2% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

19.5%

investment in inventories

6.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

36% 10.4% 53.5% (2016 est.)

agriculture

36%

industry

10.4%

services

53.5% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$900 (2016 est.) $900 (2015 est.) $900 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-1.6% (2016 est.) 0% (2015 est.) 0.7% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.101 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.743 billion (2016 est.) $3.758 billion (2015 est.) $3.716 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

NA% (2016 est.) -21.9% of GDP (2015 est.) -2.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.4% 30.1% (2007)

highest 10%

30.1% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.4%

Imports

$1.21 billion (2016 est.) $1.552 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Korea 38.3%, Singapore 18%, China 15.9%, Japan 10.9% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-16% (2016 est.)

Industries

mining (iron ore and gold), rubber processing, palm oil processing, diamonds

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.8% (2016 est.) 7.8% (2015 est.)

Labor force

1.632 million (2016 est.)

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

54.1% (2014 est.)

Public debt

42.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 39.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$639 million (31 December 2016 est.) $679.3 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$201 million (31 December 2013 est.) $201 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$17.01 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $16.56 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$789.4 million (31 December 2016 est.) $724.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$436.4 million (31 December 2016 est.) $459 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

30.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.8% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

600,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

39 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

63.3% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

36.7% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

125,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

70.07 million kWh according to a 2014 household survey, only 4.5% of Liberians use Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC)power. 4.9% use a community generator, 4.4% have their own generator, 3.9% use vehicle batteries, and 0.8% use other sources of electricity. 81.3% have no access to electricity. LEC accounts for roughly 70 million kWh of ouput. (2016 est.)

note

according to a 2014 household survey, only 4.5% of Liberians use Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC)power. 4.9% use a community generator, 4.4% have their own generator, 3.9% use vehicle batteries, and 0.8% use other sources of electricity. 81.3% have no access to electricity. LEC accounts for roughly 70 million kWh of ouput. (2016 est.)

Electricity access

3,900,000 10% 17% 3% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

3% (2013)

electrification - total population

10%

electrification - urban areas

17%

population without electricity

3,900,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

6,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,611 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

8 private and 1 government-owned TV station; satellite TV service available; 1 state-owned radio station; 19 independent radio stations broadcasting in Monrovia, with another 77 local stations operating in other areas; transmissions of 4 international broadcasters are available (2017)

Internet country code

.lr

Internet users

314,717 7.3% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

7.3% (July 2016 est.)

total

314,717

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 approached 90 per 100 persons in 2016 country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

domestic

mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity approached 90 per 100 persons in 2016

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) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

8,000 less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

8,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

3,834,600 89 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

89 (July 2016 est.)

total

3,834,600

Airports

29 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2017)

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

under 914 m

14 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

A8 (2016)

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 2,559 (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, Ukraine 10, Uruguay 1, US 53) (2010)

by type

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

foreign-owned

2,559 (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, Ukraine 10, Uruguay 1, US 53) (2010)

total

2,771

Pipelines

oil 4 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Buchanan, Monrovia

major seaport(s)

Buchanan, Monrovia

Railways

429 km 345 km 1.435-m gauge 84 km 1.067-m gauge most sections of the railways inoperable due to damage sustained during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003, but many are being rebuilt (2008)

narrow gauge

84 km 1.067-m gauge

note

most sections of the railways inoperable due to damage sustained during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003, but many are being rebuilt (2008)

standard gauge

345 km 1.435-m gauge

total

429 km

Roadways

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

paved

657 km

total

10,600 km

unpaved

9,943 km (2000)

Military branches

Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force (2014)

Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)

Army, Navy, Air Force (2014)

Military expenditures

0.62% of GDP (2016) 0.66% of GDP (2015) 0.71% of GDP (2014) 0.78% of GDP (2013) 0.87% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

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

Disputes - international

as the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) continues to drawdown prior to the 1 March 2018 closure date, the peacekeeping force is being reduced to 434 soldiers and two police units; some Liberian refugees still remain in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Liberia shelters almost 15,000 Ivoirian refugees, as of May 2017; in 2017, Liberia's 3 refugee camps will be converted into "settlements" and remaining Ivoirian refugees will be integrated into local communities

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

11,949 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2017) up to 23,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; post-election violence in March and April 2011; many dwell in slums in Monrovia) (2014)

IDPs

up to 23,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; post-election violence in March and April 2011; many dwell in slums in Monrovia) (2014)

refugees (country of origin)

11,949 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2017)