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Economy of Bhutan vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 170/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

Bhutan vs Liberia GDP by year

Bhutan
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Liberia
2024 - $4,779,300,900
2023 $3,012,896,789 $4,390,000,000
2022 $2,898,227,744 $4,001,047,000
2021 $2,768,802,960 $3,513,049,500
2020 $2,457,604,334 $3,176,126,300
2019 $2,735,683,570 $3,319,596,500
2018 $2,583,335,722 $3,422,754,800
2017 $2,591,358,009 $3,390,703,400
2016 $2,357,504,761 $3,398,419,600
2015 $2,187,815,803 $3,227,075,700
2014 $2,089,079,571 $3,225,652,000
2013 $1,943,696,952 $3,177,198,100
2012 $1,973,387,228 $2,791,614,000
2011 $1,977,728,659 $2,398,000,000
2010 $1,708,880,730 $1,998,000,000
2009 $1,331,343,798 $1,768,000,000
2008 $1,317,517,835 $1,726,000,000
2007 $1,255,767,964 $1,373,000,000
2006 $942,879,879 $1,119,000,000
2005 $860,391,000 $949,000,000
2004 $735,348,490 $897,000,000
2003 $651,935,430 $748,000,000
2002 $559,345,264 $927,000,000
2001 $496,110,226 $906,000,000
2000 $460,733,418 $874,000,000
1999 $399,311,200 $441,800,000
1998 $363,458,381 $359,600,000
1997 $352,229,077 $295,900,000
1996 $303,408,346 $159,400,000
1995 $290,490,984 $134,800,000
1994 $258,954,708 $132,200,000
1993 $225,973,693 $160,400,000
1992 $240,233,531 $223,500,000
1991 $240,294,286 $348,000,000
1990 $287,765,007 $384,400,000
1989 $264,798,626 $786,300,000
1988 $272,298,067 $1,038,300,000
1987 $242,742,766 $972,800,000
1986 $191,218,115 $840,964,400
1985 $163,288,815 $851,296,100
1984 $160,423,494 $848,478,300
1983 $156,704,290 $823,374,900
1982 $141,439,317 $863,933,200
1981 $139,174,178 $846,514,500
1980 $128,669,201 $854,711,500
1979 $105,377,995 $814,067,900
1978 $94,086,228 $717,240,400
1977 $97,884,434 $673,010,600
1976 $88,461,263 $596,675,700
1975 $86,820,762 $577,549,300
1974 $92,901,784 $486,955,000
1973 $78,900,289 $386,968,300
1972 $70,139,867 $368,098,000
1971 $66,289,450 $341,543,100
1970 $61,812,113 $323,099,700
1969 - $306,961,800
1968 - $276,820,700
1967 - $261,024,300
1966 - $244,459,500
1965 - $229,260,800
1964 - $218,929,100
1963 - $200,229,600
1962 - $191,861,800
1961 - $183,920,900
1960 - $190,495,600

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/liberia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Liberia by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $851 $1,871
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $799 $1,795
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $745 $1,692
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $668 $1,539
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $617 $1,660
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $658 $1,900
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $692 $1,800
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $699 $1,665
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $715 $1,490
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $693 $1,340
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $707 $1,419
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $711 $1,360
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $638 $1,157
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $568 $1,041
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $492 $980
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $448 $939
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $452 $915
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $374 $873
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $321 $815
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $287.5 $774
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $284.1 $745
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $239.8 $716
2002 $896 $3,663 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $812 $3,338 $300 $987
2000 $772 $3,113 $298.5 $965
1999 $685 $3,017 $156.6 $762
1998 $638 $2,819 $134.7 $652
1997 $630 $2,683 $122.6 $548
1996 $553 $2,548 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $530 $2,374 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $467 $2,146 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $407 $2,001 $74.4 $328
1992 $416 $1,840 $107.8 $497
1991 $401 $1,657 $177.9 $793
1990 $488 $1,638 $172.9 $787
1989 $462 - $312 -
1988 $489 - $424 -
1987 $449 - $409 -
1986 $365 - $364 -
1985 $321 - $380 -
1984 $326 - $390 -
1983 $328 - $391 -
1982 $306 - $422 -
1981 $311 - $426 -
1980 $296.9 - $443 -
1979 $251.4 - $435 -
1978 $232.2 - $394 -
1977 $249.9 - $381 -
1976 $233.7 - $347 -
1975 $237.4 - $346 -
1974 $262.8 - $299.4 -
1973 $230.9 - $244.4 -
1972 $212.4 - $238.6 -
1971 $207.7 - $227.1 -
1970 $200.3 - $220.3 -
1969 - - $214.7 -
1968 - - $198.6 -
1967 - - $192.2 -
1966 - - $184.6 -
1965 - - $177.6 -
1964 - - $173.9 -
1963 - - $163.1 -
1962 - - $160.3 -
1961 - - $157.5 -
1960 - - $167.2 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/liberia | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $851 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Liberia
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
163/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
188/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$1,191
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
5.93%
2017
Population
803385
5887000

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 30.9% 116% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 30.5% 103% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 37.1% 24.8%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 39.3% 61% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 17.2% 394%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 11.1% 472%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 12.8% 535%
2004 31% 76% 12.1% 543%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 9.85% 658%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 13.2% 481%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 12.6% 484%
2000 43% 44% 15.2% 489%
1999 40.2% 39.2% - -
1998 31.1% 36.4% - -
1997 37.8% 33% - -
1996 37.9% 36.8% - -
1995 38.6% 38.7% - -
1994 37.9% 53.2% - -
1993 35.2% 60.2% - -
1992 34.5% 35.6% - -
1991 30.8% 33.5% - -
1990 35.8% 27.4% - -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/liberia | CC BY

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 17/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Liberia
2024 -0.17% -1.98%
2023 -4.73% -7.03%
2022 -6.95% -5.33%
2021 -5.76% -2.5%
2020 -1.81% -4.02%
2019 -1.49% -4.92%
2018 -1.52% -4.7%
2017 -4.49% -7.14%
2016 -2.31% -3.83%
2015 -0.49% -3.74%
2014 2.46% -4.92%
2013 -4.55% 1.29%
2012 -2.1% -2.86%
2011 -3.02% -4.43%
2010 1.92% 1.17%
2009 -0.8% -1.39%
2008 -2.57% -2.68%
2007 0.79% 2.44%
2006 -0.07% 4.42%
2005 -6.96% -0.55%
2004 1.8% -0.56%
2003 -10.2% 0.39%
2002 -4.33% -1.63%
2001 -12.2% -0.98%
2000 -3.39% -0.08%
1999 -1.28% -
1998 1.28% -
1997 -1.92% -
1996 2.55% -
1995 -0.88% -
1994 -0.13% -
1993 4.71% -
1992 -3.47% -
1991 -0.48% -
1990 -7.21% -
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/liberia | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Liberia's deficit of $309M, or 7.03% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 3.03% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Liberia
2024 4.3% 8.2%
2023 4.5% 10.1%
2022 5.9% 7.6%
2021 8.2% 7.8%
2020 3% 17%
2019 2.8% 27%
2018 3.6% 23.5%
2017 4.3% 12.4%
2016 3.3% 8.8%
2015 6.7% 7.7%
2014 9.6% 9.9%
2013 8.1% 7.6%
2012 10.1% 6.8%
2011 8.6% 8.5%
2010 4.8% 7.3%
2009 7.1% 7.4%
2008 6.3% 17.5%
2007 5.2% 11.4%
2006 4.9% 9.5%
2005 4.8% 6.9%
2004 3.3% 3.6%
2003 2.5% 10.3%
2002 2.9% 14.2%
2001 3.7% 12.1%
2000 7.2% 5.3%
1999 9.1% 2%
1998 7.6% -
1997 8.6% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/liberia | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.57%, compared with 10.4% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 8.2% in Liberia.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Liberia
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$228M
2024
$434M
2022
Service exports
$288M
2024
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
28.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bhutan Liberia
Economic freedom 57.5 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 163/197
Property rights 69.2 40.4
Government integrity 72.2 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 23.4
Tax burden 83.4 86.1
Government spending 74.1 79.5
Fiscal health 25.8 56.9
Business freedom 67.8 38
Labor freedom 60.1 43.4
Monetary freedom 71.6 71.4
Trade freedom 63.4 57.4
Investment freedom 20 55
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Liberia
2026 57.5 49.8
2025 57.5 48.5
2024 55.4 49.9
2023 59 49.6
2022 59.3 47.9
2021 58.3 49.2
2020 62.1 49
2019 62.9 49.7
2018 61.8 50.9
2017 58.4 49.1
2016 59.5 52.2
2015 57.4 52.7
2014 56.7 52.4
2013 55 49.3
2012 56.6 48.6
2011 57.6 46.5
2010 57 46.2
2009 57.7 48.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/liberia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Liberia
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
n/a

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/liberia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.