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Economy of East Timor vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

East Timor has a GDP of $1.9B compared to $5.25B for Liberia, ranking 181/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $273M in government debt (14.3% of GDP), compared to $2.88B (54.9% of GDP) in Liberia.

East Timor vs Liberia GDP by year

East Timor
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Liberia
2025 $1,902,180,258 $5,245,938,900
2024 $1,865,608,515 $4,779,300,900
2023 $2,079,767,200 $4,390,000,000
2022 $3,208,599,900 $4,001,047,000
2021 $3,625,024,300 $3,513,049,500
2020 $2,162,619,200 $3,176,126,300
2019 $2,032,550,400 $3,319,596,500
2018 $1,555,988,600 $3,422,754,800
2017 $1,584,878,400 $3,390,703,400
2016 $1,640,464,600 $3,398,419,600
2015 $1,590,282,400 $3,227,075,700
2014 $1,447,535,200 $3,225,652,000
2013 $1,395,727,400 $3,177,198,100
2012 $1,160,555,000 $2,791,614,000
2011 $1,042,534,600 $2,398,000,000
2010 $881,909,300 $1,998,000,000
2009 $726,937,800 $1,768,000,000
2008 $648,523,600 $1,726,000,000
2007 $542,795,400 $1,373,000,000
2006 $453,792,400 $1,119,000,000
2005 $462,268,000 $949,000,000
2004 $440,772,000 $897,000,000
2003 $490,439,100 $748,000,000
2002 $469,455,500 $927,000,000
2001 $477,359,300 $906,000,000
2000 $366,924,300 $874,000,000
1999 $225,357,600 $441,800,000
1998 $325,729,800 $359,600,000
1997 $319,972,700 $295,900,000
1996 $306,956,900 $159,400,000
1995 $262,819,900 $134,800,000
1994 $239,040,500 $132,200,000
1993 $216,914,400 $160,400,000
1992 $187,891,500 $223,500,000
1991 $147,713,000 $348,000,000
1990 $128,210,142 $384,400,000
1989 - $786,300,000
1988 - $1,038,300,000
1987 - $972,800,000
1986 - $840,964,400
1985 - $851,296,100
1984 - $848,478,300
1983 - $823,374,900
1982 - $863,933,200
1981 - $846,514,500
1980 - $854,711,500
1979 - $814,067,900
1978 - $717,240,400
1977 - $673,010,600
1976 - $596,675,700
1975 - $577,549,300
1974 - $486,955,000
1973 - $386,968,300
1972 - $368,098,000
1971 - $341,543,100
1970 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/liberia | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Liberia by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,341 - $915 -
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $851 $1,871
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $799 $1,795
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $745 $1,692
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $668 $1,539
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $617 $1,660
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $658 $1,900
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $692 $1,800
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $699 $1,665
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $715 $1,490
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $693 $1,340
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $707 $1,419
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $711 $1,360
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $638 $1,157
2011 $939 $2,066 $568 $1,041
2010 $813 $1,955 $492 $980
2009 $687 $1,810 $448 $939
2008 $628 $1,675 $452 $915
2007 $540 $1,516 $374 $873
2006 $465 $1,377 $321 $815
2005 $487 $1,435 $287.5 $774
2004 $474 $1,379 $284.1 $745
2003 $535 $1,355 $239.8 $716
2002 $534 $1,417 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $588 $1,619 $300 $987
2000 $492 $1,483 $298.5 $965
1999 $270 $819 $156.6 $762
1998 $346 $1,108 $134.7 $652
1997 $349 $1,149 $122.6 $548
1996 $344 $1,116 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $303 $1,043 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $283.1 $985 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $264.1 $925 $74.4 $328
1992 $235.1 $843 $107.8 $497
1991 $189.8 $766 $177.9 $793
1990 $168.6 $685 $172.9 $787
1989 - - $312 -
1988 - - $424 -
1987 - - $409 -
1986 - - $364 -
1985 - - $380 -
1984 - - $390 -
1983 - - $391 -
1982 - - $422 -
1981 - - $426 -
1980 - - $443 -
1979 - - $435 -
1978 - - $394 -
1977 - - $381 -
1976 - - $347 -
1975 - - $346 -
1974 - - $299.4 -
1973 - - $244.4 -
1972 - - $238.6 -
1971 - - $227.1 -
1970 - - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/liberia | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,341, ranking 168/197, compared to $915 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

East Timor Liberia
Gross domestic product
$1.9B
2025
$5.25B
2025
GDP rank
181/197
2025
162/197
2025
GDP growth
6.98%
2024-2025
5.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,341
2025
$915
2025
GDP per capita rank
168/197
2025
184/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$273M
2025
$2.88B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.3%
2025
54.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$192.3
2025
$502
2025
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2025
167/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,644
2026
$1,467
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
93.9%
2025
22.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.5%
2024-2025
8.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
5.93%
2017
Population
1446322
5916561

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 93.9% 14.3% 22.4% 54.9%
2024 98% 14.4% 24.1% 56.4%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 28.6% 57.2%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 27.4% 54.4%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 29.8% 53.5%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 35.3% 58.5%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 32.3% 48.1%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 32.7% 36.2%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 35.8% 28%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 37.1% 24.4%
2014 111% 1.52% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 133.3% 0% 29.8% 22.5%
2010 121.3% 0% 25.1% 25.4%
2009 121.8% 0% 24% 132.2%
2008 122.4% 0% 21.8% 235.3%
2007 75.8% 0% 16.1% 367%
2006 59.8% 0% 10.6% 451%
2005 58.3% 0% 11.7% 488%
2004 74.2% 0% 12.1% 543%
2003 80.1% 0% 8.98% 600%
2002 93.5% 0% 12.7% 464%
2001 95.7% 0% 12.1% 465%
2000 - - 14.5% 468%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/liberia | CC BY

In 2025, East Timor's government spending was $1.79B, accounting for 93.9% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.18B, or 22.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.3% in East Timor and 54.9% in Liberia, ranking 178/185 and 90/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Liberia
2025 -48% -1.41%
2024 -47% -1.8%
2023 -34.7% -8.55%
2022 -29.5% -5.82%
2021 -20.1% -2.5%
2020 -18.9% -4.02%
2019 -25.4% -4.92%
2018 -26.9% -4.7%
2017 -33.8% -7.14%
2016 -55.7% -3.83%
2015 -33.2% -3.74%
2014 -37.5% -4.92%
2013 -14.4% 1.29%
2012 -38.7% -2.86%
2011 -25.4% -4.39%
2010 -19.8% 1.16%
2009 -17.2% -1.4%
2008 -18.6% -2.7%
2007 -29.9% 2.28%
2006 41% 4.23%
2005 -10.5% -0.51%
2004 -7.48% -0.56%
2003 -8.24% 0.36%
2002 -7.64% -1.57%
2001 3.24% -0.94%
2000 - -0.08%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/liberia | CC BY

In 2025, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $914M, equivalent to 48% of GDP. This compares to Liberia's deficit of $74.2M, or 1.41% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 22.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Liberia
2025 0.5% 8.3%
2024 2.1% 8.2%
2023 8.4% 10.1%
2022 7% 7.6%
2021 3.8% 7.8%
2020 0.5% 17%
2019 0.9% 27%
2018 2.3% 23.5%
2017 0.5% 12.4%
2016 -1.5% 8.8%
2015 0.6% 7.7%
2014 0.8% 9.9%
2013 9.5% 7.6%
2012 10.9% 6.8%
2011 13.2% 8.5%
2010 5.2% 7.3%
2009 -0.2% 7.4%
2008 7.4% 17.5%
2007 8.6% 11.4%
2006 5.2% 9.5%
2005 1.6% 6.9%
2004 2.2% 3.6%
2003 8% 10.3%
2002 4.1% 14.2%
2001 3.6% 12.1%
2000 - 5.3%
1999 - 2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/liberia | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.21%, compared with 10.9% in Liberia. In 2025, inflation was 0.5% in East Timor and 8.3% in Liberia.

Balance of trade

East Timor Liberia
Current account balance
-$701M
2025
$120M
2024
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2025
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-36.9%
2025
+2.51%
2024
Goods imports
$842M
2025
$1.51B
2024
Goods exports
$126M
2025
$1.31B
2024
Service imports
$475M
2025
$253M
2024
Service exports
$147M
2025
$42.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
28.5%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Liberia
Economic freedom 47.9 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 163/197
Property rights 43.5 40.4
Government integrity 43.9 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 23.4
Tax burden 97.1 86.1
Government spending 0 79.5
Fiscal health 19.6 56.9
Business freedom 62.7 38
Labor freedom 56.5 43.4
Monetary freedom 72.2 71.4
Trade freedom 79.8 57.4
Investment freedom 45 55
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Liberia
2026 47.9 49.8
2025 47.9 48.5
2024 50.2 49.9
2023 47.2 49.6
2022 46.3 47.9
2021 44.7 49.2
2020 45.9 49
2019 44.2 49.7
2018 48.1 50.9
2017 46.3 49.1
2016 45.8 52.2
2015 45.5 52.7
2014 43.2 52.4
2013 43.7 49.3
2012 43.3 48.6
2011 42.8 46.5
2010 45.8 46.2
2009 50.5 48.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/liberia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, 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

East Timor Liberia
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
40%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
24.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
32.7%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.14B
2025
$4.76B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,120
2025
$1,840
2025
Total reserves including gold
$851M
2025
$339M
2025
Total reserves ranking
145/177
2025
166/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$253M
2025
-$397M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$225M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
3.12%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
n/a

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/liberia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.