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Economy of East Timor vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 181/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

East Timor vs Liberia GDP by year

East Timor
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Liberia
2024 $1,865,608,515 $4,779,300,900
2023 $2,079,767,170 $4,390,000,000
2022 $3,208,599,889 $4,001,047,000
2021 $3,625,024,341 $3,513,049,500
2020 $2,162,619,241 $3,176,126,300
2019 $2,032,550,389 $3,319,596,500
2018 $1,555,988,614 $3,422,754,800
2017 $1,584,878,440 $3,390,703,400
2016 $1,640,464,612 $3,398,419,600
2015 $1,590,282,371 $3,227,075,700
2014 $1,447,535,183 $3,225,652,000
2013 $1,395,727,421 $3,177,198,100
2012 $1,160,555,040 $2,791,614,000
2011 $1,042,534,598 $2,398,000,000
2010 $881,909,347 $1,998,000,000
2009 $726,937,836 $1,768,000,000
2008 $648,523,571 $1,726,000,000
2007 $542,795,447 $1,373,000,000
2006 $453,792,415 $1,119,000,000
2005 $462,267,954 $949,000,000
2004 $440,771,962 $897,000,000
2003 $490,439,116 $748,000,000
2002 $469,455,491 $927,000,000
2001 $477,359,253 $906,000,000
2000 $366,924,277 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $851 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
$1.87B
2024
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$1,191
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
90.8%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
5.93%
2017
Population
1441764
5887000

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
2024 90.8% 13.3% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 37.1% 24.8%
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% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 121.3% 0% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 121.8% 0% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 122.4% 0% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 75.8% 0% 17.2% 394%
2006 59.8% 0% 11.1% 472%
2005 58.3% 0% 12.8% 535%
2004 74.2% 0% 12.1% 543%
2003 80.1% 0% 9.85% 658%
2002 93.5% 0% 13.2% 481%
2001 95.7% 0% 12.6% 484%
2000 - - 15.2% 489%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 178/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Liberia
2024 -43.5% -1.98%
2023 -34.7% -7.03%
2022 -29.5% -5.33%
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% -4.43%
2010 -19.8% 1.17%
2009 -17.2% -1.39%
2008 -18.6% -2.68%
2007 -29.9% 2.44%
2006 41% 4.42%
2005 -10.5% -0.55%
2004 -7.48% -0.56%
2003 -8.24% 0.39%
2002 -7.64% -1.63%
2001 3.24% -0.98%
2000 - -0.08%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $812M, equivalent to 43.5% of GDP. This compares to Liberia's deficit of $94.6M, or 1.98% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.31% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Liberia
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 (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 11% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 8.2% in Liberia.

Balance of trade

East Timor Liberia
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$432M
2024
$434M
2022
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
28.5%
2025

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 2026-03-09).

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
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
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
3.09%
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 (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/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 (2000–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.