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Economy of Gabon vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Gabon has a GDP of $21.4B compared to $5.25B for Liberia, ranking 132/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $16.9B in government debt (78.9% of GDP), compared to $2.88B (54.9% of GDP) in Liberia.

Gabon vs Liberia GDP by year

Gabon
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Liberia
2025 $21,427,119,323 $5,245,938,900
2024 $20,895,684,426 $4,779,300,900
2023 $19,388,372,071 $4,390,000,000
2022 $20,440,655,695 $4,001,047,000
2021 $19,444,935,097 $3,513,049,500
2020 $15,342,236,164 $3,176,126,300
2019 $16,874,405,465 $3,319,596,500
2018 $16,867,326,402 $3,422,754,800
2017 $14,929,487,485 $3,390,703,400
2016 $14,023,890,265 $3,398,419,600
2015 $14,383,107,763 $3,227,075,700
2014 $18,203,966,896 $3,225,652,000
2013 $17,595,744,798 $3,177,198,100
2012 $17,170,464,016 $2,791,614,000
2011 $18,210,307,744 $2,398,000,000
2010 $14,372,593,020 $1,998,000,000
2009 $12,113,699,068 $1,768,000,000
2008 $15,571,348,344 $1,726,000,000
2007 $12,455,409,587 $1,373,000,000
2006 $10,327,598,306 $1,119,000,000
2005 $9,582,783,991 $949,000,000
2004 $7,770,219,008 $897,000,000
2003 $6,511,903,365 $748,000,000
2002 $5,335,451,100 $927,000,000
2001 $5,023,265,413 $906,000,000
2000 $5,080,483,629 $874,000,000
1999 $4,662,992,036 $441,800,000
1998 $4,483,417,310 $359,600,000
1997 $5,326,817,115 $295,900,000
1996 $5,694,040,003 $159,400,000
1995 $4,958,845,648 $134,800,000
1994 $4,190,819,344 $132,200,000
1993 $4,378,645,081 $160,400,000
1992 $5,592,390,827 $223,500,000
1991 $5,402,919,785 $348,000,000
1990 $5,952,293,765 $384,400,000
1989 $4,186,411,464 $786,300,000
1988 $3,834,503,376 $1,038,300,000
1987 $3,281,797,043 $972,800,000
1986 $3,403,638,189 $840,964,400
1985 $3,339,914,757 $851,296,100
1984 $3,561,451,561 $848,478,300
1983 $3,391,275,732 $823,374,900
1982 $3,618,007,841 $863,933,200
1981 $3,862,269,121 $846,514,500
1980 $4,279,637,942 $854,711,500
1979 $3,030,251,120 $814,067,900
1978 $2,389,479,272 $717,240,400
1977 $2,809,349,069 $673,010,600
1976 $3,009,409,974 $596,675,700
1975 $2,157,592,940 $577,549,300
1974 $1,544,216,002 $486,955,000
1973 $722,780,701 $386,968,300
1972 $430,508,359 $368,098,000
1971 $381,687,073 $341,543,100
1970 $323,802,476 $323,099,700
1969 $318,124,701 $306,961,800
1968 $294,468,564 $276,820,700
1967 $271,543,680 $261,024,300
1966 $245,849,781 $244,459,500
1965 $226,474,286 $229,260,800
1964 $215,679,855 $218,929,100
1963 $154,480,244 $200,229,600
1962 $182,796,536 $191,861,800
1961 $167,637,907 $183,920,900
1960 $141,468,978 $190,495,600

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Liberia by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,263 - $915 -
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $851 $1,871
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $799 $1,795
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $745 $1,692
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $668 $1,539
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $617 $1,660
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $658 $1,900
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $692 $1,800
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $699 $1,665
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $715 $1,490
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $693 $1,340
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $707 $1,419
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $711 $1,360
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $638 $1,157
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $568 $1,041
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $492 $980
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $448 $939
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $452 $915
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $374 $873
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $321 $815
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $287.5 $774
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $284.1 $745
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $239.8 $716
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $300 $987
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $298.5 $965
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $156.6 $762
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $134.7 $652
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $122.6 $548
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $74.4 $328
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $107.8 $497
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $177.9 $793
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $172.9 $787
1989 $4,374 - $312 -
1988 $4,119 - $424 -
1987 $3,624 - $409 -
1986 $3,865 - $364 -
1985 $3,898 - $380 -
1984 $4,273 - $390 -
1983 $4,182 - $391 -
1982 $4,584 - $422 -
1981 $5,026 - $426 -
1980 $5,718 - $443 -
1979 $4,155 - $435 -
1978 $3,360 - $394 -
1977 $4,048 - $381 -
1976 $4,441 - $347 -
1975 $3,258 - $346 -
1974 $2,384 - $299.4 -
1973 $1,140 - $244.4 -
1972 $693 - $238.6 -
1971 $627 - $227.1 -
1970 $543 - $220.3 -
1969 $545 - $214.7 -
1968 $515 - $198.6 -
1967 $482 - $192.2 -
1966 $443 - $184.6 -
1965 $415 - $177.6 -
1964 $400 - $173.9 -
1963 $290.7 - $163.1 -
1962 $348 - $160.3 -
1961 $323 - $157.5 -
1960 $276.1 - $167.2 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,263, ranking 96/197, compared to $915 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Gabon Liberia
Gross domestic product
$21.4B
2025
$5.25B
2025
GDP rank
132/197
2025
162/197
2025
GDP growth
2.47%
2024-2025
5.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,263
2025
$915
2025
GDP per capita rank
96/197
2025
184/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$16.9B
2025
$2.88B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.9%
2025
54.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$6,521
2025
$502
2025
Government debt per person rank
74/185
2025
167/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,617
2026
$1,467
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2025
22.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2024-2025
8.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
17.4%
2024
5.93%
2017
Population
2676097
5916561

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 28.6% 78.9% 22.4% 54.9%
2024 24.8% 70.9% 24.1% 56.4%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 28.6% 57.2%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 27.4% 54.4%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 29.8% 53.5%
2020 19.8% 83% 35.3% 58.5%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 32.3% 48.1%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 32.7% 36.2%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 35.8% 28%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 37.1% 24.4%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 29.8% 22.5%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 25.1% 25.4%
2009 22.6% 26% 24% 132.2%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 21.8% 235.3%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 16.1% 367%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 10.6% 451%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 11.7% 488%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 12.1% 543%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 8.98% 600%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 12.7% 464%
2001 27.8% 81% 12.1% 465%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 14.5% 468%
1999 25.5% 73.1% - -
1998 45.5% 87.6% - -
1997 29.7% 57% - -
1996 22.2% 64.5% - -
1995 25.1% 73.4% - -
1994 23.9% 71.3% - -
1993 26.9% 90.1% - -
1992 26.5% 87.9% - -
1991 25.1% 89.3% - -
1990 22.6% 90% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government spending was $6.14B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.18B, or 22.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.9% in Gabon and 54.9% in Liberia, ranking 44/185 and 90/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Liberia
2025 -8.47% -1.41%
2024 -3.3% -1.8%
2023 1.79% -8.55%
2022 -0.89% -5.82%
2021 -1.93% -2.5%
2020 -2.19% -4.02%
2019 2.13% -4.92%
2018 -0.21% -4.7%
2017 -1.7% -7.14%
2016 -4.71% -3.83%
2015 -1.12% -3.74%
2014 5.98% -4.92%
2013 -3.07% 1.29%
2012 6.2% -2.86%
2011 1.41% -4.39%
2010 2.7% 1.16%
2009 6.77% -1.4%
2008 11% -2.7%
2007 8.06% 2.28%
2006 8.67% 4.23%
2005 7.98% -0.51%
2004 6.99% -0.56%
2003 7.75% 0.36%
2002 3.72% -1.57%
2001 4.07% -0.94%
2000 11.1% -0.08%
1999 1.11% -
1998 -13.1% -
1997 1.41% -
1996 2.12% -
1995 2.64% -
1994 -1.53% -
1993 -5.35% -
1992 -4.9% -
1991 -2.03% -
1990 -3.83% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.82B, equivalent to 8.47% of GDP. This compares to Liberia's deficit of $74.2M, or 1.41% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 2.65% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.27% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Liberia
2025 1.77% 8.3%
2024 1.17% 8.2%
2023 3.63% 10.1%
2022 4.23% 7.6%
2021 1.09% 7.8%
2020 1.35% 17%
2019 2.46% 27%
2018 4.75% 23.5%
2017 2.65% 12.4%
2016 2.11% 8.8%
2015 -0.34% 7.7%
2014 4.69% 9.9%
2013 0.51% 7.6%
2012 2.65% 6.8%
2011 1.26% 8.5%
2010 1.46% 7.3%
2009 1.89% 7.4%
2008 5.26% 17.5%
2007 5.03% 11.4%
2006 -1.41% 9.5%
2005 3.71% 6.9%
2004 0.41% 3.6%
2003 2.24% 10.3%
2002 0.04% 14.2%
2001 2.14% 12.1%
2000 0.5% 5.3%
1999 -1.94% 2%
1998 1.45% -
1997 3.97% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 27 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.97%, compared with 10.3% in Liberia. In 2025, inflation was 1.77% in Gabon and 8.3% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $38.1M
Machinery & equipment $9.83M
Animal & marine products $168K
Metals $62K
Textiles & consumer goods $30K
Liberia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.7M

Balance of trade

Gabon Liberia
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$120M
2024
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2015
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+2.51%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$1.51B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$1.31B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$253M
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$42.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.5%
2025
28.5%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Liberia
Economic freedom 56.6 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 163/197
Property rights 30 40.4
Government integrity 22.6 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 23.4
Tax burden 76.5 86.1
Government spending 85.5 79.5
Fiscal health 87.9 56.9
Business freedom 63.6 38
Labor freedom 55.4 43.4
Monetary freedom 80.9 71.4
Trade freedom 57.4 57.4
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Liberia
2026 56.6 49.8
2025 56.3 48.5
2024 56.9 49.9
2023 56.1 49.6
2022 55.8 47.9
2021 58.1 49.2
2020 56.7 49
2019 56.3 49.7
2018 58 50.9
2017 58.6 49.1
2016 59 52.2
2015 58.3 52.7
2014 57.8 52.4
2013 57.8 49.3
2012 56.4 48.6
2011 56.7 46.5
2010 55.4 46.2
2009 55 48.1
2008 54.2 -
2007 54.8 -
2006 56.1 -
2005 54.8 -
2004 57.1 -
2003 58.7 -
2002 58 -
2001 55 -
2000 58.2 -
1999 60.5 -
1998 59.2 -
1997 58.8 -
1996 55.7 -
1995 57.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon Liberia
Services, % of GDP
42.3%
2025
40%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
47.2%
2025
24.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.75%
2025
32.7%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$21B
2025
$4.76B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,660
2025
$1,840
2025
Total reserves including gold
$639M
2024
$339M
2025
Total reserves ranking
150/177
2024
166/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$397M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
3.12%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
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/gabon/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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.