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Economy of Gambia vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 174/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

Gambia vs Liberia GDP by year

Gambia
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Liberia
2024 $2,404,888,749 $4,779,300,900
2023 $2,382,262,185 $4,390,000,000
2022 $2,204,734,528 $4,001,047,000
2021 $2,014,158,842 $3,513,049,500
2020 $1,812,170,891 $3,176,126,300
2019 $1,813,609,692 $3,319,596,500
2018 $1,670,671,328 $3,422,754,800
2017 $1,504,909,463 $3,390,703,400
2016 $1,484,578,886 $3,398,419,600
2015 $1,378,176,609 $3,227,075,700
2014 $1,229,461,721 $3,225,652,000
2013 $1,375,609,453 $3,177,198,100
2012 $1,415,004,738 $2,791,614,000
2011 $1,409,693,597 $2,398,000,000
2010 $1,543,294,927 $1,998,000,000
2009 $1,450,142,509 $1,768,000,000
2008 $1,561,766,956 $1,726,000,000
2007 $1,279,703,047 $1,373,000,000
2006 $1,054,112,488 $1,119,000,000
2005 $1,027,701,068 $949,000,000
2004 $961,900,651 $897,000,000
2003 $487,038,685 $748,000,000
2002 $578,235,309 $927,000,000
2001 $687,410,645 $906,000,000
2000 $782,913,872 $874,000,000
1999 $814,724,032 $441,800,000
1998 $840,285,265 $359,600,000
1997 $803,633,342 $295,900,000
1996 $848,239,446 $159,400,000
1995 $785,999,865 $134,800,000
1994 $746,493,952 $132,200,000
1993 $755,040,974 $160,400,000
1992 $714,254,256 $223,500,000
1991 $690,311,081 $348,000,000
1990 $317,083,695 $384,400,000
1989 $284,120,329 $786,300,000
1988 $266,672,212 $1,038,300,000
1987 $220,626,484 $972,800,000
1986 $185,646,987 $840,964,400
1985 $225,726,359 $851,296,100
1984 $177,340,880 $848,478,300
1983 $213,448,585 $823,374,900
1982 $216,050,552 $863,933,200
1981 $218,767,743 $846,514,500
1980 $241,083,090 $854,711,500
1979 $207,112,628 $814,067,900
1978 $171,833,086 $717,240,400
1977 $138,093,099 $673,010,600
1976 $112,190,829 $596,675,700
1975 $115,179,719 $577,549,300
1974 $95,796,022 $486,955,000
1973 $75,187,749 $386,968,300
1972 $59,160,569 $368,098,000
1971 $55,728,663 $341,543,100
1970 $52,296,084 $323,099,700
1969 $45,168,072 $306,961,800
1968 $41,160,066 $276,820,700
1967 $46,695,007 $261,024,300
1966 $44,212,081 $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/gambia/liberia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Liberia by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 $851 $1,871
2023 $883 $3,289 $799 $1,795
2022 $836 $3,067 $745 $1,692
2021 $782 $2,778 $668 $1,539
2020 $720 $2,531 $617 $1,660
2019 $738 $2,422 $658 $1,900
2018 $696 $2,277 $692 $1,800
2017 $643 $2,039 $699 $1,665
2016 $650 $2,013 $715 $1,490
2015 $620 $1,990 $693 $1,340
2014 $568 $1,934 $707 $1,419
2013 $654 $2,007 $711 $1,360
2012 $693 $2,065 $638 $1,157
2011 $711 $2,064 $568 $1,041
2010 $801 $2,267 $492 $980
2009 $775 $2,177 $448 $939
2008 $859 $2,088 $452 $915
2007 $725 $1,985 $374 $873
2006 $615 $1,931 $321 $815
2005 $616 $1,938 $287.5 $774
2004 $593 $1,979 $284.1 $745
2003 $309 $1,850 $239.8 $716
2002 $377 $1,744 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $460 $1,823 $300 $987
2000 $538 $1,731 $298.5 $965
1999 $575 $1,649 $156.6 $762
1998 $610 $1,572 $134.7 $652
1997 $600 $1,544 $122.6 $548
1996 $652 $1,489 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $622 $1,472 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $608 $1,473 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $635 $1,487 $74.4 $328
1992 $623 $1,462 $107.8 $497
1991 $628 $1,440 $177.9 $793
1990 $301 $1,409 $172.9 $787
1989 $280.9 - $312 -
1988 $274.9 - $424 -
1987 $237 - $409 -
1986 $207.7 - $364 -
1985 $262.8 - $380 -
1984 $214.8 - $390 -
1983 $268.6 - $391 -
1982 $282.1 - $422 -
1981 $296 - $426 -
1980 $338 - $443 -
1979 $300 - $435 -
1978 $257.6 - $394 -
1977 $213.8 - $381 -
1976 $179.3 - $347 -
1975 $189.8 - $346 -
1974 $162.6 - $299.4 -
1973 $131.4 - $244.4 -
1972 $106.5 - $238.6 -
1971 $103.3 - $227.1 -
1970 $99.8 - $220.3 -
1969 $88.7 - $214.7 -
1968 $83.1 - $198.6 -
1967 $97 - $192.2 -
1966 $94.4 - $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/gambia/liberia | CC BY

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $851 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Gambia Liberia
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$1,191
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
5.93%
2017
Population
2902554
5887000

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 23.9% 83% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 19% 83.6% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 23.6% 87% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 37.1% 24.8%
2014 19% 71.1% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 11.2% 38% 17.2% 394%
2006 14% 87.3% 11.1% 472%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 12.8% 535%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 12.1% 543%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 9.85% 658%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 13.2% 481%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 12.6% 484%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 15.2% 489%

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

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 45/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Liberia
2024 -4.08% -1.98%
2023 -3.69% -7.03%
2022 -5.72% -5.33%
2021 -4.77% -2.5%
2020 -2.37% -4.02%
2019 -2.75% -4.92%
2018 -3.92% -4.7%
2017 -4.35% -7.14%
2016 -6.22% -3.83%
2015 -5.38% -3.74%
2014 -3.94% -4.92%
2013 -5.11% 1.29%
2012 -2.85% -2.86%
2011 -3.03% -4.43%
2010 -2.93% 1.17%
2009 -1.65% -1.39%
2008 -0.45% -2.68%
2007 0.27% 2.44%
2006 -3.19% 4.42%
2005 -3.33% -0.55%
2004 -1.77% -0.56%
2003 -1.73% 0.39%
2002 0.06% -1.63%
2001 -2.52% -0.98%
2000 -0.09% -0.08%

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

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $98.2M, equivalent to 4.08% of GDP. This compares to Liberia's deficit of $94.6M, or 1.98% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Liberia
2024 11.6% 8.2%
2023 17% 10.1%
2022 11.5% 7.6%
2021 7.37% 7.8%
2020 5.93% 17%
2019 7.12% 27%
2018 6.52% 23.5%
2017 8.03% 12.4%
2016 7.23% 8.8%
2015 6.81% 7.7%
2014 5.95% 9.9%
2013 5.7% 7.6%
2012 4.25% 6.8%
2011 4.8% 8.5%
2010 5.05% 7.3%
2009 4.56% 7.4%
2008 4.44% 17.5%
2007 5.37% 11.4%
2006 2.06% 9.5%
2005 4.84% 6.9%
2004 14.2% 3.6%
2003 17% 10.3%
2002 8.61% 14.2%
2001 4.49% 12.1%
2000 0.84% 5.3%
1999 3.81% 2%
1998 1.11% -
1997 2.78% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 26 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.12%, compared with 10.4% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 8.2% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $18K
Animal & marine products $15K
Liberia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $192K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Wood & paper products $2K

Balance of trade

Gambia Liberia
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$161M
2024
$434M
2022
Service exports
$485M
2024
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
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.

Gambia Liberia
Economic freedom 56.3 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 163/197
Property rights 55.4 40.4
Government integrity 40.5 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 23.4
Tax burden 79.2 86.1
Government spending 81.1 79.5
Fiscal health 54.8 56.9
Business freedom 50.1 38
Labor freedom 46.4 43.4
Monetary freedom 57.3 71.4
Trade freedom 64.8 57.4
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Liberia
2026 56.3 49.8
2025 56.8 48.5
2024 58.2 49.9
2023 57.9 49.6
2022 58 47.9
2021 58.8 49.2
2020 56.3 49
2019 52.4 49.7
2018 52.3 50.9
2017 53.4 49.1
2016 57.1 52.2
2015 57.5 52.7
2014 59.5 52.4
2013 58.8 49.3
2012 58.8 48.6
2011 57.4 46.5
2010 55.1 46.2
2009 55.8 48.1
2008 56.9 -
2007 57.7 -
2006 57.3 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 55.3 -
2003 56.3 -
2002 57.7 -
2001 56.6 -
2000 52.7 -
1999 52.1 -
1998 53.4 -
1997 52.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, 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

Gambia Liberia
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
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/gambia/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 (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.