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Economy of Guinea vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guinea has a GDP of $25B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 118/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea has $12.2B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

Guinea vs Liberia GDP by year

Guinea
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea Liberia
2024 $25,008,678,293 $4,779,300,900
2023 $22,407,615,556 $4,390,000,000
2022 $19,910,452,542 $4,001,047,000
2021 $17,069,115,738 $3,513,049,500
2020 $14,088,693,743 $3,176,126,300
2019 $13,442,861,496 $3,319,596,500
2018 $11,857,030,367 $3,422,754,800
2017 $10,324,668,271 $3,390,703,400
2016 $8,595,955,222 $3,398,419,600
2015 $8,794,201,743 $3,227,075,700
2014 $8,778,473,373 $3,225,652,000
2013 $8,376,613,539 $3,177,198,100
2012 $7,638,044,557 $2,791,614,000
2011 $6,785,137,203 $2,398,000,000
2010 $6,853,467,146 $1,998,000,000
2009 $6,716,905,340 $1,768,000,000
2008 $6,964,179,983 $1,726,000,000
2007 $6,281,918,226 $1,373,000,000
2006 $4,220,019,845 $1,119,000,000
2005 $4,282,468,637 $949,000,000
2004 $5,300,767,961 $897,000,000
2003 $5,025,167,975 $748,000,000
2002 $4,301,608,753 $927,000,000
2001 $4,125,527,603 $906,000,000
2000 $4,367,458,867 $874,000,000
1999 $5,046,806,783 $441,800,000
1998 $5,232,118,046 $359,600,000
1997 $5,516,916,163 $295,900,000
1996 $5,641,243,100 $159,400,000
1995 $5,385,704,166 $134,800,000
1994 $4,932,800,407 $132,200,000
1993 $4,781,166,117 $160,400,000
1992 $4,789,220,417 $223,500,000
1991 $4,396,178,694 $348,000,000
1990 $3,888,320,666 $384,400,000
1989 $3,546,079,263 $786,300,000
1988 $3,476,480,303 $1,038,300,000
1987 $2,976,714,019 $972,800,000
1986 $2,909,130,355 $840,964,400
1985 $22,787,644,566 $851,296,100
1984 $18,421,497,251 $848,478,300
1983 $15,129,893,722 $823,374,900
1982 $11,926,032,493 $863,933,200
1981 $9,646,440,667 $846,514,500
1980 $9,746,524,915 $854,711,500
1979 $8,877,094,497 $814,067,900
1978 $8,087,305,999 $717,240,400
1977 $6,914,381,291 $673,010,600
1976 $6,762,781,871 $596,675,700
1975 $6,102,769,605 $577,549,300
1974 $5,691,417,541 $486,955,000
1973 $5,152,080,388 $386,968,300
1972 $4,203,069,035 $368,098,000
1971 $3,594,302,908 $341,543,100
1970 $3,220,224,608 $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/guinea/liberia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guinea vs Liberia by year

Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guinea Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,695 $4,565 $851 $1,871
2023 $1,555 $4,334 $799 $1,795
2022 $1,417 $4,062 $745 $1,692
2021 $1,245 $3,739 $668 $1,539
2020 $1,054 $3,332 $617 $1,660
2019 $1,031 $3,106 $658 $1,900
2018 $933 $2,844 $692 $1,800
2017 $834 $2,687 $699 $1,665
2016 $712 $2,255 $715 $1,490
2015 $747 $1,930 $693 $1,340
2014 $765 $1,873 $707 $1,419
2013 $748 $1,842 $711 $1,360
2012 $699 $1,790 $638 $1,157
2011 $637 $1,705 $568 $1,041
2010 $659 $1,622 $492 $980
2009 $662 $1,567 $448 $939
2008 $704 $1,614 $452 $915
2007 $650 $1,558 $374 $873
2006 $447 $1,453 $321 $815
2005 $463 $1,422 $287.5 $774
2004 $585 $1,366 $284.1 $745
2003 $566 $1,328 $239.8 $716
2002 $496 $1,315 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $483 $1,251 $300 $987
2000 $518 $1,196 $298.5 $965
1999 $611 $1,163 $156.6 $762
1998 $647 $1,130 $134.7 $652
1997 $696 $1,099 $122.6 $548
1996 $726 $1,048 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $713 $1,014 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $672 $976 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $671 $947 $74.4 $328
1992 $693 $908 $107.8 $497
1991 $656 $887 $177.9 $793
1990 $604 $871 $172.9 $787
1989 $570 - $312 -
1988 $574 - $424 -
1987 $505 - $409 -
1986 $506 - $364 -
1985 $4,062 - $380 -
1984 $3,362 - $390 -
1983 $2,823 - $391 -
1982 $2,273 - $422 -
1981 $1,876 - $426 -
1980 $1,931 - $443 -
1979 $1,790 - $435 -
1978 $1,658 - $394 -
1977 $1,440 - $381 -
1976 $1,431 - $347 -
1975 $1,311 - $346 -
1974 $1,243 - $299.4 -
1973 $1,143 - $244.4 -
1972 $948 - $238.6 -
1971 $825 - $227.1 -
1970 $753 - $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/guinea/liberia | CC BY

Guinea's GDP per capita is $1,695, ranking 160/197, compared to $851 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guinea ranks 161st at $4,565, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Guinea Liberia
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
118/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP growth
5.35%
2023-2024
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,695
2024
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
160/197
2024
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,565
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
161/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$12.2B
2024
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$828
2024
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
147/185
2024
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,020
2026
$1,191
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.1%
2018
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2018
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.7%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.02%
2019
5.93%
2017
Population
15546235
5887000

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guinea
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guinea Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 48.8% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 18.3% 40.4% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 15.7% 37.9% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 15.1% 40.6% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 17.1% 45.3% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 14.9% 37.3% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 15.9% 37.5% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 17.3% 39.9% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 16.1% 40.6% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 21.7% 41.5% 37.1% 24.8%
2014 20.1% 32.1% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 18.6% 30.5% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 19.6% 26.9% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 16% 53.8% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 20.5% 71.1% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 16.2% 61.3% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 10.1% 58.5% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 8.66% 60.8% 17.2% 394%
2006 13.2% 95.2% 11.1% 472%
2005 11% 97.9% 12.8% 535%
2004 13% 86.9% 12.1% 543%
2003 14.7% 81.6% 9.85% 658%
2002 14.4% 82.6% 13.2% 481%
2001 14.9% 90.4% 12.6% 484%
2000 12.6% 91.5% 15.2% 489%
1999 11.6% 92.3% - -
1998 10.3% 75.9% - -
1997 12.6% 67.9% - -
1996 12% 67.7% - -
1995 12.7% 66.5% - -
1994 12.6% 71.3% - -
1993 13.3% 68.9% - -
1992 13.8% 62% - -
1991 16.3% 70.9% - -
1990 18.7% 71.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guinea's government spending was $5.14B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Guinea and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 111/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea Liberia
2024 -4.99% -1.98%
2023 -3.86% -7.03%
2022 -1.88% -5.33%
2021 -1.7% -2.5%
2020 -3.08% -4.02%
2019 -0.17% -4.92%
2018 -0.97% -4.7%
2017 -1.98% -7.14%
2016 -0.08% -3.83%
2015 -6.53% -3.74%
2014 -3.01% -4.92%
2013 -3.86% 1.29%
2012 23.7% -2.86%
2011 -0.92% -4.43%
2010 -9.66% 1.17%
2009 -4.87% -1.39%
2008 0.38% -2.68%
2007 1.28% 2.44%
2006 -2.13% 4.42%
2005 -1.06% -0.55%
2004 -3.85% -0.56%
2003 -4.65% 0.39%
2002 -3.37% -1.63%
2001 -3.23% -0.98%
2000 -2.42% -0.08%
1999 -1.3% -
1998 2.46% -
1997 0.07% -
1996 -2.2% -
1995 -1.07% -
1994 -2.59% -
1993 -2.33% -
1992 -0.89% -
1991 -3.25% -
1990 -3.76% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.25B, equivalent to 4.99% of GDP. This compares to Liberia's deficit of $94.6M, or 1.98% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea Liberia
2024 4.7% 8.2%
2023 5.4% 10.1%
2022 10.5% 7.6%
2021 12.6% 7.8%
2020 10.6% 17%
2019 9.5% 27%
2018 9.8% 23.5%
2017 8.9% 12.4%
2016 8.2% 8.8%
2015 8.2% 7.7%
2014 9.7% 9.9%
2013 11.9% 7.6%
2012 15.2% 6.8%
2011 21.4% 8.5%
2010 15.5% 7.3%
2009 4.7% 7.4%
2008 18.4% 17.5%
2007 22.9% 11.4%
2006 34.7% 9.5%
2005 31.4% 6.9%
2004 17.5% 3.6%
2003 11% 10.3%
2002 3% 14.2%
2001 5.4% 12.1%
2000 6.8% 5.3%
1999 4.6% 2%
1998 5.1% -
1997 1.9% -

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 12.4%, compared with 10.4% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 4.7% in Guinea and 8.2% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

Guinea
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $819K
Raw materials & minerals $521K
Wood & paper products $134K
Weapons & explosives $100K
Textiles & consumer goods $53K
Machinery & equipment $26K
Miscellaneous $2K
Liberia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $668K
Raw materials & minerals $475K
Metals $272K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Guinea Liberia
Current account balance
-$392M
2024
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
104/190
2024
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$7.08B
2024
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$11.6B
2024
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$3.15B
2024
$434M
2022
Service exports
$71.2M
2024
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
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.

Guinea Liberia
Economic freedom 53.1 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 141/197 163/197
Property rights 21.3 40.4
Government integrity 26.7 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 26 23.4
Tax burden 70.1 86.1
Government spending 90.1 79.5
Fiscal health 74.8 56.9
Business freedom 44.8 38
Labor freedom 56.4 43.4
Monetary freedom 75.3 71.4
Trade freedom 61.8 57.4
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guinea
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guinea Liberia
2026 53.1 49.8
2025 54.6 48.5
2024 53.3 49.9
2023 53.2 49.6
2022 54.2 47.9
2021 56.5 49.2
2020 56.5 49
2019 55.7 49.7
2018 52.2 50.9
2017 47.6 49.1
2016 53.3 52.2
2015 52.1 52.7
2014 53.5 52.4
2013 51.2 49.3
2012 50.8 48.6
2011 51.7 46.5
2010 51.8 46.2
2009 51 48.1
2008 52.8 -
2007 54.5 -
2006 52.8 -
2005 57.4 -
2004 56.1 -
2003 54.6 -
2002 52.9 -
2001 58.4 -
2000 58.2 -
1999 59.4 -
1998 61 -
1997 52.9 -
1996 58.5 -
1995 59.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guinea is 53.1, ranking 141/197, 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

Guinea Liberia
Services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.1%
2024
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31%
2024
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.3B
2024
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,130
2024
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.89B
2023
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2023
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.4B
2024
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.4B
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30K
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47%
2020
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.1%
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/guinea/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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2016–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.