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Economy of Iraq vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iraq has a GDP of $254B compared to $5.25B for Liberia, ranking 54/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $137B in government debt (53.9% of GDP), compared to $2.88B (54.9% of GDP) in Liberia.

Iraq vs Liberia GDP by year

Iraq
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Liberia
2025 $254,367,293,538 $5,245,938,900
2024 $279,641,257,615 $4,779,300,900
2023 $268,881,051,644 $4,390,000,000
2022 $287,372,232,138 $4,001,047,000
2021 $209,691,945,713 $3,513,049,500
2020 $180,898,797,517 $3,176,126,300
2019 $233,636,097,800 $3,319,596,500
2018 $227,367,469,034 $3,422,754,800
2017 $187,217,660,051 $3,390,703,400
2016 $166,743,557,748 $3,398,419,600
2015 $166,774,104,959 $3,227,075,700
2014 $228,415,656,175 $3,225,652,000
2013 $234,637,675,129 $3,177,198,100
2012 $218,002,476,129 $2,791,614,000
2011 $185,749,664,444 $2,398,000,000
2010 $138,516,722,650 $1,998,000,000
2009 $111,657,580,326 $1,768,000,000
2008 $131,614,434,154 $1,726,000,000
2007 $88,837,057,320 $1,373,000,000
2006 $65,147,051,918 $1,119,000,000
2005 $50,065,104,668 $949,000,000
2004 $36,633,669,269 $897,000,000
2003 $21,921,569,479 $748,000,000
2002 $32,928,454,672 $927,000,000
2001 $36,176,430,129 $906,000,000
2000 $48,364,250,944 $874,000,000
1999 $36,881,601,584 $441,800,000
1998 $20,617,405,044 $359,600,000
1997 $20,764,857,056 $295,900,000
1996 $10,433,698,621 $159,400,000
1995 $12,894,029,888 $134,800,000
1994 $3,991,349,283 $132,200,000
1993 $1,031,944,881 $160,400,000
1992 $553,671,958 $223,500,000
1991 $407,796,350 $348,000,000
1990 $180,408,064,516 $384,400,000
1989 $65,831,935,484 $786,300,000
1988 $62,684,516,129 $1,038,300,000
1987 $56,774,193,548 $972,800,000
1986 $47,264,516,129 $840,964,400
1985 $48,425,161,290 $851,296,100
1984 $46,938,387,097 $848,478,300
1983 $40,712,903,226 $823,374,900
1982 $42,382,333,333 $863,933,200
1981 $37,823,000,000 $846,514,500
1980 $52,569,000,000 $854,711,500
1979 $37,816,457,839 $814,067,900
1978 $23,762,275,652 $717,240,400
1977 $19,838,130,715 $673,010,600
1976 $17,754,825,601 $596,675,700
1975 $13,458,516,763 $577,549,300
1974 $11,516,762,614 $486,955,000
1973 $5,134,367,778 $386,968,300
1972 $4,113,848,002 $368,098,000
1971 $3,865,346,535 $341,543,100
1970 $3,281,318,687 $323,099,700
1969 $3,007,758,797 $306,961,800
1968 $2,896,598,841 $276,820,700
1967 $2,551,522,656 $261,024,300
1966 $2,530,306,096 $244,459,500
1965 $2,335,785,506 $229,260,800
1964 $2,136,408,198 $218,929,100
1963 $1,805,901,510 $200,229,600
1962 $1,784,174,541 $191,861,800
1961 $1,671,960,965 $183,920,900
1960 $1,537,252,193 $190,495,600

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

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

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Liberia by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,410 - $915 -
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $851 $1,871
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $799 $1,795
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $745 $1,692
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $668 $1,539
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $617 $1,660
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $658 $1,900
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $692 $1,800
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $699 $1,665
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $715 $1,490
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $693 $1,340
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $707 $1,419
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $711 $1,360
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $638 $1,157
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $568 $1,041
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $492 $980
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $448 $939
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $452 $915
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $374 $873
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $321 $815
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $287.5 $774
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $284.1 $745
2003 $818 $6,068 $239.8 $716
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $300 $987
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $298.5 $965
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $156.6 $762
1998 $901 $7,964 $134.7 $652
1997 $936 $6,020 $122.6 $548
1996 $485 $5,034 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $619 $4,598 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $74.4 $328
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $107.8 $497
1991 $23 $2,694 $177.9 $793
1990 $10,261 - $172.9 $787
1989 $3,791 - $312 -
1988 $3,707 - $424 -
1987 $3,436 - $409 -
1986 $2,940 - $364 -
1985 $3,088 - $380 -
1984 $3,066 - $390 -
1983 $2,743 - $391 -
1982 $2,942 - $422 -
1981 $2,700 - $426 -
1980 $3,868 - $443 -
1979 $2,871 - $435 -
1978 $1,863 - $394 -
1977 $1,609 - $381 -
1976 $1,489 - $347 -
1975 $1,166 - $346 -
1974 $1,031 - $299.4 -
1973 $476 - $244.4 -
1972 $394 - $238.6 -
1971 $384 - $227.1 -
1970 $337 - $220.3 -
1969 $320 - $214.7 -
1968 $319 - $198.6 -
1967 $290.6 - $192.2 -
1966 $298.2 - $184.6 -
1965 $284.8 - $177.6 -
1964 $269.4 - $173.9 -
1963 $235.5 - $163.1 -
1962 $240.7 - $160.3 -
1961 $232.4 - $157.5 -
1960 $218.9 - $167.2 -

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

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

Iraq's GDP per capita is $5,410, ranking 119/197, compared to $915 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Iraq Liberia
Gross domestic product
$254B
2025
$5.25B
2025
GDP rank
54/197
2025
162/197
2025
GDP growth
-2.16%
2024-2025
5.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,410
2025
$915
2025
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2025
184/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$137B
2025
$2.88B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.9%
2025
54.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,917
2025
$502
2025
Government debt per person rank
108/185
2025
167/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,782
2026
$1,467
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.7%
2025
22.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.3%
2024-2025
8.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
5.93%
2017
Population
48531417
5916561

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 42.7% 53.9% 22.4% 54.9%
2024 41.7% 45.2% 24.1% 56.4%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 28.6% 57.2%
2022 33.9% 39% 27.4% 54.4%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 29.8% 53.5%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 35.3% 58.5%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 32.3% 48.1%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 32.7% 36.2%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 35.8% 28%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 37.1% 24.4%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 48.2% 32% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 29.8% 22.5%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 25.1% 25.4%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 24% 132.2%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 21.8% 235.3%
2007 44% 117.1% 16.1% 367%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 10.6% 451%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 11.7% 488%
2004 91.5% 344% 12.1% 543%
2003 - - 8.98% 600%
2002 - - 12.7% 464%
2001 - - 12.1% 465%
2000 - - 14.5% 468%

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

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

In 2025, Iraq's government spending was $109B, accounting for 42.7% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.18B, or 22.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.9% in Iraq and 54.9% in Liberia, ranking 95/185 and 90/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Liberia
2025 -6.41% -1.41%
2024 -3.45% -1.8%
2023 -1.14% -8.55%
2022 8.1% -5.82%
2021 -0.38% -2.5%
2020 -12.8% -4.02%
2019 0.83% -4.92%
2018 7.69% -4.7%
2017 -1.52% -7.14%
2016 -14.4% -3.83%
2015 -12.8% -3.74%
2014 -5.63% -4.92%
2013 -6.06% 1.29%
2012 4.09% -2.86%
2011 4.74% -4.39%
2010 -4.18% 1.16%
2009 -14.9% -1.4%
2008 -0.86% -2.7%
2007 9.98% 2.28%
2006 10.7% 4.23%
2005 4.07% -0.51%
2004 -35.4% -0.56%
2003 - 0.36%
2002 - -1.57%
2001 - -0.94%
2000 - -0.08%

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

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

In 2025, Iraq's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.3B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to Liberia's deficit of $74.2M, or 1.41% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Liberia
2025 0.3% 8.3%
2024 2.61% 8.2%
2023 4.36% 10.1%
2022 4.99% 7.6%
2021 6.04% 7.8%
2020 0.57% 17%
2019 -0.2% 27%
2018 0.37% 23.5%
2017 0.18% 12.4%
2016 0.56% 8.8%
2015 1.39% 7.7%
2014 2.24% 9.9%
2013 1.88% 7.6%
2012 6.09% 6.8%
2011 5.6% 8.5%
2010 2.43% 7.3%
2009 6.87% 7.4%
2008 12.7% 17.5%
2007 -10.1% 11.4%
2006 53.2% 9.5%
2005 37% 6.9%
2004 27% 3.6%
2003 33.6% 10.3%
2002 19.3% 14.2%
2001 16.4% 12.1%
2000 4.98% 5.3%
1999 12.6% 2%
1998 14.8% -
1997 23.1% -

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/iraq/liberia | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.37%, compared with 10.3% in Liberia. In 2025, inflation was 0.3% in Iraq and 8.3% in Liberia.

Balance of trade

Iraq Liberia
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
$120M
2024
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
+2.51%
2024
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$1.51B
2024
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$253M
2024
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$42.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.4%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.8%
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.

Iraq Liberia
Economic freedom 15.6 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 163/197
Property rights 8.3 40.4
Government integrity 20.2 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 23.4
Tax burden 85.5 86.1
Government spending 65.3 79.5
Fiscal health 95.7 56.9
Business freedom 42.8 38
Labor freedom 60.6 43.4
Monetary freedom 68.6 71.4
Trade freedom 40 57.4
Investment freedom 10 55
Financial freedom 10 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Liberia
2026 - 49.8
2025 - 48.5
2024 - 49.9
2023 - 49.6
2022 - 47.9
2021 - 49.2
2020 - 49
2019 - 49.7
2018 - 50.9
2017 - 49.1
2016 - 52.2
2015 - 52.7
2014 - 52.4
2013 - 49.3
2012 - 48.6
2011 - 46.5
2010 - 46.2
2009 - 48.1
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 15.6 -
2001 17.2 -
2000 17.2 -
1999 17.2 -
1998 17.2 -
1997 17.2 -
1996 17.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, 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

Iraq Liberia
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
40%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
24.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.41%
2025
32.7%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$267B
2025
$4.76B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,290
2025
$1,840
2025
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$339M
2025
Total reserves ranking
30/177
2024
166/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
-$397M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
3.12%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
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/iraq/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 (1996–2026, 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.