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Economy of Liberia vs Madagascar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Liberia has a GDP of $5.25B compared to $19.6B for Madagascar, ranking 162/197 and 136/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.88B in government debt (54.9% of GDP), compared to $9.56B (48.7% of GDP) in Madagascar.

Liberia vs Madagascar GDP by year

Liberia
Madagascar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Madagascar
2025 $5,245,938,900 $19,620,352,036
2024 $4,779,300,900 $17,592,832,696
2023 $4,390,000,000 $16,036,707,976
2022 $4,001,047,000 $15,342,178,598
2021 $3,513,049,500 $14,354,731,964
2020 $3,176,126,300 $13,051,441,204
2019 $3,319,596,500 $14,104,664,679
2018 $3,422,754,800 $13,760,033,282
2017 $3,390,703,400 $13,176,313,594
2016 $3,398,419,600 $11,848,613,858
2015 $3,227,075,700 $11,323,020,701
2014 $3,225,652,000 $12,522,957,399
2013 $3,177,198,100 $12,423,555,455
2012 $2,791,614,000 $11,578,975,062
2011 $2,398,000,000 $11,551,819,618
2010 $1,998,000,000 $9,982,711,338
2009 $1,768,000,000 $9,616,879,409
2008 $1,726,000,000 $10,725,137,724
2007 $1,373,000,000 $8,524,620,890
2006 $1,119,000,000 $6,395,712,491
2005 $949,000,000 $5,859,269,753
2004 $897,000,000 $5,064,732,626
2003 $748,000,000 $6,372,498,890
2002 $927,000,000 $5,351,701,663
2001 $906,000,000 $5,438,332,602
2000 $874,000,000 $4,629,247,204
1999 $441,800,000 $4,277,903,780
1998 $359,600,000 $4,401,967,633
1997 $295,900,000 $4,262,965,420
1996 $159,400,000 $4,931,861,039
1995 $134,800,000 $3,838,100,904
1994 $132,200,000 $3,522,227,092
1993 $160,400,000 $4,063,298,919
1992 $223,500,000 $3,714,966,678
1991 $348,000,000 $3,254,713,056
1990 $384,400,000 $3,931,334,875
1989 $786,300,000 $3,175,638,333
1988 $1,038,300,000 $3,189,456,965
1987 $972,800,000 $3,212,900,556
1986 $840,964,400 $4,347,989,788
1985 $851,296,100 $3,802,557,895
1984 $848,478,300 $3,905,938,481
1983 $823,374,900 $4,686,457,031
1982 $863,933,200 $4,784,977,326
1981 $846,514,500 $4,759,333,998
1980 $854,711,500 $5,201,818,348
1979 $814,067,900 $3,463,565,854
1978 $717,240,400 $2,669,755,115
1977 $673,010,600 $2,358,930,406
1976 $596,675,700 $2,181,844,179
1975 $577,549,300 $2,283,049,215
1974 $486,955,000 $1,917,508,190
1973 $386,968,300 $1,653,062,335
1972 $368,098,000 $1,341,590,690
1971 $341,543,100 $1,199,507,631
1970 $323,099,700 $1,111,859,571
1969 $306,961,800 $1,056,391,056
1968 $276,820,700 $1,031,669,637
1967 $261,024,300 $956,436,932
1966 $244,459,500 $900,264,585
1965 $229,260,800 $833,563,473
1964 $218,929,100 $802,482,184
1963 $200,229,600 $759,345,864
1962 $191,861,800 $739,286,908
1961 $183,920,900 $699,161,945
1960 $190,495,600 $673,081,725

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

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Madagascar by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Madagascar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $915 - $599 -
2024 $851 $1,871 $550 $1,884
2023 $799 $1,795 $514 $1,808
2022 $745 $1,692 $504 $1,717
2021 $668 $1,539 $483 $1,577
2020 $617 $1,660 $451 $1,490
2019 $658 $1,900 $500 $1,612
2018 $692 $1,800 $500 $1,547
2017 $699 $1,665 $492 $1,547
2016 $715 $1,490 $454 $1,562
2015 $693 $1,340 $445 $1,497
2014 $707 $1,419 $506 $1,499
2013 $711 $1,360 $515 $1,473
2012 $638 $1,157 $494 $1,464
2011 $568 $1,041 $506 $1,475
2010 $492 $980 $450 $1,464
2009 $448 $939 $446 $1,480
2008 $452 $915 $513 $1,577
2007 $374 $873 $420 $1,493
2006 $321 $815 $324 $1,416
2005 $287.5 $774 $306 $1,343
2004 $284.1 $745 $272.2 $1,280
2003 $239.8 $716 $353 $1,219
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $305 $1,121
2001 $300 $987 $319 $1,299
2000 $298.5 $965 $280.3 $1,236
1999 $156.6 $762 $267.4 $1,194
1998 $134.7 $652 $284.2 $1,162
1997 $122.6 $548 $284.4 $1,142
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $340 $1,119
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $273.1 $1,111
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $258.7 $1,104
1993 $74.4 $328 $308 $1,116
1992 $107.8 $497 $290.2 $1,101
1991 $177.9 $793 $262 $1,096
1990 $172.9 $787 $326 $1,166
1989 $312 - $271.3 -
1988 $424 - $280.5 -
1987 $409 - $290.8 -
1986 $364 - $405 -
1985 $380 - $364 -
1984 $390 - $385 -
1983 $391 - $476 -
1982 $422 - $501 -
1981 $426 - $513 -
1980 $443 - $578 -
1979 $435 - $396 -
1978 $394 - $315 -
1977 $381 - $286.9 -
1976 $347 - $273.5 -
1975 $346 - $295 -
1974 $299.4 - $255.3 -
1973 $244.4 - $226.8 -
1972 $238.6 - $189.6 -
1971 $227.1 - $174.6 -
1970 $220.3 - $166.6 -
1969 $214.7 - $162.9 -
1968 $198.6 - $163.6 -
1967 $192.2 - $155.9 -
1966 $184.6 - $150.7 -
1965 $177.6 - $143.2 -
1964 $173.9 - $141.5 -
1963 $163.1 - $137.4 -
1962 $160.3 - $137.3 -
1961 $157.5 - $133.3 -
1960 $167.2 - $131.7 -

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

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $915, ranking 184/197, compared to $599 in Madagascar, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884.

Economic indicators

Liberia Madagascar
Gross domestic product
$5.25B
2025
$19.6B
2025
GDP rank
162/197
2025
136/197
2025
GDP growth
5.02%
2024-2025
3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$915
2025
$599
2025
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2025
194/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$1,884
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
187/197
2024
Government debt
$2.88B
2025
$9.56B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.9%
2025
48.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$502
2025
$292
2025
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2025
179/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,467
2026
$1,285
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.4%
2025
13.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.3%
2024-2025
8.05%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
3.19%
2022
Population
5916561
33936132

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Madagascar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Madagascar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.4% 54.9% 13.5% 48.7%
2024 24.1% 56.4% 16.1% 49.8%
2023 28.6% 57.2% 17.7% 52.1%
2022 27.4% 54.4% 16.2% 49.8%
2021 29.8% 53.5% 13.9% 49.4%
2020 35.3% 58.5% 16.4% 52.9%
2019 32.3% 48.1% 15.4% 41.3%
2018 32.7% 36.2% 14.4% 42.9%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 14.9% 40.1%
2016 35.8% 28% 13.5% 40.3%
2015 37.1% 24.4% 13% 44.1%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 12.6% 37.8%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 12.7% 36.2%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 11.5% 30.4%
2011 29.8% 22.5% 12% 29.9%
2010 25.1% 25.4% 12.3% 32.3%
2009 24% 132.2% 12.5% 34.9%
2008 21.8% 235.3% 15.7% 31%
2007 16.1% 367% 16.1% 28.2%
2006 10.6% 451% 18.5% 32.2%
2005 11.7% 488% 18.4% 74.4%
2004 12.1% 543% 21.7% 81.9%
2003 8.98% 600% 16.6% 85.9%
2002 12.7% 464% 12.4% 86.7%
2001 12.1% 465% 15.3% 82.1%
2000 14.5% 468% 15.3% 90.2%
1999 - - 15.5% 104.1%
1998 - - 16.9% 108.5%
1997 - - 14.5% 89.7%
1996 - - 14.4% 98.7%
1995 - - 14.5% 95.8%
1994 - - 16.7% 96%
1993 - - 17.1% 105.2%
1992 - - 16.2% 110.9%
1991 - - 13.5% 113.8%
1990 - - 13.3% 92.7%
1989 - - 15.5% 122%
1988 - - 11.4% 126.6%
1987 - - 10.4% 127.5%
1986 - - 11.1% 84.9%
1985 - - 11.8% 82.7%
1984 - - 13.9% 70.9%
1983 - - 13.4% 57.5%
1982 - - 14.3% 56.1%
1981 - - 18.2% 51.5%
1980 - - 22.7% 37.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Liberia's government spending was $1.18B, accounting for 22.4% of its GDP, while Madagascar spent $2.65B, or 13.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.9% in Liberia and 48.7% in Madagascar, ranking 90/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Madagascar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Madagascar
2025 -1.41% -2.21%
2024 -1.8% -2.49%
2023 -8.55% -4.15%
2022 -5.82% -5.45%
2021 -2.5% -2.83%
2020 -4.02% -3.96%
2019 -4.92% -1.42%
2018 -4.7% -1.34%
2017 -7.14% -2.1%
2016 -3.83% -1.11%
2015 -3.74% -2.85%
2014 -4.92% -1.96%
2013 1.29% -3.4%
2012 -2.86% -2.24%
2011 -4.39% -2.04%
2010 1.16% -0.76%
2009 -1.4% -2.26%
2008 -2.7% -1.72%
2007 2.28% -2.31%
2006 4.23% -5.71%
2005 -0.51% -2.47%
2004 -0.56% -4.23%
2003 0.36% -3.32%
2002 -1.57% -4.09%
2001 -0.94% -3.61%
2000 -0.08% -2.35%
1999 - -2.42%
1998 - -5.31%
1997 - -2%
1996 - -3.97%
1995 - -5.09%
1994 - -7.23%
1993 - -6.34%
1992 - -5%
1991 - -4.4%
1990 - -0.49%
1989 - -3.35%
1988 - -0.57%
1987 - -2.12%
1986 - -2.24%
1985 - -2.39%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -6.04%
1982 - -6.97%
1981 - -9.97%
1980 - -11%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Liberia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $74.2M, equivalent to 1.41% of GDP. This compares to Madagascar's deficit of $433M, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Madagascar ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.78% of GDP for Madagascar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Madagascar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Madagascar
2025 8.3% 8.05%
2024 8.2% 7.61%
2023 10.1% 9.87%
2022 7.6% 8.16%
2021 7.8% 5.81%
2020 17% 4.2%
2019 27% 5.61%
2018 23.5% 8.59%
2017 12.4% 8.61%
2016 8.8% 6.04%
2015 7.7% 7.4%
2014 9.9% 6.08%
2013 7.6% 5.83%
2012 6.8% 5.71%
2011 8.5% 9.48%
2010 7.3% 9.25%
2009 7.4% 8.95%
2008 17.5% 9.3%
2007 11.4% 10.3%
2006 9.5% 10.8%
2005 6.9% 18.4%
2004 3.6% 14%
2003 10.3% -1.7%
2002 14.2% 16.5%
2001 12.1% 7.92%
2000 5.3% 11.9%
1999 2% 9.93%
1998 - 6.21%
1997 - 4.49%

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/liberia/madagascar | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.3%, compared with 8.61% in Madagascar. In 2025, inflation was 8.3% in Liberia and 8.05% in Madagascar.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Madagascar
Export category Export value
Metals $141K
Raw materials & minerals $102K
Machinery & equipment $14K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Liberia Madagascar
Current account balance
$120M
2024
-$749M
2024
Current account balance ranking
62/190
2024
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.51%
2024
-4.26%
2024
Goods imports
$1.51B
2024
$4.16B
2024
Goods exports
$1.31B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$253M
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$42.6M
2024
$1.53B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
32.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2026
21.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Madagascar
Economic freedom 49.8 57
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 119/197
Property rights 40.4 39.8
Government integrity 25.8 26.8
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 33.7
Tax burden 86.1 90.5
Government spending 79.5 91.5
Fiscal health 56.9 68.8
Business freedom 38 37.3
Labor freedom 43.4 56.1
Monetary freedom 71.4 71.8
Trade freedom 57.4 67.6
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Madagascar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Madagascar
2026 49.8 57
2025 48.5 57
2024 49.9 57.3
2023 49.6 58.9
2022 47.9 58.9
2021 49.2 57.7
2020 49 60.5
2019 49.7 56.6
2018 50.9 56.8
2017 49.1 57.4
2016 52.2 61.1
2015 52.7 61.7
2014 52.4 61.7
2013 49.3 62
2012 48.6 62.4
2011 46.5 61.2
2010 46.2 63.2
2009 48.1 62.2
2008 - 62.4
2007 - 61.1
2006 - 61
2005 - 63.1
2004 - 60.9
2003 - 62.8
2002 - 56.8
2001 - 53.9
2000 - 54.4
1999 - 52.8
1998 - 51.8
1997 - 53.8
1996 - 52.2
1995 - 51.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 57 for Madagascar, ranking 119/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Madagascar
Services, % of GDP
40%
2025
48.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
23.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
21.7%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.76B
2025
$18.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,840
2025
$1,910
2025
Total reserves including gold
$339M
2025
$2.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
166/177
2025
122/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$397M
2024
-$472M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$606M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$134M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.12%
2024
1.71%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
75.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
24.1%
2025

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/liberia/madagascar | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.