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Economy of Liberia vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Liberia has a GDP of $5.25B compared to $30.1B for Mali, ranking 162/197 and 114/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.88B in government debt (54.9% of GDP), compared to $12.6B (41.9% of GDP) in Mali.

Liberia vs Mali GDP by year

Liberia
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Mali
2025 $5,245,938,900 $30,069,148,581
2024 $4,779,300,900 $26,761,281,077
2023 $4,390,000,000 $24,777,941,861
2022 $4,001,047,000 $22,539,987,719
2021 $3,513,049,500 $22,999,245,263
2020 $3,176,126,300 $20,698,560,939
2019 $3,319,596,500 $20,477,421,885
2018 $3,422,754,800 $20,368,015,381
2017 $3,390,703,400 $18,308,362,040
2016 $3,398,419,600 $16,743,796,800
2015 $3,227,075,700 $15,583,181,170
2014 $3,225,652,000 $17,081,681,993
2013 $3,177,198,100 $15,747,192,681
2012 $2,791,614,000 $14,795,114,603
2011 $2,398,000,000 $15,452,791,789
2010 $1,998,000,000 $12,710,739,160
2009 $1,768,000,000 $12,155,217,833
2008 $1,726,000,000 $11,462,490,840
2007 $1,373,000,000 $9,699,047,443
2006 $1,119,000,000 $8,212,007,554
2005 $949,000,000 $7,429,066,952
2004 $897,000,000 $6,485,774,930
2003 $748,000,000 $5,605,613,011
2002 $927,000,000 $4,647,238,257
2001 $906,000,000 $4,124,281,594
2000 $874,000,000 $3,521,570,876
1999 $441,800,000 $4,091,446,054
1998 $359,600,000 $3,894,433,432
1997 $295,900,000 $3,414,879,486
1996 $159,400,000 $3,743,103,420
1995 $134,800,000 $3,373,322,735
1994 $132,200,000 $2,655,768,636
1993 $160,400,000 $3,632,801,877
1992 $223,500,000 $3,680,775,037
1991 $348,000,000 $3,576,562,682
1990 $384,400,000 $3,248,417,791
1989 $786,300,000 $2,824,822,489
1988 $1,038,300,000 $2,712,207,901
1987 $972,800,000 $2,437,004,680
1986 $840,964,400 $2,132,938,007
1985 $851,296,100 $1,594,347,021
1984 $848,478,300 $1,387,809,615
1983 $823,374,900 $1,496,616,127
1982 $863,933,200 $1,680,304,773
1981 $846,514,500 $2,234,583,940
1980 $854,711,500 $2,704,362,789
1979 $814,067,900 $1,595,422,956
1978 $717,240,400 $1,222,702,573
1977 $673,010,600 $1,049,838,548
1976 $596,675,700 $939,228,017
1975 $577,549,300 $830,710,615
1974 $486,955,000 $538,747,340
1973 $386,968,300 $563,683,703
1972 $368,098,000 $486,617,280
1971 $341,543,100 $395,218,629
1970 $323,099,700 $359,772,315
1969 $306,961,800 $339,913,867
1968 $276,820,700 $343,771,973
1967 $261,024,300 $275,494,478
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Mali by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $915 - $1,193 -
2024 $851 $1,871 $1,093 $3,315
2023 $799 $1,795 $1,042 $3,175
2022 $745 $1,692 $977 $3,014
2021 $668 $1,539 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $617 $1,660 $953 $2,724
2019 $658 $1,900 $972 $2,820
2018 $692 $1,800 $996 $2,684
2017 $699 $1,665 $924 $2,607
2016 $715 $1,490 $872 $2,532
2015 $693 $1,340 $838 $2,330
2014 $707 $1,419 $948 $2,185
2013 $711 $1,360 $902 $2,059
2012 $638 $1,157 $873 $1,990
2011 $568 $1,041 $938 $2,046
2010 $492 $980 $797 $2,012
2009 $448 $939 $787 $1,945
2008 $452 $915 $767 $1,893
2007 $374 $873 $671 $1,852
2006 $321 $815 $587 $1,832
2005 $287.5 $774 $549 $1,771
2004 $284.1 $745 $495 $1,730
2003 $239.8 $716 $442 $1,715
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $378 $1,581
2001 $300 $987 $346 $1,559
2000 $298.5 $965 $305 $1,357
1999 $156.6 $762 $364 $1,376
1998 $134.7 $652 $357 $1,332
1997 $122.6 $548 $321 $1,267
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $360 $1,224
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $331 $1,154
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $74.4 $328 $372 $1,087
1992 $107.8 $497 $385 $1,039
1991 $177.9 $793 $382 $1,091
1990 $172.9 $787 $354 $956
1989 $312 - $314 -
1988 $424 - $307 -
1987 $409 - $280.7 -
1986 $364 - $250 -
1985 $380 - $190.4 -
1984 $390 - $169.1 -
1983 $391 - $186.3 -
1982 $422 - $213.8 -
1981 $426 - $290.5 -
1980 $443 - $359 -
1979 $435 - $216.3 -
1978 $394 - $169.1 -
1977 $381 - $148.1 -
1976 $347 - $134.9 -
1975 $346 - $121.5 -
1974 $299.4 - $80.2 -
1973 $244.4 - $85.4 -
1972 $238.6 - $75.1 -
1971 $227.1 - $62 -
1970 $220.3 - $57.3 -
1969 $214.7 - $55 -
1968 $198.6 - $56.5 -
1967 $192.2 - $46 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $915, ranking 184/197, compared to $1,193 in Mali, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

Liberia Mali
Gross domestic product
$5.25B
2025
$30.1B
2025
GDP rank
162/197
2025
114/197
2025
GDP growth
5.02%
2024-2025
5.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$915
2025
$1,193
2025
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2025
174/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$2.88B
2025
$12.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.9%
2025
41.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$502
2025
$500
2025
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2025
168/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,467
2026
$1,949
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.4%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.3%
2024-2025
2.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
4.5%
2024
Population
5916561
26322576

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.4% 54.9% 20.9% 41.9%
2024 24.1% 56.4% 21% 44%
2023 28.6% 57.2% 21.2% 44.3%
2022 27.4% 54.4% 20.8% 42.9%
2021 29.8% 53.5% 22.5% 43.2%
2020 35.3% 58.5% 22% 39.8%
2019 32.3% 48.1% 19.5% 34.3%
2018 32.7% 36.2% 17% 31.4%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 19.2% 30.1%
2016 35.8% 28% 18.6% 30.1%
2015 37.1% 24.4% 17.6% 25.8%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 16.8% 22.6%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 16.6% 22.2%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 13.1% 21.3%
2011 29.8% 22.5% 17.3% 20.1%
2010 25.1% 25.4% 17.4% 21.8%
2009 24% 132.2% 19.6% 18.8%
2008 21.8% 235.3% 16.2% 17.3%
2007 16.1% 367% 18.1% 15.6%
2006 10.6% 451% 18.9% 15.4%
2005 11.7% 488% 18.3% 39.5%
2004 12.1% 543% 18.5% 36.1%
2003 8.98% 600% 17.8% 37.7%
2002 12.7% 464% 16.8% 36%
2001 12.1% 465% 15.7% 66.3%
2000 14.5% 468% 16.5% 77%

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

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

In 2025, Liberia's government spending was $1.18B, accounting for 22.4% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.29B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.9% in Liberia and 41.9% in Mali, ranking 90/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Mali
2025 -1.41% -1.59%
2024 -1.8% -2.16%
2023 -8.55% -3.05%
2022 -5.82% -4.05%
2021 -2.5% -4.12%
2020 -4.02% -4.56%
2019 -4.92% -1.42%
2018 -4.7% -3.97%
2017 -7.14% -2.4%
2016 -3.83% -3.3%
2015 -3.74% -1.53%
2014 -4.92% -2.43%
2013 1.29% -1.99%
2012 -2.86% -0.8%
2011 -4.39% -2.87%
2010 1.16% -2.21%
2009 -1.4% -3.19%
2008 -2.7% -1.69%
2007 2.28% -2.35%
2006 4.23% 23.7%
2005 -0.51% -2.34%
2004 -0.56% -2.01%
2003 0.36% -1.01%
2002 -1.57% -2.61%
2001 -0.94% -2.39%
2000 -0.08% -2.25%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $478M, or 1.59% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.48% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Mali
2025 8.3% 2.3%
2024 8.2% 3.2%
2023 10.1% 2.1%
2022 7.6% 9.7%
2021 7.8% 3.8%
2020 17% 0.5%
2019 27% -3%
2018 23.5% 1.9%
2017 12.4% 2.4%
2016 8.8% -1.8%
2015 7.7% 1.4%
2014 9.9% 0.9%
2013 7.6% -0.6%
2012 6.8% 5.3%
2011 8.5% 3%
2010 7.3% 1.2%
2009 7.4% 2.4%
2008 17.5% 9.2%
2007 11.4% 1.4%
2006 9.5% 1.6%
2005 6.9% 6.4%
2004 3.6% -3.1%
2003 10.3% -1.3%
2002 14.2% 5%
2001 12.1% 5.2%
2000 5.3% -0.8%
1999 2% -1.2%
1998 - 4.1%
1997 - -0.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 27 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.3%, compared with 2.11% in Mali. In 2025, inflation was 8.3% in Liberia and 2.3% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $123K
Machinery & equipment $121K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $41K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Mali
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.87M
Raw materials & minerals $612K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Metals $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Liberia Mali
Current account balance
$120M
2024
-$1.16B
2024
Current account balance ranking
62/190
2024
122/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.51%
2024
-4.33%
2024
Goods imports
$1.51B
2024
$5.49B
2024
Goods exports
$1.31B
2024
$5.48B
2024
Service imports
$253M
2024
$1.8B
2024
Service exports
$42.6M
2024
$516M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
26.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2026
22.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Mali
Economic freedom 49.8 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 150/197
Property rights 40.4 13.8
Government integrity 25.8 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 23.3
Tax burden 86.1 67.9
Government spending 79.5 81.8
Fiscal health 56.9 73.6
Business freedom 38 40.8
Labor freedom 43.4 54.1
Monetary freedom 71.4 78.2
Trade freedom 57.4 64
Investment freedom 55 65
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Mali
2026 49.8 52.1
2025 48.5 52.6
2024 49.9 52.5
2023 49.6 54.5
2022 47.9 55.9
2021 49.2 55.6
2020 49 55.9
2019 49.7 58.1
2018 50.9 57.6
2017 49.1 58.6
2016 52.2 56.5
2015 52.7 56.4
2014 52.4 55.5
2013 49.3 56.4
2012 48.6 55.8
2011 46.5 56.3
2010 46.2 55.6
2009 48.1 55.6
2008 - 55.6
2007 - 54.7
2006 - 54.1
2005 - 57.3
2004 - 56.6
2003 - 58.6
2002 - 61.1
2001 - 60.1
2000 - 60.3
1999 - 58.4
1998 - 57.3
1997 - 56.4
1996 - 57
1995 - 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Mali
Services, % of GDP
40%
2025
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
23.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
33%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.76B
2025
$28.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,840
2025
$3,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$339M
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
166/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$397M
2024
-$843M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.12%
2024
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
20%
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/mali | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2025, 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.