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Economy of Liberia vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $26.8B for Mali, ranking 163/197 and 113/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $13.9B (51.7% of GDP) in Mali.

Liberia vs Mali GDP by year

Liberia
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Mali
2024 $4,779,300,900 $26,794,747,240
2023 $4,390,000,000 $24,813,860,599
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 $12,710,739,159
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 $7,429,066,951
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $851 $1,871 $1,095 $3,315
2023 $799 $1,795 $1,044 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $1,095 in Mali, ranking 173/197. 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
$4.78B
2024
$26.8B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
4.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$1,095
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$13.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
51.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$566
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
161/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$1,463
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
24.3%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
3.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
5.45%
2023
Population
5887000
26143152

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
2024 24.3% 57.2% 24.7% 51.7%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 24.8% 51.9%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 24.4% 50.3%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 26.9% 51.6%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 26.1% 47.3%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 23.1% 40.7%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 20.3% 37.5%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 22.9% 38.2%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 22.3% 37.2%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 20.9% 30.7%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 20% 26.9%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 19.8% 26.4%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 15.5% 25.4%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 20.6% 24%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 20.3% 25.3%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 22.8% 21.9%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 18.8% 20.1%
2007 17.2% 394% 21.5% 18.5%
2006 11.1% 472% 22.1% 18.1%
2005 12.8% 535% 21.6% 46.6%
2004 12.1% 543% 21.8% 42.4%
2003 9.85% 658% 20.8% 44.1%
2002 13.2% 481% 19.9% 42.6%
2001 12.6% 484% 18.3% 77.5%
2000 15.2% 489% 19.4% 90.5%

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

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.61B, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 51.7% in Mali, ranking 91/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Mali
2024 -1.98% -2.57%
2023 -7.03% -3.57%
2022 -5.33% -4.75%
2021 -2.5% -4.91%
2020 -4.02% -5.42%
2019 -4.92% -1.68%
2018 -4.7% -4.74%
2017 -7.14% -2.86%
2016 -3.83% -3.95%
2015 -3.74% -1.82%
2014 -4.92% -2.89%
2013 1.29% -2.37%
2012 -2.86% -0.96%
2011 -4.43% -3.42%
2010 1.17% -2.57%
2009 -1.39% -3.71%
2008 -2.68% -1.97%
2007 2.44% -2.78%
2006 4.42% 27.8%
2005 -0.55% -2.76%
2004 -0.56% -2.36%
2003 0.39% -1.19%
2002 -1.63% -3.09%
2001 -0.98% -2.8%
2000 -0.08% -2.64%

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

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

In 2024, Liberia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $94.6M, equivalent to 1.98% of GDP. This compares to Mali's deficit of $687M, or 2.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.76% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Mali
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 26 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 2.11% in Mali. In 2024, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 3.2% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
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
$64.8M
2022
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
136/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
-6.49%
2023
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$5.73B
2023
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$5.65B
2023
Service imports
$434M
2022
$2.34B
2023
Service exports
$192M
2022
$475M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
27.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
22.6%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
41.9%
2024
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
23.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
33.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$3,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
n/a
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
-$673M
2023
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
3.09%
2024
1.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
19.5%
2024

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/liberia/mali | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023, 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.