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Economy of Liberia vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 163/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Liberia vs Mauritania GDP by year

Liberia
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Mauritania
2024 $4,779,300,900 $10,908,045,687
2023 $4,390,000,000 $10,726,838,461
2022 $4,001,047,000 $9,557,966,698
2021 $3,513,049,500 $9,222,536,364
2020 $3,176,126,300 $8,260,752,385
2019 $3,319,596,500 $7,894,764,886
2018 $3,422,754,800 $7,473,550,557
2017 $3,390,703,400 $6,800,135,898
2016 $3,398,419,600 $6,398,747,592
2015 $3,227,075,700 $6,166,863,897
2014 $3,225,652,000 $6,592,537,782
2013 $3,177,198,100 $7,223,071,097
2012 $2,791,614,000 $6,728,208,836
2011 $2,398,000,000 $6,764,627,746
2010 $1,998,000,000 $5,628,878,798
2009 $1,768,000,000 $4,714,595,548
2008 $1,726,000,000 $5,206,437,194
2007 $1,373,000,000 $4,346,212,355
2006 $1,119,000,000 $3,919,577,286
2005 $949,000,000 $2,936,019,526
2004 $897,000,000 $2,362,501,023
2003 $748,000,000 $2,051,147,607
2002 $927,000,000 $1,777,057,481
2001 $906,000,000 $1,746,063,558
2000 $874,000,000 $1,779,520,886
1999 $441,800,000 $1,985,922,776
1998 $359,600,000 $2,032,347,665
1997 $295,900,000 $2,071,996,564
1996 $159,400,000 $2,132,087,009
1995 $134,800,000 $2,091,726,101
1994 $132,200,000 $1,944,876,755
1993 $160,400,000 $1,847,353,211
1992 $223,500,000 $2,164,298,425
1991 $348,000,000 $2,133,692,697
1990 $384,400,000 $1,506,914,408
1989 $786,300,000 $1,450,647,019
1988 $1,038,300,000 $1,414,951,290
1987 $972,800,000 $1,344,664,725
1986 $840,964,400 $1,186,628,778
1985 $851,296,100 $1,009,723,326
1984 $848,478,300 $1,074,373,230
1983 $823,374,900 $1,165,171,263
1982 $863,933,200 $1,108,776,653
1981 $846,514,500 $1,105,494,682
1980 $854,711,500 $1,047,925,106
1979 $814,067,900 $951,900,945
1978 $717,240,400 $804,629,877
1977 $673,010,600 $799,030,017
1976 $596,675,700 $775,045,517
1975 $577,549,300 $703,377,837
1974 $486,955,000 $613,010,553
1973 $386,968,300 $493,237,876
1972 $368,098,000 $391,669,449
1971 $341,543,100 $335,568,907
1970 $323,099,700 $309,405,316
1969 $306,961,800 $295,062,308
1968 $276,820,700 $311,395,937
1967 $261,024,300 $282,615,310
1966 $244,459,500 $266,533,605
1965 $229,260,800 $255,340,475
1964 $218,929,100 $224,495,744
1963 $200,229,600 $168,186,297
1962 $191,861,800 $164,271,558
1961 $183,920,900 $159,213,430
1960 $190,495,600 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Mauritania by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $851 $1,871 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $799 $1,795 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $745 $1,692 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $668 $1,539 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $617 $1,660 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $658 $1,900 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $692 $1,800 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $699 $1,665 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $715 $1,490 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $693 $1,340 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $707 $1,419 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $711 $1,360 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $638 $1,157 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $568 $1,041 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $492 $980 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $448 $939 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $452 $915 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $374 $873 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $321 $815 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $287.5 $774 $999 $2,809
2004 $284.1 $745 $824 $2,570
2003 $239.8 $716 $732 $2,447
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $649 $2,296
2001 $300 $987 $652 $2,280
2000 $298.5 $965 $681 $2,304
1999 $156.6 $762 $781 $2,411
1998 $134.7 $652 $821 $2,355
1997 $122.6 $548 $859 $2,325
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $904 $2,436
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $905 $2,306
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $865 $2,114
1993 $74.4 $328 $850 $2,209
1992 $107.8 $497 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $177.9 $793 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $172.9 $787 $772 $2,070
1989 $312 - $762 -
1988 $424 - $762 -
1987 $409 - $746 -
1986 $364 - $677 -
1985 $380 - $593 -
1984 $390 - $650 -
1983 $391 - $725 -
1982 $422 - $710 -
1981 $426 - $729 -
1980 $443 - $711 -
1979 $435 - $664 -
1978 $394 - $578 -
1977 $381 - $590 -
1976 $347 - $589 -
1975 $346 - $551 -
1974 $299.4 - $494 -
1973 $244.4 - $410 -
1972 $238.6 - $335 -
1971 $227.1 - $296 -
1970 $220.3 - $281.3 -
1969 $214.7 - $276.6 -
1968 $198.6 - $301 -
1967 $192.2 - $281.5 -
1966 $184.6 - $273.6 -
1965 $177.6 - $270 -
1964 $173.9 - $244.3 -
1963 $163.1 - $188.2 -
1962 $160.3 - $189 -
1961 $157.5 - $188.2 -
1960 $167.2 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Liberia Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$4.78B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$2,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
10.4%
2019
Population
5887000
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.3% 57.2% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 19% 59.2%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 17% 38.8%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 17.2% 394% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 11.1% 472% 19% 38%
2005 12.8% 535% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 12.1% 543% 23.9% 22%
2003 9.85% 658% - 22.9%
2002 13.2% 481% - 59.5%
2001 12.6% 484% - 63.5%
2000 15.2% 489% - 55.5%

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

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 91/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Mauritania
2024 -1.98% -1.35%
2023 -7.03% -2.45%
2022 -5.33% -3.09%
2021 -2.5% 2.6%
2020 -4.02% 2.78%
2019 -4.92% 2.65%
2018 -4.7% 3.23%
2017 -7.14% 0.53%
2016 -3.83% 0.13%
2015 -3.74% -2.44%
2014 -4.92% -2.64%
2013 1.29% -0.66%
2012 -2.86% 1.67%
2011 -4.43% 0.07%
2010 1.17% -0.45%
2009 -1.39% -3.59%
2008 -2.68% -3.32%
2007 2.44% -1.38%
2006 4.42% 2.05%
2005 -0.55% -3.16%
2004 -0.56% -3.06%
2003 0.39% -
2002 -1.63% -
2001 -0.98% -
2000 -0.08% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Mauritania
2024 8.2% 2.49%
2023 10.1% 4.95%
2022 7.6% 9.53%
2021 7.8% 3.57%
2020 17% 2.39%
2019 27% 2.3%
2018 23.5% 3.07%
2017 12.4% 2.25%
2016 8.8% 1.47%
2015 7.7% 3.25%
2014 9.9% 3.53%
2013 7.6% 4.13%
2012 6.8% 4.9%
2011 8.5% 5.69%
2010 7.3% 6.28%
2009 7.4% 2.22%
2008 17.5% 7.35%
2007 11.4% 7.25%
2006 9.5% 6.24%
2005 6.9% 12.1%
2004 3.6% 10.4%
2003 10.3% 5.15%
2002 14.2% 3.9%
2001 12.1% 4.71%
2000 5.3% 3.25%
1999 2% 4.07%
1998 - 8.03%
1997 - 4.63%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 26 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 4.86% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $19.5M
Metals $275K
Machinery & equipment $159K
Chemicals & pharma $116K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $92K
Wood & paper products $49K
Raw materials & minerals $31K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K

Balance of trade

Liberia Mauritania
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$434M
2022
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$192M
2022
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Mauritania
Economic freedom 49.8 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 136/197
Property rights 40.4 32.6
Government integrity 25.8 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 26.4
Tax burden 86.1 75.5
Government spending 79.5 80.2
Fiscal health 56.9 87.9
Business freedom 38 38.7
Labor freedom 43.4 53.6
Monetary freedom 71.4 77.8
Trade freedom 57.4 59.6
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Mauritania
2026 49.8 53.9
2025 48.5 54.9
2024 49.9 55.3
2023 49.6 55.3
2022 47.9 55.3
2021 49.2 56.1
2020 49 55.3
2019 49.7 55.7
2018 50.9 54
2017 49.1 54.4
2016 52.2 54.8
2015 52.7 53.3
2014 52.4 53.2
2013 49.3 52.3
2012 48.6 53
2011 46.5 52.1
2010 46.2 52
2009 48.1 53.9
2008 - 55.2
2007 - 53.6
2006 - 55.7
2005 - 59.4
2004 - 61.8
2003 - 59
2002 - 52.5
2001 - 48.5
2000 - 46
1999 - 42.8
1998 - 43.7
1997 - 47
1996 - 45.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.