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Economy of Liberia vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $484B for Norway, ranking 163/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $207B (42.7% of GDP) in Norway.

Liberia vs Norway GDP by year

Liberia
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Norway
2024 $4,779,300,900 $483,592,648,313
2023 $4,390,000,000 $482,949,731,777
2022 $4,001,047,000 $596,297,651,036
2021 $3,513,049,500 $503,367,986,030
2020 $3,176,126,300 $367,633,418,887
2019 $3,319,596,500 $408,742,840,909
2018 $3,422,754,800 $439,788,625,884
2017 $3,390,703,400 $401,745,275,035
2016 $3,398,419,600 $370,956,547,619
2015 $3,227,075,700 $388,159,512,246
2014 $3,225,652,000 $501,736,471,833
2013 $3,177,198,100 $526,014,468,085
2012 $2,791,614,000 $512,777,309,841
2011 $2,398,000,000 $501,360,549,669
2010 $1,998,000,000 $431,052,143,940
2009 $1,768,000,000 $387,976,400,617
2008 $1,726,000,000 $464,917,553,191
2007 $1,373,000,000 $402,643,260,488
2006 $1,119,000,000 $346,915,160,682
2005 $949,000,000 $309,978,579,744
2004 $897,000,000 $265,268,662,473
2003 $748,000,000 $229,385,469,337
2002 $927,000,000 $195,914,852,576
2001 $906,000,000 $174,239,354,071
2000 $874,000,000 $171,457,201,936
1999 $441,800,000 $162,383,706,021
1998 $359,600,000 $154,230,295,158
1997 $295,900,000 $161,356,631,888
1996 $159,400,000 $163,520,109,151
1995 $134,800,000 $152,029,612,325
1994 $132,200,000 $127,131,319,429
1993 $160,400,000 $120,579,213,713
1992 $223,500,000 $130,838,040,068
1991 $348,000,000 $121,872,464,483
1990 $384,400,000 $119,791,843,060
1989 $786,300,000 $102,633,934,391
1988 $1,038,300,000 $101,900,260,856
1987 $972,800,000 $94,229,907,236
1986 $840,964,400 $78,693,118,044
1985 $851,296,100 $65,416,879,914
1984 $848,478,300 $62,057,955,033
1983 $823,374,900 $61,627,240,831
1982 $863,933,200 $62,647,195,538
1981 $846,514,500 $63,596,654,761
1980 $854,711,500 $64,439,382,896
1979 $814,067,900 $53,132,244,624
1978 $717,240,400 $46,522,900,254
1977 $673,010,600 $41,508,030,431
1976 $596,675,700 $35,942,270,686
1975 $577,549,300 $32,877,805,200
1974 $486,955,000 $27,145,693,810
1973 $386,968,300 $22,534,253,703
1972 $368,098,000 $17,358,610,850
1971 $341,543,100 $14,583,114,840
1970 $323,099,700 $12,814,123,115
1969 $306,961,800 $11,136,187,440
1968 $276,820,700 $10,227,087,165
1967 $261,024,300 $9,577,383,653
1966 $244,459,500 $8,753,940,267
1965 $229,260,800 $8,111,945,661
1964 $218,929,100 $7,206,522,122
1963 $200,229,600 $6,553,269,536
1962 $191,861,800 $6,107,076,929
1961 $183,920,900 $5,669,689,210
1960 $190,495,600 $5,197,398,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Norway by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $851 $1,871 $86,785 $102,038
2023 $799 $1,795 $87,497 $103,638
2022 $745 $1,692 $109,270 $125,490
2021 $668 $1,539 $93,073 $88,984
2020 $617 $1,660 $68,340 $67,111
2019 $658 $1,900 $76,431 $70,940
2018 $692 $1,800 $82,793 $70,254
2017 $699 $1,665 $76,132 $64,590
2016 $715 $1,490 $70,867 $59,280
2015 $693 $1,340 $74,810 $60,738
2014 $707 $1,419 $97,667 $66,332
2013 $711 $1,360 $103,554 $67,378
2012 $638 $1,157 $102,176 $65,774
2011 $568 $1,041 $101,222 $62,460
2010 $492 $980 $88,163 $58,213
2009 $448 $939 $80,348 $55,648
2008 $452 $915 $97,504 $62,073
2007 $374 $873 $85,502 $56,179
2006 $321 $815 $74,434 $54,358
2005 $287.5 $774 $67,047 $47,967
2004 $284.1 $745 $57,769 $42,667
2003 $239.8 $716 $50,250 $38,680
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $43,171 $38,056
2001 $300 $987 $38,602 $37,829
2000 $298.5 $965 $38,178 $36,994
1999 $156.6 $762 $36,393 $30,574
1998 $134.7 $652 $34,803 $28,200
1997 $122.6 $548 $36,629 $28,610
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $37,322 $26,826
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $34,876 $24,360
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $29,316 $23,027
1993 $74.4 $328 $27,964 $21,584
1992 $107.8 $497 $30,524 $20,623
1991 $177.9 $793 $28,597 $19,580
1990 $172.9 $787 $28,243 $18,461
1989 $312 - $24,281 -
1988 $424 - $24,207 -
1987 $409 - $22,506 -
1986 $364 - $18,883 -
1985 $380 - $15,754 -
1984 $390 - $14,989 -
1983 $391 - $14,928 -
1982 $422 - $15,225 -
1981 $426 - $15,513 -
1980 $443 - $15,772 -
1979 $435 - $13,047 -
1978 $394 - $11,463 -
1977 $381 - $10,266 -
1976 $347 - $8,927 -
1975 $346 - $8,204 -
1974 $299.4 - $6,812 -
1973 $244.4 - $5,690 -
1972 $238.6 - $4,414 -
1971 $227.1 - $3,736 -
1970 $220.3 - $3,306 -
1969 $214.7 - $2,894 -
1968 $198.6 - $2,680 -
1967 $192.2 - $2,531 -
1966 $184.6 - $2,333 -
1965 $177.6 - $2,179 -
1964 $173.9 - $1,951 -
1963 $163.1 - $1,787 -
1962 $160.3 - $1,678 -
1961 $157.5 - $1,571 -
1960 $167.2 - $1,451 -

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

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $86,785 in Norway, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Liberia Norway
Gross domestic product
$4.78B
2024
$484B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
32/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$86,785
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
8/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$207B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
42.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$37,074
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
17/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$49,765
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
48.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
3.15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
3.98%
2024
Population
5887000
5671119

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.3% 57.2% 48.5% 42.7%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 45.9% 44.1%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 37.5% 36.1%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 46.3% 41.6%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 56.7% 46%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 50.2% 40.5%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 47.7% 39.3%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 49.2% 38.2%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 50.4% 37.9%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 48.2% 34.3%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 45.2% 29.6%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 43.5% 31.4%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 42.4% 30.9%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 43.3% 29.6%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 44.5% 43%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 45.6% 42.5%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 39.8% 47.5%
2007 17.2% 394% 41% 49.5%
2006 11.1% 472% 40.5% 52.6%
2005 12.8% 535% 41.8% 42.3%
2004 12.1% 543% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 9.85% 658% 47.6% 43.1%
2002 13.2% 481% 46.1% 33.9%
2001 12.6% 484% 43.2% 27.2%
2000 15.2% 489% 41.3% 28.7%
1999 - - 46.4% 25%
1998 - - 47.8% 23.6%
1997 - - 45.5% 25.8%
1996 - - 47% 28.4%
1995 - - 49.3% 32.7%
1994 - - 49.4% 50.6%
1993 - - 50.2% 53.7%
1992 - - 51.3% 45%
1991 - - 50% 39.2%
1990 - - 48.9% 28.9%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Norway spent $234B, or 48.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 42.7% in Norway, ranking 91/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Norway
2024 -1.98% 13.2%
2023 -7.03% 16.6%
2022 -5.33% 25.5%
2021 -2.5% 10.3%
2020 -4.02% -2.56%
2019 -4.92% 6.52%
2018 -4.7% 7.81%
2017 -7.14% 4.96%
2016 -3.83% 4.04%
2015 -3.74% 5.99%
2014 -4.92% 8.57%
2013 1.29% 10.6%
2012 -2.86% 13.7%
2011 -4.43% 13.3%
2010 1.17% 10.9%
2009 -1.39% 10.2%
2008 -2.68% 18.5%
2007 2.44% 17%
2006 4.42% 17.9%
2005 -0.55% 14.7%
2004 -0.56% 10.8%
2003 0.39% 7.2%
2002 -1.63% 9.03%
2001 -0.98% 13.2%
2000 -0.08% 15%
1999 - 5.71%
1998 - 3.07%
1997 - 7.35%
1996 - 6.01%
1995 - 2.96%
1994 - 0.04%
1993 - -1.64%
1992 - -2.07%
1991 - -0.12%
1990 - 1.95%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/norway | 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 Norway's surplus of $64.1B, or 13.2% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 1 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to surplus of 11.3% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Norway
2024 8.2% 3.15%
2023 10.1% 5.52%
2022 7.6% 5.76%
2021 7.8% 3.48%
2020 17% 1.29%
2019 27% 2.17%
2018 23.5% 2.76%
2017 12.4% 1.88%
2016 8.8% 3.55%
2015 7.7% 2.17%
2014 9.9% 2.04%
2013 7.6% 2.12%
2012 6.8% 0.7%
2011 8.5% 1.28%
2010 7.3% 2.42%
2009 7.4% 2.2%
2008 17.5% 3.75%
2007 11.4% 0.71%
2006 9.5% 2.33%
2005 6.9% 1.53%
2004 3.6% 0.45%
2003 10.3% 2.49%
2002 14.2% 1.29%
2001 12.1% 3%
2000 5.3% 3.09%
1999 2% 2.37%
1998 - 2.25%
1997 - 2.57%

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/norway | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 2.44% in Norway. In 2024, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 3.15% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $44K
Machinery & equipment $23K
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.54M
Animal & marine products $138K
Textiles & consumer goods $115K
Miscellaneous $73K
Metals $33K
Raw materials & minerals $31K
Chemicals & pharma $23K
Wood & paper products $10K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K

Balance of trade

Liberia Norway
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
$71.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
11/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
+14.8%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$97.5B
2024
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$162B
2024
Service imports
$434M
2022
$63.6B
2024
Service exports
$192M
2022
$55.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
47.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Norway
Economic freedom 49.8 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 9/197
Property rights 40.4 99.6
Government integrity 25.8 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 96.4
Tax burden 86.1 63.3
Government spending 79.5 42
Fiscal health 56.9 96.4
Business freedom 38 91.2
Labor freedom 43.4 69.3
Monetary freedom 71.4 72.4
Trade freedom 57.4 85.6
Investment freedom 55 75
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Norway
2026 49.8 78.8
2025 48.5 78.3
2024 49.9 77.5
2023 49.6 76.9
2022 47.9 76.9
2021 49.2 73.4
2020 49 73.4
2019 49.7 73
2018 50.9 74.3
2017 49.1 74
2016 52.2 70.8
2015 52.7 71.8
2014 52.4 70.9
2013 49.3 70.5
2012 48.6 68.8
2011 46.5 70.3
2010 46.2 69.4
2009 48.1 70.2
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.9
2006 - 67.9
2005 - 64.5
2004 - 66.2
2003 - 67.2
2002 - 67.4
2001 - 67.1
2000 - 70.1
1999 - 68.6
1998 - 68
1997 - 65.1
1996 - 65.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Norway
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
51.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
2.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$547B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$106,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$81.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
32/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
-$7.83B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$12B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$4.95B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
24.1%
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/norway | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.