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Economy of Liberia vs Palau compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Liberia has a GDP of $5.25B compared to $345M for Palau, ranking 162/197 and 193/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia vs Palau GDP by year

Liberia
Palau
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Palau
2025 $5,245,938,900 $345,000,000
2024 $4,779,300,900 $321,501,813
2023 $4,390,000,000 $276,157,406
2022 $4,001,047,000 $247,470,813
2021 $3,513,049,500 $235,935,734
2020 $3,176,126,300 $258,985,859
2019 $3,319,596,500 $281,954,000
2018 $3,422,754,800 $288,228,344
2017 $3,390,703,400 $289,983,656
2016 $3,398,419,600 $303,326,125
2015 $3,227,075,700 $283,224,750
2014 $3,225,652,000 $245,436,547
2013 $3,177,198,100 $226,257,828
2012 $2,791,614,000 $214,928,297
2011 $2,398,000,000 $195,163,578
2010 $1,998,000,000 $184,292,328
2009 $1,768,000,000 $184,049,766
2008 $1,726,000,000 $199,046,109
2007 $1,373,000,000 $196,012,719
2006 $1,119,000,000 $190,777,422
2005 $949,000,000 $185,658,172
2004 $897,000,000 $166,363,734
2003 $748,000,000 $154,566,781
2002 $927,000,000 $162,658,719
2001 $906,000,000 $159,446,234
2000 $874,000,000 $149,551,484
1999 $441,800,000 $144,206,500
1998 $359,600,000 $149,079,600
1997 $295,900,000 $143,860,800
1996 $159,400,000 $137,494,600
1995 $134,800,000 $121,018,500
1994 $132,200,000 $106,138,500
1993 $160,400,000 $96,455,700
1992 $223,500,000 $104,771,300
1991 $348,000,000 $106,555,300
1990 $384,400,000 $97,702,303
1989 $786,300,000 $85,800,543
1988 $1,038,300,000 $75,348,615
1987 $972,800,000 $66,169,905
1986 $840,964,400 $58,109,314
1985 $851,296,100 $51,030,637
1984 $848,478,300 $44,814,259
1983 $823,374,900 $39,661,530
1982 $863,933,200 $36,027,583
1981 $846,514,500 $32,726,594
1980 $854,711,500 $29,728,054
1979 $814,067,900 $27,004,251
1978 $717,240,400 $24,530,015
1977 $673,010,600 $22,308,104
1976 $596,675,700 $20,364,420
1975 $577,549,300 $18,521,112
1974 $486,955,000 $16,848,759
1973 $386,968,300 $15,331,889
1972 $368,098,000 $13,956,474
1971 $341,543,100 $12,706,874
1970 $323,099,700 $11,563,041
1969 $306,961,800 -
1968 $276,820,700 -
1967 $261,024,300 -
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/palau | CC BY

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Palau by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Palau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Palau
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $915 - $19,532 -
2024 $851 $1,871 $18,169 -
2023 $799 $1,795 $15,578 $18,230
2022 $745 $1,692 $13,935 $17,185
2021 $668 $1,539 $13,267 $15,781
2020 $617 $1,660 $14,556 $17,390
2019 $658 $1,900 $15,842 $18,422
2018 $692 $1,800 $16,180 $18,172
2017 $699 $1,665 $16,280 $17,991
2016 $715 $1,490 $17,044 $18,235
2015 $693 $1,340 $15,938 $17,854
2014 $707 $1,419 $13,855 $16,442
2013 $711 $1,360 $12,821 $15,425
2012 $638 $1,157 $12,098 $15,461
2011 $568 $1,041 $10,796 $14,673
2010 $492 $980 $10,018 $13,443
2009 $448 $939 $9,837 $13,414
2008 $452 $915 $10,471 $14,039
2007 $374 $873 $10,155 $14,308
2006 $321 $815 $9,737 $13,545
2005 $287.5 $774 $9,368 $12,960
2004 $284.1 $745 $8,394 $12,213
2003 $239.8 $716 $7,862 $11,588
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $8,340 $11,704
2001 $300 $987 $8,239 $11,092
2000 $298.5 $965 $7,798 $10,197
1999 $156.6 $762 $7,630 $10,388
1998 $134.7 $652 $8,048 $11,048
1997 $122.6 $548 $7,945 $10,957
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $7,788 $10,800
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $7,038 $9,863
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $6,329 $8,932
1993 $74.4 $328 $5,892 $8,348
1992 $107.8 $497 $6,553 $9,521
1991 $177.9 $793 $6,824 $10,184
1990 $172.9 $787 $6,403 $9,609
1989 $312 - $5,741 -
1988 $424 - $5,145 -
1987 $409 - $4,616 -
1986 $364 - $4,144 -
1985 $380 - $3,728 -
1984 $390 - $3,360 -
1983 $391 - $3,049 -
1982 $422 - $2,838 -
1981 $426 - $2,639 -
1980 $443 - $2,423 -
1979 $435 - $2,189 -
1978 $394 - $1,972 -
1977 $381 - $1,781 -
1976 $347 - $1,616 -
1975 $346 - $1,464 -
1974 $299.4 - $1,328 -
1973 $244.4 - $1,221 -
1972 $238.6 - $1,145 -
1971 $227.1 - $1,081 -
1970 $220.3 - $1,017 -
1969 $214.7 - - -
1968 $198.6 - - -
1967 $192.2 - - -
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/palau | CC BY

Liberia's GDP per capita is $915, ranking 184/197, compared to $19,532 in Palau, ranking 63/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Palau ranks 103rd at $18,230.

Economic indicators

Liberia Palau
Gross domestic product
$5.25B
2025
$345M
2025
GDP rank
162/197
2025
193/197
2025
GDP growth
5.02%
2024-2025
6.29%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$915
2025
$19,532
2025
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2025
63/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$18,230
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
103/197
2023
Government debt
$2.88B
2025
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.9%
2025
n/a
Government debt per person
$502
2025
n/a
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2025
n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,467
2026
$10,433
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.4%
2025
52.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.3%
2024-2025
0.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
2.09%
2023
Population
5916561
17620

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Palau
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Palau
2025 -1.41% 1.73%
2024 -1.8% 1.23%
2023 -8.55% -2.28%
2022 -5.82% -4.26%
2021 -2.5% -9.94%
2020 -4.02% -13%
2019 -4.92% -0.36%
2018 -4.7% 6.18%
2017 -7.14% 4.76%
2016 -3.83% 3.52%
2015 -3.74% 5.08%
2014 -4.92% 3.59%
2013 1.29% 0.54%
2012 -2.86% 0.98%
2011 -4.39% 1.29%
2010 1.16% -1.27%
2009 -1.4% -2.14%
2008 -2.7% -1.71%
2007 2.28% -2.08%
2006 4.23% 0.14%
2005 -0.51% 1.38%
2004 -0.56% -4.82%
2003 0.36% -6.91%
2002 -1.57% -12.7%
2001 -0.94% -16.7%
2000 -0.08% -13.4%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/palau | 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 Palau's surplus of $5.95M, or 1.73% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Palau ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.35% of GDP for Palau.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Palau
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Palau
2025 8.3% 0.3%
2024 8.2% 3.6%
2023 10.1% 12.4%
2022 7.6% 13.2%
2021 7.8% -0.5%
2020 17% 0.7%
2019 27% 0.4%
2018 23.5% 2.4%
2017 12.4% 1.1%
2016 8.8% -1.3%
2015 7.7% 2.2%
2014 9.9% 4%
2013 7.6% 2.8%
2012 6.8% 5.4%
2011 8.5% 2.6%
2010 7.3% 1.1%
2009 7.4% 4.7%
2008 17.5% 9.9%
2007 11.4% 3%
2006 9.5% 4.2%
2005 6.9% 3.6%
2004 3.6% 0.5%
2003 10.3% 0.6%
2002 14.2% -0.3%
2001 12.1% -0.7%
2000 5.3% -
1999 2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 25 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.9%, compared with 3.04% in Palau. In 2025, inflation was 8.3% in Liberia and 0.3% in Palau.

Balance of trade

Liberia Palau
Current account balance
$120M
2024
-$134M
2023
Current account balance ranking
62/190
2024
84/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.51%
2024
-48.6%
2023
Goods imports
$1.51B
2024
$164M
2023
Goods exports
$1.31B
2024
$1.74M
2023
Service imports
$253M
2024
$43M
2023
Service exports
$42.6M
2024
$61.9M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
73.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2026
32.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Palau
Economic freedom 49.8 62
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 89/197
Property rights 40.4 n/a
Government integrity 25.8 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 n/a
Tax burden 86.1 n/a
Government spending 79.5 n/a
Fiscal health 56.9 n/a
Business freedom 38 n/a
Labor freedom 43.4 n/a
Monetary freedom 71.4 n/a
Trade freedom 57.4 n/a
Investment freedom 55 n/a
Financial freedom 20 n/a

Other economic metrics

Liberia Palau
Services, % of GDP
40%
2025
73.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
13%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
2.73%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.76B
2025
$351M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,840
2025
$23,480
2025
Total reserves including gold
$339M
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
166/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$397M
2024
-$79.9M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$69.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.12%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
24.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
35%
2024

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/palau | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.