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Economy of Liberia vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 163/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Liberia vs Rwanda GDP by year

Liberia
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Rwanda
2024 $4,779,300,900 $14,251,642,235
2023 $4,390,000,000 $14,331,722,703
2022 $4,001,047,000 $13,316,161,002
2021 $3,513,049,500 $11,078,787,090
2020 $3,176,126,300 $10,174,386,857
2019 $3,319,596,500 $10,349,300,277
2018 $3,422,754,800 $9,637,904,521
2017 $3,390,703,400 $9,252,833,891
2016 $3,398,419,600 $8,695,272,058
2015 $3,227,075,700 $8,543,760,200
2014 $3,225,652,000 $8,238,966,124
2013 $3,177,198,100 $7,819,964,030
2012 $2,791,614,000 $7,654,761,050
2011 $2,398,000,000 $6,884,913,658
2010 $1,998,000,000 $6,124,756,654
2009 $1,768,000,000 $5,674,476,969
2008 $1,726,000,000 $5,179,854,065
2007 $1,373,000,000 $4,070,507,895
2006 $1,119,000,000 $3,319,784,539
2005 $949,000,000 $2,933,819,766
2004 $897,000,000 $2,376,496,067
2003 $748,000,000 $2,138,237,279
2002 $927,000,000 $1,966,003,468
2001 $906,000,000 $1,966,600,715
2000 $874,000,000 $2,068,836,754
1999 $441,800,000 $2,157,108,263
1998 $359,600,000 $1,989,343,546
1997 $295,900,000 $1,851,558,197
1996 $159,400,000 $1,382,334,879
1995 $134,800,000 $1,293,535,193
1994 $132,200,000 $753,636,370
1993 $160,400,000 $1,971,525,712
1992 $223,500,000 $2,029,026,962
1991 $348,000,000 $1,911,600,237
1990 $384,400,000 $2,550,185,679
1989 $786,300,000 $2,405,022,593
1988 $1,038,300,000 $2,395,492,687
1987 $972,800,000 $2,157,432,668
1986 $840,964,400 $1,944,710,684
1985 $851,296,100 $1,715,626,331
1984 $848,478,300 $1,587,413,084
1983 $823,374,900 $1,479,687,587
1982 $863,933,200 $1,407,243,139
1981 $846,514,500 $1,407,062,527
1980 $854,711,500 $1,254,765,642
1979 $814,067,900 $1,109,346,131
1978 $717,240,400 $905,709,076
1977 $673,010,600 $746,650,613
1976 $596,675,700 $637,753,853
1975 $577,549,300 $571,863,500
1974 $486,955,000 $308,458,423
1973 $386,968,300 $290,746,157
1972 $368,098,000 $246,457,838
1971 $341,543,100 $222,952,504
1970 $323,099,700 $219,900,006
1969 $306,961,800 $188,700,037
1968 $276,820,700 $172,200,018
1967 $261,024,300 $159,560,018
1966 $244,459,500 $124,525,703
1965 $229,260,800 $148,799,980
1964 $218,929,100 $129,999,994
1963 $200,229,600 $128,000,000
1962 $191,861,800 $125,000,008
1961 $183,920,900 $122,000,016
1960 $190,495,600 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Rwanda by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $851 $1,871 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $799 $1,795 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $745 $1,692 $975 $3,099
2021 $668 $1,539 $830 $2,733
2020 $617 $1,660 $779 $2,285
2019 $658 $1,900 $810 $2,336
2018 $692 $1,800 $772 $2,125
2017 $699 $1,665 $758 $1,968
2016 $715 $1,490 $730 $1,866
2015 $693 $1,340 $734 $1,781
2014 $707 $1,419 $725 $1,678
2013 $711 $1,360 $705 $1,512
2012 $638 $1,157 $707 $1,455
2011 $568 $1,041 $651 $1,413
2010 $492 $980 $594 $1,314
2009 $448 $939 $564 $1,241
2008 $452 $915 $528 $1,191
2007 $374 $873 $426 $1,079
2006 $321 $815 $357 $1,002
2005 $287.5 $774 $324 $914
2004 $284.1 $745 $269.5 $832
2003 $239.8 $716 $249 $775
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $234 $760
2001 $300 $987 $237.3 $670
2000 $298.5 $965 $251.9 $609
1999 $156.6 $762 $264.7 $554
1998 $134.7 $652 $246.2 $528
1997 $122.6 $548 $238.7 $500
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $206 $499
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $228 $514
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $111 $311
1993 $74.4 $328 $247 $521
1992 $107.8 $497 $264.1 $575
1991 $177.9 $793 $254 $542
1990 $172.9 $787 $346 $549
1989 $312 - $335 -
1988 $424 - $344 -
1987 $409 - $320 -
1986 $364 - $297.7 -
1985 $380 - $271.6 -
1984 $390 - $259.9 -
1983 $391 - $250.6 -
1982 $422 - $246.4 -
1981 $426 - $254.6 -
1980 $443 - $234.4 -
1979 $435 - $213.8 -
1978 $394 - $179.9 -
1977 $381 - $152.7 -
1976 $347 - $134.4 -
1975 $346 - $124.1 -
1974 $299.4 - $68.9 -
1973 $244.4 - $66.9 -
1972 $238.6 - $58.4 -
1971 $227.1 - $54.4 -
1970 $220.3 - $55.2 -
1969 $214.7 - $48.9 -
1968 $198.6 - $46 -
1967 $192.2 - $44 -
1966 $184.6 - $35.4 -
1965 $177.6 - $43.5 -
1964 $173.9 - $39 -
1963 $163.1 - $39.3 -
1962 $160.3 - $39.2 -
1961 $157.5 - $39.3 -
1960 $167.2 - $39.4 -

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

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Liberia Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$4.78B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.75B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
11.3%
2024
Population
5887000
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.3% 57.2% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 27% 63.4%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 17.2% 394% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 11.1% 472% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 12.8% 535% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 12.1% 543% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 9.85% 658% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 13.2% 481% 20.5% 92%
2001 12.6% 484% 19.1% 84%
2000 15.2% 489% 18.2% 86%
1999 - - 22.4% 78.4%
1998 - - 16.4% 70.1%
1997 - - 17% 72.2%
1996 - - 19.5% 83.4%
1995 - - 18% 100.8%
1994 - - 13.3% -
1993 - - 20.3% -
1992 - - 21.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 91/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Rwanda
2024 -1.98% -6.57%
2023 -7.03% -5.04%
2022 -5.33% -5.74%
2021 -2.5% -7%
2020 -4.02% -9.54%
2019 -4.92% -5.08%
2018 -4.7% -2.57%
2017 -7.14% -2.52%
2016 -3.83% -2.27%
2015 -3.74% -2.68%
2014 -4.92% -3.92%
2013 1.29% -1.27%
2012 -2.86% -2.38%
2011 -4.43% -0.86%
2010 1.17% -0.64%
2009 -1.39% 0.26%
2008 -2.68% 0.83%
2007 2.44% -1.56%
2006 4.42% -0.03%
2005 -0.55% 1.12%
2004 -0.56% 2.27%
2003 0.39% -1.23%
2002 -1.63% -2.03%
2001 -0.98% -1.8%
2000 -0.08% -0.22%
1999 - -4.41%
1998 - -2.59%
1997 - -2.22%
1996 - -5.01%
1995 - -2.04%
1994 - -9.54%
1993 - -6.6%
1992 - -7.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.42% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Rwanda
2024 8.2% 1.77%
2023 10.1% 19.8%
2022 7.6% 17.7%
2021 7.8% -0.39%
2020 17% 9.85%
2019 27% 3.35%
2018 23.5% -0.31%
2017 12.4% 8.28%
2016 8.8% 7.17%
2015 7.7% 2.53%
2014 9.9% 2.35%
2013 7.6% 5.92%
2012 6.8% 10.3%
2011 8.5% 3.08%
2010 7.3% -0.25%
2009 7.4% 12.9%
2008 17.5% 15.4%
2007 11.4% 9.08%
2006 9.5% 8.88%
2005 6.9% 9.01%
2004 3.6% 12.3%
2003 10.3% 7.45%
2002 14.2% 1.99%
2001 12.1% 3.34%
2000 5.3% 3.9%
1999 2% -2.41%
1998 - 6.21%
1997 - 12%

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/rwanda | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 6.65% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $157K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $58K
Miscellaneous $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Liberia Rwanda
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$434M
2022
$991M
2024
Service exports
$192M
2022
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Rwanda
Economic freedom 49.8 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 121/197
Property rights 40.4 60.3
Government integrity 25.8 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 27.5
Tax burden 86.1 80.6
Government spending 79.5 75.7
Fiscal health 56.9 37.5
Business freedom 38 60.1
Labor freedom 43.4 49.1
Monetary freedom 71.4 72.3
Trade freedom 57.4 61.8
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Rwanda
2026 49.8 56.5
2025 48.5 54.8
2024 49.9 51.6
2023 49.6 52.2
2022 47.9 57.1
2021 49.2 68.3
2020 49 70.9
2019 49.7 71.1
2018 50.9 69.1
2017 49.1 67.6
2016 52.2 63.1
2015 52.7 64.8
2014 52.4 64.7
2013 49.3 64.1
2012 48.6 64.9
2011 46.5 62.7
2010 46.2 59.1
2009 48.1 54.2
2008 - 54.2
2007 - 52.4
2006 - 52.8
2005 - 51.7
2004 - 53.3
2003 - 47.8
2002 - 50.4
2001 - 45.4
2000 - 42.3
1999 - 39.8
1998 - 39.1
1997 - 38.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
25.9%
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/rwanda | 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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2022, 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.