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Economy of Liberia vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 163/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Liberia vs Serbia GDP by year

Liberia
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Serbia
2024 $4,779,300,900 $90,097,765,959
2023 $4,390,000,000 $81,343,999,280
2022 $4,001,047,000 $66,809,895,701
2021 $3,513,049,500 $66,159,884,073
2020 $3,176,126,300 $55,874,017,669
2019 $3,319,596,500 $53,864,693,665
2018 $3,422,754,800 $52,787,520,249
2017 $3,390,703,400 $45,972,834,714
2016 $3,398,419,600 $42,225,495,910
2015 $3,227,075,700 $41,297,410,635
2014 $3,225,652,000 $49,114,321,280
2013 $3,177,198,100 $50,455,529,604
2012 $2,791,614,000 $45,103,269,969
2011 $2,398,000,000 $51,251,098,408
2010 $1,998,000,000 $43,536,629,233
2009 $1,768,000,000 $46,955,984,410
2008 $1,726,000,000 $54,220,641,202
2007 $1,373,000,000 $44,888,028,946
2006 $1,119,000,000 $33,298,057,362
2005 $949,000,000 $28,334,256,181
2004 $897,000,000 $26,845,632,342
2003 $748,000,000 $23,593,044,418
2002 $927,000,000 $17,930,583,571
2001 $906,000,000 $13,599,378,662
2000 $874,000,000 $7,326,373,882
1999 $441,800,000 $20,878,694,851
1998 $359,600,000 $21,004,077,441
1997 $295,900,000 $27,153,408,995
1996 $159,400,000 $23,277,430,168
1995 $134,800,000 $17,921,892,655
1994 $132,200,000 -
1993 $160,400,000 -
1992 $223,500,000 -
1991 $348,000,000 -
1990 $384,400,000 -
1989 $786,300,000 -
1988 $1,038,300,000 -
1987 $972,800,000 -
1986 $840,964,400 -
1985 $851,296,100 -
1984 $848,478,300 -
1983 $823,374,900 -
1982 $863,933,200 -
1981 $846,514,500 -
1980 $854,711,500 -
1979 $814,067,900 -
1978 $717,240,400 -
1977 $673,010,600 -
1976 $596,675,700 -
1975 $577,549,300 -
1974 $486,955,000 -
1973 $386,968,300 -
1972 $368,098,000 -
1971 $341,543,100 -
1970 $323,099,700 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Serbia by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $851 $1,871 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $799 $1,795 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $745 $1,692 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $668 $1,539 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $617 $1,660 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $658 $1,900 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $692 $1,800 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $699 $1,665 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $715 $1,490 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $693 $1,340 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $707 $1,419 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $711 $1,360 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $638 $1,157 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $568 $1,041 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $492 $980 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $448 $939 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $452 $915 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $374 $873 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $321 $815 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $287.5 $774 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $284.1 $745 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $239.8 $716 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $300 $987 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $298.5 $965 $975 $6,416
1999 $156.6 $762 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $134.7 $652 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $122.6 $548 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $61.5 $262.6 - -
1993 $74.4 $328 - -
1992 $107.8 $497 - -
1991 $177.9 $793 - -
1990 $172.9 $787 - -
1989 $312 - - -
1988 $424 - - -
1987 $409 - - -
1986 $364 - - -
1985 $380 - - -
1984 $390 - - -
1983 $391 - - -
1982 $422 - - -
1981 $426 - - -
1980 $443 - - -
1979 $435 - - -
1978 $394 - - -
1977 $381 - - -
1976 $347 - - -
1975 $346 - - -
1974 $299.4 - - -
1973 $244.4 - - -
1972 $238.6 - - -
1971 $227.1 - - -
1970 $220.3 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Liberia Serbia
Gross domestic product
$4.78B
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
7.24%
2024
Population
5887000
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.3% 57.2% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 46% 54.3%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 39% 51.1%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 40.3% 65%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 41% 67.1%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 40% 42%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 17.2% 394% 40.6% 30%
2006 11.1% 472% 41.3% 37%
2005 12.8% 535% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 12.1% 543% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 9.85% 658% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 13.2% 481% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 12.6% 484% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 15.2% 489% 28% 200.6%

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

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 91/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Serbia
2024 -1.98% -1.75%
2023 -7.03% -1.21%
2022 -5.33% -0.14%
2021 -2.5% -3.16%
2020 -4.02% -6.91%
2019 -4.92% -0.004%
2018 -4.7% 0.78%
2017 -7.14% 1.32%
2016 -3.83% -1.08%
2015 -3.74% -3.25%
2014 -4.92% -5.61%
2013 1.29% -4.79%
2012 -2.86% -6.11%
2011 -4.43% -3.75%
2010 1.17% -3.35%
2009 -1.39% -3.3%
2008 -2.68% -4.25%
2007 2.44% -0.8%
2006 4.42% -0.9%
2005 -0.55% 1.02%
2004 -0.56% 0.06%
2003 0.39% -2.39%
2002 -1.63% -2.33%
2001 -0.98% 0.32%
2000 -0.08% -0.15%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Serbia
2024 8.2% 4.67%
2023 10.1% 12.4%
2022 7.6% 12%
2021 7.8% 4.09%
2020 17% 1.58%
2019 27% 1.85%
2018 23.5% 1.96%
2017 12.4% 3.13%
2016 8.8% 1.12%
2015 7.7% 1.39%
2014 9.9% 2.08%
2013 7.6% 7.69%
2012 6.8% 7.33%
2011 8.5% 11.1%
2010 7.3% 6.14%
2009 7.4% 8.12%
2008 17.5% 12.4%
2007 11.4% 6.39%
2006 9.5% 11.7%
2005 6.9% 16.1%
2004 3.6% 11%
2003 10.3% 9.88%
2002 14.2% 19.5%
2001 12.1% 95%
2000 5.3% 71.1%
1999 2% 42.5%
1998 - 30.2%
1997 - 23.3%

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/serbia | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 14.7% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $145K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $180K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $160K
Raw materials & minerals $89K
Metals $49K
Raw agricultural goods $45K
Animal & marine products $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
Wood & paper products $10K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Liberia Serbia
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$434M
2022
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$192M
2022
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Serbia
Economic freedom 49.8 65
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 68/197
Property rights 40.4 57.2
Government integrity 25.8 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 50.1
Tax burden 86.1 88
Government spending 79.5 48.2
Fiscal health 56.9 94.3
Business freedom 38 73.6
Labor freedom 43.4 61.8
Monetary freedom 71.4 73
Trade freedom 57.4 76.6
Investment freedom 55 70
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Serbia
2026 49.8 65
2025 48.5 64.4
2024 49.9 62.7
2023 49.6 63.5
2022 47.9 65.2
2021 49.2 67.2
2020 49 66
2019 49.7 63.9
2018 50.9 62.5
2017 49.1 58.9
2016 52.2 62.1
2015 52.7 60
2014 52.4 59.4
2013 49.3 58.6
2012 48.6 58
2011 46.5 58
2010 46.2 56.9
2009 48.1 56.6
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - 43.5
2002 - 46.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Serbia
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
25%
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/serbia | 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 (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.