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Economy of Liberia vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Liberia has a GDP of $5.25B compared to $100B for Serbia, ranking 162/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.88B in government debt (54.9% of GDP), compared to $42.4B (42.4% of GDP) in Serbia.

Liberia vs Serbia GDP by year

Liberia
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Serbia
2025 $5,245,938,900 $99,953,324,473
2024 $4,779,300,900 $90,088,366,320
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $915 - $15,262 -
2024 $851 $1,871 $13,678 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $915, ranking 184/197, compared to $15,262 in Serbia, ranking 69/197. 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
$5.25B
2025
$100B
2025
GDP rank
162/197
2025
76/197
2025
GDP growth
5.02%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$915
2025
$15,262
2025
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$2.88B
2025
$42.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.9%
2025
42.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$502
2025
$6,478
2025
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2025
75/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,467
2026
$12,492
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
2.5%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.4%
2025
43.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.3%
2024-2025
3.89%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
7.3%
2025
Population
5916561
6500256

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
2025 22.4% 54.9% 43.2% 42.4%
2024 24.1% 56.4% 42.2% 44.1%
2023 28.6% 57.2% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 27.4% 54.4% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 29.8% 53.5% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 35.3% 58.5% 46% 54.3%
2019 32.3% 48.1% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 32.7% 36.2% 39% 51.1%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 35.8% 28% 40.3% 65%
2015 37.1% 24.4% 41% 67.1%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 40.6% 61.2%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 43.3% 58%
2011 29.8% 22.5% 40% 46%
2010 25.1% 25.4% 41.2% 42.4%
2009 24% 132.2% 41.1% 35.3%
2008 21.8% 235.3% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 16.1% 367% 40.6% 30%
2006 10.6% 451% 41.3% 37%
2005 11.7% 488% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 12.1% 543% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 8.98% 600% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 12.7% 464% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 12.1% 465% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 14.5% 468% 28% 200.6%

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

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

In 2025, Liberia's government spending was $1.18B, accounting for 22.4% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $43.2B, or 43.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.9% in Liberia and 42.4% in Serbia, ranking 90/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Serbia
2025 -1.41% -2.21%
2024 -1.8% -1.73%
2023 -8.55% -1.21%
2022 -5.82% -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 -4.39% -3.75%
2010 1.16% -3.35%
2009 -1.4% -3.3%
2008 -2.7% -4.25%
2007 2.28% -0.8%
2006 4.23% -0.9%
2005 -0.51% 1.02%
2004 -0.56% 0.06%
2003 0.36% -2.39%
2002 -1.57% -2.33%
2001 -0.94% 0.32%
2000 -0.08% -0.15%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $2.21B, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% 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
2025 8.3% 3.89%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 27 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.3%, compared with 14.3% in Serbia. In 2025, inflation was 8.3% in Liberia and 3.89% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $145K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $160K
Machinery & equipment $111K
Raw agricultural goods $45K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Animal & marine products $18K
Raw materials & minerals $16K
Metals $10K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Wood & paper products $2K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Liberia Serbia
Current account balance
$120M
2024
-$4.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
62/190
2024
164/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.51%
2024
-4.9%
2025
Goods imports
$1.51B
2024
$44B
2025
Goods exports
$1.31B
2024
$36.7B
2025
Service imports
$253M
2024
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$42.6M
2024
$17.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
58.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2026
54.3%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
40%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
22.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
3.29%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.76B
2025
$88.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,840
2025
$31,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$339M
2025
$34.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
166/177
2025
55/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$397M
2024
-$2.6B
2025
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
3.12%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
23.4%
2025

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/serbia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.