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Economy of Liberia vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 163/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Liberia vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Liberia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Sierra Leone
2024 $4,779,300,900 $6,971,127,235
2023 $4,390,000,000 $6,415,852,767
2022 $4,001,047,000 $7,121,125,278
2021 $3,513,049,500 $7,166,931,485
2020 $3,176,126,300 $6,688,307,703
2019 $3,319,596,500 $6,523,577,594
2018 $3,422,754,800 $6,390,514,689
2017 $3,390,703,400 $5,749,846,528
2016 $3,398,419,600 $6,084,297,211
2015 $3,227,075,700 $6,788,352,975
2014 $3,225,652,000 $7,686,138,791
2013 $3,177,198,100 $7,502,762,863
2012 $2,791,614,000 $6,141,666,509
2011 $2,398,000,000 $4,861,632,885
2010 $1,998,000,000 $4,262,805,967
2009 $1,768,000,000 $3,953,403,098
2008 $1,726,000,000 $4,157,895,298
2007 $1,373,000,000 $3,632,957,611
2006 $1,119,000,000 $3,263,697,467
2005 $949,000,000 $2,545,275,313
2004 $897,000,000 $2,237,350,687
2003 $748,000,000 $2,142,618,046
2002 $927,000,000 $1,933,863,911
2001 $906,000,000 $1,681,473,894
2000 $874,000,000 $635,866,404
1999 $441,800,000 $669,386,624
1998 $359,600,000 $672,368,187
1997 $295,900,000 $850,232,760
1996 $159,400,000 $941,709,423
1995 $134,800,000 $870,740,292
1994 $132,200,000 $911,853,802
1993 $160,400,000 $768,867,883
1992 $223,500,000 $679,940,814
1991 $348,000,000 $779,981,987
1990 $384,400,000 $649,644,098
1989 $786,300,000 $932,974,420
1988 $1,038,300,000 $1,055,083,933
1987 $972,800,000 $660,106,336
1986 $840,964,400 $490,181,457
1985 $851,296,100 $856,890,459
1984 $848,478,300 $1,087,471,862
1983 $823,374,900 $995,104,305
1982 $863,933,200 $1,295,361,886
1981 $846,514,500 $1,114,830,472
1980 $854,711,500 $1,100,685,845
1979 $814,067,900 $1,109,374,911
1978 $717,240,400 $960,728,339
1977 $673,010,600 $691,777,584
1976 $596,675,700 $594,895,942
1975 $577,549,300 $679,336,344
1974 $486,955,000 $648,590,643
1973 $386,968,300 $575,230,724
1972 $368,098,000 $465,381,340
1971 $341,543,100 $419,549,305
1970 $323,099,700 $434,410,974
1969 $306,961,800 $408,690,163
1968 $276,820,700 $329,859,732
1967 $261,024,300 $348,795,303
1966 $244,459,500 $375,479,850
1965 $229,260,800 $359,379,856
1964 $218,929,100 $371,847,461
1963 $200,229,600 $348,547,279
1962 $191,861,800 $342,721,416
1961 $183,920,900 $327,834,191
1960 $190,495,600 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Sierra Leone by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $851 $1,871 $807 $3,522
2023 $799 $1,795 $758 $3,368
2022 $745 $1,692 $860 $3,144
2021 $668 $1,539 $885 $2,849
2020 $617 $1,660 $845 $2,719
2019 $658 $1,900 $844 $2,704
2018 $692 $1,800 $846 $2,640
2017 $699 $1,665 $779 $2,501
2016 $715 $1,490 $844 $2,635
2015 $693 $1,340 $965 $2,560
2014 $707 $1,419 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $711 $1,360 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $638 $1,157 $938 $2,317
2011 $568 $1,041 $761 $2,043
2010 $492 $980 $685 $1,900
2009 $448 $939 $653 $1,814
2008 $452 $915 $705 $1,824
2007 $374 $873 $632 $1,770
2006 $321 $815 $580 $1,698
2005 $287.5 $774 $463 $1,615
2004 $284.1 $745 $418 $1,541
2003 $239.8 $716 $414 $1,458
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $389 $1,360
2001 $300 $987 $358 $1,121
2000 $298.5 $965 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $156.6 $762 $155 $1,167
1998 $134.7 $652 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $122.6 $548 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $74.4 $328 $185 $1,269
1992 $107.8 $497 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $177.9 $793 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $172.9 $787 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $312 - $231.3 -
1988 $424 - $268.2 -
1987 $409 - $172.4 -
1986 $364 - $131.5 -
1985 $380 - $235.5 -
1984 $390 - $306 -
1983 $391 - $285.8 -
1982 $422 - $380 -
1981 $426 - $334 -
1980 $443 - $336 -
1979 $435 - $346 -
1978 $394 - $305 -
1977 $381 - $224.2 -
1976 $347 - $196.4 -
1975 $346 - $228.4 -
1974 $299.4 - $222.1 -
1973 $244.4 - $200.6 -
1972 $238.6 - $165.4 -
1971 $227.1 - $151.8 -
1970 $220.3 - $160.2 -
1969 $214.7 - $153.6 -
1968 $198.6 - $126.3 -
1967 $192.2 - $136.1 -
1966 $184.6 - $149.3 -
1965 $177.6 - $145.6 -
1964 $173.9 - $153.4 -
1963 $163.1 - $146.3 -
1962 $160.3 - $146.3 -
1961 $157.5 - $142.3 -
1960 $167.2 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Liberia Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$4.78B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$2,915
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
3.19%
2018
Population
5887000
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.3% 57.2% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 16.7% 54%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 15% 44.2%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 17.2% 394% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 11.1% 472% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 12.8% 535% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 12.1% 543% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 9.85% 658% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 13.2% 481% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 12.6% 484% 12% 113.5%
2000 15.2% 489% 10.3% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 91/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Sierra Leone
2024 -1.98% -4.53%
2023 -7.03% -4.99%
2022 -5.33% -5.93%
2021 -2.5% -4.35%
2020 -4.02% -3.5%
2019 -4.92% -1.95%
2018 -4.7% -3.57%
2017 -7.14% -5.61%
2016 -3.83% -5.41%
2015 -3.74% -2.86%
2014 -4.92% -2.77%
2013 1.29% -1.74%
2012 -2.86% -3.41%
2011 -4.43% -2.78%
2010 1.17% -3.09%
2009 -1.39% -1.51%
2008 -2.68% -2.22%
2007 2.44% 12.6%
2006 4.42% -0.93%
2005 -0.55% -1.17%
2004 -0.56% -1.46%
2003 0.39% -2.78%
2002 -1.63% -3.03%
2001 -0.98% -3.22%
2000 -0.08% -1.94%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Sierra Leone
2024 8.2% 28.4%
2023 10.1% 47.7%
2022 7.6% 27.2%
2021 7.8% 11.9%
2020 17% 13.4%
2019 27% 14.8%
2018 23.5% 16%
2017 12.4% 18.2%
2016 8.8% 10.9%
2015 7.7% 6.7%
2014 9.9% 4.6%
2013 7.6% 5.5%
2012 6.8% 6.6%
2011 8.5% 6.8%
2010 7.3% 7.2%
2009 7.4% 7.5%
2008 17.5% 8.2%
2007 11.4% 17%
2006 9.5% 10.5%
2005 6.9% 13.7%
2004 3.6% 12.9%
2003 10.3% 4%
2002 14.2% 0.1%
2001 12.1% 2.6%
2000 5.3% -0.9%
1999 2% 34.1%
1998 - 36%
1997 - 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 12.9% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $389K
Wood & paper products $220K
Machinery & equipment $113K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $94K
Chemicals & pharma $88K
Raw agricultural goods $78K
Metals $51K
Animal & marine products $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.57M
Machinery & equipment $609K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $96K
Wood & paper products $11K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K

Balance of trade

Liberia Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$434M
2022
$348M
2023
Service exports
$192M
2022
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 49.8 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 165/197
Property rights 40.4 32.9
Government integrity 25.8 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 42
Tax burden 86.1 88.2
Government spending 79.5 92.4
Fiscal health 56.9 54.1
Business freedom 38 44.8
Labor freedom 43.4 38.2
Monetary freedom 71.4 53.6
Trade freedom 57.4 63.6
Investment freedom 55 30
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Sierra Leone
2026 49.8 49.6
2025 48.5 48
2024 49.9 44.6
2023 49.6 50.2
2022 47.9 52
2021 49.2 51.7
2020 49 48
2019 49.7 47.5
2018 50.9 51.8
2017 49.1 52.6
2016 52.2 52.3
2015 52.7 51.7
2014 52.4 50.5
2013 49.3 48.3
2012 48.6 49.1
2011 46.5 49.6
2010 46.2 47.9
2009 48.1 47.8
2008 - 48.3
2007 - 47
2006 - 45.2
2005 - 44.8
2004 - 43.6
2003 - 42.2
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 - 44.2
1999 - 47.2
1998 - 47.7
1997 - 45
1996 - 52.3
1995 - 49.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2018–2023, 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.