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Economy of Liberia vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 163/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Liberia vs Sudan GDP by year

Liberia
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Sudan
2024 $4,779,300,900 $49,672,435,513
2023 $4,390,000,000 $39,898,289,821
2022 $4,001,047,000 $51,666,875,363
2021 $3,513,049,500 $34,229,513,775
2020 $3,176,126,300 $27,034,593,750
2019 $3,319,596,500 $32,338,079,165
2018 $3,422,754,800 $32,333,780,383
2017 $3,390,703,400 $41,283,617,976
2016 $3,398,419,600 $42,630,376,000
2015 $3,227,075,700 $51,726,758,677
2014 $3,225,652,000 $49,516,748,618
2013 $3,177,198,100 $43,024,018,082
2012 $2,791,614,000 $37,632,919,967
2011 $2,398,000,000 $55,018,567,211
2010 $1,998,000,000 $58,962,978,034
2009 $1,768,000,000 $51,621,044,077
2008 $1,726,000,000 $64,833,083,257
2007 $1,373,000,000 $59,440,139,775
2006 $1,119,000,000 $45,263,831,634
2005 $949,000,000 $35,182,711,988
2004 $897,000,000 $26,646,007,251
2003 $748,000,000 $21,355,298,460
2002 $927,000,000 $18,137,128,388
2001 $906,000,000 $15,716,361,792
2000 $874,000,000 $12,257,299,147
1999 $441,800,000 $10,682,028,340
1998 $359,600,000 $11,250,221,537
1997 $295,900,000 $11,681,175,864
1996 $159,400,000 $9,018,300,725
1995 $134,800,000 $13,830,363,900
1994 $132,200,000 $12,793,794,737
1993 $160,400,000 $8,881,005,436
1992 $223,500,000 $7,031,933,492
1991 $348,000,000 $44,171,194,366
1990 $384,400,000 $33,641,222,222
1989 $786,300,000 $21,408,111,111
1988 $1,038,300,000 $14,372,555,556
1987 $972,800,000 $12,093,333,333
1986 $840,964,400 $10,092,200,000
1985 $851,296,100 $8,075,259,600
1984 $848,478,300 $10,447,615,385
1983 $823,374,900 $8,230,153,846
1982 $863,933,200 $8,732,542,274
1981 $846,514,500 $10,753,888,154
1980 $854,711,500 $8,951,800,000
1979 $814,067,900 $8,418,407,787
1978 $717,240,400 $8,128,719,315
1977 $673,010,600 $7,499,005,639
1976 $596,675,700 $6,013,210,816
1975 $577,549,300 $4,823,090,192
1974 $486,955,000 $3,958,931,660
1973 $386,968,300 $3,077,254,460
1972 $368,098,000 $2,483,055,722
1971 $341,543,100 $2,288,340,041
1970 $323,099,700 $2,100,229,759
1969 $306,961,800 $1,847,501,441
1968 $276,820,700 $1,677,771,401
1967 $261,024,300 $1,607,409,539
1966 $244,459,500 $1,484,491,676
1965 $229,260,800 $1,446,869,619
1964 $218,929,100 $1,388,282,600
1963 $200,229,600 $1,351,234,926
1962 $191,861,800 $1,328,259,625
1961 $183,920,900 $1,222,860,429
1960 $190,495,600 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Sudan by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $851 $1,871 $985 $2,116
2023 $799 $1,795 $797 $2,421
2022 $745 $1,692 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $668 $1,539 $712 $3,249
2020 $617 $1,660 $578 $3,349
2019 $658 $1,900 $710 $3,914
2018 $692 $1,800 $731 $4,199
2017 $699 $1,665 $967 $4,252
2016 $715 $1,490 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $693 $1,340 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $707 $1,419 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $711 $1,360 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $638 $1,157 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $568 $1,041 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $492 $980 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $448 $939 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $452 $915 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $374 $873 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $321 $815 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $287.5 $774 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $284.1 $745 $872 $3,215
2003 $239.8 $716 $714 $3,058
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $621 $2,898
2001 $300 $987 $551 $2,769
2000 $298.5 $965 $441 $2,616
1999 $156.6 $762 $394 $2,475
1998 $134.7 $652 $425 $2,428
1997 $122.6 $548 $453 $2,358
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $357 $2,006
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $561 $1,902
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $532 $1,805
1993 $74.4 $328 $379 $1,794
1992 $107.8 $497 $307 $1,710
1991 $177.9 $793 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $172.9 $787 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $312 - $992 -
1988 $424 - $680 -
1987 $409 - $584 -
1986 $364 - $497 -
1985 $380 - $406 -
1984 $390 - $534 -
1983 $391 - $431 -
1982 $422 - $472 -
1981 $426 - $605 -
1980 $443 - $525 -
1979 $435 - $515 -
1978 $394 - $518 -
1977 $381 - $497 -
1976 $347 - $413 -
1975 $346 - $343 -
1974 $299.4 - $291.5 -
1973 $244.4 - $235.8 -
1972 $238.6 - $198.2 -
1971 $227.1 - $189 -
1970 $220.3 - $179.6 -
1969 $214.7 - $163.5 -
1968 $198.6 - $153.7 -
1967 $192.2 - $152.4 -
1966 $184.6 - $145.6 -
1965 $177.6 - $146.8 -
1964 $173.9 - $145.7 -
1963 $163.1 - $146.6 -
1962 $160.3 - $148.9 -
1961 $157.5 - $141.6 -
1960 $167.2 - $134.7 -

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

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Liberia Sudan
Gross domestic product
$4.78B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
7.53%
2022
Population
5887000
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.3% 57.2% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 18.8% 71%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 17.2% 394% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 11.1% 472% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 12.8% 535% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 12.1% 543% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 9.85% 658% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 13.2% 481% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 12.6% 484% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 15.2% 489% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 - - 8.4% 160.5%
1998 - - 7.79% 179.7%
1997 - - 7.38% 167.7%
1996 - - 9.31% 220.9%
1995 - - 12.9% 239%
1994 - - 19.6% 386%
1993 - - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 - - 50.4% 495%
1991 - - 45.7% -
1990 - - 31% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 91/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Sudan
2024 -1.98% -3.46%
2023 -7.03% -3.7%
2022 -5.33% -2.15%
2021 -2.5% -0.29%
2020 -4.02% -6.03%
2019 -4.92% -10.8%
2018 -4.7% -7.92%
2017 -7.14% -6.07%
2016 -3.83% -3.92%
2015 -3.74% -3.87%
2014 -4.92% -4.72%
2013 1.29% -5.76%
2012 -2.86% -7.37%
2011 -4.43% -2.33%
2010 1.17% 0.11%
2009 -1.39% -3.8%
2008 -2.68% 0.49%
2007 2.44% -2.84%
2006 4.42% -1.32%
2005 -0.55% -1.88%
2004 -0.56% 0.16%
2003 0.39% 0.77%
2002 -1.63% -0.69%
2001 -0.98% -0.77%
2000 -0.08% -0.7%
1999 - -0.8%
1998 - -0.56%
1997 - -0.59%
1996 - -2.61%
1995 - -3.48%
1994 - -3.03%
1993 - -8.04%
1992 - -24.5%
1991 - -26.5%
1990 - -16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.15% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Sudan
2024 8.2% -
2023 10.1% -
2022 7.6% 138.8%
2021 7.8% 359%
2020 17% 163.3%
2019 27% 51%
2018 23.5% 63.3%
2017 12.4% 32.4%
2016 8.8% 17.8%
2015 7.7% 16.9%
2014 9.9% 36.9%
2013 7.6% 36.5%
2012 6.8% 35.6%
2011 8.5% 18.1%
2010 7.3% 13%
2009 7.4% 11.3%
2008 17.5% 14.3%
2007 11.4% 14.8%
2006 9.5% 7.2%
2005 6.9% 8.51%
2004 3.6% 9.66%
2003 10.3% 6.49%
2002 14.2% 22.2%
2001 12.1% 1.94%
2000 5.3% 7.12%
1999 2% 17.2%
1998 - 24.6%
1997 - 47.2%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 24 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.5%, compared with 46% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Liberia Sudan
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$434M
2022
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$192M
2022
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Sudan
Economic freedom 49.8 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 191/197
Property rights 40.4 6.5
Government integrity 25.8 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 2.4
Tax burden 86.1 84.7
Government spending 79.5 96.5
Fiscal health 56.9 64.6
Business freedom 38 27.3
Labor freedom 43.4 33.6
Monetary freedom 71.4 6.2
Trade freedom 57.4 29.6
Investment freedom 55 5
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Sudan
2026 49.8 32.5
2025 48.5 35.3
2024 49.9 33.9
2023 49.6 32.8
2022 47.9 32
2021 49.2 39.1
2020 49 45
2019 49.7 47.7
2018 50.9 49.4
2017 49.1 48.8
2016 52.2 -
2015 52.7 -
2014 52.4 -
2013 49.3 -
2012 48.6 -
2011 46.5 -
2010 46.2 -
2009 48.1 -
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 - 47.2
1999 - 39.6
1998 - 38.3
1997 - 39.9
1996 - 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Sudan
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (1990–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.