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Economy of Liberia vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 163/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Liberia vs Suriname GDP by year

Liberia
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Suriname
2024 $4,779,300,900 $4,416,775,112
2023 $4,390,000,000 $3,472,693,412
2022 $4,001,047,000 $3,791,603,200
2021 $3,513,049,500 $3,107,923,198
2020 $3,176,126,300 $2,911,807,496
2019 $3,319,596,500 $4,016,040,575
2018 $3,422,754,800 $3,996,198,867
2017 $3,390,703,400 $3,591,679,431
2016 $3,398,419,600 $3,317,421,648
2015 $3,227,075,700 $5,126,237,646
2014 $3,225,652,000 $5,240,606,061
2013 $3,177,198,100 $5,145,757,576
2012 $2,791,614,000 $4,980,000,000
2011 $2,398,000,000 $4,422,276,622
2010 $1,998,000,000 $4,368,370,998
2009 $1,768,000,000 $3,875,409,836
2008 $1,726,000,000 $3,532,969,035
2007 $1,373,000,000 $2,936,612,022
2006 $1,119,000,000 $2,626,380,435
2005 $949,000,000 $1,793,410,397
2004 $897,000,000 $1,484,092,538
2003 $748,000,000 $1,274,190,311
2002 $927,000,000 $1,093,574,468
2001 $906,000,000 $834,279,358
2000 $874,000,000 $947,671,970
1999 $441,800,000 $886,290,698
1998 $359,600,000 $1,110,850,000
1997 $295,900,000 $926,422,500
1996 $159,400,000 $861,372,806
1995 $134,800,000 $691,590,498
1994 $132,200,000 $605,492,537
1993 $160,400,000 $428,764,706
1992 $223,500,000 $404,600,000
1991 $348,000,000 $448,100,000
1990 $384,400,000 $388,400,000
1989 $786,300,000 $542,600,000
1988 $1,038,300,000 $1,161,000,000
1987 $972,800,000 $980,000,000
1986 $840,964,400 $891,000,000
1985 $851,296,100 $873,000,000
1984 $848,478,300 $864,000,000
1983 $823,374,900 $883,500,000
1982 $863,933,200 $915,000,000
1981 $846,514,500 $889,000,000
1980 $854,711,500 $795,000,000
1979 $814,067,900 $782,500,000
1978 $717,240,400 $735,500,000
1977 $673,010,600 $641,500,000
1976 $596,675,700 $505,500,000
1975 $577,549,300 $465,500,000
1974 $486,955,000 $409,850,000
1973 $386,968,300 $339,450,000
1972 $368,098,000 $311,950,000
1971 $341,543,100 $301,000,000
1970 $323,099,700 $274,900,000
1969 $306,961,800 $259,650,000
1968 $276,820,700 $241,350,000
1967 $261,024,300 $220,700,000
1966 $244,459,500 $190,350,000
1965 $229,260,800 $154,150,000
1964 $218,929,100 $134,400,000
1963 $200,229,600 $125,950,000
1962 $191,861,800 $116,150,000
1961 $183,920,900 $107,700,000
1960 $190,495,600 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Suriname by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $851 $1,871 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $799 $1,795 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $745 $1,692 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $668 $1,539 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $617 $1,660 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $658 $1,900 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $692 $1,800 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $699 $1,665 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $715 $1,490 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $693 $1,340 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $707 $1,419 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $711 $1,360 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $638 $1,157 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $568 $1,041 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $492 $980 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $448 $939 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $452 $915 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $374 $873 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $321 $815 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $287.5 $774 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $284.1 $745 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $239.8 $716 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $300 $987 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $298.5 $965 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $156.6 $762 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $134.7 $652 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $122.6 $548 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $74.4 $328 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $107.8 $497 $969 $6,992
1991 $177.9 $793 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $172.9 $787 $942 $6,493
1989 $312 - $1,329 -
1988 $424 - $2,886 -
1987 $409 - $2,469 -
1986 $364 - $2,271 -
1985 $380 - $2,256 -
1984 $390 - $2,261 -
1983 $391 - $2,333 -
1982 $422 - $2,430 -
1981 $426 - $2,368 -
1980 $443 - $2,118 -
1979 $435 - $2,072 -
1978 $394 - $1,928 -
1977 $381 - $1,666 -
1976 $347 - $1,302 -
1975 $346 - $1,190 -
1974 $299.4 - $1,041 -
1973 $244.4 - $858 -
1972 $238.6 - $785 -
1971 $227.1 - $768 -
1970 $220.3 - $724 -
1969 $214.7 - $708 -
1968 $198.6 - $681 -
1967 $192.2 - $644 -
1966 $184.6 - $575 -
1965 $177.6 - $482 -
1964 $173.9 - $435 -
1963 $163.1 - $424 -
1962 $160.3 - $409 -
1961 $157.5 - $395 -
1960 $167.2 - $378 -

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

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Liberia Suriname
Gross domestic product
$4.78B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
7.92%
2016
Population
5887000
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.3% 57.2% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 29% 98.2%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 32% 115.8%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 40.5% 84%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 28.7% 73%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 21% 18.7%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 21% 17.3%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 24% 14.6%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 17.2% 394% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 11.1% 472% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 12.8% 535% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 12.1% 543% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 9.85% 658% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 13.2% 481% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 12.6% 484% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 15.2% 489% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 - - 19.6% 32.3%
1998 - - 30.3% 21.6%
1997 - - 21.1% 16.8%
1996 - - 21.4% 11.8%
1995 - - 20.2% 16.3%
1994 - - 19.8% 30.5%
1993 - - 21.2% 51.1%
1992 - - 24.4% 64.4%
1991 - - 26.6% 75.7%
1990 - - 22.7% 72.9%

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

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 91/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Suriname
2024 -1.98% -2.42%
2023 -7.03% -1.68%
2022 -5.33% -2.69%
2021 -2.5% -5.66%
2020 -4.02% -12%
2019 -4.92% -20.2%
2018 -4.7% -8.56%
2017 -7.14% -8.62%
2016 -3.83% -10.2%
2015 -3.74% -8.29%
2014 -4.92% -2.65%
2013 1.29% -2.64%
2012 -2.86% -0.38%
2011 -4.43% 2.32%
2010 1.17% -0.15%
2009 -1.39% 2.03%
2008 -2.68% 2.39%
2007 2.44% 5.01%
2006 4.42% 0.59%
2005 -0.55% -3.39%
2004 -0.56% -1.2%
2003 0.39% -0.11%
2002 -1.63% -3.3%
2001 -0.98% 3.49%
2000 -0.08% -7.76%
1999 - -4.92%
1998 - -6.39%
1997 - -0.32%
1996 - 3.42%
1995 - 1.17%
1994 - -1.89%
1993 - -4.68%
1992 - -6.45%
1991 - -9.8%
1990 - -3.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.44% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Suriname
2024 8.2% 16.2%
2023 10.1% 51.6%
2022 7.6% 52.4%
2021 7.8% 59.1%
2020 17% 34.9%
2019 27% -
2018 23.5% -
2017 12.4% 22%
2016 8.8% 55.4%
2015 7.7% 6.89%
2014 9.9% 3.38%
2013 7.6% 1.92%
2012 6.8% 5.01%
2011 8.5% 17.7%
2010 7.3% 6.94%
2009 7.4% -0.13%
2008 17.5% 14.7%
2007 11.4% 6.43%
2006 9.5% 11.3%
2005 6.9% 9.9%
2004 3.6% 9.99%
2003 10.3% 23%
2002 14.2% 15.5%
2001 12.1% 38.6%
2000 5.3% 59.4%
1999 2% 98.8%
1998 - 19%
1997 - 7.15%

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/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 25.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Suriname
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $19K
Raw materials & minerals $15K

Balance of trade

Liberia Suriname
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$434M
2022
$921M
2024
Service exports
$192M
2022
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Suriname
Economic freedom 49.8 53
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 143/197
Property rights 40.4 40.5
Government integrity 25.8 41
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 46.5
Tax burden 86.1 69.1
Government spending 79.5 74.3
Fiscal health 56.9 76.6
Business freedom 38 56.9
Labor freedom 43.4 69
Monetary freedom 71.4 56.4
Trade freedom 57.4 65.2
Investment freedom 55 20
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Suriname
2026 49.8 53
2025 48.5 50.9
2024 49.9 46.7
2023 49.6 46.1
2022 47.9 48.1
2021 49.2 46.4
2020 49 49.5
2019 49.7 48.1
2018 50.9 48.1
2017 49.1 48
2016 52.2 53.8
2015 52.7 54.2
2014 52.4 54.2
2013 49.3 52
2012 48.6 52.6
2011 46.5 53.1
2010 46.2 52.5
2009 48.1 54.1
2008 - 54.3
2007 - 54.8
2006 - 55.1
2005 - 51.9
2004 - 47.9
2003 - 46.9
2002 - 48
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 45.8
1999 - 40.1
1998 - 39.9
1997 - 35.9
1996 - 36.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Suriname
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | 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 (1996–2026, 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)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.