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Economy of Liberia vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 163/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Liberia vs Switzerland GDP by year

Liberia
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Switzerland
2024 $4,779,300,900 $936,564,198,049
2023 $4,390,000,000 $894,424,821,645
2022 $4,001,047,000 $828,508,926,958
2021 $3,513,049,500 $815,309,330,987
2020 $3,176,126,300 $741,999,406,006
2019 $3,319,596,500 $721,369,112,727
2018 $3,422,754,800 $725,568,717,468
2017 $3,390,703,400 $695,200,833,086
2016 $3,398,419,600 $687,895,460,903
2015 $3,227,075,700 $694,118,186,380
2014 $3,225,652,000 $726,537,808,338
2013 $3,177,198,100 $706,234,937,371
2012 $2,791,614,000 $686,420,221,558
2011 $2,398,000,000 $715,888,126,682
2010 $1,998,000,000 $598,851,028,907
2009 $1,768,000,000 $554,212,916,092
2008 $1,726,000,000 $567,267,767,519
2007 $1,373,000,000 $490,740,715,595
2006 $1,119,000,000 $441,634,672,197
2005 $949,000,000 $418,284,865,885
2004 $897,000,000 $403,912,891,033
2003 $748,000,000 $362,075,086,508
2002 $927,000,000 $309,301,422,430
2001 $906,000,000 $286,582,672,434
2000 $874,000,000 $279,216,033,870
1999 $441,800,000 $297,873,643,323
1998 $359,600,000 $303,459,014,347
1997 $295,900,000 $294,788,198,856
1996 $159,400,000 $340,103,959,547
1995 $134,800,000 $352,835,806,342
1994 $132,200,000 $301,375,055,202
1993 $160,400,000 $272,237,527,071
1992 $223,500,000 $279,921,425,828
1991 $348,000,000 $268,901,693,863
1990 $384,400,000 $265,763,573,999
1989 $786,300,000 $208,105,846,934
1988 $1,038,300,000 $215,540,625,299
1987 $972,800,000 $199,236,370,038
1986 $840,964,400 $159,089,921,063
1985 $851,296,100 $110,980,314,192
1984 $848,478,300 $109,455,312,168
1983 $823,374,900 $114,634,358,535
1982 $863,933,200 $115,043,365,512
1981 $846,514,500 $112,244,805,519
1980 $854,711,500 $122,557,843,886
1979 $814,067,900 $114,970,094,425
1978 $717,240,400 $102,280,472,036
1977 $673,010,600 $73,135,771,167
1976 $596,675,700 $68,476,524,644
1975 $577,549,300 $65,466,081,819
1974 $486,955,000 $57,103,011,446
1973 $386,968,300 $49,550,006,320
1972 $368,098,000 $36,844,318,854
1971 $341,543,100 $30,040,171,751
1970 $323,099,700 $24,998,066,773
1969 $306,961,800 $22,442,043,274
1968 $276,820,700 $20,712,102,794
1967 $261,024,300 $19,397,044,714
1966 $244,459,500 $18,019,402,374
1965 $229,260,800 $16,780,226,225
1964 $218,929,100 $15,833,133,858
1963 $200,229,600 $14,283,872,299
1962 $191,861,800 $12,989,649,694
1961 $183,920,900 $11,713,348,834
1960 $190,495,600 $10,412,232,621

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

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Switzerland by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $851 $1,871 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $799 $1,795 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $745 $1,692 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $668 $1,539 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $617 $1,660 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $658 $1,900 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $692 $1,800 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $699 $1,665 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $715 $1,490 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $693 $1,340 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $707 $1,419 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $711 $1,360 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $638 $1,157 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $568 $1,041 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $492 $980 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $448 $939 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $452 $915 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $374 $873 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $321 $815 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $287.5 $774 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $284.1 $745 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $239.8 $716 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $300 $987 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $298.5 $965 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $156.6 $762 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $134.7 $652 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $122.6 $548 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $74.4 $328 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $107.8 $497 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $177.9 $793 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $172.9 $787 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $312 - $31,309 -
1988 $424 - $32,690 -
1987 $409 - $30,441 -
1986 $364 - $24,460 -
1985 $380 - $17,152 -
1984 $390 - $16,991 -
1983 $391 - $17,859 -
1982 $422 - $18,000 -
1981 $426 - $17,665 -
1980 $443 - $19,394 -
1979 $435 - $18,266 -
1978 $394 - $16,282 -
1977 $381 - $11,644 -
1976 $347 - $10,865 -
1975 $346 - $10,328 -
1974 $299.4 - $9,005 -
1973 $244.4 - $7,856 -
1972 $238.6 - $5,885 -
1971 $227.1 - $4,835 -
1970 $220.3 - $4,044 -
1969 $214.7 - $3,657 -
1968 $198.6 - $3,413 -
1967 $192.2 - $3,237 -
1966 $184.6 - $3,045 -
1965 $177.6 - $2,865 -
1964 $173.9 - $2,735 -
1963 $163.1 - $2,508 -
1962 $160.3 - $2,330 -
1961 $157.5 - $2,155 -
1960 $167.2 - $1,954 -

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

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Liberia Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$4.78B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
4.34%
2024
Population
5887000
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.3% 57.2% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 34.4% 41%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 37% 43.2%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 32% 39.6%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 30% 44.8%
2007 17.2% 394% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 11.1% 472% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 12.8% 535% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 12.1% 543% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 9.85% 658% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 13.2% 481% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 12.6% 484% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 15.2% 489% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 - - 33.2% 52.7%
1998 - - 32.7% 55.9%
1997 - - 32.9% 53.7%
1996 - - 33% 51.3%
1995 - - 32.4% 50%
1994 - - 32.5% 47.1%
1993 - - 32.5% 44.4%
1992 - - 31.3% 39.5%
1991 - - 29.5% 35.1%
1990 - - 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 91/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Switzerland
2024 -1.98% 0.58%
2023 -7.03% 0.12%
2022 -5.33% 1.19%
2021 -2.5% -0.29%
2020 -4.02% -3.01%
2019 -4.92% 1.34%
2018 -4.7% 1.29%
2017 -7.14% 1.13%
2016 -3.83% 0.24%
2015 -3.74% 0.55%
2014 -4.92% -0.25%
2013 1.29% -0.43%
2012 -2.86% 0.24%
2011 -4.43% 0.68%
2010 1.17% 0.35%
2009 -1.39% 0.5%
2008 -2.68% 1.93%
2007 2.44% 1.57%
2006 4.42% 0.85%
2005 -0.55% -0.65%
2004 -0.56% -1.39%
2003 0.39% -1.36%
2002 -1.63% -1.75%
2001 -0.98% 0.21%
2000 -0.08% 0.28%
1999 - -1.57%
1998 - -1.31%
1997 - -2.33%
1996 - -2.01%
1995 - -1.86%
1994 - -2.59%
1993 - -3.15%
1992 - -2.96%
1991 - -1.85%
1990 - -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.16% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Switzerland
2024 8.2% 1.06%
2023 10.1% 2.14%
2022 7.6% 2.84%
2021 7.8% 0.58%
2020 17% -0.73%
2019 27% 0.36%
2018 23.5% 0.94%
2017 12.4% 0.53%
2016 8.8% -0.43%
2015 7.7% -1.14%
2014 9.9% -0.01%
2013 7.6% -0.22%
2012 6.8% -0.69%
2011 8.5% 0.23%
2010 7.3% 0.69%
2009 7.4% -0.48%
2008 17.5% 2.43%
2007 11.4% 0.73%
2006 9.5% 1.06%
2005 6.9% 1.17%
2004 3.6% 0.8%
2003 10.3% 0.64%
2002 14.2% 0.64%
2001 12.1% 0.99%
2000 5.3% 1.56%
1999 2% 0.81%
1998 - 0.02%
1997 - 0.52%

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/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 0.63% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $110M
Raw materials & minerals $23K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $14.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $343K
Precious metals & jewellery $262K
Chemicals & pharma $227K
Metals $214K
Textiles & consumer goods $116K
Raw materials & minerals $89K
Wood & paper products $16K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Liberia Switzerland
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$502B
2024
Service imports
$434M
2022
$203B
2024
Service exports
$192M
2022
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Switzerland
Economic freedom 49.8 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 2/197
Property rights 40.4 94.4
Government integrity 25.8 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 98.3
Tax burden 86.1 70.9
Government spending 79.5 69.5
Fiscal health 56.9 97.2
Business freedom 38 86.3
Labor freedom 43.4 60
Monetary freedom 71.4 82.3
Trade freedom 57.4 87
Investment freedom 55 85
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Switzerland
2026 49.8 83.7
2025 48.5 83.7
2024 49.9 83
2023 49.6 83.8
2022 47.9 84.2
2021 49.2 81.9
2020 49 82
2019 49.7 81.9
2018 50.9 81.7
2017 49.1 81.5
2016 52.2 81
2015 52.7 80.5
2014 52.4 81.6
2013 49.3 81
2012 48.6 81.1
2011 46.5 81.9
2010 46.2 81.1
2009 48.1 79.4
2008 - 79.5
2007 - 78
2006 - 78.9
2005 - 79.3
2004 - 79.5
2003 - 79
2002 - 79.3
2001 - 76
2000 - 76.8
1999 - 79.1
1998 - 79
1997 - 78.6
1996 - 76.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
27%
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/switzerland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.