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Economy of Liberia vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 163/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Liberia vs Tanzania GDP by year

Liberia
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Tanzania
2024 $4,779,300,900 $78,844,405,385
2023 $4,390,000,000 $79,030,935,627
2022 $4,001,047,000 $75,749,121,843
2021 $3,513,049,500 $70,655,628,148
2020 $3,176,126,300 $66,068,737,786
2019 $3,319,596,500 $61,026,731,926
2018 $3,422,754,800 $57,003,712,892
2017 $3,390,703,400 $53,274,884,533
2016 $3,398,419,600 $49,774,409,374
2015 $3,227,075,700 $47,413,919,817
2014 $3,225,652,000 $49,986,726,461
2013 $3,177,198,100 $45,648,857,242
2012 $2,791,614,000 $39,650,394,363
2011 $2,398,000,000 $34,657,140,096
2010 $1,998,000,000 $32,012,892,919
2009 $1,768,000,000 $29,400,573,554
2008 $1,726,000,000 $27,947,821,398
2007 $1,373,000,000 $21,860,434,823
2006 $1,119,000,000 $18,619,859,795
2005 $949,000,000 $18,395,383,647
2004 $897,000,000 $16,673,062,473
2003 $748,000,000 $15,211,487,709
2002 $927,000,000 $14,129,651,896
2001 $906,000,000 $13,563,990,022
2000 $874,000,000 $13,371,767,082
1999 $441,800,000 $12,704,334,196
1998 $359,600,000 $12,172,790,056
1997 $295,900,000 $11,158,197,942
1996 $159,400,000 $9,433,528,150
1995 $134,800,000 $7,631,431,840
1994 $132,200,000 $6,550,480,484
1993 $160,400,000 $6,182,872,708
1992 $223,500,000 $6,681,997,469
1991 $348,000,000 $7,197,768,159
1990 $384,400,000 $6,184,384,225
1989 $786,300,000 $6,418,799,007
1988 $1,038,300,000 $7,406,614,407
1987 $972,800,000 $7,824,193,222
1986 $840,964,400 $10,840,864,521
1985 $851,296,100 $15,328,295,175
1984 $848,478,300 $12,906,635,133
1983 $823,374,900 $14,049,883,809
1982 $863,933,200 $13,927,383,240
1981 $846,514,500 $13,161,540,378
1980 $854,711,500 $11,409,228,087
1979 $814,067,900 $9,804,637,491
1978 $717,240,400 $9,261,675,710
1977 $673,010,600 $7,732,598,995
1976 $596,675,700 $6,472,511,988
1975 $577,549,300 $5,729,917,840
1974 $486,955,000 $4,977,337,978
1973 $386,968,300 $4,144,104,535
1972 $368,098,000 $3,472,787,266
1971 $341,543,100 $3,050,673,517
1970 $323,099,700 $2,851,419,386
1969 $306,961,800 $5,142,066,811
1968 $276,820,700 $4,895,251,824
1967 $261,024,300 $4,565,132,048
1966 $244,459,500 $4,377,998,825
1965 $229,260,800 $3,817,226,546
1964 $218,929,100 $3,748,840,925
1963 $200,229,600 $3,456,579,293
1962 $191,861,800 $3,101,589,993
1961 $183,920,900 $2,826,179,031
1960 $190,495,600 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Tanzania by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $851 $1,871 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $799 $1,795 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $745 $1,692 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $668 $1,539 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $617 $1,660 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $658 $1,900 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $692 $1,800 $992 $2,728
2017 $699 $1,665 $957 $2,472
2016 $715 $1,490 $925 $2,435
2015 $693 $1,340 $911 $2,317
2014 $707 $1,419 $993 $2,221
2013 $711 $1,360 $935 $2,176
2012 $638 $1,157 $837 $2,083
2011 $568 $1,041 $753 $2,211
2010 $492 $980 $715 $2,069
2009 $448 $939 $674 $1,972
2008 $452 $915 $657 $1,908
2007 $374 $873 $528 $1,820
2006 $321 $815 $462 $1,707
2005 $287.5 $774 $469 $1,598
2004 $284.1 $745 $438 $1,482
2003 $239.8 $716 $410 $1,379
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $391 $1,302
2001 $300 $987 $385 $1,229
2000 $298.5 $965 $390 $1,164
1999 $156.6 $762 $382 $1,120
1998 $134.7 $652 $375 $1,082
1997 $122.6 $548 $353 $1,059
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $305 $1,026
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $251.2 $981
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $222.5 $958
1993 $74.4 $328 $218.2 $959
1992 $107.8 $497 $243.4 $955
1991 $177.9 $793 $268.8 $952
1990 $172.9 $787 $236.9 $925
1989 $312 - $252.3 -
1988 $424 - $299 -
1987 $409 - $326 -
1986 $364 - $466 -
1985 $380 - $681 -
1984 $390 - $593 -
1983 $391 - $667 -
1982 $422 - $683 -
1981 $426 - $665 -
1980 $443 - $595 -
1979 $435 - $527 -
1978 $394 - $515 -
1977 $381 - $446 -
1976 $347 - $387 -
1975 $346 - $355 -
1974 $299.4 - $320 -
1973 $244.4 - $276.1 -
1972 $238.6 - $239.8 -
1971 $227.1 - $218.4 -
1970 $220.3 - $211.3 -
1969 $214.7 - $394 -
1968 $198.6 - $388 -
1967 $192.2 - $374 -
1966 $184.6 - $370 -
1965 $177.6 - $333 -
1964 $173.9 - $337 -
1963 $163.1 - $320 -
1962 $160.3 - $295.7 -
1961 $157.5 - $277.4 -
1960 $167.2 - $267.8 -

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

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Liberia Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$4.78B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
2.43%
2024
Population
5887000
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.3% 57.2% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 19% 47.8%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 17.3% 42%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 19.6% 30%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 19% 28.4%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 17.2% 394% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 11.1% 472% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 12.8% 535% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 12.1% 543% 17% 44.5%
2003 9.85% 658% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 13.2% 481% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 12.6% 484% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 15.2% 489% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 - - 12.8% 62.9%
1998 - - 11.4% 62.2%
1997 - - 12.8% 73.4%
1996 - - 13.4% 89.6%
1995 - - 15.6% 111.1%
1994 - - 16.8% 126%
1993 - - 16.4% 129.2%
1992 - - 17.6% 117.6%
1991 - - 14.2% 106.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 91/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Tanzania
2024 -1.98% -3.03%
2023 -7.03% -3.67%
2022 -5.33% -3.92%
2021 -2.5% -3.55%
2020 -4.02% -2.56%
2019 -4.92% -2.06%
2018 -4.7% -2.01%
2017 -7.14% -1.14%
2016 -3.83% -2.08%
2015 -3.74% -3.17%
2014 -4.92% -2.91%
2013 1.29% -3.76%
2012 -2.86% -4%
2011 -4.43% -3.51%
2010 1.17% -4.74%
2009 -1.39% -4.46%
2008 -2.68% -1.92%
2007 2.44% -1.44%
2006 4.42% -3.38%
2005 -0.55% -3.28%
2004 -0.56% -2.43%
2003 0.39% -1.77%
2002 -1.63% -0.73%
2001 -0.98% -0.41%
2000 -0.08% -0.73%
1999 - -1.14%
1998 - 0.13%
1997 - -0.03%
1996 - 1.57%
1995 - -2.12%
1994 - -3.74%
1993 - -2.02%
1992 - -4.96%
1991 - 0.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.67% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Tanzania
2024 8.2% 3.06%
2023 10.1% 3.8%
2022 7.6% 4.35%
2021 7.8% 3.69%
2020 17% 3.29%
2019 27% 3.46%
2018 23.5% 3.49%
2017 12.4% 5.32%
2016 8.8% 5.17%
2015 7.7% 5.59%
2014 9.9% 6.13%
2013 7.6% 7.87%
2012 6.8% 16%
2011 8.5% 12.7%
2010 7.3% 6.2%
2009 7.4% 12.1%
2008 17.5% 10.3%
2007 11.4% 7.03%
2006 9.5% 7.25%
2005 6.9% 5.03%
2004 3.6% 4.74%
2003 10.3% 5.3%
2002 14.2% 5.32%
2001 12.1% 5.15%
2000 5.3% 5.92%
1999 2% 7.89%
1998 - 12.8%
1997 - 16.1%

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/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 6.39% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $441K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $793K
Raw materials & minerals $454K
Machinery & equipment $182K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49K
Textiles & consumer goods $44K
Raw agricultural goods $14K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Liberia Tanzania
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$434M
2022
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$192M
2022
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Tanzania
Economic freedom 49.8 59
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 106/197
Property rights 40.4 45.2
Government integrity 25.8 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 29.6
Tax burden 86.1 80.4
Government spending 79.5 89.1
Fiscal health 56.9 75
Business freedom 38 48.1
Labor freedom 43.4 62.3
Monetary freedom 71.4 73.4
Trade freedom 57.4 58.8
Investment freedom 55 55
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Tanzania
2026 49.8 59
2025 48.5 59.3
2024 49.9 59.1
2023 49.6 60
2022 47.9 59.5
2021 49.2 61.3
2020 49 61.7
2019 49.7 60.2
2018 50.9 59.9
2017 49.1 58.6
2016 52.2 58.5
2015 52.7 57.5
2014 52.4 57.8
2013 49.3 57.9
2012 48.6 57
2011 46.5 57
2010 46.2 58.3
2009 48.1 58.3
2008 - 56.5
2007 - 56.8
2006 - 58.5
2005 - 56.3
2004 - 60.1
2003 - 56.9
2002 - 58.3
2001 - 54.9
2000 - 56
1999 - 60
1998 - 59.6
1997 - 59.3
1996 - 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (1991–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.