Skip to content

Economy of Liberia vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Liberia has a GDP of $5.25B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 162/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.88B in government debt (54.9% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Liberia vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Liberia
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Vanuatu
2025 $5,245,938,900 $1,353,658,841
2024 $4,779,300,900 $1,297,956,615
2023 $4,390,000,000 $1,188,137,265
2022 $4,001,047,000 $1,151,863,790
2021 $3,513,049,500 $1,093,826,089
2020 $3,176,126,300 $1,017,403,363
2019 $3,319,596,500 $1,061,547,513
2018 $3,422,754,800 $1,034,402,941
2017 $3,390,703,400 $998,536,155
2016 $3,398,419,600 $908,725,513
2015 $3,227,075,700 $855,360,240
2014 $3,225,652,000 $879,185,478
2013 $3,177,198,100 $863,347,172
2012 $2,791,614,000 $747,839,698
2011 $2,398,000,000 $770,153,588
2010 $1,998,000,000 $670,712,980
2009 $1,768,000,000 $592,622,319
2008 $1,726,000,000 $590,748,429
2007 $1,373,000,000 $516,392,923
2006 $1,119,000,000 $439,358,587
2005 $949,000,000 $394,962,433
2004 $897,000,000 $364,996,869
2003 $748,000,000 $314,471,413
2002 $927,000,000 $262,596,536
2001 $906,000,000 $257,926,882
2000 $874,000,000 $272,014,628
1999 $441,800,000 $268,006,973
1998 $359,600,000 $262,293,411
1997 $295,900,000 $272,771,209
1996 $159,400,000 $261,370,044
1995 $134,800,000 $249,333,250
1994 $132,200,000 $233,701,301
1993 $160,400,000 $200,491,853
1992 $223,500,000 $209,088,825
1991 $348,000,000 $201,334,169
1990 $384,400,000 $168,879,207
1989 $786,300,000 $154,013,202
1988 $1,038,300,000 $158,351,368
1987 $972,800,000 $139,464,174
1986 $840,964,400 $126,498,935
1985 $851,296,100 $131,856,421
1984 $848,478,300 $144,482,515
1983 $823,374,900 $117,389,554
1982 $863,933,200 $114,501,913
1981 $846,514,500 $113,781,796
1980 $854,711,500 $121,185,498
1979 $814,067,900 $119,258,835
1978 $717,240,400 -
1977 $673,010,600 -
1976 $596,675,700 -
1975 $577,549,300 -
1974 $486,955,000 -
1973 $386,968,300 -
1972 $368,098,000 -
1971 $341,543,100 -
1970 $323,099,700 -
1969 $306,961,800 -
1968 $276,820,700 -
1967 $261,024,300 -
1966 $244,459,500 -
1965 $229,260,800 -
1964 $218,929,100 -
1963 $200,229,600 -
1962 $191,861,800 -
1961 $183,920,900 -
1960 $190,495,600 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Vanuatu by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $915 - $4,039 -
2024 $851 $1,871 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $799 $1,795 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $745 $1,692 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $668 $1,539 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $617 $1,660 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $658 $1,900 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $692 $1,800 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $699 $1,665 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $715 $1,490 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $693 $1,340 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $707 $1,419 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $711 $1,360 $3,393 $2,832
2012 $638 $1,157 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $568 $1,041 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $492 $980 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $448 $939 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $452 $915 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $374 $873 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $321 $815 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $287.5 $774 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $284.1 $745 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $239.8 $716 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $300 $987 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $298.5 $965 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $156.6 $762 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $134.7 $652 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $122.6 $548 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $74.4 $328 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $107.8 $497 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $177.9 $793 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $172.9 $787 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $312 - $1,067 -
1988 $424 - $1,125 -
1987 $409 - $1,017 -
1986 $364 - $946 -
1985 $380 - $1,012 -
1984 $390 - $1,137 -
1983 $391 - $947 -
1982 $422 - $946 -
1981 $426 - $962 -
1980 $443 - $1,048 -
1979 $435 - $1,055 -
1978 $394 - - -
1977 $381 - - -
1976 $347 - - -
1975 $346 - - -
1974 $299.4 - - -
1973 $244.4 - - -
1972 $238.6 - - -
1971 $227.1 - - -
1970 $220.3 - - -
1969 $214.7 - - -
1968 $198.6 - - -
1967 $192.2 - - -
1966 $184.6 - - -
1965 $177.6 - - -
1964 $173.9 - - -
1963 $163.1 - - -
1962 $160.3 - - -
1961 $157.5 - - -
1960 $167.2 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $915, ranking 184/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Liberia Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$5.25B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
162/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
5.02%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$915
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$2.88B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.9%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$502
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,467
2026
$2,801
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.4%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.3%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
1.41%
2025
Population
5916561
346488

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.4% 54.9% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 24.1% 56.4% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 28.6% 57.2% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 27.4% 54.4% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 29.8% 53.5% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 35.3% 58.5% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 32.3% 48.1% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 32.7% 36.2% 29.4% 40%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 35.8% 28% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 37.1% 24.4% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 29.8% 22.5% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 25.1% 25.4% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 24% 132.2% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 21.8% 235.3% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 16.1% 367% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 10.6% 451% 18.2% 20%
2005 11.7% 488% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 12.1% 543% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 8.98% 600% 17% 34.6%
2002 12.7% 464% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 12.1% 465% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 14.5% 468% 23% 32.6%
1999 - - 21.6% 27.7%
1998 - - 25.2% 25.4%
1997 - - 20.1% 20.7%
1996 - - 22.1% 20.8%
1995 - - 25.3% 21.8%
1994 - - 22% 19.5%
1993 - - 23.7% 18.3%
1992 - - 28.8% 19%
1991 - - 30% 14.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Liberia's government spending was $1.18B, accounting for 22.4% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.9% in Liberia and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 90/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Vanuatu
2025 -1.41% -3.88%
2024 -1.8% -2.46%
2023 -8.55% -0.78%
2022 -5.82% -5.96%
2021 -2.5% 2.07%
2020 -4.02% -1.74%
2019 -4.92% 2.48%
2018 -4.7% 5.53%
2017 -7.14% -1.06%
2016 -3.83% -0.64%
2015 -3.74% -8.13%
2014 -4.92% 1.26%
2013 1.29% -0.22%
2012 -2.86% -1.54%
2011 -4.39% -1.98%
2010 1.16% -2.38%
2009 -1.4% -0.76%
2008 -2.7% -0.04%
2007 2.28% 0.25%
2006 4.23% 0.44%
2005 -0.51% 1.68%
2004 -0.56% 0.72%
2003 0.36% -1.22%
2002 -1.57% -3.29%
2001 -0.94% -3.01%
2000 -0.08% -5.67%
1999 - -0.5%
1998 - -6.01%
1997 - -0.46%
1996 - -1.61%
1995 - -2.34%
1994 - -1.35%
1993 - -3.32%
1992 - -2.1%
1991 - -2.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Liberia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $74.2M, equivalent to 1.41% of GDP. This compares to Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.17% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Vanuatu
2025 8.3% 0.66%
2024 8.2% 1.14%
2023 10.1% 11.2%
2022 7.6% 6.68%
2021 7.8% 2.34%
2020 17% 5.33%
2019 27% 2.76%
2018 23.5% 2.33%
2017 12.4% 3.08%
2016 8.8% 0.84%
2015 7.7% 2.48%
2014 9.9% 0.8%
2013 7.6% 1.46%
2012 6.8% 1.35%
2011 8.5% 0.87%
2010 7.3% 2.76%
2009 7.4% 4.3%
2008 17.5% 4.84%
2007 11.4% 3.94%
2006 9.5% 2.04%
2005 6.9% 1.2%
2004 3.6% 1.42%
2003 10.3% 3.02%
2002 14.2% 1.96%
2001 12.1% 3.58%
2000 5.3% 2.54%
1999 2% 2%
1998 - 3.28%
1997 - 2.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 27 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.3%, compared with 2.85% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 8.3% in Liberia and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Liberia Vanuatu
Current account balance
$120M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
62/190
2024
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.51%
2024
-11.1%
2022
Goods imports
$1.51B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$1.31B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$253M
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$42.6M
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2026
25.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Vanuatu
Economic freedom 49.8 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 92/197
Property rights 40.4 62.1
Government integrity 25.8 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 67.9
Tax burden 86.1 96.9
Government spending 79.5 48.1
Fiscal health 56.9 78.8
Business freedom 38 50.3
Labor freedom 43.4 41
Monetary freedom 71.4 72.1
Trade freedom 57.4 62
Investment freedom 55 65
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Vanuatu
2026 49.8 61.1
2025 48.5 61.8
2024 49.9 62.2
2023 49.6 62.1
2022 47.9 62.9
2021 49.2 60.5
2020 49 60.7
2019 49.7 56.4
2018 50.9 69.5
2017 49.1 67.4
2016 52.2 60.8
2015 52.7 61.1
2014 52.4 59.5
2013 49.3 56.6
2012 48.6 56.6
2011 46.5 56.7
2010 46.2 56.4
2009 48.1 58.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
40%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.76B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,840
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$339M
2025
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
166/177
2025
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$397M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.12%
2024
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
26.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.