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Economy of Liberia vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a GDP of $4.78B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 163/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.73B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Liberia vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Liberia
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Vanuatu
2024 $4,779,300,900 $1,117,972,034
2023 $4,390,000,000 $1,115,861,056
2022 $4,001,047,000 $1,055,031,361
2021 $3,513,049,500 $950,394,007
2020 $3,176,126,300 $909,421,044
2019 $3,319,596,500 $936,526,268
2018 $3,422,754,800 $914,727,908
2017 $3,390,703,400 $880,043,284
2016 $3,398,419,600 $804,323,577
2015 $3,227,075,700 $759,690,181
2014 $3,225,652,000 $773,717,011
2013 $3,177,198,100 $758,304,466
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $851 $1,871 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $799 $1,795 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $745 $1,692 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $668 $1,539 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $617 $1,660 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $658 $1,900 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $692 $1,800 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $699 $1,665 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $715 $1,490 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $693 $1,340 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $707 $1,419 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $711 $1,360 $2,980 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Liberia's GDP per capita is $851, ranking 184/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. 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
$4.78B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
163/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
4.02%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$3,164
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
24.3%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.2%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
4.05%
2020
Population
5887000
344750

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
2024 24.3% 57.2% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 27.1% 57.8% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 26.9% 54.3% 42% 42.8%
2021 29.8% 53.3% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 35.3% 58.7% 43.4% 48%
2019 32.3% 48.6% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 32.7% 37.1% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 35.8% 28.6% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 37.1% 24.8% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 30.1% 22.7% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 25.2% 25.6% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 23.7% 130.9% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 21.6% 233.1% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 17.2% 394% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 11.1% 472% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 12.8% 535% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 12.1% 543% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 9.85% 658% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 13.2% 481% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 12.6% 484% 22.3% 37%
2000 15.2% 489% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 - - 23.9% 30.6%
1998 - - 27.9% 28%
1997 - - 22.2% 22.9%
1996 - - 24.5% 23.1%
1995 - - 28% 24.1%
1994 - - 24.4% 21.6%
1993 - - 26.2% 20.3%
1992 - - 31.8% 21%
1991 - - 33.2% 15.9%

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

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

In 2024, Liberia's government spending was $1.16B, accounting for 24.3% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Liberia and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 91/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Vanuatu
2024 -1.98% -2.34%
2023 -7.03% -0.95%
2022 -5.33% -6.5%
2021 -2.5% 2.38%
2020 -4.02% -1.95%
2019 -4.92% 2.81%
2018 -4.7% 6.26%
2017 -7.14% -1.2%
2016 -3.83% -0.72%
2015 -3.74% -8.66%
2014 -4.92% 1.44%
2013 1.29% -0.25%
2012 -2.86% -1.7%
2011 -4.43% -2.19%
2010 1.17% -2.63%
2009 -1.39% -0.85%
2008 -2.68% -0.04%
2007 2.44% 0.28%
2006 4.42% 0.49%
2005 -0.55% 1.86%
2004 -0.56% 0.8%
2003 0.39% -1.35%
2002 -1.63% -3.63%
2001 -0.98% -3.33%
2000 -0.08% -6.28%
1999 - -0.55%
1998 - -6.65%
1997 - -0.51%
1996 - -1.78%
1995 - -2.59%
1994 - -1.49%
1993 - -3.67%
1992 - -2.32%
1991 - -2.81%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.13% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Vanuatu
2024 8.2% -
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 (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 25 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.5%, compared with 3% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 8.2% in Liberia and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Liberia Vanuatu
Current account balance
$64.8M
2022
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
73/190
2022
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.62%
2022
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$1.53B
2022
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$1.03B
2022
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$434M
2022
$230M
2022
Service exports
$192M
2022
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
9.43%
2022

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 2026-03-09).

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
41.9%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,750
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2022
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$960M
2022
-$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
3.09%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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 (2009–2026, 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)

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.