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Economy of Liberia vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Liberia has a GDP of $5.25B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 162/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.88B in government debt (54.9% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Liberia vs Vietnam GDP by year

Liberia
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Vietnam
2025 $5,245,938,900 $514,697,215,165
2024 $4,779,300,900 $476,324,572,784
2023 $4,390,000,000 $433,805,036,898
2022 $4,001,047,000 $413,445,230,669
2021 $3,513,049,500 $366,474,752,771
2020 $3,176,126,300 $346,615,738,538
2019 $3,319,596,500 $334,365,270,497
2018 $3,422,754,800 $310,106,478,395
2017 $3,390,703,400 $281,353,605,987
2016 $3,398,419,600 $257,096,001,178
2015 $3,227,075,700 $239,258,328,382
2014 $3,225,652,000 $233,451,469,643
2013 $3,177,198,100 $213,708,811,665
2012 $2,791,614,000 $195,590,661,129
2011 $2,398,000,000 $172,595,049,184
2010 $1,998,000,000 $147,201,173,197
2009 $1,768,000,000 $106,014,659,565
2008 $1,726,000,000 $99,130,304,099
2007 $1,373,000,000 $77,414,425,532
2006 $1,119,000,000 $66,371,664,817
2005 $949,000,000 $57,633,255,738
2004 $897,000,000 $45,427,854,693
2003 $748,000,000 $39,552,513,232
2002 $927,000,000 $35,064,105,501
2001 $906,000,000 $32,685,198,809
2000 $874,000,000 $31,172,518,403
1999 $441,800,000 $28,683,659,007
1998 $359,600,000 $27,209,602,050
1997 $295,900,000 $26,843,700,442
1996 $159,400,000 $24,657,470,575
1995 $134,800,000 $20,736,164,459
1994 $132,200,000 $16,286,433,533
1993 $160,400,000 $13,180,953,598
1992 $223,500,000 $9,866,990,236
1991 $348,000,000 $9,613,369,520
1990 $384,400,000 $6,471,740,806
1989 $786,300,000 $6,293,304,975
1988 $1,038,300,000 $25,423,812,649
1987 $972,800,000 $36,658,108,850
1986 $840,964,400 $26,336,616,250
1985 $851,296,100 $14,094,687,821
1984 $848,478,300 -
1983 $823,374,900 -
1982 $863,933,200 -
1981 $846,514,500 -
1980 $854,711,500 -
1979 $814,067,900 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Vietnam by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $915 - $5,066 -
2024 $851 $1,871 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $799 $1,795 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $745 $1,692 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $668 $1,539 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $617 $1,660 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $658 $1,900 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $692 $1,800 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $699 $1,665 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $715 $1,490 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $693 $1,340 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $707 $1,419 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $711 $1,360 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $638 $1,157 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $568 $1,041 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $492 $980 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $448 $939 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $452 $915 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $374 $873 $926 $4,581
2006 $321 $815 $808 $4,237
2005 $287.5 $774 $711 $3,894
2004 $284.1 $745 $565 $3,543
2003 $239.8 $716 $497 $3,240
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $445 $3,002
2001 $300 $987 $419 $2,809
2000 $298.5 $965 $404 $2,614
1999 $156.6 $762 $376 $2,421
1998 $134.7 $652 $361 $2,308
1997 $122.6 $548 $362 $2,189
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $337 $2,019
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $74.4 $328 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $107.8 $497 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $177.9 $793 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $172.9 $787 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $312 - $98.1 -
1988 $424 - $405 -
1987 $409 - $595 -
1986 $364 - $436 -
1985 $380 - $238.6 -
1984 $390 - - -
1983 $391 - - -
1982 $422 - - -
1981 $426 - - -
1980 $443 - - -
1979 $435 - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Liberia's GDP per capita is $915, ranking 184/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Liberia Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$5.25B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
162/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
5.02%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$915
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$2.88B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.9%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$502
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,467
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.4%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.3%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
1.53%
2024
Population
5916561
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.4% 54.9% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 24.1% 56.4% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 28.6% 57.2% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 27.4% 54.4% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 29.8% 53.5% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 35.3% 58.5% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 32.3% 48.1% 19.8% 41%
2018 32.7% 36.2% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 35.8% 28% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 37.1% 24.4% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 29.8% 22.5% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 25.1% 25.4% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 24% 132.2% 25% 36.2%
2008 21.8% 235.3% 21.4% 31%
2007 16.1% 367% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 10.6% 451% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 11.7% 488% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 12.1% 543% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 8.98% 600% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 12.7% 464% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 12.1% 465% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 14.5% 468% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 - - 16.7% -
1998 - - 16% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Liberia's government spending was $1.18B, accounting for 22.4% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.9% in Liberia and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 90/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Vietnam
2025 -1.41% -2.2%
2024 -1.8% -1.54%
2023 -8.55% -1.72%
2022 -5.82% 0.67%
2021 -2.5% -1.43%
2020 -4.02% -2.86%
2019 -4.92% -0.4%
2018 -4.7% -1.02%
2017 -7.14% -1.96%
2016 -3.83% -3.16%
2015 -3.74% -4.98%
2014 -4.92% -5.02%
2013 1.29% -5.96%
2012 -2.86% -5.46%
2011 -4.39% -0.9%
2010 1.16% -2.25%
2009 -1.4% -4.82%
2008 -2.7% -0.45%
2007 2.28% -1.74%
2006 4.23% 0.2%
2005 -0.51% -0.95%
2004 -0.56% -0.15%
2003 0.36% -2.56%
2002 -1.57% -1.85%
2001 -0.94% -2.19%
2000 -0.08% -1.61%
1999 - -1.25%
1998 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.17% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Vietnam
2025 8.3% 3.3%
2024 8.2% 3.6%
2023 10.1% 3.3%
2022 7.6% 3.2%
2021 7.8% 1.8%
2020 17% 3.2%
2019 27% 2.8%
2018 23.5% 3.5%
2017 12.4% 3.5%
2016 8.8% 2.7%
2015 7.7% 0.6%
2014 9.9% 4.1%
2013 7.6% 6.6%
2012 6.8% 9.1%
2011 8.5% 18.7%
2010 7.3% 10.5%
2009 7.4% 6.7%
2008 17.5% 23.1%
2007 11.4% 8.3%
2006 9.5% 7.5%
2005 6.9% 8.4%
2004 3.6% 7.9%
2003 10.3% 3.3%
2002 14.2% 4.1%
2001 12.1% -0.3%
2000 5.3% -1.8%
1999 2% 4.1%
1998 - 7.2%
1997 - 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 27 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.3%, compared with 5.62% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 8.3% in Liberia and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $223K
Wood & paper products $22K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Liberia Vietnam
Current account balance
$120M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
62/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.51%
2024
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$1.51B
2024
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$1.31B
2024
$407B
2024
Service imports
$253M
2024
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$42.6M
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2026
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Vietnam
Economic freedom 49.8 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 73/197
Property rights 40.4 47.3
Government integrity 25.8 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 31.3
Tax burden 86.1 80.9
Government spending 79.5 89.5
Fiscal health 56.9 96.9
Business freedom 38 70
Labor freedom 43.4 54.7
Monetary freedom 71.4 73.2
Trade freedom 57.4 79.8
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Vietnam
2026 49.8 64.4
2025 48.5 65.2
2024 49.9 62.8
2023 49.6 61.8
2022 47.9 60.6
2021 49.2 61.7
2020 49 58.8
2019 49.7 55.3
2018 50.9 53.1
2017 49.1 52.4
2016 52.2 54
2015 52.7 51.7
2014 52.4 50.8
2013 49.3 51
2012 48.6 51.3
2011 46.5 51.6
2010 46.2 49.8
2009 48.1 51
2008 - 50.4
2007 - 49.8
2006 - 50.5
2005 - 48.1
2004 - 46.1
2003 - 46.2
2002 - 45.6
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 43.7
1999 - 42.7
1998 - 40.4
1997 - 38.6
1996 - 40.2
1995 - 41.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
40%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.76B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,840
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$339M
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
166/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$397M
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.12%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
30.8%
2025

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/vietnam | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.