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Liberia vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Liberia has a population of 5.61M (ranked 117/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Liberia's land area is 37,189 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 106th vs. 24th).

By GDP, Liberia ranks 163/197 ($4.78B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Liberia ranks 184/197 ($851), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Liberia South Africa
Population
5887000
65683993
Population rank 116/197 24/197
GDP
$4.78B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 163/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$851
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 184/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$2.73B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$487
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 167/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,191
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 37,189 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
157.4 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.95
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
19.6 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
62.6 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Liberia and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Liberia and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Liberia

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Liberia South Africa
2024 $4,779,300,900 $401,144,998,374
2023 $4,390,000,000 $381,440,724,491
2022 $4,001,047,000 $407,596,043,068
2021 $3,513,049,500 $419,986,284,375
2020 $3,176,126,300 $337,974,655,408
2019 $3,319,596,500 $389,330,032,224
2018 $3,422,754,800 $405,260,723,893
2017 $3,390,703,400 $381,448,814,653
2016 $3,398,419,600 $323,585,509,674
2015 $3,227,075,700 $346,709,790,459
2014 $3,225,652,000 $381,198,869,776
2013 $3,177,198,100 $400,886,013,596
2012 $2,791,614,000 $434,400,545,086
2011 $2,398,000,000 $458,199,494,831
2010 $1,998,000,000 $417,363,822,802
2009 $1,768,000,000 $329,754,060,647
2008 $1,726,000,000 $316,131,258,616
2007 $1,373,000,000 $333,077,117,254
2006 $1,119,000,000 $303,858,675,364
2005 $949,000,000 $288,867,217,197
2004 $897,000,000 $255,806,908,595
2003 $748,000,000 $197,018,965,309
2002 $927,000,000 $129,087,556,612
2001 $906,000,000 $135,429,905,923
2000 $874,000,000 $151,752,757,215
1999 $441,800,000 $151,516,957,079
1998 $359,600,000 $152,982,984,557
1997 $295,900,000 $168,978,057,328
1996 $159,400,000 $163,234,925,381
1995 $134,800,000 $171,735,933,897
1994 $132,200,000 $153,512,712,382
1993 $160,400,000 $147,194,747,566
1992 $223,500,000 $146,956,150,987
1991 $348,000,000 $135,203,698,238
1990 $384,400,000 $126,048,140,142
1989 $786,300,000 $108,055,624,082
1988 $1,038,300,000 $103,976,831,871
1987 $972,800,000 $96,535,763,418
1986 $840,964,400 $73,354,771,399
1985 $851,296,100 $64,459,376,087
1984 $848,478,300 $84,870,163,366
1983 $823,374,900 $96,204,110,942
1982 $863,933,200 $85,904,057,409
1981 $846,514,500 $93,141,472,164
1980 $854,711,500 $89,411,864,402
1979 $814,067,900 $63,038,658,089
1978 $717,240,400 $51,607,412,902
1977 $673,010,600 $45,328,411,332
1976 $596,675,700 $41,150,460,288
1975 $577,549,300 $42,906,905,672
1974 $486,955,000 $41,389,186,095
1973 $386,968,300 $33,262,772,008
1972 $368,098,000 $24,515,919,217
1971 $341,543,100 $23,411,076,638
1970 $323,099,700 $21,218,391,513
1969 $306,961,800 $19,256,992,297
1968 $276,820,700 $17,124,793,150
1967 $261,024,300 $15,821,393,671
1966 $244,459,500 $14,211,394,315
1965 $229,260,800 $13,068,994,772
1964 $218,929,100 $11,955,995,218
1963 $200,229,600 $10,854,195,658
1962 $191,861,800 $9,813,996,074
1961 $183,920,900 $9,225,996,310
1960 $190,495,600 $8,748,596,501

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

GeoRank.org/facts/liberia/south-africa | CC BY

Liberia and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Liberia

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Liberia South Africa
2024 $851 $6,267
2023 $799 $6,034
2022 $745 $6,534
2021 $668 $6,829
2020 $617 $5,581
2019 $658 $6,534
2018 $692 $6,914
2017 $699 $6,618
2016 $715 $5,651
2015 $693 $6,112
2014 $707 $6,857
2013 $711 $7,332
2012 $638 $8,077
2011 $568 $8,646
2010 $492 $7,973
2009 $448 $6,375
2008 $452 $6,185
2007 $374 $6,592
2006 $321 $6,077
2005 $287.5 $5,837
2004 $284.1 $5,221
2003 $239.8 $4,062
2002 $299.5 $2,688
2001 $300 $2,847
2000 $298.5 $3,218
1999 $156.6 $3,242
1998 $134.7 $3,310
1997 $122.6 $3,700
1996 $71.4 $3,618
1995 $62.1 $3,856
1994 $61.5 $3,489
1993 $74.4 $3,400
1992 $107.8 $3,462
1991 $177.9 $3,243
1990 $172.9 $3,093
1989 $312 $2,727
1988 $424 $2,702
1987 $409 $2,586
1986 $364 $2,027
1985 $380 $1,839
1984 $390 $2,504
1983 $391 $2,938
1982 $422 $2,717
1981 $426 $3,050
1980 $443 $3,029
1979 $435 $2,202
1978 $394 $1,852
1977 $381 $1,671
1976 $347 $1,559
1975 $346 $1,670
1974 $299.4 $1,656
1973 $244.4 $1,369
1972 $238.6 $1,038
1971 $227.1 $1,020
1970 $220.3 $952
1969 $214.7 $891
1968 $198.6 $817
1967 $192.2 $779
1966 $184.6 $722
1965 $177.6 $685
1964 $173.9 $646
1963 $163.1 $605
1962 $160.3 $563
1961 $157.5 $546
1960 $167.2 $532

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

GeoRank.org/facts/liberia/south-africa | CC BY

Liberia vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Liberia

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Liberia South Africa
2026 62.6 66.7
2025 62.5 66.5
2024 62.3 66.3
2023 62.2 66.1
2022 61.9 65.5
2021 61.2 62
2020 61.3 65.2
2019 61.2 66.1
2018 61 65.7
2017 60.8 65.4
2016 60.5 64.7
2015 59.2 64.1
2014 59.2 63.2
2013 60 62.4
2012 59.8 61.7
2011 59.5 60.6
2010 59.4 58.9
2009 59.1 57.4
2008 58.7 56
2007 58.1 54.9
2006 57.5 54.2
2005 56.8 53.9
2004 55.9 54
2003 53 54.2
2002 54.1 55.6
2001 53.1 57.2
2000 51.9 58.4
1999 50.4 59.2
1998 49.4 59.9
1997 48.3 60.5
1996 44.9 61.1
1995 44.6 61.6
1994 42.6 62.1
1993 43 62.6
1992 43.6 62.8
1991 43.6 63
1990 37.6 62.9
1989 43.9 63
1988 44.1 62.9
1987 44.3 62.7
1986 44.5 62.4
1985 44 62.2
1984 44.7 61.8
1983 44.6 61.4
1982 44.4 60.9
1981 44.3 60.4
1980 44.1 60
1979 43.9 59.5
1978 43.6 59
1977 43.2 58.5
1976 42.9 58
1975 42.5 57.6
1974 42.1 57.1
1973 41.6 56.7
1972 41.2 56.4
1971 40.7 56
1970 40.4 55.7
1969 40 55.4
1968 39.6 55.2
1967 39.3 55
1966 39 54.7
1965 38.7 54.4
1964 38.5 54.2
1963 38.3 53.9
1962 38.2 53.6
1961 38.1 53.1
1960 38.1 52.6
1959 38.1 51.9
1958 38.1 51.1
1957 38.1 50.2
1956 38.1 49.2
1955 38.1 48.2
1954 38.1 47.1
1953 38.1 46.1
1952 38.1 45
1951 38 44.1
1950 38 43.1

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/liberia/south-africa | CC BY

Liberia and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Liberia

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Liberia South Africa
2024 5,612,817 64,007,187
2023 5,493,031 63,212,384
2022 5,373,294 62,378,410
2021 5,259,323 61,502,603
2020 5,149,463 60,562,381
2019 5,043,721 59,587,885
2018 4,944,726 58,613,001
2017 4,848,925 57,635,162
2016 4,755,608 57,259,551
2015 4,659,431 56,723,537
2014 4,564,293 55,594,838
2013 4,470,239 54,678,791
2012 4,373,043 53,782,567
2011 4,221,178 52,995,205
2010 4,058,890 52,344,051
2009 3,943,028 51,728,516
2008 3,821,003 51,114,599
2007 3,669,050 50,528,584
2006 3,490,787 49,998,277
2005 3,301,015 49,490,033
2004 3,156,892 48,991,421
2003 3,119,532 48,500,348
2002 3,094,782 48,019,415
2001 3,015,338 47,566,800
2000 2,928,117 47,159,719
1999 2,821,684 46,730,335
1998 2,670,124 46,223,880
1997 2,412,989 45,666,838
1996 2,232,289 45,123,018
1995 2,169,162 44,541,554
1994 2,149,928 44,004,139
1993 2,155,126 43,297,156
1992 2,072,461 42,443,509
1991 1,956,518 41,687,898
1990 2,223,667 40,746,268
1989 2,517,858 39,628,575
1988 2,446,941 38,480,649
1987 2,377,229 37,326,190
1986 2,308,511 36,180,515
1985 2,240,539 35,042,093
1984 2,173,312 33,892,788
1983 2,107,113 32,739,304
1982 2,045,073 31,615,339
1981 1,986,867 30,541,044
1980 1,929,253 29,518,857
1979 1,872,713 28,634,162
1978 1,818,247 27,869,507
1977 1,766,019 27,118,952
1976 1,717,060 26,395,450
1975 1,670,913 25,690,940
1974 1,626,362 24,989,108
1973 1,583,588 24,294,263
1972 1,542,670 23,609,456
1971 1,504,077 22,942,143
1970 1,466,676 22,279,984
1969 1,429,605 21,614,676
1968 1,393,530 20,957,287
1967 1,358,435 20,314,066
1966 1,324,383 19,690,087
1965 1,291,156 19,089,380
1964 1,258,745 18,511,361
1963 1,227,414 17,954,564
1962 1,197,039 17,418,522
1961 1,167,717 16,908,035
1960 1,139,522 16,440,172

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

GeoRank.org/facts/liberia/south-africa | CC BY

Fertility rates in Liberia and South Africa

Fertility rate
Liberia

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Liberia South Africa
2023 3.95 2.22
2022 4.02 2.23
2021 4.09 2.25
2020 4.17 2.26
2019 4.26 2.26
2018 4.34 2.27
2017 4.4 2.28
2016 4.46 2.26
2015 4.52 2.36
2014 4.62 2.42
2013 4.75 2.43
2012 4.88 2.45
2011 4.97 2.44
2010 5.06 2.44
2009 5.17 2.5
2008 5.33 2.68
2007 5.46 2.55
2006 5.53 2.55
2005 5.52 2.51
2004 5.51 2.44
2003 5.55 2.36
2002 5.65 2.32
2001 5.77 2.37
2000 5.88 2.41
1999 5.95 2.56
1998 6.02 2.63
1997 6.08 2.73
1996 6.13 2.99
1995 6.17 3.17
1994 6.21 3.26
1993 6.25 3.37
1992 6.28 3.48
1991 6.32 3.62
1990 6.37 3.72
1989 6.43 3.98
1988 6.51 4.18
1987 6.57 4.35
1986 6.64 4.41
1985 6.69 4.5
1984 6.73 4.57
1983 6.76 4.63
1982 6.79 4.7
1981 6.83 4.71
1980 6.87 4.78
1979 6.92 4.82
1978 6.88 4.85
1977 6.84 4.94
1976 6.79 5.07
1975 6.74 5.19
1974 6.69 5.3
1973 6.65 5.41
1972 6.6 5.49
1971 6.54 5.57
1970 6.58 5.63
1969 6.64 5.72
1968 6.66 5.78
1967 6.65 5.85
1966 6.63 5.91
1965 6.62 5.89
1964 6.59 5.96
1963 6.56 6.01
1962 6.5 6.05
1961 6.45 6.08
1960 6.39 6.11

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/liberia/south-africa | CC BY

Liberia and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Liberia

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Liberia South Africa
2024 19.6 29.5
2023 19.4 29.2
2022 19.2 28.9
2021 19.1 28.6
2020 19 28.3
2019 18.8 27.9
2018 18.8 27.5
2017 18.7 27
2016 18.7 26.7
2015 18.7 26.4
2014 18.7 26
2013 18.7 25.7
2012 18.8 25.3
2011 18.6 25
2010 18.4 24.6
2009 18.4 24.3
2008 18.4 24
2007 18.4 23.8
2006 18.4 23.5
2005 18.4 23.3
2004 18.4 23.1
2003 18.4 22.8
2002 18.3 22.4
2001 18.3 22.2
2000 18.3 21.9
1999 18.2 21.6
1998 18.2 21.4
1997 18.1 21.2
1996 18.1 21.2
1995 18 21.5
1994 18 22
1993 17.9 21.9
1992 17.9 21.5
1991 17.9 21.5
1990 17.9 21.3
1989 17.9 21.1
1988 17.9 20.9
1987 17.9 20.7
1986 17.9 20.5
1985 17.9 20.4
1984 17.9 20.2
1983 17.9 20
1982 17.9 19.8
1981 17.9 19.6
1980 18 19.4
1979 18 19.3
1978 18.1 19.2
1977 18.2 19.1
1976 18.2 19
1975 18.3 18.9
1974 18.4 18.9
1973 18.5 18.8
1972 18.6 18.8
1971 18.6 18.8
1970 18.7 18.8
1969 18.8 18.8
1968 19 18.8
1967 19.1 18.8
1966 19.2 18.8
1965 19.2 18.8
1964 19.2 18.9
1963 19.3 18.9
1962 19.3 18.9
1961 19.3 19
1960 19.3 19

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

GeoRank.org/facts/liberia/south-africa | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Liberia and South Africa.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Liberia South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$4.28B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.27%
2023
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.71%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
2,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
49.8
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
0.9%
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
0.22%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00002%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
220
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$986B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$600M
2022
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$1.02B
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
27.1%
2009
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
52.2%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

Liberia South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
0.87 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.15 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
92.8%
2022
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
57.4%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
55.7%
2021
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
32.5%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Liberia South Africa
% of world population
0.07%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
-9,870
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
55.5%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.9:50.1
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.43 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.13 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
23.6
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
28
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
19
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
3.12
2012
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
38.9
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
58
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
48.3%
2017
91.2%
2024
English speaking
82.7%
2023
31%
2023
People using the Internet
23.5%
2023
75.7%
2023

Health

Liberia South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$103.9
2023
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$65.7
2023
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
62.6 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
18.3%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.18
2022
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
628
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
72.9
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
17.4%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.2%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
18
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8.2%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
2.86 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Liberia South Africa
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
6,626 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
7,425 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
29,061 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
6,587 mi
2018
466,028 mi
2016

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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