Country Profile: Liberia

Liberia, located in Western Africa along the North Atlantic coast, is characterized by its rich ethnic diversity, with 28 groups and numerous languages. The nation operates as a presidential republic and was established in 1847 as Africa's first republic, originally settled by freed American slaves. Today, it grapples with economic challenges, including high poverty levels and inflation, while also striving for stabilization and development post-civil war.

Geography

Liberia is bordered by Cote d'Ivoire to the west, Sierra Leone to the southwest, and Guinea to the north, with a coastline extending 579 km along the Atlantic Ocean. The terrain features flat coastal plains that rise to rolling plateaus and low mountains in the northeast. The tropical climate includes hot and humid conditions along with a wet season that sees heavy rainfall.

Total Area: 111,369 sq km (slightly larger than Virginia)
Natural Resources: Iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower
Coastline: 579 km
Highest Point: Mount Wuteve at 1,447 m
Arable Land: 5.2%
Forest Cover: 66.5% (2023 est.)

People and Society

As of 2025, Liberia's population is estimated at 5,563,541, comprising a mix of ethnic groups, with Kpelle, Bassa, and Grebo being the largest. The median age is 20.1 years, reflecting a youthful demographic. The country is predominantly Christian (84.9%), with a significant Muslim population (12%).

Urban Population: 53.6% of total population (2023)
Birth Rate: 31.72 births/1,000 population (2025)
Life Expectancy: 61.6 years (2024)
Total Fertility Rate: 3.84 children/woman (2025)
Population Growth Rate: 2.27% (2025)
Median Age at First Birth: 19.1 years (2019/20)

Economy

Liberia has a low-income economy, marked by food scarcity and inflation, exacerbated by past crises like the Ebola outbreak. The real GDP is projected to reach $9.308 billion in 2024, with a mix of agriculture, industry, and services contributing to the economy. The country is known for its rubber plantations and mining sector.

GDP Growth Rate: 4.8% (2024 est.)
GDP per Capita: $1,700 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 2.9% (2024 est.)
Agriculture Share of GDP: 33.6% (2024 est.)
Public Debt: 28.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Exports: $1.22 billion (2022 est.)

Government

Liberia is a presidential republic with a bicameral legislature, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate. After a series of democratic transitions, Joseph Boakai became president in 2024, marking a significant shift in governance. The country has a mixed legal system influenced by both common law and customary law.

Capital: Monrovia
Independence: 26 July 1847
Election Cycle: President elected for a 6-year term
Citizen Suffrage Age: 18 years
Legislature Composition: 73 members in the House, 30 members in the Senate

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Liberia consist of the Army and the Liberia Coast Guard, with around 2,000 active personnel. Military spending is relatively low, constituting 0.7% of GDP in 2024. The military has been gradually rebuilt since the civil wars, focusing on external defense and domestic support when needed.

Military Personnel: Approximately 2,000 (2025)
Military Expenditure: 0.7% of GDP (2024)
Service Age: 18 years (voluntary)
Military Equipment: Limited inventory, supplemented by donations

Energy

Electricity access in Liberia remains low, with only 31.8% of the population having access in 2022. The energy mix predominantly includes fossil fuels and hydroelectricity, yet considerable losses occur in transmission and distribution.

Installed Generating Capacity: 199,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 215.96 million kWh (2023 est.)
Rural Electrification Rate: 14.9%
Per Capita Energy Consumption: 1.822 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Environment

Liberia faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. The country is a signatory to several international environmental agreements aimed at combating these issues.

Total Renewable Water Resources: 232 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Annual Municipal Solid Waste: 564,500 tons (2024 est.)
Co2 Emissions: 671,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Urbanization Rate: 3.41% (annual change)

Transportation

Liberia's transportation network includes 19 airports and a limited rail system, most of which remains inoperable due to previous conflicts. The country has a merchant marine fleet consisting of several ship types.

Total Rail Length: 429 km (2008)
Airports: 19 (2025)
Ports: 4 (2024)
Merchant Marine: 4,821 vessels (2023)

Communications

Telecommunications in Liberia show a growing trend, with a notable number of mobile subscriptions, yet fixed-line connections remain scarce. Internet access is gradually improving, with 24% of the population using it in 2023.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 1.72 million (2022)
Internet Users: 24% of the population (2023)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 6,000 (2021)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,563,541	Estimate for 2025
Area	111,369 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$9.308 billion	Projected for 2024
Unemployment Rate	2.9%	Estimate for 2024
Birth Rate	31.72 births/1,000	Estimate for 2025
Life Expectancy	61.6 years	Estimate for 2024
Electricity Access	31.8%	Total population access (2022)
Total Energy Consumption	215.96 million kWh	Actual consumption (2023)
Military Expenditure	0.7%	Of GDP for 2024
Urban Population	53.6%	Total urban population (2023)