Country Profile: Liberia

Liberia, situated in Western Africa along the North Atlantic Ocean, is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. With an estimated population of approximately 5.4 million, the country has a rich cultural diversity, featuring 28 ethnic groups and multiple languages. Liberia's economy is characterized as low-income, grappling with food scarcity and high inflation, while governance operates as a presidential republic, reflecting a history deeply rooted in both indigenous and settler influences.

Geography

Liberia features a tropical climate with a mostly flat terrain that rises to plateaus and low mountains. The country boasts extensive natural resources, including iron ore, timber, and diamonds, contributing to its economic landscape.

111,369 sq km: Total area of Liberia.
579 km: Length of its coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean.
1,667 km: Total land boundaries shared with Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone.
20%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023 est.).

People and Society

The population of Liberia is approximately 5.4 million, with a youthful median age of 19.9 years. The country is known for its ethnic diversity, with the Kpelle being the largest ethnic group. English is the official language, alongside multiple indigenous languages.

84.9%: Percentage of the population identifying as Christian.
32.4 births/1,000 population: Birth rate (2024 est.).
61.6 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
50.9%: Percentage of the population living below the poverty line (2016 est.).

Economy

Liberia's economy is primarily agrarian, with significant contributions from mining and rubber processing industries. The country is recovering from economic challenges intensified by the Ebola crisis and is characterized by a large informal sector.

$9.308 billion: Real GDP (PPP) for 2024 est.
4.8%: Projected real GDP growth rate for 2024.
33.6%: Contribution of agriculture to GDP (2024 est.).
2.9%: Unemployment rate for 2024 est.

Government

Liberia operates under a presidential republic framework, with the President serving as both head of state and government. The recent political history is marked by significant transitions, including the election of President Joseph Boakai in 2023.

President: Joseph Boakai (since January 2024).
15: Number of counties in Liberia.
18 years: Minimum voting age.
2023: Year of the most recent presidential election.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Liberia consists of a small military primarily focused on external defense and select domestic security responsibilities. The military has seen rejuvenation efforts post-civil conflicts and is lightly equipped.

2,000: Approximate active personnel in the Armed Forces (2025).
0.7% of GDP: Military expenditure for 2024 est.
18-35 years: Age range for voluntary military service.

Energy

Energy access in Liberia is challenging, with a significant portion of the population lacking reliable electricity. The energy generation mix includes a reliance on fossil fuels and hydroelectric sources.

31.8%: Percentage of total population with electricity access (2022 est.).
199,000 kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.).
1.822 million Btu/person: Total energy consumption per capita (2023 est.).

Environment

Liberia faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation and loss of biodiversity, primarily due to agricultural expansion and urbanization. The country is also a participant in several international environmental agreements.

66.5%: Forest cover as a percentage of total land area (2023 est.).
232 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.).

Transportation

Liberia's transportation system includes a modest network of roads, railways, and ports, with ongoing efforts to rebuild infrastructure damaged by past conflicts.

19: Number of airports projected by 2025.
429 km: Length of railways (2008).
4,821: Total vessels in the merchant marine (2023).

Communications

Liberia's communication infrastructure is developing, with limited internet access and a growing number of mobile subscriptions.

1.65 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2021 est.).
6,000: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2021 est.).
24%: Percentage of the population using the internet (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,437,249	Estimate for 2024
Area	111,369 sq km	Total area of Liberia
GDP (PPP)	$9.308 billion	Estimate for 2024
Unemployment Rate	2.9%	Estimate for 2024
Birth Rate	32.4 births/1,000	Estimate for 2024
Life Expectancy	61.6 years	Estimate for 2024
Electricity Access	31.8%	Percentage of total population (2022 est.)
Military Expenditure	0.7% of GDP	Estimate for 2024
Forest Coverage	66.5%	Percentage of land area (2023 est.)
Urban Population	53.6%	Percentage of total population (2023)