Liberia
Region
🌍 Africa
Population
👥 5
Currency
💱 Liberian dollar
Languages
🗣️ English
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Official NameSource: REST Countries
Republic of Liberia
Continent
Africa
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Liberian
Independence
July 26, 1847
Top-Level Domain
.lr
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+231
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Monrovia
ISO Alpha-2
LR
ISO Alpha-3
LBR
UN Code
430
Geographic Coordinates
6.5,-9.5
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
111,369#104 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
5,248,621#124 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
57.03
Highest Point (m)
Mount Wuteve, 1,380 meters
Lowest Point (m)
Sea level (Atlantic Ocean)
Land Use
Agricultural land is approximately 30%, with forests covering about 45%.
Irrigated Land
Approximately 20 square kilometers of land is irrigated.
Coastline Length
579 kilometers
Climate
Tropical; hot, humid, and wet, with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Natural Resources
Iron ore, rubber, timber, diamonds, gold.
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone
Major Rivers
The Cavalla, St. Paul, and Mano rivers are among the major rivers.
Major Lakes
Liberia has no major lakes.
Government Type
Republic
Administrative Divisions
15 counties
Legal System
Based on English common law and customary law.
Chief of State
President Joseph Boakai
Head of Government
President Joseph Boakai
Cabinet
The cabinet is appointed by the President.
Elections
President and vice president are elected by popular vote for six-year terms; members of the House of Representatives are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; members of the Senate are elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms (staggered).
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court of Liberia.
Legislative Branch
Bicameral National Legislature (Senate and House of Representatives).
Major Political Parties
Unity Party, Coalition for Democratic Change, and others.
CurrencySource: REST Countries
Liberian dollar
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
5.25#167 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
11.35#161 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
915.33#199 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
32.65
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
24.53
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
39.97
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
8.32#31 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
2,673,807
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
2.88#150 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Liberia's public debt is a significant concern; figures vary.
Budget
Liberia's annual budget is managed by the government.
Exports (US$ billion)
Liberia's exports are approximately $0.6 billion.
Imports (US$ billion)
Liberia's imports are estimated to be around $1.0 billion.
Foreign Reserves
Liberia's foreign reserves fluctuate and are monitored by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange rates can be found at major banks and online financial platforms.
GDP by Sector
The GDP is primarily driven by services, followed by industry and agriculture.
Major Industries
Major industries include rubber processing, logging, and diamond mining.
Major Export Partners
Major export partners include the United States, Germany, and China.
Major Import Partners
Major import partners include China, India, and the United States.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2010)Checked September 29, 2026
59.4#152 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
30.6
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
8
Net Migration Rate
The net migration rate in Liberia is generally low, with fluctuations.
Median Age
The median age in Liberia is relatively young.
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
56.08#138 of 214
Urbanization Rate
Liberia is experiencing urbanization, but the rate varies year to year.
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
62.3#199 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
HIV/AIDS prevalence in Liberia is a concern.
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
13.01
Ethnic Groups
Ethnic groups include the Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, and Kru.
Religions
Christianity is the predominant religion, with significant Muslim and indigenous beliefs present.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
English
Education
Education System
Public and private systems, with significant challenges. Curriculum based on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2000)Checked September 29, 2026
10.8
Government Education Spending
Government spending on education is a significant portion of the budget but can be variable.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
University of Liberia, Cuttington University.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Rich cultural diversity influenced by various ethnic groups and traditions. Oral storytelling, music, dance and crafts are important.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
- New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
- Armed Forces Day (2026-02-11)
- National Decoration Day (2026-03-11)
- Joseph Jenkins Roberts Birthday (2026-03-15)
- Fast and Prayer Day (2026-04-10)
- National Unification Day (2026-05-14)
- Independence Day (2026-07-26)
- National Flag Day (2026-08-24)
- Thanksgiving Day (2026-11-05)
- William V. S. Tubman's Birthday (2026-11-29)
- Christmas Day (2026-12-25)
Popular Music
Hipco (Liberian hip-hop), gospel music, and traditional music forms.
Traditional Food
Palm butter soup, fufu, rice, cassava leaf stew, and pepper soup.
Sports
Soccer is the most popular sport, followed by basketball. Liberia has participated in the Olympics.
Major Festivals
Liberia's Independence Day celebrations, various ethnic festivals showcasing cultural traditions.
Famous People
George Weah (footballer, politician), Leymah Gbowee (Nobel Peace Prize laureate).
Cultural Heritage Sites
Limited number of officially designated sites, but rich in tangible and intangible heritage.
UNESCO Sites
None currently.
Annual Tourist Visits
Low number of annual tourist visits.
Tourism Overview
Tourism is underdeveloped, but Liberia has potential with natural attractions.
Top Tourist Attractions
Robertsport, Lake Piso, Sapo National Park, Providence Island, Kpatawee Waterfall.
Famous Cities
Monrovia, Buchanan, Ganta, Harper, Robertsport.
National Parks
Sapo National Park, and others.
Protected Areas
Protected areas exist, including national parks and reserves.
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
Visa required for many nationalities; consult the Liberian embassy or consulate.
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
Travel advisories often recommend caution due to security concerns and infrastructure limitations.
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
The healthcare quality index is relatively low in Liberia.
Medical Cost
Medical costs in Liberia vary depending on the service and location.
Number of Hospitals
Liberia has a limited number of hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Universal Healthcare
Limited access, public and private healthcare exist. Challenges include funding, infrastructure, and trained personnel.
Medical Services Overview
Medical services are available, but access and quality can be limited.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical access can be challenging in Liberia, particularly outside of urban centers.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
911
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
Unknown
Emergency Number (Fire)
Unknown
Crime Rate
Higher crime rates, particularly in urban areas. Petty theft is a common concern.
Safety Index
Lower safety index due to crime and infrastructure issues.
Military Expenditure
Relatively low military expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
Emergency Services Overview
Emergency services are limited and under-resourced. Response times can be slow.
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
Very low electricity access, particularly in rural areas. Reliance on generators is common.
Water Access
Access to improved water sources is variable; challenges with access in rural areas and during dry seasons.
Sanitation Access
Sanitation access is a significant challenge, with a high proportion of the population lacking access to improved sanitation.
Railways
None currently operational for passenger transport.
Roadways
Limited paved roads, especially outside major cities. Road conditions vary significantly.
Transportation System
Roads are the primary mode of transportation. Infrastructure development is ongoing, but infrastructure is limited.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Roberts International Airport (ROB), Greenville/Sinoe Airport (SNI), Spriggs Payne Airport (MLW)
Ports
Major port at Monrovia.
Public Transit
Primarily informal, including minibuses (trotros) and taxis. Limited organized public transit.
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
32.23#180 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
Moderate mobile subscriptions per 100 people.
Tech Startups
Emerging tech startup scene.
Innovation Index
Low innovation index.
ICT Development Index
Low ICT Development Index.
TV Broadcast Stations
Limited TV broadcast stations.
Radio Broadcast Stations
Several radio broadcast stations.
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
0.15#185 of 202
Air Quality Index
Air quality data is limited. Generally, air quality is a concern due to industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust.
Water Pollution Level
High levels of water pollution due to inadequate sanitation, industrial discharge, and mining activities.
Renewable Energy Usage
Low renewable energy usage. Primarily relying on hydropower, with potential for solar and wind.
Environmental Issues
Deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity are primary issues.
Natural Hazards
Floods, landslides, and coastal erosion are common natural hazards.
Waste Management
Poor waste management infrastructure, resulting in open dumping and inadequate recycling.
Environmental Agreements
Party to several environmental agreements, including climate change, biodiversity, and ozone layer protection.
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
Maintains diplomatic missions in various countries, with numerous embassies and consulates.
International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries
African Union
Major Treaties
Participates in major international treaties related to environmental protection and human rights.
Visa-Free Countries
Liberian citizens can travel visa-free to a limited number of countries.