Africa
Page last updated: July 24, 2024
With 28 ethnic groups and languages, Liberia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. For hundreds of years, the Mali and Songhai Empires claimed most of Liberia. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders began establishing outposts along the Liberian coast. Unlike its neighbors, however, Liberia did not fall under European colonial rule. In the early 19th century, the US began sending freed enslaved people and other people of color to Liberia to establish settlements. In 1847, these settlers declared independence from the US, writing their own constitution and establishing Africa’s first republic.
Early in Liberia’s history, tensions arose between the Americo-Liberian settlers and the indigenous population. In 1980, Samuel DOE, who was from the indigenous population, led a military coup and ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 permitted an election that brought TAYLOR to power. In 2000, fighting resumed. A 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted TAYLOR’s resignation. He was later convicted by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague for his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war.
In 2005, Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF became president after two years of transitional governments; she was the first female head of state in Africa. In 2011, JOHNSON SIRLEAF won reelection but struggled to rebuild Liberia's economy -- particularly after the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic -- and to reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. In 2017, former soccer star George WEAH won the presidential runoff election, marking the first successful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another since the end of Liberia’s civil wars. Like his predecessor, WEAH struggled to improve the country’s economy. In 2023, former Vice President Joseph BOAKAI was elected president, edging out WEAH by a thin margin, the first time since 1927 that an incumbent was not re-elected after one term.
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
6 30 N, 9 30 W
Africa
Total : 111,369 km²
Land: 96,320 km²
Water: 15,049 km²
Slightly larger than Virginia
Area comparison map:
Total: 1,667 km
Border countries (3): Guinea 590 km; Cote d'Ivoire 778 km; Sierra Leone 299 km
579 km
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200 nm
Tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
Mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast
Highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,447 m
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Mean elevation: 243 m
Iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower
Agricultural land: 28.1% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 5.2% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 20.8% (2018 est.)
Forest: 44.6% (2018 est.)
Other: 27.3% (2018 est.)
30 km² (2012)
More than half of the population lives in urban areas, with approximately one-third living within an 80-km radius of Monrovia as shown in this population distribution map
Dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)
Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture
Total: 5,437,249
Male: 2,711,324
Female: 2,725,925 (2024 est.)
Comparison rankings: female 121; male 120; total 121
Noun: Liberian(s)
Adjective: Liberian
Kpelle 20.2%, Bassa 13.6%, Grebo 9.9%, Gio 7.9%, Mano 7.2%, Kru 5.5%, Lorma 4.8%, Krahn 4.5%, Kissi, 4.3%, Mandingo 4.2%, Vai 3.8%, Gola 3.8%, Gbandi 2.9%, Mende 1.7%, Sapo 1%, Belle 0.7%, Dey 0.3%, other Liberian ethnic group 0.4%, other African 3%, non-African 0.2% (2022 est.)
English 20% (official) and 27 indigenous languages, including Liberian English (encompassing several varieties of English spoken by Liberians)
Christian 84.9%, Muslim 12%, Traditional 0.5%, other 0.1%, none 2.6% (2022 est.)
Liberia’s high fertility rate of nearly 5 children per woman and large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 as of 2020 – will sustain a high dependency ratio for many years to come. Significant progress has been made in preventing child deaths, despite a lack of health care workers and infrastructure. Infant and child mortality have dropped nearly 70% since 1990; the annual reduction rate of about 5.4% is the highest in Africa.
Nevertheless, Liberia’s high maternal mortality rate remains among the world’s worst; it reflects a high unmet need for family planning services, frequency of early childbearing, lack of quality obstetric care, high adolescent fertility, and a low proportion of births attended by a medical professional. Female mortality is also increased by the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC), which is practiced by 10 of Liberia’s 16 tribes and affects more than two-thirds of women and girls. FGC is an initiation ritual performed in rural bush schools, which teach traditional beliefs on marriage and motherhood and are an obstacle to formal classroom education for Liberian girls.
Liberia has been both a source and a destination for refugees. During Liberia’s 14-year civil war (1989-2003), more than 250,000 people became refugees and another half million were internally displaced. Between 2004 and the cessation of refugee status for Liberians in June 2012, the UNHCR helped more than 155,000 Liberians to voluntarily repatriate, while others returned home on their own. Some Liberian refugees spent more than two decades living in other West African countries. Between 2011 and 2022, more than 300,000 Ivoirian refugees in Liberia have been repatriated; as of year-end 2022, less than 2,300 Ivoirian refugees were still living in Liberia.
0-14 years: 38.9% (male 1,064,100/female 1,052,556)
15-64 years: 57.9% (male 1,566,263/female 1,579,835)
65 years and over: 3.2% (2024 est.) (male 80,961/female 93,534)
2023 population pyramid:
Total dependency ratio: 79.7
Youth dependency ratio: 73.7
Elderly dependency ratio: 6
Potential support ratio: 16.7 (2021 est.)
Total: 19.9 years (2024 est.)
Male: 19.8 years
Female: 20 years
2.32% (2024 est.)
32.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
-0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
More than half of the population lives in urban areas, with approximately one-third living within an 80-km radius of Monrovia as shown in this population distribution map
Urban population: 53.6% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 3.41% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
1.678 million MONROVIA (capital) (2023)
At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
19.1 years (2019/20 est.)
Note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
652 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
Total: 55.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 61 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 50.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Total population: 61.6 years (2024 est.)
Male: 59.9 years
Female: 63.3 years
3.93 children born/woman (2024 est.)
1.94 (2024 est.)
24.9% (2019/20)
Improved: urban: 96.2% of population
Rural: 70.6% of population
Total: 84% of population
Unimproved: urban: 3.8% of population
Rural: 29.4% of population
Total: 16% of population (2020 est.)
9.5% of GDP (2020)
0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Improved: urban: 68% of population
Rural: 25.2% of population
Total: 47.5% of population
Unimproved: urban: 32% of population
Rural: 74.8% of population
Total: 52.5% of population (2020 est.)
Degree of risk: very high (2023)
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and sexually transmitted diseases: hepatitis B (2024)
Water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Animal contact diseases: rabies
Aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever
9.9% (2016)
Total: 3.12 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Beer: 0.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine: 0.44 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits: 2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Total: 8.2% (2020 est.)
Male: 14.3% (2020 est.)
Female: 2% (2020 est.)
10.9% (2019/20)
48.7% (2023 est.)
Women married by age 15: 5.8% NA
Women married by age 18: 24.9% NA
Men married by age 18: 8.4% (2020 est.)
2.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 48.3%
Male: 62.7%
Female: 34.1% (2017)
Tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; hunting of endangered species for bushmeat; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage; pollution of rivers from industrial run-off; burning and dumping of household waste
Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
Signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
Agricultural land: 28.1% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 5.2% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 20.8% (2018 est.)
Forest: 44.6% (2018 est.)
Other: 27.3% (2018 est.)
Urban population: 53.6% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 3.41% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Severe localized food insecurity: due to high food prices and economic downturn \- levels of acute food insecurity are expected to increase in 2023 associated with high food prices due to high international commodity prices and elevated transportation costs, exacerbated by the unfolding effects of the war in Ukraine on international trade and commodity prices; food availability and access are likely to remain limited by high food prices and below‑average imports; an expected further slowdown in economic domestic growth in 2023 is likely to compound food insecurity conditions for the most vulnerable households; in the June to August 2023 lean season period, over 531,000 people are projected to face acute food insecurity (2023)
13.27% of GDP (2018 est.)
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Particulate matter emissions: 35.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.39 megatons (2016 est.)
Methane emissions: 6.56 megatons (2020 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated annually: 564,467 tons (2007 est.)
Municipal: 80 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Industrial: 50 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Agricultural: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
232 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Conventional long form: Republic of Liberia
Conventional short form: Liberia
Etymology: name derives from the Latin word "liber" meaning "free"; so named because the nation was created as a homeland for liberated African-American slaves
Presidential republic
Name: Monrovia
Geographic coordinates: 6 18 N, 10 48 W
Time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: named after James MONROE (1758-1831), the fifth president of the United States and supporter of the colonization of Liberia by freed slaves; one of two national capitals named for a US president, the other is Washington, D.C.
15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe
26 July 1847
Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
History: previous 1847 (at independence); latest drafted 19 October 1983, revision adopted by referendum 3 July 1984, effective 6 January 1986
Amendments: proposed by agreement of at least two thirds of both National Assembly houses or by petition of at least 10,000 citizens; passage requires at least two-thirds majority approval of both houses and approval in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of registered voters; amended 2011, 2020
Mixed legal system of common law, based on Anglo-American law, and customary law
Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship by birth: no
Citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Liberia
Dual citizenship recognized: no
Residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years
18 years of age; universal
Chief of state: President Joseph BOAKAI (since 22 January 2024)
Head of government: President Joseph BOAKAI (since 22 January 2024)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate
Elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 October 2023 with a runoff on 14 November 2023 (next to be held in October 2029) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Election results: 2023: Joseph BOAKAI elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - George WEAH (CDC) 43.8%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 43.4%, Edward APPLETON (GDM) 2.2%, Lusinee KAMARA (ALCOP) 2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS, Jr. (CPP) 1.6%, Tiawan Saye GONGLOE (LPP) 1.4%, other 5.6%; percentage of vote in second round - Joseph BOAKAI 50.6%, George WEAH 49.4%
Description: bicameral National Assembly consists of:
The Liberian Senate (30 seats; members directly elected in 15 2-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 9-year staggered terms; each district elects 1 senator and elects the second senator 3 years later, followed by a 6-year hiatus, after which the first Senate seat is up for election)
House of Representatives (73 seats; members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms; eligible for a second term)
Elections: Senate - general election held on 10 October 2023 with half the seats up for election (next to be held in October 2029)
House of Representatives - last held on 10 October 2023 (next to be held in October 2029)
Election results: Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - CDC 34.3%, UP 12.0%, MDR 7.1%, LRP 1.5%, independent 24.3%; seats by party/coalition - CDC 6, UP 1, MDR 1, LRP 1, independent 6; composition- men 27, women 3, percentage women 10%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - CDC 22.1%, UP 13.1%, CPP 7.6%, MDR 2.8%, PUP 4.3%, ALP 2.5%, LINU 2.3%, MPC 1.0%, NDC 1.0%, VOLT 0.8%, LRP 0.8%, Independent 25.7%; seats by party/coalition - CDC 25, UP 11, CPP 6, MDR 4, PUP 2, ALP 1, LINU 1, MPC 1, NDC 1, VOLT 1 LRP 1, independent 19; composition- men 65, women 8, percentage women 11%; total Parliament percentage women 10.6%
Highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 4 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction for all constitutional cases
Judge selection and term of office: chief justice and associate justices appointed by the president of Liberia with consent of the Senate; judges can serve until age 70
Subordinate courts: judicial circuit courts; special courts, including criminal, civil, labor, traffic; magistrate and traditional or customary courts
All Liberian Party or ALP [Benoni UREY]
Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD (vacant)
Alternative National Congress or ANC [Alexander B. CUMMINGS, JR]
Coalition for Democratic Change [George WEAH] (includes CDC, NPP, and LPDP)
Collaborating Political Parties or CPP [collective leadership] (coalition includes ANC, LP; CPP dissolved in April 2024)
Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [George WEAH]
Liberia Destiny Party or LDP [Nathaniel BARNES]
Liberia National Union or LINU [Dr. Clarence K. MONIBA]
Liberia Transformation Party or LTP [Kennedy SANDY]
Liberian People Democratic Party or LPDP [Alex J. TYLER]
Liberian People's Party or LPP [Henry FAHNBULLEH, JR]
Liberian Restoration Party or LRP [Gabriel SALEE]
Liberty Party or LP [Charles BRUMSKINE]
Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction or MDR [Prince Y. JOHNSON]
Movement for Economic Empowerment [Joseph JONES]
Movement for Progressive Change or MPC [Simeon FREEMAN]
National Democratic Coalition or NDC [Dew MAYSON]
National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL [D. Nyandeh SIEH]
National Patriotic Party or NPP [Jewel HOWARD TAYLOR]
National Reformist Party or NRP [Maximillian T. W. DIABE]
National Union for Democratic Progress or NUDP [Victor BARNEY]
People's Unification Party or PUP [Isobe GBORKORKOLLIE]
Unity Party or UP [Josephe BOAKAI]
United People's Party [MacDonald WENTO]
Victory for Change Party or VCP [Marcus R. JONES]
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a white five-pointed star appears on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the stripes symbolize the signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence; the blue square represents the African mainland, and the star represents the freedom granted to the ex-slaves; according to the constitution, the blue color signifies liberty, justice, and fidelity, the white color purity, cleanliness, and guilelessness, and the red color steadfastness, valor, and fervor
Note: the design is based on the US flag
White star; national colors: red, white, blue
Name: "All Hail, Liberia Hail!"
Lyrics/music: Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA
Note: lyrics adopted 1847, music adopted 1860; the anthem's author later became the third president of Liberia
Low-income West African economy; food scarcity, especially in rural areas; high poverty and inflation; bad recession prior to COVID-19 due to Ebola crisis; growing government debt; longest continuously operated rubber plantation; large informal economy
$8.884 billion (2023 est.)
$8.484 billion (2022 est.)
$8.095 billion (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
4.71% (2023 est.)
4.81% (2022 est.)
4.99% (2021 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
$1,600 (2023 est.)
$1,600 (2022 est.)
$1,600 (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
$4.332 billion (2023 est.)
Note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
23.56% (2018 est.)
12.42% (2017 est.)
8.83% (2016 est.)
Note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Agriculture: 34% (2017 est.)
Industry: 13.8% (2017 est.)
Services: 52.2% (2017 est.)
Comparison rankings: services 167; industry 189; agriculture 15
Household consumption: 128.8% (2016 est.)
Government consumption: 16.7% (2016 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 19.5% (2016 est.)
Investment in inventories: 6.7% (2016 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 17.5% (2016 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -89.2% (2016 est.)
Cassava, rice, sugarcane, oil palm fruit, bananas, rubber, vegetables, plantains, taro, maize (2022)
Note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Mining (iron ore and gold), rubber processing, palm oil processing, diamonds
13.86% (2023 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
2.499 million (2023 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
2.94% (2023 est.)
2.99% (2022 est.)
3.79% (2021 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment
Total: 3.2% (2021 est.)
Male: 3.2%
Female: 3.2%
50.9% (2016 est.)
Note: % of population with income below national poverty line
35.3 (2016 est.)
Note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Lowest 10%: 2.9% (2016 est.)
Highest 10%: 27.1% (2016 est.)
Note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
18.47% of GDP (2023 est.)
17.24% of GDP (2022 est.)
15.11% of GDP (2021 est.)
Note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Revenues: $5 million (2019 est.)
Expenditures: $6 million (2019 est.)
-4.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
34.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
28.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
12.46% (of GDP) (2013 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
$64.806 million (2022 est.)
-$101.746 million (2021 est.)
-$274.971 million (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
$1.22 billion (2022 est.)
$1.041 billion (2021 est.)
$731.658 million (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Switzerland 28%, France 8%, Germany 8%, UK 8%, Poland 6% (2022)
Note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Gold, ships, iron ore, rubber, refined petroleum (2022)
Note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
$1.961 billion (2022 est.)
$1.739 billion (2021 est.)
$1.371 billion (2020 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
China 42%, South Korea 23%, Japan 15%, Germany 5%, Brazil 3% (2022)
Note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, centrifuges, rice (2022)
Note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
$599.66 million (2022 est.)
$700.829 million (2021 est.)
$340.966 million (2020 est.)
Note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
$826 million (2019 est.)
$679 million (2018 est.)
Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
152.934 (2022 est.)
166.154 (2021 est.)
191.518 (2020 est.)
186.43 (2019 est.)
144.056 (2018 est.)
Electrification - total population: 31.8% (2022 est.)
Electrification - urban areas: 53.7%
Electrification - rural areas: 14.9%
Installed generating capacity: 197,000 kW (2022 est.)
Consumption: 615.96 million kWh (2022 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 179.222 million kWh (2022 est.)
Comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 62; consumption 169; installed generating capacity 173
Fossil fuels: 32.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Hydroelectricity: 66.7% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Imports: 78,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)
620,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 620,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
1.971 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
Total subscriptions: 6,000 (2021 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2021 est.) less than 1
Total subscriptions: 1.653 million (2021 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2021 est.)
General assessment: Liberia has a telecom market which is mainly based on mobile networks; this is due to the civil war which destroyed much of the fixed-line infrastructure; to facilitate LTC Mobile’s market entry, the government in January 2022 set in train amendments to telecom legislation; internet services are available from a number of wireless ISPs as well as the mobile operators; the high cost and limited bandwidth of connections means that internet access is expensive and rates are very low; additional bandwidth is available from an international submarine cable but considerable investment is still needed in domestic fixed-line infrastructure before end-users can make full use of the cable (2022)
Domestic: fixed-line less than 1 per 100; mobile-cellular subscriptions are 32 per 100 persons (2021)
International: country code - 231; landing point for the ACE submarine cable linking 20 West African countries and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
8 private and 1 government-owned TV station; satellite TV service available; 1 state-owned radio station; approximately 20 independent radio stations broadcasting in Monrovia, with approximately 80 more local stations operating in other areas; transmissions of 4 international (including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Radio France Internationale) broadcasters are available (2019)
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Total: 1.768 million (2021 est.)
Percent of population: 34% (2021 est.)
Total: 13,000 (2020 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.3 (2020 est.)
A8
19 (2024)
4 km oil (2013)
Total: 429 km (2008)
Standard gauge: 345 km (2008) 1.435-m gauge
Narrow gauge: 84 km (2008) 1.067-m gauge
Note: most sections of the railways inoperable due to damage sustained during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003, but many are being rebuilt
Total: 10,600 km
Paved: 657 km
Unpaved: 9,943 km (2021)
Total: 4,821 (2023)
By type: bulk carrier 1,895, container ship 1,013, general cargo 170, oil tanker 1,038, other 705
Total ports: 4 (2024)
Large: 0
Medium: 0
Small: 1
Very small: 3
Ports with oil terminals: 3
Key ports: Buchanan, Cape Palmas, Greenville, Monrovia
Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Liberian Coast Guard, Air Wing; Ministry of Justice: Liberia National Police, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (2024)
Note: the AFL Air Wing was previously disbanded in 2005 and has been under redevelopment since 2019; the Liberian National Police and the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency are under the Ministry of Justice
0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2019 est.)
0.5% of GDP (2018 est.)
Approximately 2,000 active personnel (2023)
The military has a limited inventory; in recent years, it has received small quantities of equipment, including donations, from countries such as China and the US (2023)
18-35 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2023)
The AFL is responsible for external defense but also has some domestic security responsibilities if called upon, such as humanitarian assistance during natural disasters and support to law enforcement; it is a small, lightly equipped force comprised of two combat infantry battalions and supporting units; the infantry battalions were rebuilt with US assistance in 2007-2008 from the restructured AFL following the end of the second civil war in 2003 when military and police forces were disbanded and approximately 100,000 military, police, and rebel combatants were disarmed
The first militia unit established for defense of the colony was raised in 1832; the AFL traces its origins to the 1908 establishment of the Liberia Frontier Force, which became the Liberian National Guard in 1965; the AFL was established in 1970
The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established in 2003 as a peacekeeping force; at its height, UNMIL was comprised of about 15,000 personnel, including more than 3,000 troops absorbed from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peacekeeping mission; Liberian forces reassumed full control of the country’s security in June of 2016, and the UNMIL mission was ended in 2018 (2023)
Not a significant transit country for illicit narcotics bound for the United States or Europe; not a key producer of illicit drugs; proximity to major drug transit routes contribute to trafficking cocaine and heroin, to and through Liberia and other West African countries; local drug use involves locally grown cannabis, heroin (mostly smoked), cocaine (snorted), and more recently kush (Cannabis Indic’s type flower), mixed with different substances including heroin or synthetic DMT