External debt as a share of gross national income in Liberia
Liberia: External debt as a share of gross national income was 50.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
External debt as a share of gross national income in Liberia, 2000–2024
Source: World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for external debt as a share of gross national income in Liberia is 50.5%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.3% on the previous year and up 114.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external debt as a share of gross national income in Liberia peaked at 610.5% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 18.5%, in 2013.
Liberia ranks 44th of 121 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External debt as a share of gross national income in Liberia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 367.1% | — |
| 2001 | 405.1% | +10.3% |
| 2002 | 431.6% | +6.5% |
| 2003 | 610.5% | +41.4% |
| 2004 | 528.6% | -13.4% |
| 2005 | 497.9% | -5.8% |
| 2006 | 433.5% | -12.9% |
| 2007 | 310.0% | -28.5% |
| 2008 | 201.8% | -34.9% |
| 2009 | 114.0% | -43.5% |
| 2010 | 23.0% | -79.8% |
| 2011 | 19.7% | -14.3% |
| 2012 | 19.3% | -2.4% |
| 2013 | 18.5% | -4.1% |
| 2014 | 23.6% | +27.6% |
| 2015 | 28.4% | +20.5% |
| 2016 | 30.5% | +7.3% |
| 2017 | 36.2% | +18.8% |
| 2018 | 38.8% | +7.0% |
| 2019 | 42.7% | +10.2% |
| 2020 | 50.5% | +18.4% |
| 2021 | 56.1% | +11.0% |
| 2022 | 51.2% | -8.6% |
| 2023 | 51.1% | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 50.5% | -1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 390.0% | 114.0% | 610.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 28.1% | 18.5% | 42.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 51.9% | 50.5% | 56.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Liberia
More economy & growth data for Liberia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.97 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 6.15 Percent per annum (2029)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), annual growth 7.62 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per unit of GDP 0.9716 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per capita 889.34 current LCU per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), annual 4.99 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per unit 0.7215 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per 660.38 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant LCU), annual growth 4.99 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant LCU), per unit of 0.7606 constant LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external debt as a share of gross national income in Liberia?
- External debt as a share of gross national income in Liberia was 50.5% in 2024, according to World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest external debt as a share of gross national income recorded in Liberia?
- The highest recorded value was 610.5% in 2003.
- What is the lowest external debt as a share of gross national income recorded in Liberia?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.5% in 2013.
- How does Liberia rank for external debt as a share of gross national income?
- Liberia ranks 44th out of 121 countries with data for 2024.
- Is external debt as a share of gross national income rising or falling in Liberia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 114.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Liberia data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of External debt as a share of gross national income. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
External debt stocks as a proportion of GNI (%).