External debt stocks in Liberia
Liberia: External debt stocks was 50.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
External debt stocks in Liberia, 1970–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of GNI.
Analysis
The most recent figure for external debt stocks in Liberia is 50.5%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 1.3% on the previous year and up 114.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external debt stocks in Liberia peaked at 1,343.3% in 1995 and was at its lowest, 18.5%, in 2013.
Liberia ranks 44th of 122 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 stocks in Liberia, year by year
| Year | % of GNI | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 45.7% | — |
| 1971 | 43.2% | -5.3% |
| 1972 | 39.0% | -9.7% |
| 1973 | 36.9% | -5.5% |
| 1974 | 29.9% | -19.1% |
| 1975 | 28.0% | -6.1% |
| 1976 | 31.1% | +11.1% |
| 1977 | 38.1% | +22.5% |
| 1978 | 53.7% | +40.9% |
| 1979 | 64.1% | +19.2% |
| 1980 | 71.1% | +11.0% |
| 1981 | 85.8% | +20.7% |
| 1982 | 96.4% | +12.3% |
| 1983 | 104.6% | +8.5% |
| 1984 | 117.6% | +12.5% |
| 1985 | 131.6% | +11.8% |
| 1986 | 177.4% | +34.8% |
| 1987 | 199.8% | +12.7% |
| 1988 | 182.7% | -8.6% |
| 1989 | 181.6% | -0.6% |
| 1990 | 390.2% | +114.8% |
| 1991 | 457.2% | +17.2% |
| 1992 | 708.5% | +55.0% |
| 1993 | 1,014.8% | +43.2% |
| 1994 | 1,302.7% | +28.4% |
| 1995 | 1,343.3% | +3.1% |
| 1996 | 1,106.2% | -17.7% |
| 1997 | 647.5% | -41.5% |
| 1998 | 561.7% | -13.2% |
| 1999 | 555.2% | -1.2% |
| 2000 | 367.1% | -33.9% |
| 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% | +20.6% |
| 2016 | 30.5% | +7.2% |
| 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% | -8.7% |
| 2023 | 51.1% | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 50.5% | -1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 41.0% | 28.0% | 64.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 134.9% | 71.1% | 199.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 808.7% | 390.2% | 1,343.3% | 10 |
| 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)
- Manufacturing, value added (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.0228 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2011)
- Manufacturing, value added (current US$), per capita 12.94 current US$ per person (2011)
- Manufacturing, value added (current LCU), per unit of GDP 0.0228 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2011)
- Manufacturing, value added (current LCU), per capita 12.94 current LCU per person (2011)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), annual 22.57 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), per 0.2453 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), per 224.56 current US$ per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), annual 22.57 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external debt stocks in Liberia?
- External debt stocks in Liberia was 50.5% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest external debt stocks recorded in Liberia?
- The highest recorded value was 1,343.3% in 1995.
- What is the lowest external debt stocks recorded in Liberia?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.5% in 2013.
- How does Liberia rank for external debt stocks?
- Liberia ranks 44th out of 122 countries with data for 2024.
- Is external debt stocks 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 International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of External debt stocks (% of GNI). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total external debt stocks to gross national income. Total external debt is debt owed to nonresidents repayable in currency, goods, or services. Total external debt is the sum of public, publicly guaranteed, and private nonguaranteed long-term debt, use of IMF credit, and short-term debt. Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. GNI (formerly GNP) is the sum of value added by all resident producers plus any product taxes (less subsidies) not included in the valuation of output plus net receipts of primary income (compensation of employees and property income) from abroad.