Liberia: economy

What is the Central Bank of Liberia interest rate?

The Monetary Policy Rate is 16.0%, according to the Central Bank of Liberia. Its Monetary Policy Committee held the rate at that level at its meeting on 6 October 2026 (Communique No. 28), after a cut of 25 basis points from 16.25% at the July 2026 meeting. At the October meeting the Bank also raised the reserve requirement on US dollar deposits from 10% to 12% and kept the requirement on Liberian dollar deposits at 25%.

The MPR is the rate at which the CBL issues its own bills to banks. Around it sits a corridor: a standing deposit facility below the rate and a standing credit facility above it, which the October communique adjusted to 6.0 points below and 0.5 points above. Because most bank deposits and loans in Liberia are in US dollars, the policy rate mainly steers Liberian dollar liquidity.

Official sources: CBL: MPC maintains Monetary Policy Rate at 16.0 percent · CBL: MPC Communique No. 28 (PDF)

What is the inflation rate in Liberia?

Headline inflation was 5.0% year on year in June 2026, down from 5.3% in May, according to the Central Bank of Liberia's Monthly Economic Review for June 2026. In June 2025 the rate was 9.9%. The October 2026 MPC communique gives an estimate of 4.5% for the third quarter of 2026 and expects about 4.6% in the fourth quarter.

Liberia's consumer price index is compiled by LISGIS, and the CBL publishes the rates and their components. In June 2026 domestic food inflation rose to 10.4% while imported food inflation fell to 0.3%. Core inflation, which excludes food and transport, was 4.5%. Monthly reviews appear several weeks after the month they cover; the list is on the CBL monthly economic review page.

Official sources: CBL: Monthly Economic Review, June 2026 (PDF) · CBL: Monthly Economic Review list

What is the GDP growth rate of Liberia?

Real GDP growth is projected at 5.5% for 2026, compared with 5.1% in 2025, according to the Central Bank of Liberia's Monetary Policy Committee communique of 6 October 2026. The committee says activity expanded in the third quarter, driven mainly by mining, manufacturing and services, and that its Composite Index of Economic Activity rose during the quarter.

These are central bank projections, not final national accounts. Liberia's GDP estimates are produced jointly by LISGIS, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the CBL, and are often revised. For a GDP figure in US dollars, the World Bank puts Liberia's GDP at about US$5.2 billion in 2025, or about US$915 per person, on its GDP indicator page.

Official sources: CBL: MPC Communique No. 28 (PDF) · World Bank: GDP (current US$), Liberia

What are Liberia's main exports?

Gold and iron ore are Liberia's largest exports, according to the Central Bank of Liberia's Monthly Economic Review for June 2026. Merchandise export earnings were US$219.55 million in June 2026, of which gold accounted for US$125.74 million, iron ore US$57.92 million and rubber US$14.06 million. Export earnings fell 11.7% from May, mainly because of lower gold and iron ore receipts.

Europe was the leading destination in June, with Switzerland taking a large share, which reflects gold sales. Import payments fell 27.5% to US$182.78 million, so the merchandise trade balance moved into surplus for the month. Monthly trade figures swing with gold shipments and ship arrivals, so a single month is a weak guide to the year.

Official sources: CBL: Monthly Economic Review, June 2026 (PDF)

What is the Liberian dollar exchange rate?

On 14 October 2026 the Central Bank of Liberia quoted market rates of L$169.7415 (buying) and L$171.7848 (selling) per US$1, according to its daily exchange rates page. On 19 September the buying rate was L$171.7648, so the Liberian dollar has strengthened a little against the US dollar.

The rates are averages of market buying and selling quotes compiled by the CBL, not a fixed official rate; the CBL notes that Liberia's financial system is highly dollarised. In its June 2026 monthly review the CBL put the end-June rate at L$181.86, so it took about 7% fewer Liberian dollars to buy a US dollar in mid-October than at the end of June.

Official sources: CBL: Daily exchange rates · CBL: Monthly Economic Review, June 2026 (PDF)

How big are Liberia's foreign reserves?

Liberia's gross international reserves were US$984.50 million at the end of June 2026, up 4.4% from US$943.04 million at the end of March, according to the Central Bank of Liberia's Financial and Economic Bulletin for the second quarter of 2026. That was enough to pay for 3.7 months of imports, above the ECOWAS regional benchmark of 3 months.

The bank's Monthly Economic Review for June 2026 gives a different import cover, 5.2 months, because it divides reserves by imports for that month only, which were unusually low. Reserves include foreign currency, gold, Special Drawing Rights and the reserve position at the IMF. Liberia uses both the Liberian dollar and the US dollar, so reserves also support confidence in the exchange rate.

Official sources: Financial and Economic Bulletin for the second quarter of 2026 · Monthly Economic Review for June 2026

How much money do Liberians abroad send home?

Personal remittance inflows to Liberia were US$93.79 million in June 2026, 10.6% less than in May, according to the Central Bank of Liberia's Monthly Economic Review for June 2026. Net of money sent out of the country (US$17.22 million), net inflows were US$76.57 million, down from US$85.95 million.

Remittances are money sent by Liberians living abroad to families at home, through banks and money transfer companies. Inflows in June 2025 were US$77.79 million, so they were higher than a year earlier. The bank says remittance inflows, together with public sector US dollar spending, have supported the Liberian dollar in 2026. Monthly figures are provisional and are often revised.

Official sources: Monthly Economic Review for June 2026

How big is Liberia's economy?

Liberia's GDP was US$4,892.8 million in 2024, or L$936,014 million, according to the total GDP series published by LISGIS. In US dollar terms it was up from US$4,610.6 million in 2023. GDP per person was US$915.33 in 2025, according to World Bank Open Data.

The figures are in current prices, so they include inflation and exchange rate changes as well as real growth. LISGIS also publishes GDP by sector and by spending, and quarterly series from 2016. Mining, mainly gold and iron ore, and agriculture, including rubber, are large parts of the economy. The Central Bank of Liberia uses a GDP estimate of US$5,715 million for 2026.

Official sources: total GDP series · World Bank Open Data

What is Liberia's economic growth rate?

In 2025, real GDP growth in Liberia was 5.0%, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from -3.0% (2020) to 9.5% (2007). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 4.6%; Liberia is 21st highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 45th of 180.

What is Liberia's GDP per person?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $915. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $1,351; Liberia is 37th highest of 46. Worldwide: 171st of 180.

How does Liberia's income per person compare after prices?

$1,981 in international dollars: that is GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Liberia for 2025, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $4,425 in international dollars, and Liberia placed 39th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 172nd of 179.

Does Liberia earn more abroad than it spends?

2.5% of GDP: that is the current account balance in Liberia for 2024, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from -60.0% of GDP (2012) to 5.3% of GDP (2015). It is 5th highest of 36 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -4.2% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 45th of 162.

How much foreign direct investment goes into Liberia?

The IMF puts net inflows of foreign direct investment in Liberia at 9.5% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 103.3% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at -3.0% of GDP. It is 7th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.0% of GDP. Worldwide: 20th of 179.

What are bank lending rates in Liberia?

13.0%: that is the average bank lending rate in Liberia for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 17.0% in 2005 and the low 12.4% in 2019. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 17.6%; Liberia is 11th highest of 16. Worldwide: 21st of 73.