Liberia: public finances

What is Liberia's public debt?

Public debt was 43.3% of GDP, according to the Central Bank of Liberia's Monetary Policy Committee communique of 6 October 2026, which describes it as having declined marginally and as broadly sustainable. The committee called for continued fiscal discipline and closer coordination between fiscal and monetary policy.

The full breakdown of domestic and external debt, by creditor, is published by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in its public debt reports. The ministry's website could not be read by our checker on 15 October 2026 because it loads only through JavaScript, so the figure here is the central bank's. Debt ratios depend on the GDP estimate used, which is often revised.

Official sources: CBL: MPC Communique No. 28 (PDF) · Ministry of Finance and Development Planning

How much tax does Liberia collect?

Liberia's government collected US$220.10 million in tax in the second quarter of 2026, 18.6% more than in the first quarter and 3.9% of GDP, according to the Central Bank of Liberia's Financial and Economic Bulletin for the second quarter of 2026, based on Ministry of Finance and Development Planning data. Taxes on income and profits brought in US$127.34 million and taxes on international trade US$68.22 million.

Total revenue was US$276.69 million, including US$56.59 million of non-tax revenue such as property income and fees. Revenue in the first quarter was much higher, US$461.17 million, because of one-off property income of US$259.03 million. Liberia plans to replace its goods and services tax with VAT from January 2027.

Official sources: Financial and Economic Bulletin for the second quarter of 2026

How much does Liberia's government spend?

Liberia's government spent US$345.29 million in the second quarter of 2026, 6.0% of GDP and 51.2% more than in the first quarter, according to the Central Bank of Liberia's second-quarter 2026 Financial and Economic Bulletin. Pay for public employees was US$89.10 million, goods and services US$62.68 million and capital spending US$62.09 million.

Payments on loans, interest and other charges were US$60.51 million. Spending exceeded revenue by US$68.59 million in the quarter (1.2% of GDP), after a surplus of US$232.73 million in the first quarter. Quarterly balances swing widely with the timing of one-off revenues and payments, so they should not be read as an annual trend.

Official sources: second-quarter 2026 Financial and Economic Bulletin

What is Liberia's national debt?

In 2025, general government gross debt in Liberia was 55.1% of GDP, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 20.5% of GDP (2012) to 488.5% of GDP (2005). It is 21st highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 53.0% of GDP. Of 185 countries with 2025 data, 86th highest.

Does Liberia's government borrow more than it raises?

The IMF puts general government net lending or borrowing in Liberia at -2.1% of GDP in 2025, a deficit. The peak was 4.2% of GDP in 2006 and the low -8.8% of GDP in 2023. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -3.0% of GDP, and Liberia placed 17th highest of 47. Worldwide: 76th of 188.

How much revenue does Liberia's government raise?

20.9% of GDP: that is general government revenue in Liberia for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 33.4% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 11.2% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 18.4% of GDP, and Liberia placed 16th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 124th of 187.

How big is Liberia's government spending as a share of GDP?

23.0% of GDP: that is general government spending in Liberia for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 37.1% of GDP in 2015 and the low 10.6% of GDP in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 20.8% of GDP; Liberia is 19th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2025 data, 127th highest.

What is Liberia's defence spending?

According to SIPRI, military spending in Liberia was 0.9% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 1.4% of GDP in 2023 and the low 0.2% of GDP in 2008. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 1.3% of GDP, and Liberia placed 34th highest of 44. Worldwide: 119th of 149.