Liberia Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Liberia, State of West Africa; 111,000 km², 4.8 million residents (2019).Liberia borders in the northwest to Sierra Leone, in the north to Guinea and in the east to the Ivory Coast and in the southwest has a 570 km long coast towards the Atlantic. The capital is Monrovia (1.1 million residents, 2010).

Country facts

Republic of Liberia / Republic of Liberia
Country abbreviation: LR
Area: 111 000 km²
Population (2019): 4.8 million residents
Capital: Monrovia
Main languages: English, kpelle
State: Republic
Head of State and Head of Government: George Weah (President)
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 674
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 600
Currency unit: 1 Liberian dollar = 100 cents
Currency code: LRD
Country number (telephony). 231
Internet domain name: lr
Time difference compared to Sweden: −1
National Day: July 26 (Independence Day, 1847)

Nature

Land use: forest (18%), agricultural land (4%), other (78%)
Highest mountain: Wuteve (1,380 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 43 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 2.4%; birthrate 32 ‰, deathrate 8 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (42%), 15-64 (55%), 65- (3%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 62 years, women 65 years
Infant mortality (2019): 55 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 9 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.435 (place 181 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 51%
Most populous city (2010): Monrovia (1.1 million residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (34%), industry (14%), service (52%)
Exports (2017): US $ 260 million
Main export products: rubber, timber, iron ore, diamonds
Main exporting countries: Germany, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates
Imports (2017): US $ 1,166 million
Main import products: fuel, chemicals, machinery
Main importing countries: Singapore, China, South Korea
Railway network (2010): 430 km

Liberia consists of a 25–35 km wide, sandy coastal plain with marshland that has within it a 30 km wide hill area. Thereafter, a highland, which ends with a mountainous region with, among other things, Nimbabergen. The country has tropical rainforest climate with monsoon character.

The executive power is held by the president, who is the head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief and who is elected in general elections for six years. The legislative power is held by Parliament, which is divided into two chambers. The members of the House of Representatives are elected in general elections for six years, while each county appoints two members of the Senate for a term of nine years.

Liberia’s economy is largely focused on primary production and is therefore greatly affected by variations in world market prices. The 13-year civil war meant a significant destruction of the country’s economic infrastructure, but since the peace settlement in 2003, the economy has been rebuilt; major investments in the former thriving iron industry are planned. The country’s most important export product is raw rubber. The registration of merchant vessels has long accounted for a large part of the state income.