CapitalMonrovia
Population5,563,541
Area111,369 km²
GDP per capita$1,700
LanguagesEnglish along with 27 indigenous languages, which include variants of Liberian English
CurrencyLiberian dollars
Life Expectancy61.6 yr
Governmenta presidential republic
Introduction
Background
Home to 28 distinct ethnic groups and languages, Liberia ranks among the most ethnically varied nations globally. For centuries, the territory was dominated by the Mali and Songhai Empires. Starting in the 15th century, European traders initiated the establishment of trading posts along the coast of Liberia. However, in contrast to its neighboring countries, Liberia managed to evade European colonial domination. In the early 1800s, the United States commenced the relocation of freed enslaved individuals and other people of color to Liberia, aiming to create settlements. In 1847, these settlers proclaimed their independence from the United States, drafting their own constitution and founding Africa's inaugural republic.
In the formative years of Liberia, friction emerged between the Americo-Liberian settlers and the indigenous communities. In 1980, Samuel DOE, representing the indigenous populace, orchestrated a military coup, initiating a decade characterized by authoritarian governance. The year 1989 saw Charles TAYLOR instigate a rebellion that ignited a lengthy civil conflict, resulting in DOE's demise. A phase of relative tranquility in 1997 enabled an election that saw TAYLOR ascend to power. However, fighting erupted again in 2000. A peace accord in 2003 concluded the civil war and led to TAYLOR's resignation. Subsequently, he was found guilty by the UN-supported Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague for his role in Sierra Leone's civil conflict.
In 2005, Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF assumed the presidency after two years of interim governments, becoming Africa's first female head of state. In 2011, JOHNSON SIRLEAF was re-elected but faced challenges in revitalizing Liberia's economy, especially following the Ebola outbreak from 2014 to 2015, alongside the need to heal a nation still grappling with the aftermath of 14 years of war. In 2017, George WEAH, a former footballer, triumphed in the presidential runoff election, marking the first successful power transition between two democratically elected administrations since the conclusion of Liberia's civil wars. Like his predecessor, WEAH encountered difficulties in enhancing the nation's economy. In 2023, former Vice President Joseph BOAKAI was elected president, narrowly surpassing WEAH, marking the first instance since 1927 that an incumbent president was not re-elected after a single term.
Geography
Area
land
96,320 sq km
water
15,049 sq km
total
111,369 sq km
Climate
tropical; characterized by hot and humid conditions; dry winters featuring warm days and cool to cold nights; wet and overcast summers with frequent heavy rainfall
Terrain
predominantly flat to gently rolling coastal plains that ascend to a rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeast
Land use
other
13.5% (2023 est.)
forest
66.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
20% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 12.7% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Western Africa, this country is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, situated between Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Coastline
579 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Mount Wuteve 1,447 m
mean elevation
243 m
Irrigated land
30 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
1,667 km
border countries
Guinea 590 km; Côte d'Ivoire 778 km; Sierra Leone 299 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
the harmattan winds, laden with dust, sweep down from the Sahara between December and March
Geography - note
the coastline, facing the Atlantic Ocean, features lagoons, mangrove swamps, and sandbars formed by river deposits; the inland grassy plateau allows for limited agricultural activities
Natural resources
iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, and hydropower
Area - comparative
somewhat larger than the state of Virginia
Geographic coordinates
6 30 N, 9 30 W
Population distribution
over fifty percent of the populace resides in urban regions, with about one-third living within an 80-km (50-mi) distance from Monrovia, as depicted in this population distribution map
People & Society
Languages
English 20% (official) along with 27 indigenous languages, which include variants of Liberian English
Religions
Christianity 84.9%, Islam 12%, Traditional beliefs 0.5%, other 0.1%, none 2.6% (2022 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.99 male(s)/female
total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.87 male(s)/female
Birth rate
31.72 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.17 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
19.8 years
total
20.1 years (2025 est.)
female
20 years
Population
male
2,774,006
total
5,563,541 (2025 est.)
female
2,789,535
Nationality
noun
Liberian(s)
adjective
Liberian
Tobacco use
male
11.5% (2025 est.)
total
6.4% (2025 est.)
female
1.5% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
53.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.41% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
38.9% (male 1,064,100/female 1,052,556)
15-64 years
57.9% (male 1,566,263/female 1,579,835)
65 years and over
3.2% (2024 est.) (male 80,961/female 93,534)
Ethnic groups
Kpelle 20.2%, Bassa 13.6%, Grebo 9.9%, Gio 7.9%, Mano 7.2%, Kru 5.5%, Lorma 4.8%, Krahn 4.5%, Kissi, 4.3%, Mandingo 4.2%, Vai 3.8%, Gola 3.8%, Gbandi 2.9%, Mende 1.7%, Sapo 1%, Belle 0.7%, Dey 0.3%, other Liberian ethnic group 0.4%, other African 3%, non-African 0.2% (2022 est.)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
8.4% (2020)
women married by age 15
5.8% (2020)
women married by age 18
24.9% (2020)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
72 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
66.4 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
18 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
5.6 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
16.6% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
4.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
1.6 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
3.84 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 65.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 75.6% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 84.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 34.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 24.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 15.4% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
2.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
7.4% national budget (2021 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
61 deaths/1,000 live births
total
55.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
50.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
2.27% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.89 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
over fifty percent of the populace resides in urban settings, with roughly one third located within an 80-km (50-mi) radius of Monrovia, as depicted in this population distribution map
Life expectancy at birth
male
59.9 years
female
63.3 years
total population
61.6 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
628 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 25.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 49% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 70.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 74.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 51% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 29.9% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.44 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
3.12 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.678 million MONROVIA (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
9.9% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.1 years (2019/20 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
51.4% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
10.9% (2019 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical; characterized by high temperatures and humidity; dry winters featuring warm days and cooler to cold nights; wet and overcast summers with regular heavy rainfall
Land use
other
13.5% (2023 est.)
forest
66.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
20% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 12.7% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
53.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.41% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
564,500 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
7.9% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation of tropical rainforests; erosion of soil; decline in biodiversity; hunting of endangered species for bushmeat; contamination of coastal waters due to oil spills and untreated sewage; pollution of rivers from industrial discharges; incineration and disposal of domestic waste
Total water withdrawal
municipal
80.2 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
53.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
12.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
671,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
4 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
671,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
41.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
232 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
Modification of the Environment, Conservation of Marine Life
Government
Flag
description: consists of 11 equally sized horizontal stripes in red and white; a white five-pointed star is positioned on a blue square in the upper-left corner
meaning: the stripes represent the signers of the Liberian Declaration of Independence, the blue square symbolizes the African continent, and the star signifies the freedom awarded to former slaves; the blue color represents liberty, justice, and fidelity; white signifies purity, cleanliness, and simplicity; red stands for courage, valor, and passion
Capital
name
Monrovia
etymology
named after James MONROE (1758-1831), the fifth president of the United States and advocate for Liberia's establishment as a settlement for freed slaves
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
6 18 N, 10 48 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Liberia
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
2 years
Constitution
history
previously established in 1847 (at independence); latest version drafted on 19 October 1983, with revisions adopted via referendum on 3 July 1984, becoming effective on 6 January 1986
amendment process
proposed through the agreement of at least two-thirds of both houses of the National Assembly or by a petition signed by at least 10,000 citizens; for passage, a two-thirds majority approval from both houses and a referendum approval by at least two-thirds of registered voters is required
Country name
etymology
the name originates from the Latin term liber, which translates to "free;" it was designated this way as the country was established as a sanctuary for freed African-American slaves
conventional long form
Republic of Liberia
conventional short form
Liberia
Independence
26 July 1847
Legal system
a hybrid system of common law that incorporates elements of Anglo-American law along with customary law
Government type
a presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 4 associate justices)
subordinate courts
judicial circuit courts; specialized courts, including criminal, civil, labor, traffic; magistrate courts and traditional or customary courts
judge selection and term of office
the chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the president of Liberia with the Senate's approval; judges may serve until reaching the age of 70
Executive branch
cabinet
the Cabinet is appointed by the president and requires confirmation from the Senate
chief of state
President Joseph BOAKAI (since 22 January 2024)
election results
2023: Joseph BOAKAI was elected president in the second round; first round vote percentages - George WEAH (CDC) 43.8%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 43.4%, Edward APPLETON (GDM) 2.2%, Lusinee KAMARA (ALCOP) 2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS, Jr. (CPP) 1.6%, Tiawan Saye GONGLOE (LPP) 1.4%, others 5.6%; second round vote percentage - Joseph BOAKAI 50.6%, George WEAH 49.4%
2017: George WEAH was elected president in the second round; first round vote percentages - George WEAH (Coalition for Democratic Change) 38.4%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 28.8%, Charles BRUMSKINE (LP) 9.6%, Prince JOHNSON (MDR) 8.2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS (ANC) 7.2%, others 7.8%; second round vote percentage - George WEAH 61.5%, Joseph BOAKAI 38.5%
head of government
President Joseph BOAKAI (since 22 January 2024)
most recent election date
10 October 2023, with a runoff on 14 November 2023
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly through an absolute-majority popular vote over two rounds, if necessary, for a term of 6 years (eligible for reelection for a second term)
expected date of next election
October 2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
National color(s)
red, white, blue
Political parties
All Liberian Party or ALP
Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD
Alternative National Congress or ANC
Coalition for Democratic Change (including CDC, NPP, and LPDP)
Collaborating Political Parties or CPP (coalition includes ANC, LP; CPP dissolved in April 2024)
Congress for Democratic Change or CDC
Liberia Destiny Party or LDP
Liberia National Union or LINU
Liberia Transformation Party or LTP
Liberian People Democratic Party or LPDP
Liberian People's Party or LPP
Liberian Restoration Party or LRP
Liberty Party or LP
Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction or MDR
Movement for Economic Empowerment
Movement for Progressive Change or MPC
National Democratic Coalition or NDC
National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL
National Patriotic Party or NPP
National Reformist Party or NRP
National Union for Democratic Progress or NUDP
People's Unification Party or PUP
Unity Party or UP
United People's Party
Victory for Change Party or VCP
Legislative branch
legislature name
Legislature
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"All Hail, Liberia, Hail!"
history
lyrics were adopted in 1847, while the music was adopted in 1860; the author of the anthem later became the third president of Liberia
lyrics/music
Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA
National symbol(s)
white star
Administrative divisions
15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives
term in office
6 years
number of seats
73 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/10/2023
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
11%
parties elected and seats per party
Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) (25); Unity Party (UP) (11); Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) (6); Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) (4); Independents (19); Other (8)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
The Liberian Senate
term in office
9 years
number of seats
30 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
partial renewal
most recent election date
10/10/2023
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
10%
parties elected and seats per party
Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) (6); Unity Party (UP) (1); Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) (1); Liberia Restoration Party (LRP) (1); Independents (6)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 723-0436
chancery
5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone
[1] (202) 723-0437
chief of mission
Ambassador Al-Hassan CONTEH (since 24 July 2025)
consulate(s) general
New York
email address and website
[email protected]
http://www.liberianembassyus.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[231] 77-677-7370
embassy
502 Benson Street, Monrovia
telephone
[231] 77-677-7000
mailing address
8800 Monrovia Place, Washington DC 20521-8800
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Joseph ZADROZNY (since August 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://lr.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$5 million (2019 est.)
expenditures
$6 million (2019 est.)
Exports
Exports 2020
$731.658 million (2020 est.)
Exports 2021
$1.041 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$1.22 billion (2022 est.)
Imports
Imports 2020
$1.371 billion (2020 est.)
Imports 2021
$1.739 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$1.961 billion (2022 est.)
Industries
extraction (iron ore and gold), rubber manufacturing, palm oil production, diamonds
Labor force
2.607 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
28.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
15.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
17.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
18.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2019
186.43 (2019 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
191.518 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
166.154 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
152.934 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
174.956 (2023 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$1.335 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
economy in West Africa classified as low-income; prevalent food shortages, particularly in rural regions; significant poverty and inflation rates; severe economic downturn preceding the COVID-19 pandemic attributed to the Ebola crisis; escalating governmental debt; the longest-operating rubber plantation; substantial informal economic sector
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
3% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
2.9% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Switzerland 30%, UK 13%, France 8%, Germany 7%, Lebanon 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 48%, Japan 21%, Germany 8%, Brazil 3%, Cote d'Ivoire 3% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$1,600 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$1,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$1,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
4.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
4.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
4.8% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
cassava, sugarcane, rice, oil palm fruit, bananas, rubber, vegetables, plantains, taro, maize (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, ships, iron ore, rubber, refined petroleum (2023)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, rice, trucks, centrifuges (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2020
-$274.971 million (2020 est.)
Current account balance 2021
-$101.746 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
$64.806 million (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$4.75 billion (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
50.9% (2016 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
7.8% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
7.6% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
10.1% (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
6.1% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$8.484 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$8.882 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$9.308 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
2.2% (2024 est.)
total
2.1% (2024 est.)
female
2% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020
$340.966 million (2020 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$700.829 million (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$599.66 million (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
23.3% (2024 est.)
services
42.1% (2024 est.)
agriculture
33.6% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.9% (2016 est.)
highest 10%
27.1% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016
35.3 (2016 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
75,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
215.96 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
199,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
179.222 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
14.9%
electrification - urban areas
53.7%
electrification - total population
31.8% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
1.822 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
66.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
32.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
24% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
There are 8 privately owned television stations and 1 publicly owned television station; satellite television services are accessible; 1 public radio station exists; approximately 20 independent radio stations are broadcasting in Monrovia, along with around 80 additional local stations functioning in other regions; broadcasts from 4 international broadcasters are available (2019)
Internet country code
.lr
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
6,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
1.72 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
32 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
15,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Buchanan, Cape Palmas, Greenville, Monrovia
very small
3
total ports
4 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
3
Airports
19 (2025)
Railways
total
429 km (2008)
narrow gauge
84 km (2008) 1.067-m gauge
standard gauge
345 km (2008) 1.435-m gauge
Merchant marine
total
4,821 (2023)
by type
bulk carrier 1,895, container ship 1,013, general cargo 170, oil tanker 1,038, other 705
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
A8
Military & Security
Military - note
The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) are tasked with external defense and may undertake certain domestic security duties when necessary, such as providing humanitarian aid in the event of natural disasters and assisting law enforcement agencies. This military force is relatively small and lightly equipped, consisting of two combat infantry battalions along with supporting units and a limited number of coastal patrol vessels for the Coast Guard. The infantry battalions were reconstituted with the help of the United States during the years 2007-2008, following the restructuring of the AFL after the conclusion of the second civil war in 2003, a conflict that resulted in the disbanding of military and police forces and the disarmament of approximately 100,000 military personnel, police officers, and rebel fighters.
The origins of the AFL can be traced back to the formation of the first militia unit for the defense of the Liberia colony in 1832. The AFL's lineage includes the establishment of the Liberia Frontier Force in 1908, which was later transformed into the Liberian National Guard in 1965. The official establishment of the AFL occurred in 1970 (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
0.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Liberian Coast Guard
Ministry of Justice: Liberia National Police, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (2025)
Military service age and obligation
The minimum age for voluntary military service is 18 years for both men and women (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military maintains a limited arsenal; in recent years, it has acquired small amounts of equipment through donations from countries including China, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 2,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — the administration did not show significant enhancements in efforts to combat trafficking when compared to the last reporting period, resulting in Liberia's placement on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second year in a row; for further information, visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/liberia/
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
1,854 (2024 est.)
