Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822; by 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic. William TUBMAN, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendants of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel DOE ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought TAYLOR to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF to power. She subsequently won reelection in 2011 in a second round vote that was boycotted by the opposition and remains challenged to build Liberia's economy and reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. The United Nations Security Council in September 2012 passed Resolution 2066 which calls for a reduction of UN troops in Liberia by half by 2015, bringing the troop total down to fewer than 4000, and challenging Liberia's security sector to fill the gaps.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 30 N, 9 30 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 111,369 sq km
country comparison to the world: 104
land: 96,320 sq km
water: 15,049 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,585 km
border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
579 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 4.04%
permanent crops: 1.62%
other: 94.34% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
232 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.13 cu km/yr (55%/37%/8%)
per capita: 43.66 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Liberian(s)
adjective: Liberian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Kpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, other 20.1% (2008 Census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, other 0.2%, none 1.4% (2008 Census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,989,703 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 43.6% (male 876,696/female 863,873)
15-24 years: 17.8% (male 345,357/female 363,746)
25-54 years: 31.3% (male 622,806/female 624,707)
55-64 years: 4.3% (male 84,252/female 87,250)
65 years and over: 3% (male 60,288/female 60,728) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 84.9 %
youth dependency ratio: 79.3 %
elderly dependency ratio: 5.6 %
potential support ratio: 17.8 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 17.9 years
male: 17.7 years
female: 18.1 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.56% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
35.75 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.12 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 48.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.43% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
MONROVIA (capital) 882,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.1 (2007 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
770 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 8
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 70.93 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 17
male: 75.25 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 66.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 57.81 years
country comparison to the world: 197
male: 56.2 years
female: 59.47 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.92 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.4% (2007)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.5% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 1
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.01 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.8% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 161
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.4% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 33
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.8% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 147
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 60.8%
male: 64.8%
female: 56.8% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11 years
male: 13 years
female: 9 years (2000)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 177,160
percentage: 21 % (2007 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5.1%
country comparison to the world: 137
male: 3.4%
female: 6.6% (2010)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Liberia
conventional short form: Liberia
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Monrovia
geographic coordinates: 6 18 N, 10 48 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26 July 1847
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1847 (at independence); latest drafted 19 October 1983, revised version adopted by referendum 3 July 1984, effective 6 January 1986; amended 2011 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of common law (based on Anglo-American law) and customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); Vice President Joseph BOAKAI (since 16 January 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); Vice President Joseph BOAKAI (since 16 January 2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 11 October and 8 November 2011 (next to be held in 2017)
election results: Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF reelected president; percent of vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 90.7%, Winston TUBMAN 9.3%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (73 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in 2014); House of Representatives - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in 2017)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 10, NPP 6, CDC 3, APD 2, NUDP 2, LDP 1, LP 1, NDC 1, NDPL 1, independents 3; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 24, CDC 11, LP 7, NUDP 6, NDC 5, APD 3, NPP 3, MPC 2, LDP 1, LTP 1, NRP 1, independents 9
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief Justice and 4 associate justices)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice and associate justices appointed by the president of Liberia with consent of the Senate; judges can serve until age 70
subordinate courts: judicial circuit courts; special courts including criminal, civil, labor, traffic; magistrate and traditional or customary courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Marcus S. G. DAHN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
other: demobilized former military officers
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Jeremiah Congbeh SULUNTEH (since 25 April 2012)
chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437
FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah R. MALAC (since 20 July 2012)
embassy: U.S. Embassy, P.O. Box 98, 502 Benson Street, Monrovia
mailing address: P.O. Box 98, Monrovia
telephone: [231] 77-677-7000
FAX: [231] 77-677-7370
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a white five-pointed star appears on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the stripes symbolize the signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence; the blue square represents the African mainland, and the star represents the freedom granted to the ex-slaves; according to the constitution, the blue color signifies liberty, justice, and fidelity, the white color purity, cleanliness, and guilelessness, and the red color steadfastness, valor, and fervor
note: the design is based on the US flag
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
white star
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "All Hail, Liberia Hail!"
lyrics/music: Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA
note: lyrics adopted 1847, music adopted 1860; the anthem's author would become the third president of Liberia
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Liberia is a low income country heavily reliant on foreign assistance for revenue. Civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically elected government in 2006, several have returned. Liberia has the distinction of having the highest ratio of direct foreign investment to GDP in the world. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, primarily raw timber and rubber and is reviving those sectors. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign-owned, had been small in scope. President JOHNSON SIRLEAF, a Harvard-trained banker and administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment. Embargos on timber and diamond exports have been lifted, opening new sources of revenue for the government and Liberia shipped its first major timber exports to Europe in 2010. The country reached its Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative completion point in 2010, and nearly $5 billion of international debt was permanently eliminated. This new status will enable Liberia to establish a sovereign credit rating and issue bonds. Liberia's Paris Club creditors agreed to cancel Liberia's debt as well. The IMF has completed the sixth review of Liberia's extended credit facility, bringing total disbursements to over $379 million. The African Development Bank approved a grant of $48 million in 2011 to support economic governance and competitiveness. Rebuilding infrastructure and raising incomes will depend on generous financial and technical assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation. The country has achieved high growth during 2010-12 due to favorable world prices for its commodities.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.645 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.711 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA (2012 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 125.6%
government consumption: 15.2%
investment in fixed capital: 25%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 27.5%
imports of goods and services: -93.3%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 76.9%
industry: 5.4%
services: 17.7% (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (manioc), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.372 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 133
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 70%
industry: 8%
services: 22% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
85% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 30.1% (2007)
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $380.9 million
expenditures: $427.1 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.52% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$408.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$664.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$521.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-918.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$774.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 24%, US 15.3%, Spain 11%, Algeria 6.5%, Thailand 4.5%, Malaysia 4.1%, France 4% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.275 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South Korea 26.7%, China 24.4%, Singapore 23.2%, Japan 16.1% (2012)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$349.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.574 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$201 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
335 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
311.6 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
197,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 153
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,533 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.37 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,673 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 160
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
588,000 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,200 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 213
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.394 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 138
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: the limited services available are found almost exclusively in the capital Monrovia; fixed-line service stagnant and extremely limited; telephone coverage extended to a number of other towns and rural areas by four mobile-cellular network operators
domestic: mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity reached 50 per 100 persons in 2011
international: country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 private TV stations; satellite TV service available; 1 state-owned radio station; about 15 independent radio stations broadcasting in Monrovia, with another 25 local stations operating in other areas; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.lr
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 228
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 194
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 117
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 27
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m:
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
oil 4 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 429 km
country comparison to the world: 115
standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge
note: most sections of the railways were inoperable because of damage suffered during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003, but many are being rebuilt (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 10,600 km
country comparison to the world: 134
paved: 657 km
unpaved: 9,943 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,771
country comparison to the world: 2
by type: barge carrier 5, bulk carrier 662, cargo 143, carrier 2, chemical tanker 248, combination ore/oil 8, container 937, liquefied gas 92, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 526, refrigerated cargo 102, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 27
foreign-owned: 2,581 (Angola 1, Argentina 1, Australia 1, Belgium 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 20, Canada 2, Chile 9, China 4, Croatia 1, Cyprus 9, Denmark 8, Egypt 3, Germany 1185, Gibraltar 5, Greece 505, Hong Kong 48, India 8, Indonesia 4, Israel 34, Italy 47, Japan 110, Latvia 5, Lebanon 1, Monaco 8, Netherlands 31, Nigeria 4, Norway 38, Poland 13, Qatar 5, Romania 3, Russia 109, Saudi Arabia 20, Singapore 22, Slovenia 7, South Korea 2, Sweden 12, Switzerland 25, Syria 1, Taiwan 94, Turkey 16, UAE 37, UK 32, UK 22, Ukraine 10, Uruguay 1, US 53) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Buchanan, Monrovia
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 815,826
females age 16-49: 828,484 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 524,243
females age 16-49: 544,349 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 36,585
female: 38,516 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.82% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 339
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
although civil unrest continues to abate with the assistance of 18,000 UN Mission in Liberia peacekeepers, as of January 2007, Liberian refugees still remain in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire; despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to Ivorian cocoa plantations; UN sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 54,621 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2013)
IDPs: undetermined (civil war from 1990-2004; post-election violence in March and April 2011; unclear how many have found durable solutions; many dwell in slums in Monrovia) (2012)
Trafficking in persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
current situation: Liberia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; most victims are Liberian and are exploited within the country, where they are forced into domestic servitude, begging, prostitution, street vending, agricultural work, and diamond mining; a small number of Liberian men, women, and children are trafficked to Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and the US, while trafficking victims are brought to Liberia from neighboring West African countries, including Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Nigeria
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Liberia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has increased its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts and achieved its first conviction under its 2005 anti-trafficking law; the government has failed to make adequate efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims and has not adopted or implemented the standard operating procedures for assisting victims finalized by the anti-trafficking secretariat in 2012; the referral of victims to NGOs for protective services is inconsistent (2013)