Liberia Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Liberia's budget deficit was -1.75% in 2025, ranked 61st globally. This represents a 11.8% increase from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Liberia's budget deficit stood at -1.75% in 2025, a rise of +0.23% from 2024. The IMF projects -1.75% by 2025. Liberia ranked 61st globally.
Liberia’s primary fiscal balance has swung dramatically over the past 26 years, moving from a modest surplus of 0.08 percent of GDP in 2000 to an all‑time peak deficit of 4.23 percent in 2006, before plunging to a trough of –7.14 percent in 2017. The latest IMF World Economic Outlook estimate for 2025 shows the deficit at –1.75 percent of GDP, placing Liberia 61st globally and closely aligning it with peers such as Albania (–1.72 percent) and Nepal (–1.82 percent). The post‑conflict reconstruction effort of the early 2000s drove the 2006 peak, while the severe fiscal contraction accompanying the Ebola crisis and subsequent debt restructuring contributed to the 2017 low. Recent modest improvements reflect higher tax collection and limited external borrowing, yet the deficit remains negative. Continued diversification of revenue sources and disciplined public‑investment planning will be crucial if Liberia is to reverse the current deficit trajectory and achieve a sustainable fiscal position.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -1.35% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -2.52% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -2.50% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -2.09% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -2.41% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -1.75% | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.75% | +0.23% | #61 |
| 2024 | -1.98% | +5.05% | #113 |
| 2023 | -7.03% | −1.70% | #19 |
| 2022 | -5.33% | −2.83% | #49 |
| 2021 | -2.50% | +1.52% | #128 |
| 2020 | -4.02% | +0.90% | #134 |
| 2019 | -4.93% | −0.22% | #33 |
| 2018 | -4.70% | +2.43% | #36 |
| 2017 | -7.14% | −3.31% | #17 |
| 2016 | -3.83% | −0.09% | #64 |
| 2015 | -3.74% | +1.18% | #71 |
| 2014 | -4.92% | −6.21% | #41 |
| 2013 | 1.29% | +4.15% | #166 |
| 2012 | -2.86% | +1.53% | #81 |
| 2011 | -4.39% | −5.56% | #54 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Liberia matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Liberia's budget deficit was -1.75% in 2025. Ranked 61st globally. This represents a 11.8% increase from the previous year.
Liberia's budget deficit peaked at 4.23% in 2006.
The lowest budget deficit in Liberia was -7.14% in 2017.
Liberia ranks 61st globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Liberia's budget deficit is projected to reach -1.75% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Liberia in 2025 was -1.75%. This ranks 61st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_liberia_budget-deficit,
title = {Liberia Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/liberia/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}