Liberia's economy grew 5.1 percent in 2025
Despite strong growth, more Liberians slipped into extreme poverty as jobs stalled in key sectors.
Liberia's economy expanded by 5.1 percent in 2025, the fastest rate in five years according to the World Bank. Export earnings surged by nearly 58 percent, driven by gold and iron ore. However, the number of Liberians living in extreme poverty rose from 34.6 percent in 2024 to 36.1 percent in 2025.
The economic growth was fueled by a 42 percent increase in iron ore production and a 17 percent rise in overall mining output. Sectors where most Liberians work, such as manufacturing and agriculture, saw declines or slowed growth. Agriculture, employing 39 percent of the workforce, grew only 2.6 percent, and farm labour productivity has fallen about 1.1 percent annually since 2014.
The World Bank report highlights that the government cannot reliably track the finances of its 62 state-owned entities. While food inflation decreased due to lower rice prices, non-food inflation climbed to 9.9 percent, impacting housing, healthcare, and services costs for urban workers.
Why it mattersLiberia's economic growth is not reaching the majority of its population, leading to increased poverty despite strong export performance.