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Liberia is situated in the centre of the Upper Guinea rainforest region on the west coast of Africa. This is a highly biologically diverse region that was originally covered by continuous, dense tropical rainforest. Liberia has a predominantly equatorial climate, with three distinct topographical belts: the low coastal belt, forested hills, and a series of low mountains and plateaus.
About 4.7 million people in Liberia are exposed to various natural hazards including floods, coastal erosion and windstorms, all of which are expected to become more frequent with the impact of climate change. The population is also exposed to disease outbreaks, most recently an outbreak of measles.
Liberia has enjoyed almost 20 years of peace and stability since the end of the second civil war in 2003. For the first time in 74 years, power was transferred peacefully between leaders of opposing parties when, on 28 January 2018, the current administration of George Weah was sworn in, succeeding the outgoing administration of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Women, however, continue to be poorly represented in national politics and very few hold leadership positions.
Institutions exist in Liberia that were established, and are devoted, to fighting corruption, but they lack the resources and capacity to function effectively.
Corruption, therefore, remains pervasive. For example, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission was established in 2008 but, due to a lack of financial and non-financial resources, has struggled to carry out its mandate. The Commission conducted only two prosecutions between 2008 and 2017.
The UN estimates that there are about 5.3 million people in Liberia, and there is a population growth rate of 2.4 per cent. Approximately 51.6 per cent of the population currently live in urban areas and this is projected to increase to 57.3 per cent by 2030, and 68.2 per cent by 2050. The country’s GDP is dominated by the agricultural sector, including fishing and forestry, which accounts for 42.6 per cent of GDP. The industrial sector, including mining, construction, electricity, water and gas, contributes 11.7 per cent of GDP, according to 2020 data.
Despite increasing global fuel and food prices, inflation was contained in 2021 and into the first half of 2022.
Growth is expected to slow to 3.7 per cent in 2022, reflecting increased global uncertainties and commodity price shocks, but reach an average of 5.2 per cent over 2023–2024. However, the effects of the war in Ukraine and the 2023 elections could pose significant risks.