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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.lr

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

7 (2012) country comparison to the world: 228

Internet users [time series]

20,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

3,200 (2011) country comparison to the world: 213

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2.394 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 138

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (manioc), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber

Budget [time series]

revenues: $380.9 million expenditures: $427.1 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-2.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

13.52% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 13.75% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$-918.8 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $-953 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$349.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $447.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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.

Exchange rates [time series]

Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - 73.52 (2012 est.) 72.23 (2011 est.) 71.4 (2010 est.)

Exports [time series]

$774.8 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $645.7 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee

Exports - partners [time series]

China 24%, US 15.3%, Spain 11%, Algeria 6.5%, Thailand 4.5%, Malaysia 4.1%, France 4% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.711 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$2.645 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $2.442 billion (2011 est.) $2.264 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

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% (2011 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 76.9% industry: 5.4% services: 17.7% (2002 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$700 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 $600 (2011 est.) $600 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

8.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 7.9% (2011 est.) 6.1% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

NA (2012 est.) -36.6% of GDP (2011 est.) -30.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.1% (2007)

Imports [time series]

$2.275 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $2.068 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

South Korea 26.7%, China 24.4%, Singapore 23.2%, Japan 16.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

6.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 8.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.372 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 133

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 70% industry: 8% services: 22% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

80% (2000 est.)

Public debt [time series]

0.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 0.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$664.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $560.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$201 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $201 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$3.574 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $2.912 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$521.9 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $475.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$408.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $433.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

22.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Unemployment rate [time series]

85% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 200

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

588,000 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - consumption [time series]

311.6 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

197,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Electricity - production [time series]

335 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 160

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

3,533 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

23.37 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

3,673 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 111,369 sq km country comparison to the world: 104 land: 96,320 sq km water: 15,049 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Tennessee

Climate [time series]

tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers

Coastline [time series]

579 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.13 cu km/yr (55%/37%/8%) per capita: 43.66 cu m/yr (2005)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

6 30 N, 9 30 W

Geography - note [time series]

facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture

Irrigated land [time series]

21 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,585 km border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 4.04% permanent crops: 1.62% other: 94.34% (2011)

Location [time series]

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)

Natural resources [time series]

iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast

Total renewable water resources [time series]

232 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe

Capital [time series]

name: Monrovia geographic coordinates: 6 18 N, 10 48 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

previous 1847 (at independence); latest drafted 19 October 1983, revised version adopted by referendum 3 July 1984, effective 6 January 1986; amended 2011 (2011)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

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 theWorld Leaders website) 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%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

26 July 1847

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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)

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief Justice and 4 associate justices) note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction for all constitutional cases 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

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of common law (based on Anglo-American law) and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

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

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "All Hail, Liberia Hail!"

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 July (1847)

National symbol(s) [time series]

white star

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Marcus S. G. DAHN] Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [Geraldine DOE-SHERIFF] Liberia Destiny Party or LDP [Nathaniel BARNES] Liberty Party or LP [Isreal ARKINSAYAN] Liberia Transformation Party or LTP [Julius SUKU] Movement for Progressive Change or MPC [Simeon FREEMAN] National Democratic Coalition or NDC [Dew MAYSON] National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL [D. Nyandeh SIEH] National Patriotic Party or NPP [Theophilus C. GOULD] National Reformist Party or NRP [Maximillian T. W. DIABE] National Union for Democratic Progress or NUDP [Emmanuel LOMAX] Unity Party or UP [Varney SHERMAN]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: demobilized former military officers

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 815,826 females age 16-49: 828,484 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 524,243 females age 16-49: 544,349 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 36,585 female: 38,516 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force

Military expenditures [time series]

0.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 147

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

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.)

Birth rate [time series]

35.75 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]

total number: 177,160 percentage: 21 % (2007 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

20.4% (2007) country comparison to the world: 33

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

11.4% (2007)

Death rate [time series]

10.12 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 84.9 % youth dependency ratio: 79.3 % elderly dependency ratio: 5.6 % potential support ratio: 17.8 (2013)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 88% of population rural: 60% of population total: 73% of population unimproved: urban: 12% of population rural: 40% of population total: 27% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.8% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 147

Ethnic groups [time series]

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)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

1.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

3,600 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

37,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

19.5% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 1

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

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.)

Languages [time series]

English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 57.81 years country comparison to the world: 197 male: 56.2 years female: 59.47 years (2013 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.8% male: 64.8% female: 56.8% (2010 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

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)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

MONROVIA (capital) 882,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

770 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 8

Median age [time series]

total: 17.9 years male: 17.7 years female: 18.1 years (2013 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

19.1 (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

4.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 161

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.01 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population [time series]

3,989,703 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Population growth rate [time series]

2.56% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Religions [time series]

Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, other 0.2%, none 1.4% (2008 Census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 29% of population rural: 7% of population total: 18% of population unimproved: urban: 71% of population rural: 93% of population total: 82% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 11 years male: 13 years female: 9 years (2000)

Sex ratio [time series]

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.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.92 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 5.1% country comparison to the world: 132 male: 3.4% female: 6.6% (2010)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 48.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 3.43% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

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 [time series]

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)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

29 (2013) country comparison to the world: 117

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 14 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

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)

Pipelines [time series]

oil 4 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Buchanan, Monrovia

Railways [time series]

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 [time series]

total: 10,600 km country comparison to the world: 134 paved: 657 km unpaved: 9,943 km (2000)