Quick facts
Liberia population overview
Liberia is the 37th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 5,790,982 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.2% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 346 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 173,150 births (29.9 per 1,000 people) and 45,749 deaths (7.9 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 1,158 people. The infant mortality rate is 53.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,139,522 in 1960 to 5,731,206 in 2025 — a change of +402.9%, or +2.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 19 years; life expectancy at birth is 62.6 years; women have on average 3.9 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 39.1% of residents are under 15 and 3.3% are 65 or older (2025); 56.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Monrovia. Liberia covers 111,370 km², giving a population density of about 52.9 people per km². GDP was $5.25B in 2025 — about $915 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Liberia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 5,891,657 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 5,790,982 |
| World rank | #117 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #37 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.071% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.2% |
| Births per year est. | 173,150 |
| Deaths per year est. | 45,749 |
| Net migration per year est. | -1,158 |
| Birth rate | 29.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 53.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 99.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 19 years |
| Life expectancy | 62.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.9 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 56.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 111,370 km² |
| Population density | 52.9 per km² |
| Capital | Monrovia |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $5.25B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $915 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Liberia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 5,891,657 | – | – |
| 2025 | 5,731,206 | +118,389 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | 5,612,817 | +119,786 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | 5,493,031 | +119,737 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 5,373,294 | +113,971 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 5,259,323 | +109,860 | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 5,149,463 | +490,032 | +2% |
| 2015 | 4,659,431 | +600,541 | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 4,058,890 | +757,875 | +4.2% |
| 2005 | 3,301,015 | +372,898 | +2.4% |
| 2000 | 2,928,117 | +758,955 | +6.2% |
| 1995 | 2,169,162 | -54,505 | -0.5% |
| 1990 | 2,223,667 | -16,872 | -0.2% |
| 1985 | 2,240,539 | +311,286 | +3% |
| 1980 | 1,929,253 | +258,340 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 1,670,913 | +204,237 | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 1,466,676 | +175,520 | +2.6% |
| 1965 | 1,291,156 | +151,634 | +2.5% |
| 1960 | 1,139,522 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Liberia
Population over time
- From 1,139,522 in 1960 to 5,891,657 today — up 417%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 62.3 years (2024), up 24.3 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.9 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 30.6 births vs 8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 22.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 39.1% of the population is under 15 and 3.3% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.87 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 1.44 Mt in 1979 — down 39.7% since.
- Per person: 0.15 t in 2024, vs 0.66 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 92.8% of final energy in 2022 (+3.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 78.1% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 88.5% to 78.1% since 1990 — roughly 11,546 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 56.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 18.6% in 1960 (+37.5 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1991.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 37,221 m³ in 2022, down 78.3% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $5.25B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 62.6% since 2015.
- That works out to $915 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 8.3% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 32.2% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 32.1 per 100 people (2022).
Liberia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Liberia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Liberia has an estimated population of 5,891,657. The United Nations estimated 5,790,982 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Liberia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.2% per year — roughly 346 more people every day. Each year there are about 173,150 births and 45,749 deaths, with net migration of -1,158.
What is the population density of Liberia?
About 52.9 people per square kilometre: 5,891,657 people living on 111,370 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Liberia?
The median age is 19 years, and life expectancy at birth is 62.6 years. 39.1% of the population is under 15 and 3.3% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Liberia rank by population?
Liberia is the 117th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 37th in Africa, with 0.071% of the global population.
How has the population of Liberia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,139,522; by 2025 it had grown to 5,731,206 (+402.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Egypt
DR Congo
Lebanon
Singapore
Norway
PalestineSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.