Skilled and Cost-Effective Workforce
Liberia has a growing skilled workforce, supported by strong demographic trends, increased educational participation, and targeted youth development programs that equip young people with practical, market-relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Workforce Indicators
Growth in Working Age Population
2.81% growth in the working age population in 2019
Tertiary Education Participation
Approximately 390,000 students in tertiary education in 2018[^2]
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2018
Employment In Industry
Employment in Industry contributes 8.8% of total employment in Liberia[^3]
Source: ILO via fDi Intelligence, 2020
Youth Opportunities Peoject
The Youth Opportunities Project has enrolled 12,920 youth, 50% of whom are females.
Source: World Bank Group, Country Overview, 2020
Salary Competativeness
Liberia is highly competitive in salaries when compared to African peers — 55–70% more cost-effective in key logistics-related roles such as:
- Head of Logistics
- Logistics Supervisors
Source: fDi Benchmark, fDi Intelligence (Financial Times)
Innovation and Skills Development
Startup Ecosystem
Startup Grind, the world’s largest independent startup community, has 785 members in its Monrovia chapter.
Source: Startup Grind Liberia, 2020
Youth Rising – TVET Training
The Youth Rising Project is strengthening Liberia’s technical and vocational training system by training:
- TVET instructors
- Administrators
- School principals
Objective: Improving vocational education delivery nationwide.
Source: EEAS – Training Liberia’s Skills Trainers, 2021
Liberia Growth Accelerator
Launched in September 2021, the program is a partnership between:
- UNDP
- iCampus Liberia
- Accountability Lab
Main Objective: Support the growth of Liberian businesses and foster new enterprises that drive economic acceleration.
Source: World Bank Group, Competitiveness Reports, 2018