Skilled and Cost-Effective Labour
Liberia has a growing skilled workforce, with many young professionals gaining expertise in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and services. The country remains highly competitive in labour costs, offering businesses cost-effective access to talent across key industries while supporting economic growth and investment.
Key Labour Indicators
Growth in Working Age Population
2.81% growth in the working age population in 2019[^1]
Education
Approximately 390,000 students in tertiary education in 2018[^2]
Employment
Employment in Industry contributes 8.8% of total employment in Liberia[^3]
Opportunities
The Youth Opportunities Project has enrolled 12,920 youth, 50% of whom are females.
Skills Development & Training
Government and donor-supported programs continue to strengthen workforce skills.
Cost-Competitive Wages
Liberia offers one of the lowest labor costs in West Africa, enabling investors to scale operations efficiently.
Labour Costs Across the Agri-Value Chain
Labour Costs Across the Agri-Value Chain: Annual salaries in Liberia’s agricultural sector are shown in the accompanying graphic, illustrating the relative cost of labor at different stages of production. This data highlights Liberia’s competitive advantage in wages compared to regional benchmarks, making investment in the sector cost-effective.
Source: fDi Benchmark, a service from fDi Intelligence, Financial Times Limited
kills Development Programs
Higher education institutions, including the Liberia International Christian College, are training youth in agriculture to equip them with practical skills for the workforce. The Youth Rising project supports this by training TVET instructors, administrators, and principals, strengthening vocational education and improving opportunities for young people.
Growth Accelerator Initiative
Launched in 2021 as a partnership between UNDP, iCampus Liberia, and Accountability Lab, the Liberia Growth Accelerator supports business growth and promotes new ventures that stimulate economic development.
Sources
United Nations, World Population Prospects, 2019 – link
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2018 – link
fDi Intelligence from the Financial Times based on the International Labour Organization, 2020
World Bank Group, Country Overview, 2020 – link
World Bank Group, Country Competitiveness Reports, 2018 – link
EEAS, Training Liberia’s Skills Trainers, 2021 – link