World Bank Search - documentsNzE3Yjg3YWMyNWJhNjA0OTQ1MDBkNWQ4MTY4MzYzZTZiYThiYjU2Mg2http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/liberia/publication/afw-liberia-poverty-assessment-towards-a-more-inclusive-liberiaLiberiaEven after two decades of relative peace, more than half of Liberia’s population still lives in poverty, reflecting the scars of a devastating civil conflict and the Ebola crisis. Poverty—measured at the official national poverty line—increased from 54.1% in 2014 to 58.9% in 2016, driven by the Ebola crisis and the 2015 economic downturn.subject:poverty,subject:poverty measurement and analysis,subject:economic growth analytics,subject:jobs and development,country:Liberia,regions:Africa,subject:inclusive-growth,subject:human capital for growth,subject:inequality and shared prosperityEnglishAfricaLiberia Poverty Assessment: Towards A More Inclusive LiberiaPoverty,Poverty Measurement And Analysis,Economic Growth Analytics,Jobs And Development,Inclusive-growth,Human Capital For Growth,Inequality And Shared Prosperity/content/country/liberia/en/publication/afw-liberia-poverty-assessment-towards-a-more-inclusive-liberia2024-03-26T12:08:00ZAfricacq5LiberiaLRPublicationLiberia’s Stagnant Agricultural Sector Most poor Liberians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, but the agricultural sector has exhibited sluggish and stagnant growth. The pronounced transition in employment from agriculture to low-productivity services in Liberia underscores the need to focus on skill development as a key strategy for poverty reduction. While the industrial sector has captured a larger share of output, its potential to reduce poverty also remains limited. A substantial, expanding, and low-skilled youth population confronts restricted opportunities beyond agriculture and low-skilled services. More than half of poor Liberians mostly depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, so its success is instrumental for sustainable poverty reduction. Rubber concessions contributed to exports and growth in the 1960s, but the benefits of these are not shared broadly across the population and can limit agricultural opportunities. A considerable portion of farming households focus on growing food, particularly rice, for themselves, with few engaging in cash crops.Low Human Capital and Access to Basic Services Liberia faces a major development hurdle due to its low human capital. Limited access to education represents a significant obstacle to efforts to reduce poverty and build human capital. Service delivery problems go beyond health and education as access to clean water and sanitation is low. Access to electricity, although improving, is also very limited, and the poor are less likely to have access.The Way Forward The report recommends that to address Liberia's economic challenges, fortifying macro and fiscal stability is deemed essential, with a focus on prudent fiscal management, efficient taxation, and attracting foreign investment. Concurrently, investing in agriculture is identified as pivotal for poverty alleviation and climate resilience, requiring infrastructural enhancements and climate-smart practices. Moreover, securing land tenure and scrutinizing agricultural concessions are highlighted to foster development while safeguarding local interests. Human capital investment is underscored as crucial, emphasizing the need to enhance education and healthcare accessibility amidst climate-induced challenges. Lastly, a robust statistical system is advocated for evidence-based policymaking, emphasizing expanded data collection and collaboration across sectors. This pragmatic and inclusive approach aims to pave Liberia's path to enduring prosperity amidst global uncertainty.Liberia’s Stagnant Agricultural Sector Most poor Liberians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, but the agricultural sector has exhibited sluggish and stagnant growth. The pronounced transition in employment from agriculture to low-productivity services in Liberia underscores the need to focus on skill development as a key strategy for poverty reduction. While the industrial sector has captured a larger share of output, its potential to reduce poverty also remains limited. A substantial, expanding, and low-skilled youth population confronts restricted opportunities beyond agriculture and low-skilled services. More than half of poor Liberians mostly depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, so its success is instrumental for sustainable poverty reduction. Rubber concessions contributed to exports and growth in the 1960s, but the benefits of these are not shared broadly across the population and can limit agricultural opportunities. A considerable portion of farming householdsPublicationAfrica, AFRcountry|liberiaY2JkMzYyNWFmNjc0ZjkwMjY0NGZkODFjZjY5MzA3ZGExZmQ5YjIxZA2http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/03/26/afw-new-report-to-address-poverty-in-liberia-launchedLiberiaThe World Bank has launched a new report titled Liberia Poverty Assessment 2023 Report: Towards a More Inclusive Liberia. The report highlights that while 3 out of 10 people in Monrovia are living in poverty, the situation is significantly worse in rural areas, where 8 out of 10 individuals were affected by poverty in 2016. This stark disparity between urban and rural areas poses a significant challenge to poverty reduction efforts in Liberia.subject:poverty measurement and analysis,subject:poverty,subject:inclusive-growth,subject:economic growth analytics,subject:economic growth,subject:sustainable economic growth,country:Liberia,regions:Africa,subject:jobs and development,subject:social inclusion,subject:human capital for growth,subject:inequality and shared prosperityEnglishAfricaNew Report to Address Poverty in Liberia LaunchedPoverty Measurement And Analysis,Poverty,Inclusive-growth,Economic Growth Analytics,Economic Growth,Sustainable Economic Growth,Jobs And Development,Social Inclusion,Human Capital For Growth,Inequality And Shared Prosperity/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2024/03/26/afw-new-report-to-address-poverty-in-liberia-launched2024-03-26T11:04:00ZAfricacq5LiberiaLRPress ReleasePress ReleaseAfrica, AFROWE4MTk1NzJmYmRkMGU3YjU1ZGJkMTc5OTA0ZGJlNzk0ZmQyOThhMQ2http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/01/12/world-bank-responds-to-gas-tanker-explosion-expresses-condolences-and-support-as-liberia-mournsLiberiaThe World Bank has allocated $450,000 in response to the Liberian Government’s emergency plan to address the plight of Liberians affected by the recent gasoline tanker explosion in the rural Liberian town of Totota, Bong County. This amount will help to address constrained technical and financial capacity to treat trauma and respond to other emergencies and will facilitate the deployment of a specialized medical team from Sierra Leone to boost the emergency response.regions:Africa,country:LiberiaEnglishAfricaWorld Bank Responds to Gas Tanker Explosion Expresses - Condolences and Support as Liberia Mourns/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2024/01/12/world-bank-responds-to-gas-tanker-explosion-expresses-condolences-and-support-as-liberia-mourns2024-01-12T10:49:46ZAfricacq5LiberiaLRPress Release MONROVIA, January 10, 2024 – The World Bank has allocated $450,000 in response to the Liberian Government’s emergency plan to address the plight of Liberians affected by the recent gasoline tanker explosion in the rural Liberian town of Totota, Bong County. This amount will help to address constrained technical and financial capacity to treat trauma and respond to other emergencies and will facilitate the deployment of a specialized medical team from Sierra Leone to boost the emergency response. “The World Bank is saddened by the devasting injuries and loss of lives resulting from the recent gasoline tanker explosion in Liberia. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those lost and are hoping for the full recovery of all those injured. We are eager to support the health authorities working around the clock to respond to this emergency guided by the long-term goal to strengthen the national health system in a sustainable manner,” said Robert Taliercio O’Brien,Press ReleaseAfrica, AFRODhlMzU1Y2JmODkwZmI2ZmQyYjZiYTY4NGM5Y2E3ZDVlOTg3MWVmMA2http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/12/22/new-financing-to-support-900-000-farmers-and-road-users-for-economic-transformation-in-liberiaLiberiaThe World Bank Board has approved a Second Additional Financing for the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP-AF II). It will scale-up work on establishing basic road connectivity, which is vital to food production, livelihoods strengthening, social inclusion, resilience building, and the overall competitiveness of Liberia’s economy.country:Liberia,africa,organization:International Development Association (IDA),subject:infrastructureEnglishNew Financing to Support 900,000 Farmers and Road Users for Economic Transformation in LiberiaInfrastructureInternational Development Association (IDA)/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2023/12/22/new-financing-to-support-900-000-farmers-and-road-users-for-economic-transformation-in-liberia2023-12-22T19:00:00Zcq5LiberiaLRPress ReleasePress ReleaseAfrica, AFRIDANzAyM2NjNjA5Y2JhYWNhZjY0OGU4Mjg3NWE1YTE1Nzc3ZDU5OTUyZA2http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/12/20/a-one-health-approach-to-boost-health-security-in-western-and-central-africaLiberia,Guinea,Cabo Verde,Chad,Mauritania,Cameroon,Burkina Faso,Mali,Nigeria,Niger,Senegal,Gambia,Sierra Leone,Ghana,Gabon,Congo, Republic of,Central African Republic,Togo,Benin,Equatorial Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Cote d'IvoireThe World Bank Board today approved a Health Security Program for Western and Central Africa in a move to boost health security in the sub-region. During its first phase, the $500 million IDA* financed multiphase operation will involve Cabo Verde, Guinea, Liberia, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to increase collaboration and improve health system capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies in the region. The Program will also leverage financing from other partners, namely the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents, and the Pandemic Fund.regions:Africa,subject:regional integration,subject:health,country:Liberia,country:Guinea,country:Cabo Verde,country:Chad,country:Mauritania,country:Cameroon,country:Burkina Faso,country:Mali,country:Nigeria,country:Niger,country:Senegal,country:Gambia,country:Sierra Leone,country:Ghana,country:Gabon,country:Congo, Republic of,country:Central African Republic,country:Togo,country:Benin,country:Equatorial Guinea,country:Guinea-Bissau,country:Cote-dIvoireEnglishAfricaA One Health Approach to Boost Health Security in Western and Central AfricaRegional Integration,HealthP179078/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2023/12/20/a-one-health-approach-to-boost-health-security-in-western-and-central-africa2023-12-19T16:02:00ZAfricacq5Liberia,Guinea,Cabo Verde,Chad,Mauritania,Cameroon,Burkina Faso,Mali,Nigeria,Niger,Senegal,Gambia,Sierra Leone,Ghana,Gabon,Congo, Republic of,Central African Republic,Togo,Benin,Equatorial Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Cote-dIvoireLR,GN,CV,TD,MR,CM,BF,ML,NG,NE,SN,GM,SL,GH,GA,CG,CF,TG,BJ,GQ,GW,CIPress ReleasePress ReleaseAfrica, AFRIDAY2E4MjY2OWY0MTgyMDhlZmZkMTA3MjM3ZDJjODEzNjljZjY1Y2JkNg2http://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/news/press-release/2023/12/20/a-one-health-approach-to-boost-health-security-in-western-and-central-africaLiberia,Guinea,Cabo Verde,Chad,Mauritania,Cameroon,Burkina Faso,Mali,Nigeria,Niger,Senegal,Gambia,Sierra Leone,Ghana,Gabon,Congo, Republic of,Central African Republic,Togo,Benin,Equatorial Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Cote d'IvoireLa Banque mondiale a approuvé ce jour le Programme de sécurité sanitaire pour l'Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre afin de renforcer la sécurité sanitaire dans la sous-région. Au cours de sa première phase, cette opération – à phases multiples - de 500 millions de dollars financée par l'IDA* impliquera le Cap Vert, la Guinée, le Libéria et la Communauté économique des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEDEAO) pour accroître la collaboration et améliorer la capacité des systèmes de santé à prévenir, détecter et répondre aux situations d'urgence sanitaire dans la région. Le programme mobilisera également des fonds d'autres partenaires, à savoir le Mécanisme de financement mondial pour les femmes, les enfants et les adolescents et le Fonds de lutte contre les pandémies.regions:Africa,subject:regional integration,subject:health,country:Liberia,country:Guinea,country:Cabo Verde,country:Chad,country:Mauritania,country:Cameroon,country:Burkina Faso,country:Mali,country:Nigeria,country:Niger,country:Senegal,country:Gambia,country:Sierra Leone,country:Ghana,country:Gabon,country:Congo, Republic of,country:Central African Republic,country:Togo,country:Benin,country:Equatorial Guinea,country:Guinea-Bissau,country:Cote-dIvoireFrenchAfricaUne approche intégrée pour renforcer la sécurité sanitaire en Afrique de l'Ouest et du CentreRegional Integration,HealthP179078/content/wb-home/fr/news/press-release/2023/12/20/a-one-health-approach-to-boost-health-security-in-western-and-central-africa2023-12-19T16:02:00ZAfricacq5Liberia,Guinea,Cabo Verde,Chad,Mauritania,Cameroon,Burkina Faso,Mali,Nigeria,Niger,Senegal,Gambia,Sierra Leone,Ghana,Gabon,Congo, Republic of,Central African Republic,Togo,Benin,Equatorial Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Cote-dIvoireLR,GN,CV,TD,MR,CM,BF,ML,NG,NE,SN,GM,SL,GH,GA,CG,CF,TG,BJ,GQ,GW,CIPress ReleasePress ReleaseAfrica, AFRIDAZDIwMTkwZGNhYWFmYjUyYjY2MDllYzFmM2FiMDgxZWJiNDljOGU1MQ2http://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2023/11/17/scaling-up-energy-access-for-green-resilient-and-inclusive-development-in-western-and-central-africaNigeria,Ghana,Burkina Faso,Gambia,Cote d'Ivoire,Mali,Niger,Chad,Cameroon,Cabo Verde,Togo,Sierra Leone,Liberia,Senegal,Congo, Republic of,Mauritania,Gabon,Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Central African Republic,BeninPolitical commitment, improved regulatory frameworks, and public and private financing are driving progress in energy access expansion across Western and Central Africa (AFW). Off-grid systems using solar power are increasingly providing energy services in the region. Moreover, regional cooperation through programs such as the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) is making it possible to supply energy to 14 AFW countries—benefiting 64 percent of the total AFW population. Nevertheless, a significant scale-up of current efforts will be needed to achieve universal energy access by 2030.subject:energy efficiency,subject:energy-access,subject:renewable energy,regions:Africa,subject:regional integration,subject:green-growth,subject:inclusive-growth,subject:sustainable economic growth,subject:power and electricity sector,country:Nigeria,country:Ghana,country:Burkina Faso,country:Gambia,country:Cote-dIvoire,country:Mali,country:Niger,country:Chad,country:Cameroon,country:Cabo Verde,subject:infrastructure and growth,subject:infrastructure,country:Togo,country:Sierra Leone,country:Liberia,country:Senegal,country:Congo, Republic of,country:Mauritania,country:Gabon,country:Guinea,consultations:country/equatorial-guinea,country:Guinea-Bissau,country:Central African Republic,country:BeninEnglishAfricaScaling Up Energy Access for Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development in Western and Central AfricaEnergy Efficiency,Energy-access,Renewable Energy,Regional Integration,Green-growth,Inclusive-growth,Sustainable Economic Growth,Power And Electricity Sector,Infrastructure And Growth,InfrastructureP161885,P125565,P094919,P179267,P163568,P146830/content/wb-home/en/projects-operations/results/2023/11/17/scaling-up-energy-access-for-green-resilient-and-inclusive-development-in-western-and-central-africa2023-11-17T13:02:00ZtrueAfricacq5Nigeria,Ghana,Burkina Faso,Gambia,Cote-dIvoire,Mali,Niger,Chad,Cameroon,Cabo Verde,Togo,Sierra Leone,Liberia,Senegal,Congo, Republic of,Mauritania,Gabon,Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Central African Republic,BeninNG,GH,BF,GM,CI,ML,NE,TD,CM,CV,TG,SL,LR,SN,CG,MR,GA,GN,GW,CF,BJResultsResultsAfrica, AFRIDANzQ5MzU5OGQ0N2QwYWRlMDIzZjAyZjI1OTFlMzdhOTY4NTQ1MjM0Yw2http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/07/18/liberia-economic-update-improved-rice-production-is-critical-for-food-security-and-poverty-alleviationLiberiaThe World Bank today launched the Fourth Edition of its annual Liberia Economic Update, “Getting Rice Right for Productivity and Poverty Alleviation.” According to the report, growth in the agricultural sector accelerated to 5.9% in 2022 from 3.3% in 2021. Increased crop production, especially rice and cassava produced primarily for domestic consumption, was the main driver of growth in the agriculture sector.country:Liberia,regions:Africa,subject:agriculture and food security,subject:poverty,subject:inequality and shared prosperity,subject:inclusive-growth,subject:economic growth analytics,subject:economic growth,subject:sustainable economic growthEnglishAfricaLiberia Economic Update: Improved Rice Production Is Critical for Food Security and Poverty AlleviationAgriculture And Food Security,Poverty,Inequality And Shared Prosperity,Inclusive-growth,Economic Growth Analytics,Economic Growth,Sustainable Economic Growth/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2023/07/18/liberia-economic-update-improved-rice-production-is-critical-for-food-security-and-poverty-alleviation2023-07-18T15:59:00ZAfricacq5LiberiaLRPress Release MONROVIA, July 18, 2023 – The World Bank today launched the Fourth Edition of its annual Liberia Economic Update, “Getting Rice Right for Productivity and Poverty Alleviation.” According to the report, growth in the agricultural sector accelerated to 5.9% in 2022 from 3.3% in 2021. Increased crop production, especially rice and cassava produced primarily for domestic consumption, was the main driver of growth in the agriculture sector. Liberia’s economy expanded by 4.8% in 2022 despite global headwinds from the war in Ukraine, high global inflation, and depressed demand in advanced economies. The expansion was driven by gold production and a relatively good agricultural harvest. Growth in services slowed to 2.8% from 3.0% in 2021 reflecting a slowdown in trade and transport services and the hospitality industry. “Despite the rebound in growth led by mining and a relatively good agricultural harvest during the year, food insecurity remains a major challenge for Liberia, with more than four-fifths of the population facing moderate or severe food insecurity,” said Mack Capehart Mulbah, Acting World Bank Country Manager for Liberia. “The strong preference for rice among Liberians makes it integral to the country’s food security, poverty alleviation, and efforts to address vulnerabilities.” The supply, demand, and price dynamics of rice are shaping food insecurity and poverty in Liberia. Rice makes up over 20% of total food consumption, accounts for nearly half of the calorie intake of adults, and accounts for about 15% of the overall spending of an average household in the country. Demographic trends and a strong preference for the commodity are the main drivers of demand. Yet Liberia produces only a third of its rice needs due to several constraints, including limited access to technology, inefficient farming practices, low public and private investments, and a fragmented value chain, among other factors that have kept productivity low. “Amid low production and high demand, the increase in imported rice prices continues to fuel food insecurity, poverty, and vulnerabilities in Liberia,” said Gweh Gaye Tarwo, Liberia Country Economist and main author of the report. “Domestic rice production would need to triple to satisfy local demand, but increasing production would require significant investments in the rice sector as well as policy actions,” he emphasized. Stakeholders’ coordination and engagement on the operationalization of the Liberia National Rice Development Strategy and the Liberia Seed Development and Certification Agency Act of 2019 could be critical to improving the rice sector. Registration of customary land to strengthen tenure security, improving the coverage and quality of roads, providing affordable energy, and avoiding policies that distort the rice industry are potential interventions that are critical to improving the rice value chain. Other interventions could include enhancing information dissemination on regional market price and adopting sectoral policies aimed at improving seed varieties, storage, processing, post-harvest management, and market access development. MONROVIA, July 18, 2023 – The World Bank today launched the Fourth Edition of its annual Liberia Economic Update, “Getting Rice Right for Productivity and Poverty Alleviation.” According to the report, growth in the agricultural sector accelerated to 5.9% in 2022 from 3.3% in 2021. Increased crop production, especially rice and cassava produced primarily for domestic consumption, was the main driver of growth in the agriculture sector. Liberia’s economy expanded by 4.8% in 2022 despite global headwinds from the war in Ukraine, high global inflation, and depressed demand in advanced economies. The expansion was driven by gold production and a relatively good agricultural harvest. Growth in services slowed to 2.8% from 3.0% in 2021 reflecting a slowdown in trade and transport services and the hospitality industry. “Despite the rebound in growth led by mining and a relatively good agricultural harvest during the year, food insecurity remains a major challenge for Liberia, with more than Press ReleaseAfrica, AFROTRiZDFlM2Y3OWFhOTVkNjQ0OWVlZmU4YTU4MmIyYjQ3ZDYwMDhiZA2http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2023/05/22/behavioral-insights-can-help-make-governments-more-productiveGhana,Liberia,Congo, Democratic Republic ofBehavioral “nudges” and tweaks to how civil servants are expected to do their jobs can help internalize cultures of productivity in bureaucracies which may otherwise be absent.video:categories/governance,country:Ghana,country:Liberia,country:Congo, Democratic Republic ofEnglishBehavioral insights can help make governments more productive, but context is key179526/content/wb-home/en/news/feature/2023/05/22/behavioral-insights-can-help-make-governments-more-productive2023-05-22T22:11:22Zcq5Ghana,Liberia,Congo, Democratic Republic ofGH,LR,CDFeature StoryFeature StoryGovernance, GOVIBRDMTNiNTRlNjAyMzMyM2ZjNGVjNGJlNjZkZmVjYzgxOTg1MjU2ZmFiNA2http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2023/05/19/human-capital-progress-continuity-coordination-learning-and-resourcesLiberiaHuman capital – the knowledge, skills, and health that people accumulate over their lives – is a central driver of sustainable growth and poverty reduction. Taking a long-term perspective to develop human capital can help identify necessary government action to help improve this capital. Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Morocco, and Ghana are some of the countries that have witnessed notable improvements in key human capital indicators over the last decadecountry:LiberiaEnglishHuman capital progress – persistence, coordination and adapting global agendas to national contexts179526/content/wb-home/en/news/feature/2023/05/19/human-capital-progress-continuity-coordination-learning-and-resources2023-05-19T17:21:17Zcq5LiberiaLRFeature StoryFeature StoryGovernance, GOVIBRD