By Sir-George S Tengbeh, Labour, WASH and Governance expert.
Liberia, a nation of rich cultural heritage and natural resources, faces a significant socio-economic divide that has plunged many of its citizens into daily hardship. With the gap between the wealthy elite and the struggling masses widening, it has become clear that Liberia is at a crossroads.
Rising inflation, rampant unemployment, and an alarming lack of government accountability have created a landscape where only a select few thrive, while the majority are left to navigate an increasingly harsh reality.
In six phases, this article examines the current socio-economic and political issues deepening the divide between the “haves” and “have-nots” in Liberia, highlighting the challenges that millions of Liberians face daily and calling for systemic change.
Phase 1: Economic Hardships and Rising Inflation
For the average Liberian, the cost of living has become increasingly unmanageable. Inflation rose from 7.6% in 2022 to 10.5% in 2023, largely driven by high domestic food prices and global fuel costs (BTI, 2024) and (African Development Bank Group) reports.
The rising cost of essential goods is devastating for households already on tight budgets. Basic items like rice and fuel now consume a more significant portion of family income, leaving little for other essentials.
This inflationary pressure has exacerbated food insecurity, pushing Liberia’s most vulnerable further into poverty. Meanwhile, unemployment rates remain staggeringly high, depriving many Liberians of stable income sources. With limited job opportunities, especially for young people, Liberia faces an unsettling future where entire generations are denied the chance to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Youth unemployment, estimated at over 80%, is particularly concerning, as it fuels social discontent and a sense of hopelessness, which can destabilize communities.
Phase 2: Public Debt and Economic Instability
Liberia’s economic instability is also compounded by a significant public debt burden. Although the fiscal deficit narrowed in 2023, public debt still stands at over 52% of GDP, creating financial constraints that limit the government’s ability to invest in essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure ( BTI 2024 and African Development Bank Group).
A combination of limited resources and a reliance on foreign aid has left Liberia in a precarious financial position, further contributing to the economic divide.
The lack of liquidity in Liberia’s market is another serious issue. Small businesses struggle to stay afloat due to insufficient cash flow, with many being forced to close their doors after failing to turn a profit.
This stifling environment has particularly affected low-income families, as small businesses and informal trade are major sources of employment and income.
Without intervention, the economic landscape in Liberia will likely worsen, disproportionately impacting the “have-nots” while the wealthy remain insulated from these financial pressures.
Phase 3: Governance Challenges and Corruption
The socio-economic divide is not solely an economic issue; it is deeply rooted in Liberia’s governance and the lack of accountability within its institutions. Corruption remains a pervasive problem, with high-ranking officials often facing no significant consequences for misconduct.
In many cases, government officials accused of corruption simply resign or are suspended without any formal investigation or audit, allowing them to evade accountability.
This lack of oversight breeds a culture of impunity, undermining public trust in government and fueling frustration among citizens who see little action against those responsible for Liberia’s struggles. (African Development Bank Group).
The Liberian government has made some attempts to address these issues, but structural reforms remain insufficient. Citizens see a justice system that is unevenly applied, with the politically connected often escaping consequences. Without transparency, corruption goes unchecked, and those in power can act with impunity.
This lack of accountability not only damages Liberia’s international reputation but also deepens the divide between the elites and the struggling majority, who view the government as out of touch with their daily realities.
Phase 4: Education and Healthcare Inequities
Education and healthcare are two critical sectors that reveal Liberia’s severe inequality. As the economic situation worsens, many families are unable to afford private education, leading to a surge in enrollments in public schools.
However, public schools are underfunded, overcrowded, and lack the resources to provide quality education.
This shift has led to a decline in educational standards, disproportionately affecting children from low-income backgrounds who rely on the public system for their education (BTI 2024). In healthcare, Liberia faces similar issues.
Many health facilities lack basic equipment, trained staff, and medications, leaving low-income families with limited access to adequate care. Liberia’s healthcare system, already fragile, has been further strained by economic instability and an absence of sustained investment.
Wealthier citizens often seek medical care abroad or in private hospitals, while the majority of Liberians are left to navigate an under-resourced public healthcare system. This inequality in healthcare access starkly illustrates the divide between the “haves” and “have-nots.”
Phase 5: Social Tensions and Security Concerns
The widening socio-economic divide in Liberia has not only affected livelihoods but has also heightened social tensions, threatening the nation’s security. With economic opportunities scarce and costs rising, instances of community conflict over basic resources, such as food and water, have surged.
Clashes and violent altercations over everyday items like chicken feet and affordable meals illustrate the desperation that pervades the streets of Monrovia and other cities. This environment of scarcity breeds mistrust and heightens hostility, particularly between groups that see themselves as competitors for limited resources.
Youth unemployment further exacerbates these tensions, leaving many young Liberians vulnerable to criminal activity and susceptible to influence from groups exploiting their frustration and lack of opportunity.
Without stable jobs, many young adults in Liberia face bleak futures, leading some to engage in theft, gang activities, or protests that can turn violent. These circumstances fuel instability, making Liberia’s communities increasingly unsafe and diminishing prospects for social cohesion.
The absence of government programs targeting economic stability and job creation not only leaves youth struggling but also places the nation’s long-term peace and stability at risk.
Phase 6: A Systemic Reform is urgently needed if the rescuers are serious about rescuing the economy from the septic tank (Sen. Abraham D. Dillion)
Liberia’s current trajectory points to a society strained by inequality, systemic corruption, and inadequate social services. While Liberia has made strides in its post-war recovery, these gains are at risk of being undone by the persistent economic and social divides.
To bridge this gap, the government must address structural issues with transparency, enforce anti-corruption measures, and implement reforms aimed at uplifting Liberia’s poorest citizens. Prioritizing public investment in health, education, and job creation is essential to alleviate the burdens faced by the “HAVE-NOTS” and to foster a fairer, more inclusive society.
The stakes for Liberia have never been higher. Without decisive action to dismantle corruption, hold government officials accountable, and foster economic opportunity, the divide between the haves and have-nots will only deepen, risking further social unrest and eroding public trust in government institutions.
Liberia’s future depends on meaningful change that prioritizes the well-being of all its citizens, not just the privileged few.
Encouraging greater transparency, equitable access to resources, and targeted economic reforms, Liberia has a chance to heal its divides and emerge stronger.
However, if the current issues remain unaddressed and Liberia maintained on the slogan of (BUSINESS AS USUAL), the country’s future may become increasingly uncertain, its divisions harder to bridge, and the lives of its citizens, particularly those of the vulnerable, ever more precarious.
