Liberian Dollar
Liberian Dollar
Currency Code
LRD
ISO 430
Symbol
LRD
Native: $
Decimal Digits
2
Rounding: 0
Countries
LR
Using this currency
Currency Units
Major Unit
Name: dollar
Symbol: $
Minor Unit
Name: cent
Symbol:
Value: 0.01
Banknotes
Frequently Used
$5$10$20$50$100
Coins
Frequently Used
$1
Rarely Used
5 cents10 cents25 cents50 cents
Plural Forms
English Plural
Liberian dollars
Native Plural
Liberian Dollars
Overview
The Liberian Dollar is the currency of Liberia, managed by the Central Bank of Liberia. It circulates alongside the US dollar in a dual currency system, reflecting the country's historical ties to the United States.
Economy
- Liberia is a member of AU, ECOWAS, Mano River Union.
- Main industries include: Mining, Rubber processing, Food processing, Construction materials, Furniture, Palm oil processing, Textiles, Footwear.
- Liberia is part of the World Trade Organization.
- Imports are fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs.
- Major exports include rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee.
- GDP: $4.1 billion (2023 est.).
- GDP per capita: $783 (2023 est.).
- Unemployment rate: 2.8% (2014 est.).
- Inflation rate: 7.8% (2023 est.).
- Main trading partners: China, India, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany.
- Trade agreements: ECOWAS, African Continental Free Trade Area, Various bilateral agreements.
History
- Previous currencies used: US dollar only (1934-1943), Various colonial currencies.
- The Liberian dollar was introduced in 1847, making it one of the oldest currencies in Africa. It has coexisted with the US dollar throughout most of its history.
- 1847: Liberian dollar introduced alongside US dollar
- 1934: Temporary suspension, only USD used
- 1943: Liberian dollar reintroduced
- 1982: Coup and economic instability
- 1989-2003: Civil wars period
- 2003: Post-conflict economic reconstruction
- 2016: New banknote series introduced
- Exchange rate peg: Dual currency system with USD.
General Information
- ISO 4217 Code: LRD
- Symbols: LRD/$
- Currency Subunits: 100 cents
- Central Bank: Central Bank of Liberia
- Monetary Policy: Dual currency system allowing both LRD and USD circulation. Focus on maintaining monetary stability in post-conflict economy.
- Bills: 5 LRD, 10 LRD, 20 LRD, 50 LRD, 100 LRD, 500 LRD
- Coins: 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar
- USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 190-200 LRD per USD)
- Pegged To: None (Floating)
- Capital: Monrovia
- Population: 5,302,681 (2023 est.)
- Area: 111,369 km²
- Languages: English (official), Some 20 ethnic group languages
- Time Zones: UTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
- Government Type: Presidential republic
- Head of Government: President (head of state and government)
- Independence: July 26, 1847
- Ethnic Groups: Kpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, Krahn 4%, Vai 4%, Mandingo 3.2%, Gbandi 3%, Mende 1.9%, Sapo 1.3%, Other Liberian 1.7%, Other African 1.4%, Non-African 0.1%
- Religions: Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, Other 0.2%, None 1.5%
- Literacy Rate: 48.3% (2017 est.)
- Transport: Roberts International Airport, limited road network, no railways, Monrovia port
- Communications: Basic telecommunications, 34% internet penetration, mobile network coverage
- Energy: Hydroelectric 55%, Biomass 35%, Petroleum 10%
- Countries Using This Currency: Liberia
- Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Liberia (cbl.org.lr), Economic Data: Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Liberia Revenue Authority, Demographic Data: Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services, Geographic Data: Liberia Hydrological Service, Historical Data: Central Bank of Liberia archives
- Last Updated: 2025