Maryland County — Economic Profile
On-demand county report for Maryland, generated by garmaijohnson75@gmail.com on 2026-08-07.
County Overview
- Capital: Harper
- Region: South-East
- Year: 2,024
- Population: 172,202
- Land Area (km²): 2,290
- GDP Contribution (USD M): 117.5
- GDP Share %: 2.5
- Growth Rate %: 4.2
- Gov Allocation (USD): 450,000
- Main Resources: Rubber, palm oil, marine fisheries, timber
Key Industries
- Agriculture
- Fishing
- Rubber processing
Agricultural Products
- Rubber
- Palm oil
- Rice
- Cocoa
National Trade Context
- Year: 2,026
- Total Exports (USD): 199.97
- Total Imports (USD): 261.94
- Trade Balance (USD): -61.97
- FDI Inflows (USD): 0
- Remittances (USD): 84.78
- Top Export Commodity: Rubber
- Top Import Commodity: Fuel
- Top Trading Partners: United States, Canada, Switzerland
Private Sector Context (National)
- Year: 2,024
- Total GDP Contribution (USD M): 545.5
- Total Employment: 29,270
- ArcelorMittal Liberia: 480,000,000 USD revenue · 3,200 employees · mining
- Firestone Natural Rubber: 185,000,000 USD revenue · 6,800 employees · agriculture
- BRAC Liberia: 12,000,000 USD revenue · 450 employees · social services
- Save the Children Liberia: 8,500,000 USD revenue · 320 employees · health & education
- SME Sector Aggregate: 95,000,000 USD revenue · 18,500 employees · mixed (trade, services, manufacturing)
Economic Analysis & Outlook
Maryland County, with a GDP of 117.5 million USD representing 2.5% of the national economy, serves as a significant hub for South-Eastern Liberia. The county's economy is primarily anchored in the agricultural sector, where rubber processing, palm oil, cocoa, and rice production drive local livelihoods and industrial output. Despite a modest annual growth rate of 4.2%, the county is positioned within a broader national context characterized by a trade deficit and a reliance on commodity exports. With a population of 172,202 and a government allocation of 450,000 USD, the regional development strategy currently faces fiscal constraints that necessitate more robust private sector engagement to stimulate higher output in the fishing and agro-processing industries. The absence of Foreign Direct Investment presents both a challenge and a unique opportunity for policy interventions aimed at attracting capital into the county's productive sectors. Investors looking toward Maryland can capitalize on the region's untapped potential in large-scale plantation agriculture and value-added processing, which could improve the county's trade balance and create sustainable employment. However, persistent risks related to infrastructure development and market access must be addressed to ensure long-term stability. Looking ahead, if the county can leverage its geographical advantages and focus on diversifying its export portfolio beyond raw rubber, it is well-positioned to enhance its contribution to Liberia's national economic growth and improve local socio-economic outcomes.