The poll, conducted between July 30 and August 21, 2024, shows a significant shift in national sentiment.
Monrovia – A new Afrobarometer survey reveals a mixed public perception of Liberia’s current economic and living conditions. However, the findings also highlight a growing sense of optimism among citizens about the future.
By Patience M. Jones, Contributing Writer
The poll, conducted between July 30 and August 21, 2024, shows a significant shift in national sentiment. The proportion of Liberians who believe the country is heading in the right direction has doubled—from 25% in 2022 to 50% in 2024. This 25-percentage-point increase reflects a notable rise in public confidence about the nation’s trajectory.
Despite this positive shift, opinions remain divided on the state of the economy. About 45% of respondents described current economic conditions as “fairly good” or “very good,” while a slightly larger share—48%—rated them as “fairly bad” or “very bad.” This near-even split underscore the complex and uneven nature of Liberia’s economic recovery.
Similarly, views on personal living conditions are also split. Approximately 46% of respondents said their living conditions were good, while an equal percentage said otherwise. Notably, 41% of those surveyed reported an improvement in their standard of living over the past year, compared to one-third who said their situation had worsened.
Despite these conflicting assessments, a majority of Liberians remain hopeful about the near future. Sixty-one percent of respondents expressed optimism that the national economy will improve within the next year. This sentiment is further supported by the 41% who believe their personal living conditions are already better than a year ago.
Afrobarometer, an independent pan-African research network that measures public attitudes on democracy, governance, and economic development, surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,200 adult Liberians. The results carry a margin of error of ±3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
Liberia’s results align with broader trends seen across the continent, where citizens express both concern and cautious hope amid evolving political and economic landscapes. Since 1999, Afrobarometer has conducted similar surveys in up to 42 African countries, with its latest round launched in January 2024.
As Liberia navigates its post-election era and economic challenges, the survey paints a picture of a nation grappling with uncertainty but buoyed by a resilient sense of hope.
