By Amos Harris
Liberia’s persistent poverty crisis is raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of President Joseph N. Boakai’s government, as the latest World Bank estimates show that approximately 35.8 percent of the population was living in extreme poverty in 2025 under the revised US$3.00-a-day poverty line.
The World Bank has warned that without urgent measures to expand employment opportunities, improve access to basic services, and strengthen economic resilience, poverty could worsen further. The institution has also projected that climate change alone could push an additional 1.3 million Liberians into poverty by 2050.
The latest figures have triggered widespread concerns among Liberians, who argue that the government came to power promising to improve living conditions and lift citizens out of poverty. Critics now say that, despite those campaign promises, severe economic hardship remains widespread and continues to affect households across the country.
For many ordinary citizens, the crisis is reflected in their daily struggle to secure food, pay rent, access basic healthcare, and provide education for their children. Some continue to engage in difficult informal jobs, including breaking rocks and other labor-intensive activities, simply to earn enough money to feed their families.
The situation has also raised sharp questions about the earnings of civil servants, with critics pointing to public workers who reportedly take home salaries of around US$150 per month while struggling to meet basic household expenses. They argue that government employees cannot be expected to deliver quality public services when their own economic conditions remain so precarious.
Public criticism has extended beyond the Executive Branch. Some Liberians argue that lawmakers and other public officials must also accept responsibility for the country’s economic difficulties, particularly regarding decisions on public spending, official allowances, and national development priorities.
Critics contend that Liberia’s poverty problem cannot be addressed simply through government projects and policy announcements. They emphasize that the government must create more productive employment, strengthen agriculture, expand private-sector opportunities, improve education and healthcare, and ensure that national resources directly benefit ordinary citizens.
The stark disparity between the living conditions of ordinary Liberians and the financial benefits associated with top public offices has become a particularly sensitive issue. Critics argue that reducing excessive government spending and redirecting public resources toward workers, social services, and broader economic opportunities could help ease the financial burden on vulnerable households.
Across the country, parents continue to struggle to keep their children in school, while young people face limited employment opportunities after completing their education. For many families, the rising cost of food, transportation, school fees, and other basic necessities has made everyday life increasingly difficult.
As President Boakai’s administration continues to implement its development agenda, the World Bank’s poverty projections present a serious test of its ability to translate policy commitments into tangible improvements in the lives of Liberians. Reducing poverty, critics say, will require not only political promises but stronger accountability, better management of public resources, improved wages for low-paid workers, and sustained investment in the people.