A preliminary demographic analysis of Liberia’s civil Service has revealed significant gender and skills disparities, highlighting critical issues that could undermine the effectiveness and inclusivity of the nation’s public administration.
Data from the Civil Service Agency (CSA) underscores the urgent need for reforms to address these imbalances, improve governance, and support national development.
One of the most pressing challenges is the gender imbalance within the civil Service. Of the 42,076 verified employees, 69.28% are male, while only 30.72% are female. This stark underrepresentation of women in public sector roles calls for focused initiatives to promote gender equity and empower women in the workplace.
The CSA has recognized the importance of a balanced workforce, emphasizing that diversity is essential for inclusive governance. As a result, gender equity initiatives have become a top priority, with the CSA committed to fostering a workplace where employees of all genders have equal opportunities for growth and advancement.
“Prioritizing gender equity is not just about fairness; it’s about building a civil service that better represents the diverse aspirations of the Liberian population,” said CSA Director General Josiah Joekai. He further stressed that empowering women and ensuring equal representation would strengthen the public Service and enhance its effectiveness.
The analysis also revealed significant disparities in the age distribution within Liberia’s civil Service. A substantial portion of employees (17,874) fall within the 46-60 age group, followed by 13,387 workers aged 36-45. In stark contrast, only 363 employees are aged 18 to 25, highlighting a critical gap in recruiting and retaining younger professionals.
The disproportionate number of older workers presents challenges, as many are approaching retirement age. The 61-65 age group comprises 2,841 employees, while those over 65 total 2,775. This aging workforce raises concerns about the potential loss of institutional knowledge and the need to recruit and develop a younger generation of civil servants.
The CSA has acknowledged the importance of youth inclusion in the workforce and is actively working on policies to attract young professionals. Programs to recruit, retain, and up-skill young talent are critical to maintaining an effective public service in the long term.
This skills gap substantially challenges the civil Service’s ability to meet the evolving governance and national development demands.
CSA Director General Josiah Joekai emphasized the agency’s commitment to addressing this educational deficit through training, capacity-building, and programs to improve workforce skills.
“The skills gap is a significant barrier to effective governance. By addressing this issue, we aim to enhance the quality of public Service and empower civil servants to tackle the Country’s challenges head-on,” Joekai stated.
The findings of this demographic analysis underscore the critical work needed to modernize Liberia’s civil Service. The CSA’s efforts to promote gender equity, attract younger talent, and close the skills gap are essential to building an inclusive, capable, modern public administration.
For Liberia to achieve its broader national development and social progress goals, investing in human resource development within the civil Service is imperative.
With strategic investments in education, gender equality, and workforce modernization, the CSA’s reforms will be instrumental in shaping the future of Liberia’s governance. As the Country works toward greater prosperity, it is clear that a skilled, diverse, and dynamic civil Service will remain a cornerstone of sustainable progress.
