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Economy of Bahrain vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 96/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Bahrain vs Lebanon GDP by year

Bahrain
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Lebanon
2024 $47,109,734,309 -
2023 $46,192,260,638 $20,078,620,357
2022 $46,458,191,489 $20,992,421,949
2021 $40,840,212,766 $23,131,941,557
2020 $35,837,632,979 $31,712,128,254
2019 $40,446,808,511 $51,605,959,131
2018 $39,567,978,723 $54,901,519,156
2017 $37,204,813,830 $53,027,680,686
2016 $33,884,680,851 $51,147,308,774
2015 $32,523,297,872 $49,929,337,837
2014 $34,772,526,596 $48,095,213,747
2013 $33,823,324,468 $46,880,103,081
2012 $31,963,404,255 $44,016,799,516
2011 $29,914,680,851 $39,927,125,962
2010 $26,805,984,043 $38,443,907,042
2009 $22,938,218,085 $35,399,582,929
2008 $25,710,904,255 $29,118,916,105
2007 $21,730,000,000 $24,827,355,015
2006 $18,504,760,638 $22,022,709,851
2005 $15,968,723,404 $21,497,336,499
2004 $13,150,159,574 $21,159,827,992
2003 $11,074,813,830 $20,082,918,740
2002 $9,593,510,638 $19,152,238,806
2001 $8,976,196,809 $17,649,751,244
2000 $9,062,898,936 $17,260,364,842
1999 $7,528,469,149 $17,391,056,369
1998 $7,031,309,043 $17,247,179,006
1997 $7,219,407,713 $15,751,867,489
1996 $6,938,166,755 $13,690,217,334
1995 $6,651,180,851 $11,718,795,529
1994 $6,330,627,926 $9,599,127,050
1993 $5,913,001,064 $7,941,744,492
1992 $5,402,232,447 $5,843,579,161
1991 $5,248,911,170 $4,690,415,093
1990 $4,809,511,005 $2,838,485,354
1989 $4,393,093,963 $2,717,998,688
1988 $4,209,834,173 $3,313,540,068
1987 $3,856,922,694 -
1986 $3,470,746,843 -
1985 $4,152,376,484 -
1984 $4,440,874,566 -
1983 $4,247,030,468 -
1982 $4,145,421,080 -
1981 $3,943,109,532 -
1980 $3,493,834,468 -
1979 $2,710,160,739 -
1978 $2,272,042,965 -
1977 $1,989,060,283 -
1976 $1,581,709,519 -
1975 $1,099,107,601 -
1974 $1,042,176,884 -
1973 $761,132,545 -
1972 $534,081,184 -
1971 $422,181,562 -
1970 $391,577,364 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/lebanon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Lebanon by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 - -
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $790 $2,990
1989 $8,833 - $771 -
1988 $8,772 - $959 -
1987 $8,333 - - -
1986 $7,777 - - -
1985 $9,649 - - -
1984 $10,697 - - -
1983 $10,599 - - -
1982 $10,712 - - -
1981 $10,557 - - -
1980 $9,733 - - -
1979 $7,891 - - -
1978 $6,926 - - -
1977 $6,358 - - -
1976 $5,310 - - -
1975 $3,880 - - -
1974 $3,874 - - -
1973 $2,981 - - -
1972 $2,206 - - -
1971 $1,830 - - -
1970 $1,742 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/lebanon | CC BY

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
96/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
11.3%
2019
Population
1669503
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 29.1% 123% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 10.9% 358%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 30.7% 84% 30.6% 150%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 32% 42.3% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 25% 28.2% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 26.5% 25% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 25.7% 20% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 31% 14.8% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 23% 50.5%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 40% 99.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/lebanon | CC BY

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 9/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Lebanon
2024 -10.6% -0.19%
2023 -9.67% -1.7%
2022 -6.02% -7.77%
2021 -10.6% -2.67%
2020 -17.3% -7.37%
2019 -8.57% -10.5%
2018 -11.3% -11.3%
2017 -13.4% -8.65%
2016 -16.6% -8.88%
2015 -17.5% -7.48%
2014 -3.32% -6.22%
2013 -8.55% -8.82%
2012 -5.77% -8.43%
2011 -4.9% -5.94%
2010 -9.29% -7.47%
2009 -5.36% -8.1%
2008 4.08% -9.86%
2007 1.52% -10.9%
2006 2.24% -10.6%
2005 2.8% -8.57%
2004 0.24% -9.83%
2003 -1.7% -14%
2002 -3.27% -16.2%
2001 0.7% -21%
2000 7.33% -23.9%
1999 -4.85% -16.7%
1998 -5.49% -17.3%
1997 -6.39% -24.5%
1996 0.24% -25.7%
1995 -3.99% -13.6%
1994 -5.18% -29.1%
1993 -2.77% -7.19%
1992 -5.41% -24%
1991 -3.47% -19.5%
1990 -6.79% -30.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/lebanon | CC BY

In 2023, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.47B, equivalent to 9.67% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Lebanon
2024 0.92% 45.2%
2023 0.07% 221.3%
2022 3.63% 171.2%
2021 -0.61% 154.8%
2020 -2.32% 84.9%
2019 1.01% 2.9%
2018 2.09% 6.1%
2017 1.39% 4.5%
2016 2.79% -0.8%
2015 1.85% -3.8%
2014 2.65% 1.1%
2013 3.3% 5.6%
2012 2.76% 6.6%
2011 -0.4% 5%
2010 1.96% 4%
2009 2.8% 1.2%
2008 3.53% 10.7%
2007 3.26% 4.1%
2006 2.01% 4.1%
2005 2.59% -1.4%
2004 2.35% 1.7%
2003 1.59% 1.3%
2002 -0.5% 1.8%
2001 -1.21% -0.4%
2000 -0.7% -0.4%
1999 -1.29% 0.2%
1998 -0.37% 4.5%
1997 2.43% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $4.38M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.94M
Metals $1.92M
Chemicals & pharma $1.06M
Miscellaneous $983K
Machinery & equipment $425K
Weapons & explosives $129K
Textiles & consumer goods $93K
Wood & paper products $72K
Precious metals & jewellery $52K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.74M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.95M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.21M
Chemicals & pharma $863K
Animal & marine products $532K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $309K
Wood & paper products $141K
Miscellaneous $84K
Metals $44K
Raw agricultural goods $30K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Lebanon
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$17B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
2024
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bahrain Lebanon
Economic freedom 65.7 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 183/197
Property rights 60.9 21.8
Government integrity 45.9 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 30 23.8
Tax burden 99.9 90.3
Government spending 75 93.3
Fiscal health 0 63.4
Business freedom 75.9 47.6
Labor freedom 55.5 48.4
Monetary freedom 88.8 0
Trade freedom 86.8 65.6
Investment freedom 90 20
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Lebanon
2026 65.7 43.1
2025 65.6 44.1
2024 63.4 48.3
2023 62.5 45.6
2022 62 47.3
2021 69.9 51.4
2020 66.3 51.7
2019 66.4 51.1
2018 67.7 53.2
2017 68.5 53.3
2016 74.3 59.5
2015 73.4 59.3
2014 75.1 59.4
2013 75.5 59.5
2012 75.2 60.1
2011 77.7 60.1
2010 76.3 59.5
2009 74.8 58.1
2008 72.2 60
2007 71.2 60.4
2006 71.6 57.5
2005 71.2 57.2
2004 75.1 56.9
2003 76.3 56.7
2002 75.6 57.1
2001 75.9 61
2000 75.7 56.1
1999 75.2 59.1
1998 75.6 59
1997 76.1 63.9
1996 76.4 63.2
1995 76.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/lebanon | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahrain Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
2024
1.9%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/lebanon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.