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Economy of Barbados vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 157/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Barbados vs Lebanon GDP by year

Barbados
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Lebanon
2024 $7,498,050,000 -
2023 $7,223,250,000 $20,078,620,357
2022 $6,884,900,000 $20,992,421,949
2021 $5,947,550,000 $23,131,941,557
2020 $5,407,050,000 $31,712,128,254
2019 $6,161,850,000 $51,605,959,131
2018 $6,001,950,000 $54,901,519,156
2017 $5,683,150,000 $53,027,680,686
2016 $5,674,600,000 $51,147,308,774
2015 $5,698,150,000 $49,929,337,837
2014 $5,620,600,000 $48,095,213,747
2013 $5,667,200,000 $46,880,103,081
2012 $5,761,450,000 $44,016,799,516
2011 $5,663,100,000 $39,927,125,962
2010 $5,672,900,000 $38,443,907,042
2009 $4,466,809,600 $35,399,582,929
2008 $4,790,410,400 $29,118,916,105
2007 $4,675,767,950 $24,827,355,015
2006 $4,217,323,400 $22,022,709,851
2005 $3,819,500,000 $21,497,336,499
2004 $3,444,500,000 $21,159,827,992
2003 $3,209,500,000 $20,082,918,740
2002 $3,106,500,000 $19,152,238,806
2001 $3,054,500,000 $17,649,751,244
2000 $3,059,500,000 $17,260,364,842
1999 $2,951,822,205 $17,391,056,369
1998 $2,817,083,478 $17,247,179,006
1997 $2,498,384,130 $15,751,867,489
1996 $2,363,645,403 $13,690,217,334
1995 $2,216,974,096 $11,718,795,529
1994 $2,151,344,901 $9,599,127,050
1993 $2,063,342,117 $7,941,744,492
1992 $1,957,000,000 $5,843,579,161
1991 $2,020,583,702 $4,690,415,093
1990 $2,012,131,457 $2,838,485,354
1989 $2,006,165,167 $2,717,998,688
1988 $1,812,757,918 $3,313,540,068
1987 $1,704,370,308 -
1986 $1,547,755,183 -
1985 $1,409,536,121 -
1984 $1,346,890,071 -
1983 $1,236,016,507 -
1982 $1,163,923,830 -
1981 $1,114,204,743 -
1980 $1,012,280,615 -
1979 $670,362,452 -
1978 $552,883,707 -
1977 $495,097,668 -
1976 $435,911,269 -
1975 $402,178,605 -
1974 $311,804,630 -
1973 $260,767,828 -
1972 $213,725,217 -
1971 $186,826,503 -
1970 $166,210,203 -
1969 $141,393,142 -
1968 $125,733,669 -
1967 $125,554,009 -
1966 $113,195,123 -
1965 $105,021,997 -
1964 $99,252,731 -
1963 $99,893,761 -
1962 $88,782,583 -
1961 $85,363,759 -
1960 $80,021,847 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Lebanon by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 - -
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $790 $2,990
1989 $7,773 - $771 -
1988 $7,033 - $959 -
1987 $6,625 - - -
1986 $6,031 - - -
1985 $5,510 - - -
1984 $5,284 - - -
1983 $4,866 - - -
1982 $4,599 - - -
1981 $4,417 - - -
1980 $4,025 - - -
1979 $2,668 - - -
1978 $2,198 - - -
1977 $1,968 - - -
1976 $1,734 - - -
1975 $1,601 - - -
1974 $1,243 - - -
1973 $1,042 - - -
1972 $856 - - -
1971 $750 - - -
1970 $666 - - -
1969 $567 - - -
1968 $506 - - -
1967 $508 - - -
1966 $462 - - -
1965 $433 - - -
1964 $414 - - -
1963 $421 - - -
1962 $377 - - -
1961 $366 - - -
1960 $347 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Barbados Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
157/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires
1
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
11.3%
2019
Population
282798
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 10.9% 358%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 26.9% 115% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 30.6% 150%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 29% 122% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 29.7% 96% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 27.8% 69% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 31% 66.1% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 22% 62.6% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 19% 50.5% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 17% 55% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 - - 23% 50.5%
1992 - - 36.1% 51.7%
1991 - - 35.6% 67.1%
1990 - - 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/barbados/lebanon | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 18/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Lebanon
2024 -0.89% -0.19%
2023 -1.71% -1.7%
2022 -1.96% -7.77%
2021 -4.65% -2.67%
2020 -4.16% -7.37%
2019 3.08% -10.5%
2018 -0.34% -11.3%
2017 -3.89% -8.65%
2016 -4.88% -8.88%
2015 -8.16% -7.48%
2014 -6.57% -6.22%
2013 -8.98% -8.82%
2012 -7.07% -8.43%
2011 -3.63% -5.94%
2010 -7.55% -7.47%
2009 -6.56% -8.1%
2008 -4.1% -9.86%
2007 -4.34% -10.9%
2006 -3.41% -10.6%
2005 -3.03% -8.57%
2004 -2.97% -9.83%
2003 -3.08% -14%
2002 -5.28% -16.2%
2001 4.07% -21%
2000 4.94% -23.9%
1999 5.39% -16.7%
1998 6.03% -17.3%
1997 5.64% -24.5%
1996 3.76% -25.7%
1995 6.22% -13.6%
1994 6.72% -29.1%
1993 - -7.19%
1992 - -24%
1991 - -19.5%
1990 - -30.2%

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

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

In 2023, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $124M, equivalent to 1.71% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.68% of GDP, compared to deficit of 12.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Lebanon
2024 -0.44% 45.2%
2023 9.79% 221.3%
2022 - 171.2%
2021 - 154.8%
2020 - 84.9%
2019 4.1% 2.9%
2018 3.67% 6.1%
2017 4.66% 4.5%
2016 1.28% -0.8%
2015 -1.11% -3.8%
2014 1.77% 1.1%
2013 1.81% 5.6%
2012 4.53% 6.6%
2011 9.43% 5%
2010 5.82% 4%
2009 3.64% 1.2%
2008 8.11% 10.7%
2007 4.03% 4.1%
2006 7.31% 4.1%
2005 6.08% -1.4%
2004 1.39% 1.7%
2003 1.62% 1.3%
2002 0.13% 1.8%
2001 2.58% -0.4%
2000 2.44% -0.4%
1999 1.56% 0.2%
1998 -1.27% 4.5%
1997 7.71% 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/barbados/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $113K
Machinery & equipment $36K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K
Machinery & equipment $8K
Metals $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Barbados Lebanon
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$687M
2017
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Lebanon
Economic freedom 70.4 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 183/197
Property rights 76.4 21.8
Government integrity 71.3 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 23.8
Tax burden 83.2 90.3
Government spending 74.5 93.3
Fiscal health 76.5 63.4
Business freedom 72.3 47.6
Labor freedom 54.3 48.4
Monetary freedom 80.8 0
Trade freedom 48.2 65.6
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Lebanon
2026 70.4 43.1
2025 68.9 44.1
2024 66.8 48.3
2023 69.8 45.6
2022 71.3 47.3
2021 65 51.4
2020 61.4 51.7
2019 64.7 51.1
2018 57 53.2
2017 54.5 53.3
2016 68.3 59.5
2015 67.9 59.3
2014 68.3 59.4
2013 69.3 59.5
2012 69 60.1
2011 68.5 60.1
2010 68.3 59.5
2009 71.5 58.1
2008 71.3 60
2007 70 60.4
2006 71.9 57.5
2005 70.1 57.2
2004 69.4 56.9
2003 71.3 56.7
2002 73.6 57.1
2001 71.5 61
2000 69.5 56.1
1999 66.7 59.1
1998 67.9 59
1997 64.5 63.9
1996 62.3 63.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, 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

Barbados Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/barbados/lebanon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.