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Economy of Bhutan vs Libya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $48.5B for Libya, ranking 170/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan vs Libya GDP by year

Bhutan
Libya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Libya
2024 - $48,487,151,215
2023 $3,012,896,789 $44,027,664,915
2022 $2,898,227,744 $43,246,297,922
2021 $2,768,802,960 $35,217,995,647
2020 $2,457,604,334 $46,854,285,441
2019 $2,735,683,570 $69,254,496,472
2018 $2,583,335,722 $76,686,029,772
2017 $2,591,358,009 $67,157,452,182
2016 $2,357,504,761 $49,912,073,701
2015 $2,187,815,803 $48,717,501,321
2014 $2,089,079,571 $57,372,355,592
2013 $1,943,696,952 $75,351,107,029
2012 $1,973,387,228 $92,540,938,129
2011 $1,977,728,659 $48,169,263,294
2010 $1,708,880,730 $75,380,825,062
2009 $1,331,343,798 $60,808,562,033
2008 $1,317,517,835 $86,710,767,415
2007 $1,255,767,964 $68,032,978,391
2006 $942,879,879 $60,094,231,607
2005 $860,391,000 $47,334,691,241
2004 $735,348,490 $33,122,307,692
2003 $651,935,430 $26,265,625,000
2002 $559,345,264 $20,481,889,764
2001 $496,110,226 $34,112,093,927
2000 $460,733,418 $38,270,954,138
1999 $399,311,200 $35,975,860,857
1998 $363,458,381 $27,251,301,398
1997 $352,229,077 $30,700,897,875
1996 $303,408,346 $27,884,615,385
1995 $290,490,984 $25,541,379,187
1994 $258,954,708 $28,610,549,763
1993 $225,973,693 $30,660,051,911
1992 $240,233,531 $33,887,047,909
1991 $240,294,286 $31,991,821,265
1990 $287,765,007 $28,904,183,602
1989 $264,798,626 $25,156,707,899
1988 $272,298,067 $24,308,959,591
1987 $242,742,766 $26,697,659,335
1986 $191,218,115 $24,180,400,959
1985 $163,288,815 $31,530,566,324
1984 $160,423,494 $29,476,109,153
1983 $156,704,290 $33,200,520,140
1982 $141,439,317 $33,760,146,991
1981 $139,174,178 $36,374,353,880
1980 $128,669,201 $40,953,924,949
1979 $105,377,995 $30,536,429,497
1978 $94,086,228 $22,136,422,643
1977 $97,884,434 $22,428,297,108
1976 $88,461,263 $19,096,943,017
1975 $86,820,762 $14,710,912,458
1974 $92,901,784 $15,112,543,717
1973 $78,900,289 $8,625,889,430
1972 $70,139,867 $6,299,395,544
1971 $66,289,450 $5,260,185,125
1970 $61,812,113 $4,601,649,451
1969 - $4,380,987,481
1968 - $3,850,623,095
1967 - $2,726,986,913
1966 - $2,312,438,536
1965 - $1,804,979,680
1964 - $1,341,395,421
1963 - $892,327,911
1962 - $619,725,785
1961 - $443,905,612
1960 - $401,644,249

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/libya | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Libya by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Libya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $6,569 $14,304
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $6,027 $13,847
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $5,987 $12,266
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $4,936 $12,642
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $6,650 $10,955
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $9,963 $16,194
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $11,197 $18,879
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $9,966 $18,026
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $7,526 $16,961
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $7,458 $17,903
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $8,926 $17,510
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $11,952 $21,151
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $14,976 $26,826
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $7,594 $15,698
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $11,601 $30,234
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $9,551 $29,027
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $13,906 $30,812
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $11,145 $30,929
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $10,049 $28,936
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $8,079 $26,903
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $5,774 $23,813
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $4,674 $22,663
2002 $896 $3,663 $3,718 $20,061
2001 $812 $3,338 $6,313 $20,332
2000 $772 $3,113 $7,214 $20,617
1999 $685 $3,017 $6,895 $19,769
1998 $638 $2,819 $5,301 $19,639
1997 $630 $2,683 $6,062 $20,439
1996 $553 $2,548 $5,591 $19,392
1995 $530 $2,374 $5,205 $18,952
1994 $467 $2,146 $5,933 $19,318
1993 $407 $2,001 $6,478 $18,904
1992 $416 $1,840 $7,303 $19,572
1991 $401 $1,657 $7,040 $20,085
1990 $488 $1,638 $6,502 $17,173
1989 $462 - $5,793 -
1988 $489 - $5,736 -
1987 $449 - $6,465 -
1986 $365 - $6,019 -
1985 $321 - $8,087 -
1984 $326 - $7,811 -
1983 $328 - $8,927 -
1982 $306 - $9,064 -
1981 $311 - $10,044 -
1980 $296.9 - $11,960 -
1979 $251.4 - $9,443 -
1978 $232.2 - $7,252 -
1977 $249.9 - $7,783 -
1976 $233.7 - $7,018 -
1975 $237.4 - $5,721 -
1974 $262.8 - $6,214 -
1973 $230.9 - $3,727 -
1972 $212.4 - $2,830 -
1971 $207.7 - $2,443 -
1970 $200.3 - $2,210 -
1969 - - $2,175 -
1968 - - $1,972 -
1967 - - $1,437 -
1966 - - $1,251 -
1965 - - $1,001 -
1964 - - $765 -
1963 - - $528 -
1962 - - $382 -
1961 - - $285.3 -
1960 - - $269 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/libya | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $6,569 in Libya, ranking 107/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Libya ranks 118th at $14,304.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Libya
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$48.5B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
95/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
1.9%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$6,569
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
107/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$14,304
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
118/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
n/a
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$3,172
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
94.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
2.13%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
30%
2004
Population
803385
7559873

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Libya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Libya
2024 -0.17% -25.1%
2023 -4.73% 8.22%
2022 -6.95% 23.6%
2021 -5.76% 14.8%
2020 -1.81% -22.3%
2019 -1.49% 11.9%
2018 -1.52% 9.39%
2017 -4.49% -11.1%
2016 -2.31% -29.3%
2015 -0.49% -28.5%
2014 2.46% -30.5%
2013 -4.55% -16.3%
2012 -2.1% 24.6%
2011 -3.02% -11.5%
2010 1.92% 11.5%
2009 -0.8% -5.46%
2008 -2.57% 27.7%
2007 0.79% 28.4%
2006 -0.07% 29.1%
2005 -6.96% 30.4%
2004 1.8% 11.3%
2003 -10.2% 6.17%
2002 -4.33% 6.99%
2001 -12.2% 0.07%
2000 -3.39% 13.6%
1999 -1.28% 5.69%
1998 1.28% -2.36%
1997 -1.92% -2.1%
1996 2.55% 11.3%
1995 -0.88% 3.8%
1994 -0.13% -2.67%
1993 4.71% -5.77%
1992 -3.47% 0.11%
1991 -0.48% 8.41%
1990 -7.21% 3.36%
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/libya | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Libya's surplus of $3.62B, or 8.22% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Libya ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.34% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.61% of GDP for Libya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Libya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Libya
2024 4.3% 2.13%
2023 4.5% 2.37%
2022 5.9% 4.51%
2021 8.2% 2.87%
2020 3% 1.45%
2019 2.8% -2.16%
2018 3.6% 13.2%
2017 4.3% 25.8%
2016 3.3% 25.9%
2015 6.7% 10.4%
2014 9.6% 2.43%
2013 8.1% 2.61%
2012 10.1% 6.06%
2011 8.6% 15.5%
2010 4.8% 2.8%
2009 7.1% 2.46%
2008 6.3% 10.4%
2007 5.2% 6.25%
2006 4.9% 1.46%
2005 4.8% 2.65%
2004 3.3% -2.2%
2003 2.5% -2.19%
2002 2.9% -9.8%
2001 3.7% -8.81%
2000 7.2% -2.9%
1999 9.1% 2.65%
1998 7.6% 3.71%
1997 8.6% 3.55%

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/bhutan/libya | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 4.39% in Libya. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 2.13% in Libya.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Libya
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
$1.86B
2023
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
46/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
+4.24%
2023
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$23.2B
2023
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$37.1B
2023
Service imports
$228M
2024
$10.1B
2023
Service exports
$288M
2024
$642M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
56.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Libya
Economic freedom 57.5 35.9
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 189/197
Property rights 69.2 6.3
Government integrity 72.2 10.3
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 4.9
Tax burden 83.4 95
Government spending 74.1 0
Fiscal health 25.8 19.9
Business freedom 67.8 32.4
Labor freedom 60.1 48.2
Monetary freedom 71.6 75.2
Trade freedom 63.4 80
Investment freedom 20 5
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Libya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Libya
2026 57.5 -
2025 57.5 -
2024 55.4 -
2023 59 -
2022 59.3 -
2021 58.3 -
2020 62.1 -
2019 62.9 -
2018 61.8 -
2017 58.4 -
2016 59.5 -
2015 57.4 -
2014 56.7 -
2013 55 -
2012 56.6 35.9
2011 57.6 38.6
2010 57 40.2
2009 57.7 43.5
2008 - 38.7
2007 - 37
2006 - 33.2
2005 - 32.8
2004 - 31.5
2003 - 34.6
2002 - 35.4
2001 - 34
2000 - 34.7
1999 - 32.3
1998 - 32
1997 - 28.9
1996 - 31.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/libya | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 35.9 for Libya, ranking 189/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Libya
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
28.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
73.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
2.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$15,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$92.9B
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
29/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$795M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$56.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
7.4%
2005
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
14.3%
2024

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/bhutan/libya | 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 (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, 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.