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Economy of Bulgaria vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bulgaria has a GDP of $131B compared to $26B for Lebanon, ranking 63/197 and 121/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $35.4B in government debt (27.1% of GDP), compared to $41B (139.4% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Bulgaria vs Lebanon GDP by year

Bulgaria
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Lebanon
2025 $130,777,235,530 -
2024 $113,349,149,167 $25,971,643,441
2023 $102,204,457,335 $20,078,620,357
2022 $90,510,784,778 $20,992,421,949
2021 $84,378,926,047 $23,131,941,557
2020 $70,490,478,088 $31,712,128,254
2019 $68,511,235,459 $51,605,959,131
2018 $66,100,606,677 $54,901,519,156
2017 $59,170,671,046 $53,027,680,686
2016 $53,932,152,154 $51,147,308,774
2015 $50,768,512,173 $49,929,337,837
2014 $57,083,817,240 $48,095,213,747
2013 $55,822,115,861 $46,880,103,081
2012 $54,299,825,600 $44,016,799,516
2011 $57,684,243,980 $39,927,125,962
2010 $50,691,645,231 $38,443,907,042
2009 $52,026,461,290 $35,399,582,929
2008 $54,483,464,293 $29,118,916,105
2007 $44,433,521,725 $24,827,355,015
2006 $34,382,295,487 $22,022,709,851
2005 $29,870,182,425 $21,497,336,499
2004 $26,159,078,743 $21,159,827,992
2003 $21,146,038,619 $20,082,918,740
2002 $16,403,880,783 $19,152,238,806
2001 $14,184,170,319 $17,649,751,244
2000 $13,246,669,554 $17,260,364,842
1999 $13,637,793,854 $17,391,056,369
1998 $15,031,821,788 $17,247,179,006
1997 $11,316,706,412 $15,751,867,489
1996 $12,295,588,924 $13,690,217,334
1995 $18,992,388,645 $11,718,795,529
1994 $9,709,230,161 $9,599,127,050
1993 $10,832,041,595 $7,941,744,492
1992 $8,602,874,120 $5,843,579,161
1991 $7,628,764,750 $4,690,415,093
1990 $20,726,605,649 $2,838,485,354
1989 $21,746,286,447 $2,717,998,688
1988 $23,003,003,708 $3,313,540,068
1987 $28,428,718,531 -
1986 $20,261,546,635 -
1985 $17,562,270,447 -
1984 $17,410,894,971 -
1983 $16,959,180,922 -
1982 $19,803,624,625 -
1981 $20,055,685,481 -
1980 $20,039,544,133 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Lebanon by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $20,328 - - -
2024 $17,597 $41,969 $4,473 -
2023 $15,854 $38,829 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $14,000 $36,320 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $12,967 $30,959 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $10,761 $27,352 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $9,850 $23,998 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $7,823 $20,746 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $6,989 $14,188 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $7,272 $14,347 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $2,720 $8,416 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $1,821 $6,178 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $884 $7,215 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $2,377 $7,548 $790 $2,990
1989 $2,450 - $771 -
1988 $2,561 - $959 -
1987 $3,169 - - -
1986 $2,262 - - -
1985 $1,960 - - -
1984 $1,943 - - -
1983 $1,897 - - -
1982 $2,221 - - -
1981 $2,256 - - -
1980 $2,261 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $20,328, ranking 58/197, compared to $4,473 in Lebanon, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$131B
2025
$26B
2024
GDP rank
63/197
2025
121/197
2024
GDP growth
3.1%
2024-2025
-7.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,328
2025
$4,473
2024
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2025
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$35.4B
2025
$41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.1%
2025
139.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,507
2025
$7,061
2024
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2025
71/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,126
2026
$3,055
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.2B
2025
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires
2
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
25.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
14.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2025
11.3%
2019
Population
6390149
5921719

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 38.9% 27.1% 15.5% 139.4%
2024 36.3% 23.8% 15.3% 157.9%
2023 37.5% 22.9% 14.3% 185.8%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 12.9% 235.9%
2021 38.5% 23.9% 10.5% 346%
2020 37.7% 22.7% 24.5% 157.2%
2019 36.1% 18.4% 31.3% 171.9%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 32.1% 154%
2017 32% 22.9% 30.7% 150.4%
2016 32.7% 27% 28.6% 147.9%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 26.7% 140.9%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 28.9% 138.5%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 32% 14.3% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 34% 28.5% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 44% 113.8% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 45.4% 72% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 - - 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government spending was $50.8B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $3.98B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.1% in Bulgaria and 139.4% in Lebanon, ranking 164/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Lebanon
2025 -3.01% 3.25%
2024 -3.01% 0.39%
2023 -3.04% -1.64%
2022 -0.8% -7.49%
2021 -2.8% -2.57%
2020 -2.92% -7.79%
2019 -0.96% -10.5%
2018 0.12% -11.2%
2017 0.82% -8.68%
2016 1.54% -8.98%
2015 -2.77% -7.49%
2014 -3.65% -6.22%
2013 -1.75% -8.83%
2012 -0.43% -8.43%
2011 -1.83% -5.94%
2010 -3.77% -7.47%
2009 -0.86% -8.1%
2008 2.73% -9.86%
2007 3.09% -10.9%
2006 3.22% -10.6%
2005 2.19% -8.57%
2004 1.59% -9.83%
2003 0.003% -14%
2002 -0.61% -16.2%
2001 -0.58% -21%
2000 -0.6% -23.9%
1999 0.15% -16.7%
1998 1.08% -17.3%
1997 0.83% -24.5%
1996 -10.1% -25.7%
1995 -7.98% -13.6%
1994 - -29.1%
1993 - -7.19%
1992 - -24%
1991 - -19.5%
1990 - -30.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 -0.3% -
1941 3.96% -
1940 0.75% -
1939 0.72% -
1938 1% -
1937 1.41% -
1936 1.17% -
1935 1.34% -
1934 -0.12% -
1933 -0.56% -
1932 -2.14% -
1931 -3.07% -
1930 -5.48% -
1929 -6.67% -
1928 -1.09% -
1927 -0.02% -
1926 -0.25% -
1925 -0.97% -
1924 1.26% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.41B, equivalent to 3.01% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's surplus of $102M, or 0.39% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 11.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Lebanon
2025 3.5% 14.6%
2024 2.6% 45.2%
2023 8.6% 221.3%
2022 13% 171.2%
2021 2.8% 154.8%
2020 1.2% 84.9%
2019 2.5% 2.9%
2018 2.6% 6.1%
2017 1.2% 4.4%
2016 -1.3% -0.8%
2015 -1.1% -3.7%
2014 -1.6% 1.9%
2013 0.4% 4.8%
2012 2.4% 6.6%
2011 3.4% 5%
2010 3% 4%
2009 2.5% 1.2%
2008 12% 10.7%
2007 7.6% 4.1%
2006 7.4% 4.1%
2005 6% -1.4%
2004 6.1% 1.7%
2003 2.3% 1.3%
2002 5.8% 1.8%
2001 7.4% -0.4%
2000 10.3% -0.4%
1999 2.6% 0.2%
1998 18.7% 4.5%
1997 1,061% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 41.1%, compared with 26.1% in Lebanon. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Bulgaria and 14.6% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $20.9M
Animal & marine products $12.5M
Wood & paper products $12.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11.7M
Raw agricultural goods $5.12M
Machinery & equipment $3.22M
Chemicals & pharma $2.13M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.59M
Metals $1.15M
Miscellaneous $64K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.03M
Chemicals & pharma $2.71M
Raw materials & minerals $983K
Metals $969K
Machinery & equipment $514K
Animal & marine products $477K
Raw agricultural goods $210K
Textiles & consumer goods $28K
Wood & paper products $21K
Miscellaneous $16K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Lebanon
Current account balance
-$7.64B
2025
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
170/190
2025
166/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.84%
2025
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$58.5B
2025
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$47.9B
2025
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$9.42B
2025
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$18.6B
2025
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2025
58.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2025
23.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Lebanon
Economic freedom 68.9 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 183/197
Property rights 75.8 21.8
Government integrity 48.4 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 23.8
Tax burden 89.1 90.3
Government spending 58.4 93.3
Fiscal health 90.4 63.4
Business freedom 78.2 47.6
Labor freedom 62.4 48.4
Monetary freedom 75.8 0
Trade freedom 79.4 65.6
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Lebanon
2026 68.9 43.1
2025 68.8 44.1
2024 68.5 48.3
2023 69.3 45.6
2022 71 47.3
2021 70.4 51.4
2020 70.2 51.7
2019 69 51.1
2018 68.3 53.2
2017 67.9 53.3
2016 65.9 59.5
2015 66.8 59.3
2014 65.7 59.4
2013 65 59.5
2012 64.7 60.1
2011 64.9 60.1
2010 62.3 59.5
2009 64.6 58.1
2008 63.7 60
2007 62.7 60.4
2006 64.1 57.5
2005 62.3 57.2
2004 59.2 56.9
2003 57 56.7
2002 57.1 57.1
2001 51.9 61
2000 47.3 56.1
1999 46.2 59.1
1998 45.7 59
1997 47.6 63.9
1996 48.6 63.2
1995 50 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, 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

Bulgaria Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
63.3%
2025
35.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
2.63%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2025
1.05%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$114B
2025
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,170
2025
$11,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$47.1B
2025
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2025
56/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.37B
2025
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.05B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.21B
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
9.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.7%
2025
1.44%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.