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Economy of China vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $26B for Lebanon, ranking 2/197 and 121/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $41B (139.4% of GDP) in Lebanon.

China vs Lebanon GDP by year

China
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Lebanon
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 -
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $25,971,643,441
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $20,078,620,357
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $20,992,421,949
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $23,131,941,557
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $31,712,128,254
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $51,605,959,131
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $54,901,519,156
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $53,027,680,686
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $51,147,308,774
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $49,929,337,837
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $48,095,213,747
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $46,880,103,081
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $44,016,799,516
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $39,927,125,962
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $38,443,907,042
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $35,399,582,929
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $29,118,916,105
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $24,827,355,015
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $22,022,709,851
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $21,497,336,499
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $21,159,827,992
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $20,082,918,740
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $19,152,238,806
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $17,649,751,244
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $17,260,364,842
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $17,391,056,369
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $17,247,179,006
1997 $967,753,570,435 $15,751,867,489
1996 $868,523,936,530 $13,690,217,334
1995 $738,190,896,228 $11,718,795,529
1994 $566,929,539,493 $9,599,127,050
1993 $446,557,291,212 $7,941,744,492
1992 $428,502,354,788 $5,843,579,161
1991 $384,510,452,962 $4,690,415,093
1990 $361,560,229,446 $2,838,485,354
1989 $348,380,566,802 $2,717,998,688
1988 $312,888,888,889 $3,313,540,068
1987 $273,455,156,951 -
1986 $301,310,144,928 -
1985 $310,064,625,850 -
1984 $260,442,857,143 -
1983 $231,130,268,199 -
1982 $205,480,916,031 -
1981 $196,218,253,968 -
1980 $191,487,500,000 -
1979 $178,573,913,043 -
1978 $149,788,617,886 -
1977 $175,226,595,860 -
1976 $154,196,810,059 -
1975 $163,687,619,736 -
1974 $144,418,433,058 -
1973 $138,764,340,892 -
1972 $113,871,930,714 -
1971 $99,959,013,880 -
1970 $92,752,930,873 -
1969 $79,847,786,729 -
1968 $70,980,323,819 -
1967 $73,011,350,596 -
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in China vs Lebanon by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - - -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $4,473 -
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $969 $2,964 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $881 $2,690 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $835 $2,483 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $787 $2,297 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $713 $2,088 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $613 $1,884 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $476 $1,680 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $379 $1,471 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $319 $991 $790 $2,990
1989 $311 - $771 -
1988 $284 - $959 -
1987 $252.3 - - -
1986 $282.4 - - -
1985 $295 - - -
1984 $251.2 - - -
1983 $225.9 - - -
1982 $203.7 - - -
1981 $197.4 - - -
1980 $195.1 - - -
1979 $184.3 - - -
1978 $156.7 - - -
1977 $185.7 - - -
1976 $165.7 - - -
1975 $178.6 - - -
1974 $160.4 - - -
1973 $157.3 - - -
1972 $132.1 - - -
1971 $118.8 - - -
1970 $113.3 - - -
1969 $100.3 - - -
1968 $91.6 - - -
1967 $96.8 - - -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $4,473 in Lebanon, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

China Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$26B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2025
121/197
2024
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
-7.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$4,473
2024
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
139.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$7,061
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
71/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$3,055
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
$10.6B
2021
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
25.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
14.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
11.3%
2019
Population
1403335670
5921719

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% 15.5% 139.4%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 15.3% 157.9%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 14.3% 185.8%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 12.9% 235.9%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 10.5% 346%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 24.5% 157.2%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 31.3% 171.9%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 32.1% 154%
2017 32% 53.9% 30.7% 150.4%
2016 31.7% 50% 28.6% 147.9%
2015 31% 40.8% 26.7% 140.9%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 28.9% 138.5%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 25.2% 34% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 18% 25.9% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 17.6% 26% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 18% 26.4% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 11% 21.2% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 12.4% - 47.3% 71.5%
1993 13.4% - 23% 50.5%
1992 14.6% - 36.1% 51.7%
1991 16.5% - 35.6% 67.1%
1990 18.2% - 40% 99.7%
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $3.98B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 139.4% in Lebanon, ranking 26/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Lebanon
2025 -7.87% 3.25%
2024 -7.11% 0.39%
2023 -6.71% -1.64%
2022 -7.32% -7.49%
2021 -5.9% -2.57%
2020 -9.56% -7.79%
2019 -6% -10.5%
2018 -4.2% -11.2%
2017 -3.34% -8.68%
2016 -3.33% -8.98%
2015 -2.5% -7.49%
2014 -0.67% -6.22%
2013 -0.82% -8.83%
2012 -0.3% -8.43%
2011 -0.1% -5.94%
2010 -0.36% -7.47%
2009 -1.72% -8.1%
2008 -0.02% -9.86%
2007 0.06% -10.9%
2006 -1.13% -10.6%
2005 -1.38% -8.57%
2004 -1.49% -9.83%
2003 -2.36% -14%
2002 -2.84% -16.2%
2001 -2.56% -21%
2000 -2.81% -23.9%
1999 -2.3% -16.7%
1998 -1.08% -17.3%
1997 -0.73% -24.5%
1996 -0.73% -25.7%
1995 -0.94% -13.6%
1994 -1.68% -29.1%
1993 -0.89% -7.19%
1992 -1.22% -24%
1991 -1.04% -19.5%
1990 -0.72% -30.2%
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.33T, equivalent to 7.11% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's surplus of $102M, or 0.39% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 12.7% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Lebanon
2025 0% 14.6%
2024 0.2% 45.2%
2023 0.2% 221.3%
2022 2% 171.2%
2021 0.9% 154.8%
2020 2.5% 84.9%
2019 2.9% 2.9%
2018 2.1% 6.1%
2017 1.6% 4.4%
2016 2% -0.8%
2015 1.4% -3.7%
2014 2% 1.9%
2013 2.6% 4.8%
2012 2.6% 6.6%
2011 5.4% 5%
2010 3.3% 4%
2009 -0.7% 1.2%
2008 5.8% 10.7%
2007 4.8% 4.1%
2006 1.5% 4.1%
2005 1.8% -1.4%
2004 3.9% 1.7%
2003 1.2% 1.3%
2002 -0.8% 1.8%
2001 0.7% -0.4%
2000 0.4% -0.4%
1999 -1.4% 0.2%
1998 -0.8% 4.5%
1997 2.8% 7.7%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 26.1% in Lebanon. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 14.6% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.1B
Textiles & consumer goods $643M
Chemicals & pharma $314M
Metals $307M
Raw materials & minerals $88.9M
Wood & paper products $69M
Raw agricultural goods $59.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49.6M
Miscellaneous $45.8M
Weapons & explosives $10.9M
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Metals $13.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.18M
Machinery & equipment $3.4M
Raw materials & minerals $707K
Precious metals & jewellery $513K
Textiles & consumer goods $497K
Miscellaneous $461K
Chemicals & pharma $365K
Raw agricultural goods $225K
Wood & paper products $182K

Balance of trade

China Lebanon
Current account balance
$735B
2025
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
166/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$623B
2025
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$385B
2025
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
58.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
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.

China Lebanon
Economic freedom 48.3 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 183/197
Property rights 40.9 21.8
Government integrity 42.3 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 23.8
Tax burden 69.3 90.3
Government spending 67.8 93.3
Fiscal health 4.4 63.4
Business freedom 68.7 47.6
Labor freedom 57.9 48.4
Monetary freedom 76.1 0
Trade freedom 73.4 65.6
Investment freedom 20 20
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Lebanon
2026 48.3 43.1
2025 49 44.1
2024 48.5 48.3
2023 48.3 45.6
2022 48 47.3
2021 58.4 51.4
2020 59.5 51.7
2019 58.4 51.1
2018 57.8 53.2
2017 57.4 53.3
2016 52 59.5
2015 52.7 59.3
2014 52.5 59.4
2013 51.9 59.5
2012 51.2 60.1
2011 52 60.1
2010 51 59.5
2009 53.2 58.1
2008 53.1 60
2007 52 60.4
2006 53.6 57.5
2005 53.7 57.2
2004 52.5 56.9
2003 52.6 56.7
2002 52.8 57.1
2001 52.6 61
2000 56.4 56.1
1999 54.8 59.1
1998 53.1 59
1997 51.7 63.9
1996 51.3 63.2
1995 52 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
35.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
2.63%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
1.05%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$11,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
56/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
9.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
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/china/lebanon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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.