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Economy of Cyprus vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cyprus has a GDP of $37.6B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 103/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cyprus has $24.5B in government debt (65.1% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Cyprus vs Lebanon GDP by year

Cyprus
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cyprus Lebanon
2024 $37,634,533,332 -
2023 $35,075,423,857 $20,078,620,357
2022 $31,218,038,929 $20,992,421,949
2021 $30,372,642,502 $23,131,941,557
2020 $25,555,093,854 $31,712,128,254
2019 $26,196,667,100 $51,605,959,131
2018 $25,754,001,368 $54,901,519,156
2017 $22,946,570,629 $53,027,680,686
2016 $21,046,462,281 $51,147,308,774
2015 $19,909,278,417 $49,929,337,837
2014 $23,225,918,260 $48,095,213,747
2013 $23,959,712,861 $46,880,103,081
2012 $25,047,436,975 $44,016,799,516
2011 $27,641,549,302 $39,927,125,962
2010 $25,799,940,078 $38,443,907,042
2009 $26,048,179,949 $35,399,582,929
2008 $27,844,646,258 $29,118,916,105
2007 $23,968,727,074 $24,827,355,015
2006 $20,072,754,987 $22,022,709,851
2005 $18,433,412,511 $21,497,336,499
2004 $17,320,551,250 $21,159,827,992
2003 $14,547,329,558 $20,082,918,740
2002 $11,420,228,846 $19,152,238,806
2001 $10,397,898,907 $17,649,751,244
2000 $9,985,847,314 $17,260,364,842
1999 $10,497,907,228 $17,391,056,369
1998 $10,248,618,778 $17,247,179,006
1997 $9,547,816,420 $15,751,867,489
1996 $10,011,914,680 $13,690,217,334
1995 $9,933,137,128 $11,718,795,529
1994 $7,425,703,929 $9,599,127,050
1993 $6,590,291,048 $7,941,744,492
1992 $6,912,150,456 $5,843,579,161
1991 $5,770,197,348 $4,690,415,093
1990 $5,591,130,218 $2,838,485,354
1989 $4,563,482,604 $2,717,998,688
1988 $4,278,792,597 $3,313,540,068
1987 $3,704,813,886 -
1986 $3,090,734,463 -
1985 $2,430,411,900 -
1984 $2,278,248,953 -
1983 $2,160,364,071 -
1982 $2,159,242,417 -
1981 $2,087,496,374 -
1980 $2,154,311,277 -
1979 $1,288,699,776 -
1978 $964,024,364 -
1977 $734,876,021 -
1976 $576,090,074 -
1975 $489,912,574 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cyprus vs Lebanon by year

Cyprus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cyprus Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $27,707 $63,007 - -
2023 $26,079 $59,875 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $23,448 $55,876 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $23,057 $47,633 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $19,624 $42,569 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $20,360 $44,394 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $20,267 $40,262 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $18,295 $37,768 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $17,013 $35,247 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $16,326 $31,380 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $19,326 $29,893 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $20,238 $30,416 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $21,493 $31,924 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $24,110 $33,406 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $22,876 $33,502 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $23,480 $33,901 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $25,522 $34,830 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $22,344 $32,888 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $19,037 $30,009 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $17,790 $27,763 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $17,016 $25,942 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $14,553 $24,278 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $11,636 $23,556 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $10,785 $22,866 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $10,537 $21,296 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $11,273 $19,663 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $11,206 $18,760 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $10,637 $17,781 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $11,373 $17,320 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $11,514 $17,096 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $8,791 $15,735 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $7,978 $14,852 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $8,530 $14,759 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $7,222 $13,546 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $7,092 $13,348 $790 $2,990
1989 $5,870 - $771 -
1988 $5,584 - $959 -
1987 $4,908 - - -
1986 $4,159 - - -
1985 $3,324 - - -
1984 $3,167 - - -
1983 $3,055 - - -
1982 $3,100 - - -
1981 $3,030 - - -
1980 $3,154 - - -
1979 $1,902 - - -
1978 $1,434 - - -
1977 $1,102 - - -
1976 $870 - - -
1975 $743 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cyprus' GDP per capita is $27,707, ranking 45/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cyprus ranks 29th at $63,007, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Cyprus Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$37.6B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
103/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
3.94%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$27,707
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
45/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$63,007
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
29/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$24.5B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.1%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$18,034
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
34/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,384
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.9B
2024
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires
10
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2023
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.8%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.87%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
1386362
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cyprus
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cyprus Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 40% 65.1% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 42% 73.6% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 38% 81.1% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 42.6% 96.5% 10.9% 358%
2020 45.9% 113.6% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 40.3% 92.3% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 44.3% 100.7% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 38.4% 96.4% 30.6% 150%
2016 39.6% 106.8% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 43% 111.6% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 52.1% 113% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 42.1% 102.7% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 41.9% 79.2% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 42.1% 64.8% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 41.7% 55.3% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 41.9% 52.8% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 38.2% 44.1% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 37.6% 53.1% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 39.1% 59% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 39.7% 64% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 38.6% 64.7% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 40.4% 63% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 37.4% 61% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 35.7% 57.5% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 35% 56% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 34.3% 55.7% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 34.4% 55% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 34.2% 53.5% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 32.4% 48.8% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 30.4% 46.7% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cyprus' government spending was $15B, accounting for 40% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.1% in Cyprus and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 68/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cyprus

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cyprus Lebanon
2024 4.28% -0.19%
2023 1.7% -1.7%
2022 2.65% -7.77%
2021 -1.64% -2.67%
2020 -5.57% -7.37%
2019 1.03% -10.5%
2018 -3.36% -11.3%
2017 2.13% -8.65%
2016 0.45% -8.88%
2015 -0.77% -7.48%
2014 -8.8% -6.22%
2013 -5.16% -8.82%
2012 -5.55% -8.43%
2011 -5.65% -5.94%
2010 -4.68% -7.47%
2009 -5.43% -8.1%
2008 0.87% -9.86%
2007 3.23% -10.9%
2006 -1.04% -10.6%
2005 -2.22% -8.57%
2004 -3.71% -9.83%
2003 -5.91% -14%
2002 -4.13% -16.2%
2001 -2.11% -21%
2000 -2.24% -23.9%
1999 -4.05% -16.7%
1998 -3.85% -17.3%
1997 -4.82% -24.5%
1996 -2.96% -25.7%
1995 -0.71% -13.6%
1994 - -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/cyprus/lebanon | CC BY

In 2023, Cyprus' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $596M, equivalent to 1.7% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Cyprus recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Cyprus posted an annual deficit equal to 2.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 11.5% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cyprus

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cyprus Lebanon
2024 1.8% 45.2%
2023 3.54% 221.3%
2022 8.4% 171.2%
2021 2.45% 154.8%
2020 -0.64% 84.9%
2019 0.25% 2.9%
2018 1.44% 6.1%
2017 0.53% 4.5%
2016 -1.43% -0.8%
2015 -2.1% -3.8%
2014 -1.35% 1.1%
2013 -0.4% 5.6%
2012 2.39% 6.6%
2011 3.29% 5%
2010 2.43% 4%
2009 0.33% 1.2%
2008 4.67% 10.7%
2007 2.37% 4.1%
2006 2.3% 4.1%
2005 2.56% -1.4%
2004 2.29% 1.7%
2003 4.14% 1.3%
2002 2.8% 1.8%
2001 1.97% -0.4%
2000 4.14% -0.4%
1999 1.63% 0.2%
1998 2.23% 4.5%
1997 3.61% 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/cyprus/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cyprus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 1.8% in Cyprus and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Cyprus
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $313M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17.1M
Chemicals & pharma $4.85M
Machinery & equipment $3.57M
Animal & marine products $1.8M
Metals $1.46M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.17M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.02M
Miscellaneous $554K
Weapons & explosives $147K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $52.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15.9M
Raw materials & minerals $12.1M
Metals $11M
Chemicals & pharma $9.28M
Wood & paper products $6.82M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.62M
Raw agricultural goods $1.45M
Precious metals & jewellery $607K
Weapons & explosives $575K

Balance of trade

Cyprus Lebanon
Current account balance
-$3.07B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
157/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.16%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$11.9B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$4.43B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$23.2B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$32.1B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
93.4%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
97%
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.

Cyprus Lebanon
Economic freedom 74.1 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 21/197 183/197
Property rights 85.1 21.8
Government integrity 59.7 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 89.8 23.8
Tax burden 80.8 90.3
Government spending 52.1 93.3
Fiscal health 91.5 63.4
Business freedom 82.3 47.6
Labor freedom 60.3 48.4
Monetary freedom 78.7 0
Trade freedom 79.4 65.6
Investment freedom 70 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cyprus
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cyprus Lebanon
2026 74.1 43.1
2025 73.2 44.1
2024 72.2 48.3
2023 72.3 45.6
2022 72.9 47.3
2021 71.4 51.4
2020 70.1 51.7
2019 68.1 51.1
2018 67.8 53.2
2017 67.9 53.3
2016 68.7 59.5
2015 67.9 59.3
2014 67.6 59.4
2013 69 59.5
2012 71.8 60.1
2011 73.3 60.1
2010 70.9 59.5
2009 70.8 58.1
2008 71.3 60
2007 71.7 60.4
2006 71.8 57.5
2005 71.9 57.2
2004 74.1 56.9
2003 73.3 56.7
2002 73 57.1
2001 71 61
2000 67.2 56.1
1999 67.8 59.1
1998 68.2 59
1997 67.9 63.9
1996 67.7 63.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cyprus is 74.1, ranking 21/197, 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

Cyprus Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
76.5%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
11.1%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.16%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$32B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$56,200
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$2.09B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
124/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.49B
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$50.4B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$55.9B
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.9%
2021
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.7%
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/cyprus/lebanon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, 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. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.