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Economy of Estonia vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Estonia has a GDP of $42.8B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 102/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Estonia has $10.1B in government debt (25.4% of GDP), compared to $38.6B (149.1% of GDP) in Lebanon.

The chart below compares the two countries' GDP growth in both current (nominal) and constant dollars, accounting for inflation over time.

Estonia
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Lebanon
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Year GDP
Estonia Lebanon
Current $ Constant $ Current $ Constant $
1988 - - $3,313,540,068 $13,590,690,652
1989 - - $2,717,998,688 $7,821,290,497
1990 - $14,658,008,363 $2,838,485,354 $9,896,526,026
1991 - $13,485,390,620 $4,690,415,093 $14,790,098,776
1992 - $10,630,714,641 $5,843,579,161 $17,221,346,343
1993 $4,013,091,682 $10,020,459,082 $7,941,744,492 $19,075,339,625
1994 $4,123,011,420 $9,855,880,594 $9,599,127,050 $20,621,442,059
1995 $4,502,970,889 $10,302,024,947 $11,718,795,529 $21,951,290,517
1996 $4,786,018,988 $10,811,255,303 $13,690,217,334 $24,428,699,054
1997 $5,154,420,649 $12,222,126,358 $15,751,867,489 $24,686,413,686
1998 $5,674,080,543 $12,752,545,573 $17,247,179,006 $25,591,349,425
1999 $5,756,912,266 $12,698,344,019 $17,391,056,369 $25,456,845,224
2000 $5,686,579,748 $13,979,307,069 $17,260,364,842 $25,798,443,406
2001 $6,250,218,423 $14,801,394,596 $17,649,751,244 $26,789,018,311
2002 $7,370,119,619 $15,827,575,405 $19,152,238,806 $27,706,046,545
2003 $9,876,595,528 $17,029,885,802 $20,082,918,740 $28,600,147,894
2004 $12,148,595,031 $18,188,037,435 $21,159,827,992 $30,510,478,932
2005 $14,109,491,357 $19,920,094,036 $21,497,336,499 $31,329,923,063
2006 $17,025,671,810 $21,864,807,422 $22,022,709,851 $31,815,384,921
2007 $22,450,264,166 $23,520,174,236 $24,827,355,015 $34,777,595,316
2008 $24,342,935,404 $22,314,692,031 $29,118,916,105 $37,931,620,044
2009 $19,633,984,440 $19,050,002,927 $35,399,582,929 $41,812,842,420
2010 $19,524,355,419 $19,516,680,413 $38,443,907,042 $45,147,473,284
2011 $23,303,915,795 $21,001,309,333 $39,927,125,962 $45,539,055,324
2012 $23,237,406,116 $21,772,481,344 $44,016,799,516 $46,707,037,069
2013 $25,451,032,781 $22,154,913,628 $46,880,103,081 $48,494,923,363
2014 $27,055,689,003 $22,891,074,857 $48,095,213,747 $49,699,566,407
2015 $23,311,847,751 $23,311,847,751 $49,929,337,837 $49,929,337,837
2016 $24,561,027,788 $24,032,887,680 $51,147,308,774 $50,705,514,063
2017 $27,469,461,919 $25,387,062,190 $53,027,680,686 $51,163,399,288
2018 $31,222,632,741 $26,326,306,711 $54,901,519,156 $50,199,119,756
2019 $31,873,748,770 $27,307,395,871 $51,605,959,131 $46,727,888,411
2020 $31,820,771,494 $26,519,903,137 $31,712,128,254 $36,728,167,163
2021 $37,204,563,051 $28,417,255,488 $23,131,941,557 $34,156,740,537
2022 $38,376,046,175 $28,434,428,183 $20,992,421,949 $33,944,395,264
2023 $41,291,245,222 $27,574,844,402 $20,078,620,357 $33,686,219,465
2024 $42,764,929,169 $27,502,872,345 - -

Economic indicators

Estonia Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$42.8B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
102/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
3.57%
2023-2024
-4.35%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$31,170
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
40/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,334
2024
$12,575
2023
Government debt
$10.1B
2024
$38.6B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
25.4%
2025
149.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,362
2024
$6,680
2023
Government debt per person rank
66/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$21,368
2025
$3,779
2025
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires
2
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.7%
2023
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
44.4%
2025
18.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.52%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
7.5%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
1355535
5888008

GDP per capita in Estonia vs Lebanon

Estonia's GDP per capita is $31,170, ranking 40/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Estonia ranks 45th at $49,334, while Lebanon ranks 121st at $12,575.

Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Year Current $
Estonia Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
1988 - - $959 -
1989 - - $771 -
1990 - $7,476 $790 $2,990
1991 - $7,146 $1,278 $4,527
1992 - $5,868 $1,559 $5,279
1993 $2,686 $5,810 $2,079 $5,871
1994 $2,819 $5,963 $2,468 $6,367
1995 $3,134 $6,475 $2,959 $6,796
1996 $3,381 $6,889 $3,393 $7,560
1997 $3,683 $7,978 $3,834 $7,632
1998 $4,093 $8,451 $4,125 $7,861
1999 $4,141 $8,412 $4,087 $7,793
2000 $4,071 $9,422 $3,987 $7,938
2001 $4,503 $10,310 $4,010 $8,289
2002 $5,343 $11,667 $4,291 $8,586
2003 $7,205 $13,137 $4,438 $8,914
2004 $8,916 $14,540 $4,601 $9,609
2005 $10,415 $16,638 $4,602 $10,020
2006 $12,641 $19,348 $4,635 $10,312
2007 $16,745 $22,201 $5,125 $11,356
2008 $18,206 $22,804 $5,912 $12,416
2009 $14,712 $20,478 $7,091 $13,586
2010 $14,664 $21,617 $7,626 $14,704
2011 $17,556 $24,652 $7,835 $14,975
2012 $17,568 $26,243 $8,407 $16,121
2013 $19,310 $27,831 $8,162 $16,316
2014 $20,582 $29,404 $7,578 $16,140
2015 $17,722 $29,721 $7,714 $17,046
2016 $18,666 $31,948 $8,089 $18,941
2017 $20,852 $34,507 $8,608 $20,964
2018 $23,618 $37,121 $9,175 $21,985
2019 $24,021 $40,586 $8,906 $21,710
2020 $23,934 $40,672 $5,561 $16,260
2021 $27,954 $44,252 $4,045 $11,600
2022 $28,451 $47,802 $3,654 $12,293
2023 $30,133 $46,790 $3,478 $12,575
2024 $31,170 $49,334 - -

Spending and national debt comparison

In 2024, Estonia's government spending was $18.9B, accounting for 44.4% of its GDP, while Lebanon's spent $2.67B, or 18.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 25.4% in Estonia and 149.1% in Lebanon, ranking 168/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Estonia
Government spending

Government debt
Lebanon
Government spending

Government debt
Year % of GDP
Estonia Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
1990 - - 40% 99.7%
1991 - - 35.6% 67.1%
1992 - - 36.1% 51.7%
1993 - - 23% 50.5%
1994 - - 47.3% 71.5%
1995 39.5% 8.66% 31.1% 79.6%
1996 38.6% 7.3% 43.6% 101.2%
1997 35.8% 6.03% 40.5% 100.2%
1998 38.9% 5.4% 34.7% 108.2%
1999 40.7% 5.93% 35.6% 130.2%
2000 36.4% 5.11% 42.8% 148.1%
2001 35.3% 4.93% 38.9% 163.1%
2002 35.9% 5.66% 36.8% 163.1%
2003 35% 5.6% 36.4% 171.3%
2004 34.1% 5.16% 33.3% 169.5%
2005 33.7% 4.73% 31.4% 178.9%
2006 33.5% 4.72% 36.1% 183.3%
2007 33.8% 3.91% 35.2% 169.3%
2008 39.5% 4.67% 34.3% 161.5%
2009 46.1% 7.98% 32.1% 144.5%
2010 40.7% 7.99% 29.2% 136.8%
2011 37.6% 7.6% 28.8% 134.4%
2012 39.4% 11.1% 30.2% 131.1%
2013 38.3% 11.4% 28.9% 135.4%
2014 37.6% 11.6% 28.8% 138.4%
2015 39.3% 10.8% 26.7% 140.8%
2016 38.9% 10.2% 28.3% 146.4%
2017 38.9% 9.43% 30.6% 150%
2018 38.8% 8.51% 32.3% 155.1%
2019 39.1% 9.05% 31.3% 172.1%
2020 44.7% 19.1% 23% 148.7%
2021 42.1% 18.4% 10.2% 361%
2022 40% 19.1% 12.2% 246.5%
2023 43.7% 20.2% 13.3% 192.1%
2024 44.2% 23.6% 16.1% 164.1%
2025 44.4% 25.4% 18.3% 149.1%

Government deficit by year

In 2023, Estonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was -$1.3B, equivalent to -3.14% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of -$21.1M, or -0.11% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Estonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Estonia posted an annual deficit equal to -0.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of -11.4% of GDP for Lebanon.

Deficit/surplus
Estonia

Lebanon
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Estonia Lebanon
1990 - -30.2%
1991 - -19.5%
1992 - -24%
1993 - -7.19%
1994 - -29.1%
1995 -0.26% -13.6%
1996 -0.93% -25.7%
1997 2.98% -24.5%
1998 0.65% -17.3%
1999 -3.42% -16.7%
2000 -0.11% -23.9%
2001 0.4% -21%
2002 0.29% -16.2%
2003 1.67% -14%
2004 2.29% -9.83%
2005 1.07% -8.57%
2006 2.71% -10.6%
2007 2.5% -10.9%
2008 -2.92% -9.86%
2009 -3.43% -8.1%
2010 -1.09% -7.47%
2011 0.09% -5.94%
2012 -0.86% -8.43%
2013 -0.66% -8.82%
2014 0.42% -6.22%
2015 -0.24% -7.48%
2016 -0.62% -8.88%
2017 -1.07% -8.65%
2018 -1.15% -11.3%
2019 -0.11% -10.5%
2020 -5.42% -7.15%
2021 -2.57% -1.98%
2022 -1.07% -6.5%
2023 -3.14% -0.11%
2024 -1.69% 0.36%
2025 -2.69% 0.01%

Inflation comparison by year

Over the past 29 years, Estonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.1%, compared with 26% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 3.52% in Estonia and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Inflation
Estonia

Lebanon
Year Inflation
Estonia Lebanon Estonia Lebanon
1996 23.1% 8.9%
1997 10.6% 7.7%
1998 8.21% 4.5%
1999 3.3% 0.2%
2000 4.02% -0.4%
2001 5.75% -0.4%
2002 3.57% 1.8%
2003 1.33% 1.3%
2004 3.05% 1.7%
2005 4.08% -1.4%
2006 4.44% 4.1%
2007 6.6% 4.1%
2008 10.4% 10.7%
2009 -0.08% 1.2%
2010 2.97% 4%
2011 4.98% 5%
2012 3.93% 6.6%
2013 2.78% 5.6%
2014 -0.11% 1.1%
2015 -0.49% -3.8%
2016 0.15% -0.8%
2017 3.42% 4.5%
2018 3.44% 6.1%
2019 2.28% 2.9%
2020 -0.44% 84.9%
2021 4.65% 154.8%
2022 19.4% 171.2%
2023 9.16% 221.3%
2024 3.52% 45.2%

Top exports between countries

Estonia
Export category Export value
Metals $2.92M
Animal & marine products $1.04M
Machinery & equipment $923K
Wood & paper products $636K
Raw materials & minerals $344K
Raw agricultural goods $216K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $141K
Textiles & consumer goods $103K
Precious metals & jewellery $58K
Chemicals & pharma $53K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $12K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Estonia Lebanon
Current account balance
-$578M
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
104/189
2024
168/189
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.35%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$22.1B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$10.4B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$13.6B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.7%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
76.3%
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.

Estonia Lebanon
Economic freedom 78.9 44.1
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 181/197
Property rights 93.7 22.3
Government integrity 84.5 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 93.9 22.6
Tax burden 80.8 90.3
Government spending 48.8 95.6
Fiscal health 90.9 63.6
Business freedom 83.3 47.8
Labor freedom 62.2 57.1
Monetary freedom 68.8 0
Trade freedom 79.6 65.4
Investment freedom 90 20
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom by year comparison

The Economic Freedom Index for Estonia is 78.9, ranking 9/197, compared to 44.1 for Lebanon, ranking 181/197. The chart below displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Estonia
Lebanon
Year Economic freedom index
Estonia Lebanon
1995 65.2 -
1996 65.4 63.2
1997 69.1 63.9
1998 72.5 59
1999 73.8 59.1
2000 69.9 56.1
2001 76.1 61
2002 77.6 57.1
2003 77.7 56.7
2004 77.4 56.9
2005 75.2 57.2
2006 74.9 57.5
2007 78 60.4
2008 77.9 60
2009 76.4 58.1
2010 74.7 59.5
2011 75.2 60.1
2012 73.2 60.1
2013 75.3 59.5
2014 75.9 59.4
2015 76.8 59.3
2016 77.2 59.5
2017 79.1 53.3
2018 78.8 53.2
2019 76.6 51.1
2020 77.7 51.7
2021 78.2 51.4
2022 80 47.3
2023 78.6 45.6
2024 77.8 48.3
2025 78.9 44.1

More economic indicators

Estonia Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
65.1%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
20.5%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.91%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$39.4B
2024
$21.6B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$48,260
2024
$12,530
2023
Total reserves including gold
$2.07B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
125/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$270M
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.46B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.73B
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
n/a
21.8%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.2%
2024
1.9%
2023

GDP per capita map

GDP per capita

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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.