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Economy of Ethiopia vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $26B for Lebanon, ranking 66/197 and 121/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $41B (139.4% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Ethiopia vs Lebanon GDP by year

Ethiopia
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Lebanon
2025 $126,358,758,448 -
2024 $149,740,297,952 $25,971,643,441
2023 $135,874,093,203 $20,078,620,357
2022 $123,140,304,665 $20,992,421,949
2021 $109,070,960,371 $23,131,941,557
2020 $98,676,811,062 $31,712,128,254
2019 $91,834,517,114 $51,605,959,131
2018 $83,337,901,072 $54,901,519,156
2017 $76,366,081,767 $53,027,680,686
2016 $68,475,871,210 $51,147,308,774
2015 $62,103,418,182 $49,929,337,837
2014 $55,612,228,234 $48,095,213,747
2013 $47,648,276,605 $46,880,103,081
2012 $43,310,721,414 $44,016,799,516
2011 $31,952,763,089 $39,927,125,962
2010 $29,933,790,334 $38,443,907,042
2009 $32,437,389,116 $35,399,582,929
2008 $27,066,912,635 $29,118,916,105
2007 $19,707,616,773 $24,827,355,015
2006 $15,280,861,835 $22,022,709,851
2005 $12,401,139,454 $21,497,336,499
2004 $10,131,187,261 $21,159,827,992
2003 $8,623,691,300 $20,082,918,740
2002 $7,850,809,498 $19,152,238,806
2001 $8,231,326,016 $17,649,751,244
2000 $8,242,349,618 $17,260,364,842
1999 $7,892,973,532 $17,391,056,369
1998 $8,013,274,132 $17,247,179,006
1997 $8,803,539,988 $15,751,867,489
1996 $8,761,215,548 $13,690,217,334
1995 $7,855,205,207 $11,718,795,529
1994 $7,100,806,754 $9,599,127,050
1993 $9,051,043,870 $7,941,744,492
1992 $10,754,799,037 $5,843,579,161
1991 $13,799,799,324 $4,690,415,093
1990 $12,478,943,895 $2,838,485,354
1989 $11,762,932,007 $2,717,998,688
1988 $11,181,119,718 $3,313,540,068
1987 $10,790,001,558 -
1986 $10,094,328,898 -
1985 $9,717,392,687 -
1984 $8,298,309,581 -
1983 $8,781,664,427 -
1982 $7,899,988,841 -
1981 $7,507,663,567 -
1980 $7,012,585,454 -
1979 $6,586,048,398 -
1978 $6,014,961,435 -
1977 $5,651,840,585 -
1976 $4,943,806,093 -
1975 $4,577,047,854 -
1974 $4,577,209,966 -
1973 $4,070,570,550 -
1972 $3,520,252,938 -
1971 $3,224,280,835 -
1970 $3,045,354,455 -
1969 $2,768,987,372 -
1968 $2,619,948,865 -
1967 $2,461,762,003 -
1966 $2,324,466,416 -
1965 $2,159,998,591 -
1964 $1,984,129,186 -
1963 $1,825,058,828 -
1962 $1,747,566,307 -
1961 $1,680,859,514 -
1960 $1,610,511,694 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Lebanon by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - - -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $4,473 -
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $982 $2,845 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $893 $2,588 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $830 $2,407 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $793 $2,242 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $740 $2,095 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $696 $2,005 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $642 $1,858 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $598 $1,633 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $550 $1,485 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $484 $1,253 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $452 $1,179 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $343 $1,098 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $331 $996 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $369 $899 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $316 $845 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $237.1 $770 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $189.3 $693 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $158.2 $625 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $133.2 $558 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $116.8 $493 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $109.6 $509 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $118.5 $509 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $122.3 $474 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $120.7 $450 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $126.5 $436 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $143.4 $461 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $147.3 $453 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $136.5 $409 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $127.7 $391 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $168.5 $384 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $207.4 $343 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $277.6 $383 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $262.1 $417 $790 $2,990
1989 $256.4 - $771 -
1988 $253.2 - $959 -
1987 $254.1 - - -
1986 $246 - - -
1985 $243.9 - - -
1984 $214.2 - - -
1983 $232.7 - - -
1982 $215.3 - - -
1981 $212.7 - - -
1980 $203.7 - - -
1979 $192.4 - - -
1978 $178.3 - - -
1977 $170.4 - - -
1976 $152 - - -
1975 $144.3 - - -
1974 $147.9 - - -
1973 $134.9 - - -
1972 $119.8 - - -
1971 $112.7 - - -
1970 $109.4 - - -
1969 $102.3 - - -
1968 $99.5 - - -
1967 $96.1 - - -
1966 $93.2 - - -
1965 $88.9 - - -
1964 $83.8 - - -
1963 $79.2 - - -
1962 $77.8 - - -
1961 $76.7 - - -
1960 $75.3 - - -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $4,473 in Lebanon, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$26B
2024
GDP rank
66/197
2025
121/197
2024
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
-7.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$4,473
2024
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
139.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$7,061
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
71/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$3,055
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
25.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
14.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
11.3%
2019
Population
140722974
5921719

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 15.5% 139.4%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 15.3% 157.9%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 14.3% 185.8%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 12.9% 235.9%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 10.5% 346%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 24.5% 157.2%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 31.3% 171.9%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 32.1% 154%
2017 18% 55.3% 30.7% 150.4%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 28.6% 147.9%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 26.7% 140.9%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 28.9% 138.5%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 17.1% 30% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 27% 103.7% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 17.6% 155.2% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 13.8% 141% 23% 50.5%
1992 14.2% 87.9% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 17.3% 89.3% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 20.9% 91.6% 40% 99.7%
1989 24% 84.7% - -
1988 21.6% 84.3% - -
1987 18.4% 82.3% - -
1986 19.8% 75.7% - -
1985 19.7% 67.7% - -
1984 18.8% 65.4% - -
1983 21.3% 55.2% - -
1982 16.4% 48.8% - -
1981 14.2% 30.6% - -
1980 13.5% 18.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $3.98B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 139.4% in Lebanon, ranking 122/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Lebanon
2025 -1.19% 3.25%
2024 -1.99% 0.39%
2023 -2.6% -1.64%
2022 -4.16% -7.49%
2021 -2.77% -2.57%
2020 -2.76% -7.79%
2019 -2.53% -10.5%
2018 -3.03% -11.2%
2017 -3.24% -8.68%
2016 -2.3% -8.98%
2015 -1.95% -7.49%
2014 -2.58% -6.22%
2013 -1.93% -8.83%
2012 -1.17% -8.43%
2011 -1.61% -5.94%
2010 -1.32% -7.47%
2009 -0.93% -8.1%
2008 -2.88% -9.86%
2007 -3.57% -10.9%
2006 -3.79% -10.6%
2005 -4.12% -8.57%
2004 -2.65% -9.83%
2003 -5.59% -14%
2002 -5.76% -16.2%
2001 -3.76% -21%
2000 -8.88% -23.9%
1999 -8.54% -16.7%
1998 -3.65% -17.3%
1997 -1.76% -24.5%
1996 -3.93% -25.7%
1995 -2.76% -13.6%
1994 -5.39% -29.1%
1993 -4.12% -7.19%
1992 -4.92% -24%
1991 -6% -19.5%
1990 -6.86% -30.2%
1989 -4.33% -
1988 -3.48% -
1987 -3.54% -
1986 -3.98% -
1985 -4.71% -
1984 -3.69% -
1983 -7.59% -
1982 -3.6% -
1981 -2.19% -
1980 -2.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.98B, equivalent to 1.99% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's surplus of $102M, or 0.39% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 12.7% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Lebanon
2025 13.2% 14.6%
2024 21% 45.2%
2023 30.2% 221.3%
2022 33.9% 171.2%
2021 26.8% 154.8%
2020 20.4% 84.9%
2019 15.8% 2.9%
2018 13.8% 6.1%
2017 10.7% 4.4%
2016 6.63% -0.8%
2015 9.57% -3.7%
2014 6.89% 1.9%
2013 7.46% 4.8%
2012 23.6% 6.6%
2011 33.2% 5%
2010 8.15% 4%
2009 8.48% 1.2%
2008 44.4% 10.7%
2007 17.2% 4.1%
2006 12.3% 4.1%
2005 9.97% -1.4%
2004 3.33% 1.7%
2003 13.7% 1.3%
2002 0.68% 1.8%
2001 -8.24% -0.4%
2000 0.66% -0.4%
1999 7.94% 0.2%
1998 0.89% 4.5%
1997 2.4% 7.7%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 26.1% in Lebanon. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 14.6% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2.54M
Chemicals & pharma $54K
Machinery & equipment $29K
Textiles & consumer goods $20K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13K
Animal & marine products $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Wood & paper products $1K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $561K
Metals $153K
Chemicals & pharma $102K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $58K
Raw agricultural goods $44K
Textiles & consumer goods $42K
Miscellaneous $38K
Wood & paper products $21K
Raw materials & minerals $20K
Animal & marine products $7K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Lebanon
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
166/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
58.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
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.

Ethiopia Lebanon
Economic freedom 48.1 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 183/197
Property rights 22.1 21.8
Government integrity 33.2 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 23.8
Tax burden 78.6 90.3
Government spending 96.4 93.3
Fiscal health 84.3 63.4
Business freedom 44.5 47.6
Labor freedom 37.8 48.4
Monetary freedom 53.7 0
Trade freedom 57.4 65.6
Investment freedom 30 20
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Lebanon
2026 48.1 43.1
2025 48.1 44.1
2024 47.9 48.3
2023 48.3 45.6
2022 49.6 47.3
2021 51.7 51.4
2020 53.6 51.7
2019 53.6 51.1
2018 52.8 53.2
2017 52.7 53.3
2016 51.5 59.5
2015 51.5 59.3
2014 50 59.4
2013 49.4 59.5
2012 52 60.1
2011 50.5 60.1
2010 51.2 59.5
2009 53 58.1
2008 52.5 60
2007 53.6 60.4
2006 50.9 57.5
2005 51.1 57.2
2004 54.5 56.9
2003 48.8 56.7
2002 49.8 57.1
2001 48.9 61
2000 50.2 56.1
1999 46.7 59.1
1998 49.2 59
1997 48.1 63.9
1996 45.9 63.2
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, 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

Ethiopia Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
35.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
2.63%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
1.05%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$11,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
56/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
9.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
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/ethiopia/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.