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Economy of Gambia vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.59B compared to $26B for Lebanon, ranking 174/197 and 121/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (73.9% of GDP), compared to $41B (139.4% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Gambia vs Lebanon GDP by year

Gambia
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Lebanon
2025 $2,593,673,988 -
2024 $2,404,888,738 $25,971,643,441
2023 $2,382,262,185 $20,078,620,357
2022 $2,204,734,528 $20,992,421,949
2021 $2,014,158,842 $23,131,941,557
2020 $1,812,170,891 $31,712,128,254
2019 $1,813,609,692 $51,605,959,131
2018 $1,670,671,328 $54,901,519,156
2017 $1,504,909,463 $53,027,680,686
2016 $1,484,578,886 $51,147,308,774
2015 $1,378,176,609 $49,929,337,837
2014 $1,229,461,721 $48,095,213,747
2013 $1,375,609,453 $46,880,103,081
2012 $1,415,004,738 $44,016,799,516
2011 $1,409,693,597 $39,927,125,962
2010 $1,543,294,927 $38,443,907,042
2009 $1,450,142,509 $35,399,582,929
2008 $1,561,766,956 $29,118,916,105
2007 $1,279,703,047 $24,827,355,015
2006 $1,054,112,488 $22,022,709,851
2005 $1,027,701,068 $21,497,336,499
2004 $961,900,651 $21,159,827,992
2003 $487,038,685 $20,082,918,740
2002 $578,235,309 $19,152,238,806
2001 $687,410,645 $17,649,751,244
2000 $782,913,872 $17,260,364,842
1999 $814,724,032 $17,391,056,369
1998 $840,285,265 $17,247,179,006
1997 $803,633,342 $15,751,867,489
1996 $848,239,446 $13,690,217,334
1995 $785,999,865 $11,718,795,529
1994 $746,493,952 $9,599,127,050
1993 $755,040,974 $7,941,744,492
1992 $714,254,256 $5,843,579,161
1991 $690,311,081 $4,690,415,093
1990 $317,083,695 $2,838,485,354
1989 $284,120,329 $2,717,998,688
1988 $266,672,212 $3,313,540,068
1987 $220,626,484 -
1986 $185,646,987 -
1985 $225,726,359 -
1984 $177,340,880 -
1983 $213,448,585 -
1982 $216,050,552 -
1981 $218,767,743 -
1980 $241,083,090 -
1979 $207,112,628 -
1978 $171,833,086 -
1977 $138,093,099 -
1976 $112,190,829 -
1975 $115,179,719 -
1974 $95,796,022 -
1973 $75,187,749 -
1972 $59,160,569 -
1971 $55,728,663 -
1970 $52,296,084 -
1969 $45,168,072 -
1968 $41,160,066 -
1967 $46,695,007 -
1966 $44,212,081 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Lebanon by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $919 - - -
2024 $871 $3,476 $4,473 -
2023 $883 $3,289 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $836 $3,067 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $782 $2,778 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $720 $2,531 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $738 $2,422 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $696 $2,277 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $643 $2,039 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $650 $2,013 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $620 $1,990 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $568 $1,934 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $654 $2,007 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $693 $2,065 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $711 $2,064 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $801 $2,267 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $775 $2,177 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $859 $2,088 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $725 $1,985 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $615 $1,931 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $616 $1,938 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $593 $1,979 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $309 $1,850 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $377 $1,744 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $460 $1,823 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $538 $1,731 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $575 $1,649 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $610 $1,572 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $600 $1,544 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $652 $1,489 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $622 $1,472 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $608 $1,473 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $635 $1,487 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $623 $1,462 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $628 $1,440 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $301 $1,409 $790 $2,990
1989 $280.9 - $771 -
1988 $274.9 - $959 -
1987 $237 - - -
1986 $207.7 - - -
1985 $262.8 - - -
1984 $214.8 - - -
1983 $268.6 - - -
1982 $282.1 - - -
1981 $296 - - -
1980 $338 - - -
1979 $300 - - -
1978 $257.6 - - -
1977 $213.8 - - -
1976 $179.3 - - -
1975 $189.8 - - -
1974 $162.6 - - -
1973 $131.4 - - -
1972 $106.5 - - -
1971 $103.3 - - -
1970 $99.8 - - -
1969 $88.7 - - -
1968 $83.1 - - -
1967 $97 - - -
1966 $94.4 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $919, ranking 183/197, compared to $4,473 in Lebanon, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Gambia Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$2.59B
2025
$26B
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2025
121/197
2024
GDP growth
5.89%
2024-2025
-7.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$919
2025
$4,473
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2025
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$1.92B
2025
$41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.9%
2025
139.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$679
2025
$7,061
2024
Government debt per person rank
156/185
2025
71/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$710
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%
30.5%
2020
25.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
14.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
7.05%
2025
11.3%
2019
Population
2916990
5921719

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27.1% 73.9% 15.5% 139.4%
2024 25.3% 78.5% 15.3% 157.9%
2023 23.9% 77.4% 14.3% 185.8%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 12.9% 235.9%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 10.5% 346%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 24.5% 157.2%
2019 23.9% 83% 31.3% 171.9%
2018 19% 83.6% 32.1% 154%
2017 23.6% 87% 30.7% 150.4%
2016 19.4% 79.5% 28.6% 147.9%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 26.7% 140.9%
2014 19% 71.1% 28.9% 138.5%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 11.2% 38% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 14% 87.3% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 - - 35.6% 130.2%
1998 - - 34.7% 108.2%
1997 - - 40.5% 100.2%
1996 - - 43.6% 101.2%
1995 - - 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/gambia/lebanon | CC BY

In 2025, the Gambia's government spending was $704M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $3.98B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.9% in the Gambia and 139.4% in Lebanon, ranking 51/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Lebanon
2025 -2.95% 3.25%
2024 -4% 0.39%
2023 -3.56% -1.64%
2022 -5.72% -7.49%
2021 -4.77% -2.57%
2020 -2.37% -7.79%
2019 -2.75% -10.5%
2018 -3.92% -11.2%
2017 -4.35% -8.68%
2016 -6.22% -8.98%
2015 -5.38% -7.49%
2014 -3.94% -6.22%
2013 -5.11% -8.83%
2012 -2.85% -8.43%
2011 -3.03% -5.94%
2010 -2.93% -7.47%
2009 -1.65% -8.1%
2008 -0.45% -9.86%
2007 0.27% -10.9%
2006 -3.19% -10.6%
2005 -3.33% -8.57%
2004 -1.77% -9.83%
2003 -1.73% -14%
2002 0.06% -16.2%
2001 -2.52% -21%
2000 -0.09% -23.9%
1999 - -16.7%
1998 - -17.3%
1997 - -24.5%
1996 - -25.7%
1995 - -13.6%
1994 - -29.1%
1993 - -7.19%
1992 - -24%
1991 - -19.5%
1990 - -30.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $96.3M, equivalent to 4% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's surplus of $102M, or 0.39% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 9.43% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Lebanon
2025 - 14.6%
2024 11.6% 45.2%
2023 17% 221.3%
2022 11.5% 171.2%
2021 7.37% 154.8%
2020 5.93% 84.9%
2019 7.12% 2.9%
2018 6.52% 6.1%
2017 8.03% 4.4%
2016 7.23% -0.8%
2015 6.81% -3.7%
2014 5.95% 1.9%
2013 5.7% 4.8%
2012 4.25% 6.6%
2011 4.8% 5%
2010 5.05% 4%
2009 4.56% 1.2%
2008 4.44% 10.7%
2007 5.37% 4.1%
2006 2.06% 4.1%
2005 4.84% -1.4%
2004 14.2% 1.7%
2003 17% 1.3%
2002 8.61% 1.8%
2001 4.49% -0.4%
2000 0.84% -0.4%
1999 3.81% 0.2%
1998 1.11% 4.5%
1997 2.78% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 14.6% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.09M
Chemicals & pharma $1.52M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.12M
Metals $512K
Raw agricultural goods $303K
Textiles & consumer goods $289K
Wood & paper products $170K
Raw materials & minerals $72K
Miscellaneous $19K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Gambia Lebanon
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
81/190
2024
166/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$161M
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$485M
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
49.4%
2025
58.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
12.7%
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.

Gambia Lebanon
Economic freedom 56.3 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 183/197
Property rights 55.4 21.8
Government integrity 40.5 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 23.8
Tax burden 79.2 90.3
Government spending 81.1 93.3
Fiscal health 54.8 63.4
Business freedom 50.1 47.6
Labor freedom 46.4 48.4
Monetary freedom 57.3 0
Trade freedom 64.8 65.6
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Lebanon
2026 56.3 43.1
2025 56.8 44.1
2024 58.2 48.3
2023 57.9 45.6
2022 58 47.3
2021 58.8 51.4
2020 56.3 51.7
2019 52.4 51.1
2018 52.3 53.2
2017 53.4 53.3
2016 57.1 59.5
2015 57.5 59.3
2014 59.5 59.4
2013 58.8 59.5
2012 58.8 60.1
2011 57.4 60.1
2010 55.1 59.5
2009 55.8 58.1
2008 56.9 60
2007 57.7 60.4
2006 57.3 57.5
2005 56.5 57.2
2004 55.3 56.9
2003 56.3 56.7
2002 57.7 57.1
2001 56.6 61
2000 52.7 56.1
1999 52.1 59.1
1998 53.4 59
1997 52.9 63.9
1996 - 63.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, 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

Gambia Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
53.1%
2025
35.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
2.63%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.8%
2025
1.05%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.62B
2025
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,660
2025
$11,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
56/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
9.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.4%
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/gambia/lebanon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, 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.