Skip to content

Economy of Ghana vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 80/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Ghana vs Lebanon GDP by year

Ghana
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Lebanon
2024 $82,308,110,386 -
2023 $80,547,146,878 $20,078,620,357
2022 $73,919,003,210 $20,992,421,949
2021 $79,514,204,730 $23,131,941,557
2020 $70,008,243,860 $31,712,128,254
2019 $68,352,629,246 $51,605,959,131
2018 $67,259,353,966 $54,901,519,156
2017 $60,385,409,435 $53,027,680,686
2016 $56,144,179,398 $51,147,308,774
2015 $49,436,806,230 $49,929,337,837
2014 $54,678,533,806 $48,095,213,747
2013 $62,845,721,960 $46,880,103,081
2012 $41,271,701,061 $44,016,799,516
2011 $39,336,668,081 $39,927,125,962
2010 $32,197,655,567 $38,443,907,042
2009 $26,048,720,006 $35,399,582,929
2008 $28,679,383,241 $29,118,916,105
2007 $24,827,339,138 $24,827,355,015
2006 $20,885,037,597 $22,022,709,851
2005 $10,744,568,381 $21,497,336,499
2004 $8,881,417,907 $21,159,827,992
2003 $7,632,723,556 $20,082,918,740
2002 $6,166,197,848 $19,152,238,806
2001 $5,314,872,854 $17,649,751,244
2000 $4,982,850,662 $17,260,364,842
1999 $7,718,109,982 $17,391,056,369
1998 $7,482,069,162 $17,247,179,006
1997 $6,891,443,192 $15,751,867,489
1996 $6,932,991,739 $13,690,217,334
1995 $6,464,382,808 $11,718,795,529
1994 $5,446,383,727 $9,599,127,050
1993 $5,968,922,939 $7,941,744,492
1992 $6,416,103,926 $5,843,579,161
1991 $6,603,185,268 $4,690,415,093
1990 $5,889,106,573 $2,838,485,354
1989 $5,251,858,440 $2,717,998,688
1988 $5,197,765,032 $3,313,540,068
1987 $5,074,829,932 -
1986 $5,735,677,434 -
1985 $4,504,306,723 -
1984 $4,412,279,843 -
1983 $4,057,275,132 -
1982 $4,035,994,398 -
1981 $4,222,441,860 -
1980 $4,445,228,216 -
1979 $4,020,227,920 -
1978 $3,662,478,185 -
1977 $3,189,428,571 -
1976 $2,765,254,237 -
1975 $2,810,106,383 -
1974 $2,894,409,938 -
1973 $3,006,766,758 -
1972 $2,112,293,280 -
1971 $2,417,108,578 -
1970 $2,215,028,588 -
1969 $1,962,050,556 -
1968 $1,666,909,518 -
1967 $1,747,187,645 -
1966 $2,126,300,672 -
1965 $2,053,462,968 -
1964 $1,731,296,200 -
1963 $1,540,797,589 -
1962 $1,382,515,654 -
1961 $1,302,674,325 -
1960 $1,217,230,095 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Lebanon by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 - -
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $906 $3,103 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $479 $2,904 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $406 $2,729 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $358 $2,584 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $403 $2,239 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $400 $2,167 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $378 $2,097 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $389 $2,026 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $372 $1,947 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $321 $1,875 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $360 $1,821 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $396 $1,739 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $418 $1,678 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $383 $1,581 $790 $2,990
1989 $350 - $771 -
1988 $355 - $959 -
1987 $355 - - -
1986 $411 - - -
1985 $330 - - -
1984 $330 - - -
1983 $311 - - -
1982 $319 - - -
1981 $344 - - -
1980 $372 - - -
1979 $347 - - -
1978 $326 - - -
1977 $292.3 - - -
1976 $261 - - -
1975 $273 - - -
1974 $289.4 - - -
1973 $310 - - -
1972 $223.8 - - -
1971 $263.4 - - -
1970 $248.2 - - -
1969 $225.8 - - -
1968 $196.7 - - -
1967 $211.2 - - -
1966 $263.3 - - -
1965 $260.5 - - -
1964 $225 - - -
1963 $205 - - -
1962 $188.4 - - -
1961 $181.9 - - -
1960 $174.9 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Ghana Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
80/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
11.3%
2019
Population
35885254
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 10.9% 358%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 20.9% 62% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 17.6% 57% 30.6% 150%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 21% 50.1% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 19% 32.9% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 12% 74.5% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 12% 45.2% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 13% 47.6% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 23% 50.5%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 40% 99.7%
1989 7.24% 23% - -
1988 7.23% 23.5% - -
1987 7.32% 26.8% - -
1986 7.29% 18.2% - -
1985 6.08% 14.4% - -
1984 4.64% 13% - -
1983 3.49% 9.21% - -
1982 4.73% 8.51% - -
1981 5.74% 8.77% - -
1980 7.51% 9.75% - -
1979 9.14% 11.5% - -
1978 6.54% 11.4% - -
1977 10.5% 20.7% - -
1976 12.8% 26% - -
1975 13.2% 21.8% - -
1974 9.52% 21.8% - -
1973 9.35% 25.4% - -
1972 11.4% 29.8% - -
1971 11.7% 29.5% - -
1970 12.2% 31.9% - -
1969 11.2% 31.4% - -
1968 12.3% 34.5% - -
1967 11.5% 33.9% - -
1966 9.12% 29.8% - -
1965 14.2% 30.2% - -
1964 15.8% 30.8% - -
1963 15.3% 30.5% - -
1962 12.5% 11.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 57/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Lebanon
2024 -7.31% -0.19%
2023 -3.37% -1.7%
2022 -11.8% -7.77%
2021 -12% -2.67%
2020 -17.4% -7.37%
2019 -7.52% -10.5%
2018 -6.79% -11.3%
2017 -3.97% -8.65%
2016 -6.75% -8.88%
2015 -4.01% -7.48%
2014 -7.81% -6.22%
2013 -9.12% -8.82%
2012 -8.36% -8.43%
2011 -5.47% -5.94%
2010 -7.13% -7.47%
2009 -5.05% -8.1%
2008 -5.56% -9.86%
2007 -4.91% -10.9%
2006 -3.11% -10.6%
2005 -1.87% -8.57%
2004 -2.02% -9.83%
2003 -1.99% -14%
2002 -2.73% -16.2%
2001 -3.64% -21%
2000 -3.98% -23.9%
1999 -5.64% -16.7%
1998 -5.27% -17.3%
1997 -6.14% -24.5%
1996 -5.61% -25.7%
1995 -4.52% -13.6%
1994 -4.99% -29.1%
1993 -5.39% -7.19%
1992 -4.5% -24%
1991 -1.47% -19.5%
1990 -1.93% -30.2%
1989 -0.81% -
1988 -1.08% -
1987 -0.92% -
1986 -1.26% -
1985 -1.19% -
1984 -0.98% -
1983 -1.13% -
1982 -2.03% -
1981 -3.8% -
1980 -4.73% -
1979 -3.61% -
1978 -1.21% -
1977 -4.68% -
1976 -5.53% -
1975 -4.05% -
1974 -2.06% -
1973 -2.64% -
1972 -2.19% -
1971 0.13% -
1970 -2.35% -
1969 -2.67% -
1968 -2.34% -
1967 -2.32% -
1966 -1.29% -
1965 -3.29% -
1964 -3.72% -
1963 -5.66% -
1962 -5.04% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.71B, equivalent to 3.37% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.64% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Lebanon
2024 22.8% 45.2%
2023 38.1% 221.3%
2022 31.3% 171.2%
2021 9.97% 154.8%
2020 9.89% 84.9%
2019 7.14% 2.9%
2018 7.81% 6.1%
2017 12.4% 4.5%
2016 17.5% -0.8%
2015 17.1% -3.8%
2014 15.5% 1.1%
2013 11.7% 5.6%
2012 11.2% 6.6%
2011 8.73% 5%
2010 10.7% 4%
2009 19.2% 1.2%
2008 16.5% 10.7%
2007 10.7% 4.1%
2006 11.7% 4.1%
2005 15.4% -1.4%
2004 18% 1.7%
2003 29.8% 1.3%
2002 9.36% 1.8%
2001 41.5% -0.4%
2000 40.2% -0.4%
1999 4.87% 0.2%
1998 14.6% 4.5%
1997 27.9% 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/ghana/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $2.47M
Wood & paper products $918K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $650K
Raw agricultural goods $384K
Metals $293K
Machinery & equipment $256K
Chemicals & pharma $110K
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Animal & marine products $8K
Weapons & explosives $3K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $12.7M
Metals $2.44M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.16M
Chemicals & pharma $1.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.52M
Miscellaneous $875K
Raw agricultural goods $638K
Wood & paper products $422K
Raw materials & minerals $309K
Animal & marine products $305K

Balance of trade

Ghana Lebanon
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
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.

Ghana Lebanon
Economic freedom 57.3 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 183/197
Property rights 50.2 21.8
Government integrity 45.4 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 23.8
Tax burden 79.4 90.3
Government spending 84 93.3
Fiscal health 10.1 63.4
Business freedom 64.5 47.6
Labor freedom 54.9 48.4
Monetary freedom 56.7 0
Trade freedom 65.2 65.6
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Lebanon
2026 57.3 43.1
2025 56 44.1
2024 55.8 48.3
2023 58 45.6
2022 59.8 47.3
2021 59.2 51.4
2020 59.4 51.7
2019 57.5 51.1
2018 56 53.2
2017 56.2 53.3
2016 63 59.5
2015 63 59.3
2014 64.2 59.4
2013 61.3 59.5
2012 60.7 60.1
2011 59.4 60.1
2010 60.2 59.5
2009 58.1 58.1
2008 57 60
2007 57.6 60.4
2006 55.6 57.5
2005 56.5 57.2
2004 59.1 56.9
2003 58.2 56.7
2002 57.2 57.1
2001 58 61
2000 58.1 56.1
1999 57.9 59.1
1998 57 59
1997 56.7 63.9
1996 57.7 63.2
1995 55.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, 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

Ghana Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
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/ghana/lebanon | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.