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Economy of Iceland vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 108/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Iceland vs Lebanon GDP by year

Iceland
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Lebanon
2024 $33,255,181,469 -
2023 $31,677,891,897 $20,078,620,357
2022 $29,166,102,877 $20,992,421,949
2021 $26,234,872,402 $23,131,941,557
2020 $22,034,665,041 $31,712,128,254
2019 $24,985,687,022 $51,605,959,131
2018 $26,677,652,544 $54,901,519,156
2017 $25,060,086,488 $53,027,680,686
2016 $21,083,713,310 $51,147,308,774
2015 $17,700,486,957 $49,929,337,837
2014 $18,052,183,515 $48,095,213,747
2013 $16,244,319,959 $46,880,103,081
2012 $14,943,757,823 $44,016,799,516
2011 $15,394,005,872 $39,927,125,962
2010 $13,922,711,577 $38,443,907,042
2009 $13,212,543,838 $35,399,582,929
2008 $18,247,921,360 $29,118,916,105
2007 $21,960,110,030 $24,827,355,015
2006 $17,671,649,843 $22,022,709,851
2005 $17,146,410,561 $21,497,336,499
2004 $13,963,943,244 $21,159,827,992
2003 $11,564,687,742 $20,082,918,740
2002 $9,416,199,700 $19,152,238,806
2001 $8,323,401,820 $17,649,751,244
2000 $9,140,168,922 $17,260,364,842
1999 $9,107,644,691 $17,391,056,369
1998 $8,637,732,542 $17,247,179,006
1997 $7,716,781,803 $15,751,867,489
1996 $7,686,566,105 $13,690,217,334
1995 $7,372,640,169 $11,718,795,529
1994 $6,612,804,056 $9,599,127,050
1993 $6,435,952,174 $7,941,744,492
1992 $7,328,497,599 $5,843,579,161
1991 $7,151,260,062 $4,690,415,093
1990 $6,694,851,159 $2,838,485,354
1989 $5,870,854,233 $2,717,998,688
1988 $6,320,093,411 $3,313,540,068
1987 $5,713,281,235 -
1986 $4,129,080,094 -
1985 $3,088,359,967 -
1984 $2,964,568,006 -
1983 $2,862,634,164 -
1982 $3,318,714,326 -
1981 $3,615,094,820 -
1980 $3,499,616,683 -
1979 $2,953,176,971 -
1978 $2,599,627,089 -
1977 $2,285,707,749 -
1976 $1,727,845,419 -
1975 $1,456,052,700 -
1974 $1,568,154,077 -
1973 $1,194,794,186 -
1972 $869,002,946 -
1971 $693,679,545 -
1970 $545,115,909 -
1969 $435,659,610 -
1968 $498,365,200 -
1967 $652,609,076 -
1966 $660,663,763 -
1965 $550,150,988 -
1964 $456,206,299 -
1963 $357,240,896 -
1962 $299,309,938 -
1961 $266,711,460 -
1960 $260,984,499 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Lebanon by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 - -
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $790 $2,990
1989 $23,219 - $771 -
1988 $25,307 - $959 -
1987 $23,238 - - -
1986 $16,980 - - -
1985 $12,793 - - -
1984 $12,378 - - -
1983 $12,080 - - -
1982 $14,191 - - -
1981 $15,666 - - -
1980 $15,340 - - -
1979 $13,082 - - -
1978 $11,630 - - -
1977 $10,305 - - -
1976 $7,848 - - -
1975 $6,680 - - -
1974 $7,287 - - -
1973 $5,627 - - -
1972 $4,155 - - -
1971 $3,366 - - -
1970 $2,666 - - -
1969 $2,142 - - -
1968 $2,473 - - -
1967 $3,284 - - -
1966 $3,378 - - -
1965 $2,861 - - -
1964 $2,414 - - -
1963 $1,924 - - -
1962 $1,641 - - -
1961 $1,490 - - -
1960 $1,486 - - -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Iceland Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
108/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires
1
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
397129
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 45% 61.5% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 10.9% 358%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 43% 65.7% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 30.6% 150%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 43% 96.3% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 50% 136.6% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 45% 81.3% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 44.8% 75.5% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 40.2% 43.3% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 41.3% 51.1% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 43.9% 55.6% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 44.4% 58.1% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 45% 54.8% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 45.1% 52.3% 23% 50.5%
1992 44.7% 45.4% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 42.8% 37.6% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 42.6% 35.5% 40% 99.7%
1989 42.9% 35.3% - -
1988 41.4% 30.6% - -
1987 36.5% 27.3% - -
1986 39.5% 29.9% - -
1985 37% 32% - -
1984 34.7% 32.4% - -
1983 37.8% 30.8% - -
1982 36% 28.9% - -
1981 35.3% 22.4% - -
1980 33.9% 24.8% - -
1979 32.4% 21.1% - -
1978 31.9% 19.8% - -
1977 31.7% 18.4% - -
1976 32.1% 17.2% - -
1975 36.9% 16.4% - -
1974 36.6% 12.5% - -
1973 33.7% 11.5% - -
1972 33.3% 14.5% - -
1971 32.5% 11.7% - -
1970 29.9% 11.4% - -
1969 30.3% 14.6% - -
1968 33.3% 14.2% - -
1967 31.6% 8.8% - -
1966 28.3% 5.56% - -
1965 28.3% 7.78% - -
1964 28.2% 7.97% - -
1963 26.2% 7.89% - -
1962 24.9% 7.47% - -
1961 25.3% 8.49% - -
1960 33.2% 13.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 80/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Lebanon
2024 -3.51% -0.19%
2023 -2.28% -1.7%
2022 -3.93% -7.77%
2021 -8.33% -2.67%
2020 -8.73% -7.37%
2019 -1.57% -10.5%
2018 0.94% -11.3%
2017 0.97% -8.65%
2016 12.4% -8.88%
2015 -0.39% -7.48%
2014 0.29% -6.22%
2013 -1.24% -8.82%
2012 -2.59% -8.43%
2011 -6.46% -5.94%
2010 -6.58% -7.47%
2009 -8.54% -8.1%
2008 -12% -9.86%
2007 5.52% -10.9%
2006 6.37% -10.6%
2005 4.92% -8.57%
2004 0.28% -9.83%
2003 -2.3% -14%
2002 -2.25% -16.2%
2001 -0.28% -21%
2000 1.43% -23.9%
1999 1.3% -16.7%
1998 -0.56% -17.3%
1997 0.04% -24.5%
1996 -1.52% -25.7%
1995 -2.87% -13.6%
1994 -4.59% -29.1%
1993 -4.36% -7.19%
1992 -1.86% -24%
1991 -0.66% -19.5%
1990 -3.16% -30.2%
1989 -4.29% -
1988 -1.93% -
1987 -0.79% -
1986 -3.93% -
1985 -1.56% -
1984 2.25% -
1983 -1.96% -
1982 1.72% -
1981 1.32% -
1980 1.37% -
1979 -0.07% -
1978 -0.9% -
1977 -1.2% -
1976 0.02% -
1975 -3.87% -
1974 -3.64% -
1973 -0.74% -
1972 0.05% -
1971 -0.69% -
1970 0.27% -
1969 -0.88% -
1968 -0.89% -
1967 0.78% -
1966 1.69% -
1965 0.15% -
1964 -0.41% -
1963 1.8% -
1962 2.25% -
1961 1.64% -
1960 2.38% -
1959 2.44% -
1958 2.16% -
1957 1.2% -
1956 -0.09% -
1955 1.57% -
1954 1.25% -
1953 0.34% -
1952 3.33% -
1951 2.73% -
1950 1.23% -
1949 -0.3% -
1948 0.67% -
1947 -1.95% -
1946 -0.37% -
1945 -2.33% -
1944 -3.23% -
1943 -0.89% -
1942 -0.75% -
1941 -1.33% -
1940 -1.35% -
1939 -2.6% -
1938 -2.01% -
1937 -2.6% -
1936 -3.34% -
1935 -3.46% -
1934 -4.79% -
1933 -3.42% -
1932 -4.65% -
1931 -4.27% -
1930 -4.94% -
1929 -1.94% -
1928 -1.94% -
1927 -3.45% -
1926 -2.43% -
1925 0.43% -
1924 -1.78% -
1923 -4.99% -
1922 -4.67% -
1921 -6.12% -
1920 -7.45% -
1919 -2.5% -
1918 -7.43% -
1917 -11.3% -
1916 -2.53% -
1915 -2.06% -
1914 -3.21% -
1913 -2.3% -
1912 -2.93% -
1911 -3.06% -
1910 -1.27% -
1909 -2.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $721M, equivalent to 2.28% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Lebanon
2024 5.86% 45.2%
2023 8.74% 221.3%
2022 8.31% 171.2%
2021 4.44% 154.8%
2020 2.85% 84.9%
2019 3.01% 2.9%
2018 2.68% 6.1%
2017 1.76% 4.5%
2016 1.7% -0.8%
2015 1.63% -3.8%
2014 2.04% 1.1%
2013 3.87% 5.6%
2012 5.19% 6.6%
2011 4% 5%
2010 5.4% 4%
2009 12% 1.2%
2008 12.7% 10.7%
2007 5.05% 4.1%
2006 6.69% 4.1%
2005 3.99% -1.4%
2004 3.16% 1.7%
2003 2.06% 1.3%
2002 5.2% 1.8%
2001 6.41% -0.4%
2000 5.14% -0.4%
1999 3.23% 0.2%
1998 1.66% 4.5%
1997 1.82% 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/iceland/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $199K
Precious metals & jewellery $171K
Animal & marine products $7K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $60K
Metals $24K
Machinery & equipment $14K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Miscellaneous $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Iceland Lebanon
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
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.

Iceland Lebanon
Economic freedom 75 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 183/197
Property rights 94.9 21.8
Government integrity 85 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 23.8
Tax burden 72.2 90.3
Government spending 37 93.3
Fiscal health 76.2 63.4
Business freedom 86.8 47.6
Labor freedom 59.3 48.4
Monetary freedom 73.5 0
Trade freedom 79.8 65.6
Investment freedom 70 20
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Lebanon
2026 75 43.1
2025 72.8 44.1
2024 70.5 48.3
2023 72.2 45.6
2022 77 47.3
2021 77.4 51.4
2020 77.1 51.7
2019 77.1 51.1
2018 77 53.2
2017 74.4 53.3
2016 73.3 59.5
2015 72 59.3
2014 72.4 59.4
2013 72.1 59.5
2012 70.9 60.1
2011 68.2 60.1
2010 73.7 59.5
2009 75.9 58.1
2008 75.8 60
2007 76 60.4
2006 75.8 57.5
2005 76.6 57.2
2004 72.1 56.9
2003 73.5 56.7
2002 73.1 57.1
2001 73.4 61
2000 74 56.1
1999 71.4 59.1
1998 71.2 59
1997 70.5 63.9
1996 - 63.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, 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

Iceland Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
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/iceland/lebanon | CC BY

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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 (1909–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.