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Economy of Iran vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 34/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Iran vs Lebanon GDP by year

Iran
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Lebanon
2024 $475,252,089,215 -
2023 $457,510,482,317 $20,078,620,357
2022 $422,662,261,526 $20,992,421,949
2021 $407,350,685,583 $23,131,941,557
2020 $280,934,329,280 $31,712,128,254
2019 $347,988,400,958 $51,605,959,131
2018 $411,903,303,606 $54,901,519,156
2017 $510,239,893,418 $53,027,680,686
2016 $478,618,064,871 $51,147,308,774
2015 $409,191,686,497 $49,929,337,837
2014 $462,284,793,281 $48,095,213,747
2013 $500,399,839,840 $46,880,103,081
2012 $644,019,315,004 $44,016,799,516
2011 $629,082,257,472 $39,927,125,962
2010 $487,069,570,464 $38,443,907,042
2009 $414,059,094,949 $35,399,582,929
2008 $406,070,949,554 $29,118,916,105
2007 $349,736,591,832 $24,827,355,015
2006 $265,602,187,404 $22,022,709,851
2005 $224,970,371,325 $21,497,336,499
2004 $187,754,571,248 $21,159,827,992
2003 $151,911,222,119 $20,082,918,740
2002 $128,626,917,504 $19,152,238,806
2001 $126,878,750,296 $17,649,751,244
2000 $109,591,707,802 $17,260,364,842
1999 $113,848,450,088 $17,391,056,369
1998 $110,276,913,363 $17,247,179,006
1997 $113,919,163,421 $15,751,867,489
1996 $120,403,931,885 $13,690,217,334
1995 $96,419,225,744 $11,718,795,529
1994 $71,841,461,173 $9,599,127,050
1993 $63,743,623,232 $7,941,744,492
1992 $119,768,691,217 $5,843,579,161
1991 $131,637,664,958 $4,690,415,093
1990 $124,813,263,926 $2,838,485,354
1989 $120,496,362,916 $2,717,998,688
1988 $123,057,861,334 $3,313,540,068
1987 $134,009,995,923 -
1986 $209,094,561,833 -
1985 $180,183,629,600 -
1984 $162,276,728,620 -
1983 $156,365,156,618 -
1982 $125,948,756,439 -
1981 $100,499,312,750 -
1980 $94,362,275,580 -
1979 $90,391,877,326 -
1978 $77,994,316,621 -
1977 $80,600,122,702 -
1976 $68,055,295,081 -
1975 $51,776,222,350 -
1974 $46,209,092,072 -
1973 $27,081,698,250 -
1972 $17,153,463,263 -
1971 $13,731,802,833 -
1970 $10,976,245,154 -
1969 $9,743,089,607 -
1968 $8,623,172,960 -
1967 $7,555,383,690 -
1966 $6,789,938,672 -
1965 $6,197,319,929 -
1964 $5,379,845,648 -
1963 $4,928,628,018 -
1962 $4,693,566,416 -
1961 $4,426,949,095 -
1960 $4,199,134,390 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Lebanon by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 - -
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $790 $2,990
1989 $2,125 - $771 -
1988 $2,234 - $959 -
1987 $2,513 - - -
1986 $4,064 - - -
1985 $3,634 - - -
1984 $3,395 - - -
1983 $3,397 - - -
1982 $2,845 - - -
1981 $2,393 - - -
1980 $2,368 - - -
1979 $2,352 - - -
1978 $2,101 - - -
1977 $2,243 - - -
1976 $1,954 - - -
1975 $1,532 - - -
1974 $1,409 - - -
1973 $851 - - -
1972 $555 - - -
1971 $457 - - -
1970 $377 - - -
1969 $345 - - -
1968 $314 - - -
1967 $283.7 - - -
1966 $262.9 - - -
1965 $247.5 - - -
1964 $221.7 - - -
1963 $209.6 - - -
1962 $205.8 - - -
1961 $200.1 - - -
1960 $195.6 - - -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Iran Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
34/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$162B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
93468444
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 10.9% 358%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 30.6% 150%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 13.6% 21% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 15.7% 22.2% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 16.9% 29.6% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 17.4% 30.9% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 17.3% 29.3% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 21% 31.2% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 23% 41.7% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 27.2% 25.6% 23% 50.5%
1992 14.4% 25.2% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 14% 29.3% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 16.4% 37% 40% 99.7%
1989 20% 48.8% - -
1988 23.6% 53.2% - -
1987 18.6% 48.6% - -
1986 19% 47.4% - -
1985 21.6% 8.73% - -
1984 23.7% 10% - -
1983 27.5% 35.7% - -
1982 29.7% 47.7% - -
1981 33.7% 47.6% - -
1980 35.8% 35.5% - -
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - 9.23% - -
1976 - 6.92% - -
1975 - 8.81% - -
1974 - 6.68% - -
1973 - 12.8% - -
1972 - 12.7% - -
1971 - 14.2% - -
1970 - 14.1% - -
1969 - - - -
1968 23.6% - - -
1967 22.3% - - -
1966 20.5% - - -
1965 16.3% 14.9% - -
1964 15.4% 15.2% - -
1963 14.8% 12.4% - -
1962 15.6% 13.4% - -

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/iran/lebanon | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 147/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Lebanon
2024 -3.83% -0.19%
2023 -2.54% -1.7%
2022 -2.64% -7.77%
2021 -3.01% -2.67%
2020 -4.87% -7.37%
2019 -4.3% -10.5%
2018 -1.59% -11.3%
2017 -1.55% -8.65%
2016 -1.7% -8.88%
2015 -1.3% -7.48%
2014 -0.91% -6.22%
2013 -0.72% -8.82%
2012 -0.5% -8.43%
2011 -0.66% -5.94%
2010 -0.84% -7.47%
2009 -3.3% -8.1%
2008 -4.39% -9.86%
2007 -2.41% -10.9%
2006 -4.91% -10.6%
2005 -2.44% -8.57%
2004 -2.45% -9.83%
2003 -2.76% -14%
2002 -2.88% -16.2%
2001 0.02% -21%
2000 5.42% -23.9%
1999 -0.51% -16.7%
1998 -5.03% -17.3%
1997 -1.81% -24.5%
1996 -0.75% -25.7%
1995 -2.63% -13.6%
1994 -3.36% -29.1%
1993 -5.15% -7.19%
1992 -0.86% -24%
1991 -1.64% -19.5%
1990 -1.73% -30.2%
1989 -4.45% -
1988 -10.3% -
1987 -6.84% -
1986 -7.84% -
1985 -3.74% -
1984 -4.02% -
1983 -6.15% -
1982 -5.55% -
1981 -10.7% -
1980 -14.2% -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 -4.57% -
1967 -4% -
1966 -2.63% -
1965 -1.23% -
1964 -0.04% -
1963 0.26% -
1962 -1.39% -

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/iran/lebanon | CC BY

In 2023, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.6B, equivalent to 2.54% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.08% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Lebanon
2024 32.5% 45.2%
2023 44.6% 221.3%
2022 43.5% 171.2%
2021 43.4% 154.8%
2020 30.6% 84.9%
2019 39.9% 2.9%
2018 18% 6.1%
2017 8.04% 4.5%
2016 7.25% -0.8%
2015 12.5% -3.8%
2014 16.6% 1.1%
2013 36.6% 5.6%
2012 27.3% 6.6%
2011 26.3% 5%
2010 10.1% 4%
2009 13.6% 1.2%
2008 25.4% 10.7%
2007 17.3% 4.1%
2006 10% 4.1%
2005 13.4% -1.4%
2004 14.8% 1.7%
2003 16.5% 1.3%
2002 14.3% 1.8%
2001 11.3% -0.4%
2000 14.5% -0.4%
1999 20.1% 0.2%
1998 17.9% 4.5%
1997 17.3% 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/iran/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $9.65M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.95M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.79M
Chemicals & pharma $3.13M
Metals $1.8M
Animal & marine products $1.46M
Wood & paper products $646K
Raw materials & minerals $427K
Machinery & equipment $210K
Precious metals & jewellery $36K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.32M
Raw agricultural goods $4.39M
Textiles & consumer goods $517K
Chemicals & pharma $371K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $142K
Wood & paper products $130K
Raw materials & minerals $91K
Metals $26K
Miscellaneous $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K

Balance of trade

Iran Lebanon
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
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.

Iran Lebanon
Economic freedom 41.8 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 183/197
Property rights 20.2 21.8
Government integrity 16.2 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 23.8
Tax burden 81.3 90.3
Government spending 94.7 93.3
Fiscal health 83.3 63.4
Business freedom 37.4 47.6
Labor freedom 41.8 48.4
Monetary freedom 42.2 0
Trade freedom 55.8 65.6
Investment freedom 5 20
Financial freedom 5 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Lebanon
2026 41.8 43.1
2025 42.5 44.1
2024 41.2 48.3
2023 42.2 45.6
2022 42.4 47.3
2021 47.2 51.4
2020 49.2 51.7
2019 51.1 51.1
2018 50.9 53.2
2017 50.5 53.3
2016 43.5 59.5
2015 41.8 59.3
2014 40.3 59.4
2013 43.2 59.5
2012 42.3 60.1
2011 42.1 60.1
2010 43.4 59.5
2009 44.6 58.1
2008 45 60
2007 45 60.4
2006 45 57.5
2005 50.5 57.2
2004 42.8 56.9
2003 43.2 56.7
2002 36.4 57.1
2001 35.9 61
2000 36.1 56.1
1999 36.8 59.1
1998 36 59
1997 34.5 63.9
1996 36.1 63.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, 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

Iran Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
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/iran/lebanon | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1962–1999, 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 (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.