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Economy of Iraq vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has a GDP of $280B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 50/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $130B in government debt (46.5% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Iraq vs Lebanon GDP by year

Iraq
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Lebanon
2024 $279,641,257,615 -
2023 $268,881,051,644 $20,078,620,357
2022 $287,372,232,138 $20,992,421,949
2021 $209,691,945,713 $23,131,941,557
2020 $180,898,797,517 $31,712,128,254
2019 $233,636,097,800 $51,605,959,131
2018 $227,367,469,034 $54,901,519,156
2017 $187,217,660,051 $53,027,680,686
2016 $166,743,557,748 $51,147,308,774
2015 $166,774,104,959 $49,929,337,837
2014 $228,415,656,175 $48,095,213,747
2013 $234,637,675,129 $46,880,103,081
2012 $218,002,476,129 $44,016,799,516
2011 $185,749,664,444 $39,927,125,962
2010 $138,516,722,650 $38,443,907,042
2009 $111,657,580,326 $35,399,582,929
2008 $131,614,434,154 $29,118,916,105
2007 $88,837,057,320 $24,827,355,015
2006 $65,147,051,918 $22,022,709,851
2005 $50,065,104,668 $21,497,336,499
2004 $36,633,669,269 $21,159,827,992
2003 $21,921,569,479 $20,082,918,740
2002 $32,928,454,672 $19,152,238,806
2001 $36,176,430,129 $17,649,751,244
2000 $48,364,250,944 $17,260,364,842
1999 $36,881,601,584 $17,391,056,369
1998 $20,617,405,044 $17,247,179,006
1997 $20,764,857,056 $15,751,867,489
1996 $10,433,698,621 $13,690,217,334
1995 $12,894,029,888 $11,718,795,529
1994 $3,991,349,283 $9,599,127,050
1993 $1,031,944,881 $7,941,744,492
1992 $553,671,958 $5,843,579,161
1991 $407,796,350 $4,690,415,093
1990 $180,408,064,516 $2,838,485,354
1989 $65,831,935,484 $2,717,998,688
1988 $62,684,516,129 $3,313,540,068
1987 $56,774,193,548 -
1986 $47,264,516,129 -
1985 $48,425,161,290 -
1984 $46,938,387,097 -
1983 $40,712,903,226 -
1982 $42,382,333,333 -
1981 $37,823,000,000 -
1980 $52,569,000,000 -
1979 $37,816,457,839 -
1978 $23,762,275,652 -
1977 $19,838,130,715 -
1976 $17,754,825,601 -
1975 $13,458,516,763 -
1974 $11,516,762,614 -
1973 $5,134,367,778 -
1972 $4,113,848,002 -
1971 $3,865,346,535 -
1970 $3,281,318,687 -
1969 $3,007,758,797 -
1968 $2,896,598,841 -
1967 $2,551,522,656 -
1966 $2,530,306,096 -
1965 $2,335,785,506 -
1964 $2,136,408,198 -
1963 $1,805,901,510 -
1962 $1,784,174,541 -
1961 $1,671,960,965 -
1960 $1,537,252,193 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Lebanon by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,074 $14,464 - -
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $818 $6,068 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $901 $7,964 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $936 $6,020 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $485 $5,034 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $619 $4,598 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $23 $2,694 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $10,261 - $790 $2,990
1989 $3,791 - $771 -
1988 $3,707 - $959 -
1987 $3,436 - - -
1986 $2,940 - - -
1985 $3,088 - - -
1984 $3,066 - - -
1983 $2,743 - - -
1982 $2,942 - - -
1981 $2,700 - - -
1980 $3,868 - - -
1979 $2,871 - - -
1978 $1,863 - - -
1977 $1,609 - - -
1976 $1,489 - - -
1975 $1,166 - - -
1974 $1,031 - - -
1973 $476 - - -
1972 $394 - - -
1971 $384 - - -
1970 $337 - - -
1969 $320 - - -
1968 $319 - - -
1967 $290.6 - - -
1966 $298.2 - - -
1965 $284.8 - - -
1964 $269.4 - - -
1963 $235.5 - - -
1962 $240.7 - - -
1961 $232.4 - - -
1960 $218.9 - - -

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

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

Iraq's GDP per capita is $6,074, ranking 113/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Iraq Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$280B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
50/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
-1.55%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$6,074
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
113/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$130B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.5%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,822
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
105/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,928
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.9%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-12.3%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
11.3%
2019
Population
48289334
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.9% 46.5% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 33.9% 39% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 10.9% 358%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 30.6% 150%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 48.2% 32% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 44% 117.1% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 91.5% 344% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 - - 36.4% 171.3%
2002 - - 36.8% 163.1%
2001 - - 38.9% 163.1%
2000 - - 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iraq's government spending was $120B, accounting for 42.9% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.5% in Iraq and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 117/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Lebanon
2024 -4.14% -0.19%
2023 -1.14% -1.7%
2022 8.1% -7.77%
2021 -0.38% -2.67%
2020 -12.8% -7.37%
2019 0.83% -10.5%
2018 7.69% -11.3%
2017 -1.52% -8.65%
2016 -14.4% -8.88%
2015 -12.8% -7.48%
2014 -5.63% -6.22%
2013 -6.06% -8.82%
2012 4.09% -8.43%
2011 4.74% -5.94%
2010 -4.18% -7.47%
2009 -14.9% -8.1%
2008 -0.86% -9.86%
2007 9.98% -10.9%
2006 10.7% -10.6%
2005 4.07% -8.57%
2004 -35.4% -9.83%
2003 - -14%
2002 - -16.2%
2001 - -21%
2000 - -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Iraq's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.07B, equivalent to 1.14% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 8.05% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Lebanon
2024 -12.3% 45.2%
2023 4.36% 221.3%
2022 4.99% 171.2%
2021 6.04% 154.8%
2020 0.57% 84.9%
2019 -0.2% 2.9%
2018 0.37% 6.1%
2017 0.18% 4.5%
2016 0.56% -0.8%
2015 1.39% -3.8%
2014 2.24% 1.1%
2013 1.88% 5.6%
2012 6.09% 6.6%
2011 5.8% 5%
2010 2.88% 4%
2009 6.87% 1.2%
2008 12.7% 10.7%
2007 -10.1% 4.1%
2006 53.2% 4.1%
2005 37% -1.4%
2004 27% 1.7%
2003 33.6% 1.3%
2002 19.3% 1.8%
2001 16.4% -0.4%
2000 4.98% -0.4%
1999 12.6% 0.2%
1998 14.8% 4.5%
1997 23.1% 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/iraq/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.86%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was -12.3% in Iraq and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $2.62M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $859K
Raw agricultural goods $763K
Chemicals & pharma $25K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $114M
Chemicals & pharma $41.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36.3M
Raw agricultural goods $14.9M
Wood & paper products $11.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.5M
Metals $3.91M
Miscellaneous $2.77M
Raw materials & minerals $972K
Precious metals & jewellery $604K

Balance of trade

Iraq Lebanon
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
24/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
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.

Iraq Lebanon
Economic freedom 15.6 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 183/197
Property rights 8.3 21.8
Government integrity 20.2 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 23.8
Tax burden 85.5 90.3
Government spending 65.3 93.3
Fiscal health 95.7 63.4
Business freedom 42.8 47.6
Labor freedom 60.6 48.4
Monetary freedom 68.6 0
Trade freedom 40 65.6
Investment freedom 10 20
Financial freedom 10 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Lebanon
2026 - 43.1
2025 - 44.1
2024 - 48.3
2023 - 45.6
2022 - 47.3
2021 - 51.4
2020 - 51.7
2019 - 51.1
2018 - 53.2
2017 - 53.3
2016 - 59.5
2015 - 59.3
2014 - 59.4
2013 - 59.5
2012 - 60.1
2011 - 60.1
2010 - 59.5
2009 - 58.1
2008 - 60
2007 - 60.4
2006 - 57.5
2005 - 57.2
2004 - 56.9
2003 - 56.7
2002 15.6 57.1
2001 17.2 61
2000 17.2 56.1
1999 17.2 59.1
1998 17.2 59
1997 17.2 63.9
1996 17.2 63.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, 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

Iraq Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.39%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$277B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,530
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
28/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.2%
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/iraq/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2014–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.