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Economy of Israel vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Israel has a GDP of $540B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 29/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Israel has $366B in government debt (67.6% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Israel vs Lebanon GDP by year

Israel
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Israel Lebanon
2024 $540,379,921,262 -
2023 $512,184,638,999 $20,078,620,357
2022 $525,181,008,026 $20,992,421,949
2021 $489,851,549,972 $23,131,941,557
2020 $410,768,352,658 $31,712,128,254
2019 $400,645,216,359 $51,605,959,131
2018 $376,299,083,108 $54,901,519,156
2017 $358,451,839,053 $53,027,680,686
2016 $321,940,971,558 $51,147,308,774
2015 $303,469,434,072 $49,929,337,837
2014 $315,017,088,117 $48,095,213,747
2013 $298,478,070,673 $46,880,103,081
2012 $263,589,172,712 $44,016,799,516
2011 $268,094,998,225 $39,927,125,962
2010 $239,679,036,634 $38,443,907,042
2009 $213,403,181,853 $35,399,582,929
2008 $221,231,658,863 $29,118,916,105
2007 $184,681,214,673 $24,827,355,015
2006 $158,900,547,825 $22,022,709,851
2005 $147,519,922,009 $21,497,336,499
2004 $140,047,984,605 $21,159,827,992
2003 $131,408,914,824 $20,082,918,740
2002 $125,332,331,884 $19,152,238,806
2001 $135,002,039,613 $17,649,751,244
2000 $136,512,300,542 $17,260,364,842
1999 $121,417,185,062 $17,391,056,369
1998 $120,547,409,279 $17,247,179,006
1997 $119,459,826,347 $15,751,867,489
1996 $115,116,595,545 $13,690,217,334
1995 $105,497,418,059 $11,718,795,529
1994 $90,740,103,829 $9,599,127,050
1993 $79,855,877,174 $7,941,744,492
1992 $79,457,685,757 $5,843,579,161
1991 $70,998,755,007 $4,690,415,093
1990 $62,016,729,541 $2,838,485,354
1989 $52,443,479,454 $2,717,998,688
1988 $52,650,948,910 $3,313,540,068
1987 $43,049,543,635 -
1986 $35,834,154,874 -
1985 $28,905,736,367 -
1984 $30,645,607,293 -
1983 $32,675,755,462 -
1982 $29,255,285,401 -
1981 $26,882,009,819 -
1980 $25,395,256,478 -
1979 $22,609,741,060 -
1978 $17,701,286,907 -
1977 $18,257,113,904 -
1976 $15,956,349,550 -
1975 $16,141,767,373 -
1974 $17,172,607,138 -
1973 $11,902,574,259 -
1972 $9,222,557,539 -
1971 $7,052,544,000 -
1970 $7,406,712,876 -
1969 $6,297,852,761 -
1968 $5,458,427,928 -
1967 $4,762,386,783 -
1966 $4,703,300,098 -
1965 $4,329,084,429 -
1964 $4,024,344,853 -
1963 $3,535,949,089 -
1962 $2,966,154,031 -
1961 $3,708,586,471 -
1960 $3,070,585,807 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Israel vs Lebanon by year

Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Israel Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $54,177 $57,236 - -
2023 $52,004 $55,171 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $54,950 $53,619 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $52,271 $46,162 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $44,576 $40,955 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $44,251 $41,325 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $42,363 $40,190 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $41,138 $39,471 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $37,672 $38,189 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $36,213 $35,871 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $38,343 $34,816 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $37,034 $34,827 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $33,321 $32,484 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $34,523 $31,314 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $31,439 $29,456 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $28,508 $28,087 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $30,269 $28,084 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $25,721 $28,307 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $22,527 $26,385 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $21,287 $25,701 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $20,568 $26,078 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $19,643 $24,702 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $19,076 $26,101 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $20,966 $25,806 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $21,707 $25,766 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $19,823 $23,415 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $20,189 $22,927 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $20,469 $22,279 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $20,224 $21,672 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $19,026 $20,642 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $16,807 $19,478 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $15,179 $18,218 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $15,510 $17,553 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $14,346 $16,486 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $13,308 $15,721 $790 $2,990
1989 $11,608 - $771 -
1988 $11,853 - $959 -
1987 $9,853 - - -
1986 $8,335 - - -
1985 $6,829 - - -
1984 $7,369 - - -
1983 $7,960 - - -
1982 $7,258 - - -
1981 $6,795 - - -
1980 $6,549 - - -
1979 $5,972 - - -
1978 $4,797 - - -
1977 $5,053 - - -
1976 $4,516 - - -
1975 $4,672 - - -
1974 $5,085 - - -
1973 $3,631 - - -
1972 $2,930 - - -
1971 $2,298 - - -
1970 $2,490 - - -
1969 $2,189 - - -
1968 $1,947 - - -
1967 $1,735 - - -
1966 $1,789 - - -
1965 $1,689 - - -
1964 $1,626 - - -
1963 $1,486 - - -
1962 $1,294 - - -
1961 $1,697 - - -
1960 $1,452 - - -

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

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

Israel's GDP per capita is $54,177, ranking 21/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Israel ranks 36th at $57,236, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Israel Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$540B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
29/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
0.87%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$54,177
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
21/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$57,236
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
36/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$366B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.6%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$36,645
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
18/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$43,003
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$331B
2024
$10.6B
2021
Number of millionaires
179,905
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
41
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2021
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2021
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.8%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.07%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.5%
2024
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
2.9%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
10290887
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Israel
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Israel Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 43.8% 67.6% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 39.3% 61.3% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 36.9% 60.3% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 40% 67.7% 10.9% 358%
2020 44.8% 71.1% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 38.7% 59.3% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 39.2% 60.1% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 38.3% 59.8% 30.6% 150%
2016 37.9% 61.7% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 37.6% 62.8% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 38.3% 64.9% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 39.7% 66% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 39.6% 66.9% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 39.3% 67.2% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 39.7% 69% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 41.4% 72.6% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 41.2% 70.2% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 40.2% 70.8% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 41.6% 77.7% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 42.3% 85.2% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 43% 88.3% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 45.4% 89.7% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 50% 87.2% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 46.1% 81.1% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 43.4% 77.2% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 53.6% 94.8% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 55% 101% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 52.6% 99.3% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 53.2% 100.3% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 52.8% 102.3% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 41.7% 110.2% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 42.2% 118.3% 23% 50.5%
1992 44.1% 119.6% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 34.4% 123.7% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 46.8% 138.3% 40% 99.7%
1989 47.5% 147.4% - -
1988 46.5% 145.4% - -
1987 52.8% 143.2% - -
1986 55.7% 162.5% - -
1985 65.2% 199% - -
1984 - 284% - -
1983 - 260.5% - -
1982 69.7% - - -
1981 71.8% - - -
1980 69.4% 154.3% - -
1979 70.1% 155.5% - -
1978 62.2% 133.6% - -
1977 69.1% 142% - -
1976 66.3% 97.4% - -
1975 62% 85.1% - -
1974 - 79.8% - -
1973 - 62.1% - -
1972 - 63.9% - -
1971 - - - -
1970 41.6% - - -
1969 41.1% - - -
1968 39.4% - - -
1967 33.9% - - -
1966 29.6% - - -
1965 27.8% - - -
1964 28.2% - - -
1963 26.9% - - -
1962 27.7% - - -
1961 30.3% - - -
1960 30.4% - - -

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/israel/lebanon | CC BY

In 2024, Israel's government spending was $237B, accounting for 43.8% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.6% in Israel and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 62/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Israel

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Israel Lebanon
2024 -8.26% -0.19%
2023 -5.06% -1.7%
2022 0.32% -7.77%
2021 -3.37% -2.67%
2020 -10.7% -7.37%
2019 -3.79% -10.5%
2018 -3.56% -11.3%
2017 -1.13% -8.65%
2016 -1.79% -8.88%
2015 -1.21% -7.48%
2014 -2.29% -6.22%
2013 -4.06% -8.82%
2012 -4.46% -8.43%
2011 -3.43% -5.94%
2010 -3.72% -7.47%
2009 -6.53% -8.1%
2008 -3.5% -9.86%
2007 -0.43% -10.9%
2006 -0.95% -10.6%
2005 -2.74% -8.57%
2004 -3.4% -9.83%
2003 -5.03% -14%
2002 -8.22% -16.2%
2001 -4.06% -21%
2000 -0.8% -23.9%
1999 -6.26% -16.7%
1998 -7.99% -17.3%
1997 -4.84% -24.5%
1996 -5.97% -25.7%
1995 -4.28% -13.6%
1994 -5.62% -29.1%
1993 -5.62% -7.19%
1992 -8% -24%
1991 -7.04% -19.5%
1990 -9.67% -30.2%
1989 -9.03% -
1988 -7.57% -
1987 -7.47% -
1986 -7.51% -
1985 -14.2% -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 -13.8% -
1981 -23.5% -
1980 -19.6% -
1979 -16.7% -
1978 -14.7% -
1977 -20.3% -
1976 -19.4% -
1975 -19.6% -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 -16% -
1969 -15.3% -
1968 -11.7% -
1967 -7.68% -
1966 -4.35% -
1965 -2.72% -
1964 -3.65% -
1963 -4.41% -
1962 -4.09% -
1961 -5.86% -
1960 -6.62% -
1959 -7.23% -
1958 -8.31% -
1957 -7.17% -
1956 -9.3% -
1955 -4.3% -
1954 -7.84% -
1953 -8.32% -
1952 -7.19% -
1951 -8.13% -
1950 -10.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Israel's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $25.9B, equivalent to 5.06% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Israel recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Israel posted an annual deficit equal to 4.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Israel

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Israel Lebanon
2024 3.07% 45.2%
2023 4.23% 221.3%
2022 4.41% 171.2%
2021 1.48% 154.8%
2020 -0.58% 84.9%
2019 0.82% 2.9%
2018 0.81% 6.1%
2017 0.25% 4.5%
2016 -0.54% -0.8%
2015 -0.62% -3.8%
2014 0.47% 1.1%
2013 1.59% 5.6%
2012 1.68% 6.6%
2011 3.49% 5%
2010 2.7% 4%
2009 3.37% 1.2%
2008 4.53% 10.7%
2007 0.47% 4.1%
2006 2.05% 4.1%
2005 1.34% -1.4%
2004 -0.42% 1.7%
2003 0.71% 1.3%
2002 5.8% 1.8%
2001 1.12% -0.4%
2000 1.03% -0.4%
1999 5.19% 0.2%
1998 5.49% 4.5%
1997 8.95% 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/israel/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Israel has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 3.07% in Israel and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Balance of trade

Israel Lebanon
Current account balance
$15.5B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
21/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.86%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$96.3B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$70B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$44.4B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$83.7B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
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.

Israel Lebanon
Economic freedom 68.4 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 47/197 183/197
Property rights 73.1 21.8
Government integrity 66.2 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 68.1 23.8
Tax burden 60.2 90.3
Government spending 52 93.3
Fiscal health 60.8 63.4
Business freedom 72.4 47.6
Labor freedom 56.8 48.4
Monetary freedom 78.2 0
Trade freedom 82.8 65.6
Investment freedom 70 20
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Israel
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Israel Lebanon
2026 68.4 43.1
2025 69.9 44.1
2024 70.1 48.3
2023 68.9 45.6
2022 68 47.3
2021 73.8 51.4
2020 74 51.7
2019 72.8 51.1
2018 72.2 53.2
2017 69.7 53.3
2016 70.7 59.5
2015 70.5 59.3
2014 68.4 59.4
2013 66.9 59.5
2012 67.8 60.1
2011 68.5 60.1
2010 67.7 59.5
2009 67.6 58.1
2008 66.3 60
2007 64.8 60.4
2006 64.4 57.5
2005 62.6 57.2
2004 61.4 56.9
2003 62.7 56.7
2002 66.9 57.1
2001 66.1 61
2000 65.5 56.1
1999 68.3 59.1
1998 68 59
1997 62.7 63.9
1996 62 63.2
1995 61.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Israel is 68.4, ranking 47/197, 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

Israel Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
72.5%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.28%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$528B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$56,790
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$215B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
18/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.86B
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$14.8B
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$9.92B
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.4%
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/israel/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 (1950–1999, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.