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Economy of Kenya vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kenya has a GDP of $136B compared to $26B for Lebanon, ranking 62/197 and 121/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $94.3B in government debt (69.3% of GDP), compared to $41B (139.4% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Kenya vs Lebanon GDP by year

Kenya
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Lebanon
2025 $135,941,278,879 -
2024 $120,397,537,850 $25,971,643,441
2023 $107,500,884,685 $20,078,620,357
2022 $114,448,978,153 $20,992,421,949
2021 $109,703,658,905 $23,131,941,557
2020 $100,657,505,751 $31,712,128,254
2019 $100,378,436,207 $51,605,959,131
2018 $92,202,979,985 $54,901,519,156
2017 $82,036,510,877 $53,027,680,686
2016 $74,815,144,164 $51,147,308,774
2015 $70,120,446,897 $49,929,337,837
2014 $68,285,796,514 $48,095,213,747
2013 $61,671,440,408 $46,880,103,081
2012 $56,396,704,672 $44,016,799,516
2011 $46,869,473,151 $39,927,125,962
2010 $45,405,615,064 $38,443,907,042
2009 $42,347,217,913 $35,399,582,929
2008 $35,895,153,328 $29,118,916,105
2007 $31,958,195,182 $24,827,355,015
2006 $25,825,512,284 $22,022,709,851
2005 $18,737,895,513 $21,497,336,499
2004 $16,095,337,094 $21,159,827,992
2003 $14,904,517,650 $20,082,918,740
2002 $13,147,736,899 $19,152,238,806
2001 $12,986,007,426 $17,649,751,244
2000 $12,705,350,098 $17,260,364,842
1999 $12,896,010,459 $17,391,056,369
1998 $14,093,998,844 $17,247,179,006
1997 $13,115,764,358 $15,751,867,489
1996 $12,045,865,396 $13,690,217,334
1995 $9,046,320,255 $11,718,795,529
1994 $7,148,148,564 $9,599,127,050
1993 $5,751,786,643 $7,941,744,492
1992 $8,209,120,763 $5,843,579,161
1991 $8,151,488,783 $4,690,415,093
1990 $8,572,359,038 $2,838,485,354
1989 $8,283,114,514 $2,717,998,688
1988 $8,355,380,879 $3,313,540,068
1987 $7,970,820,369 -
1986 $7,239,126,568 -
1985 $6,135,034,214 -
1984 $6,191,437,070 -
1983 $5,979,198,314 -
1982 $6,431,579,357 -
1981 $6,854,491,706 -
1980 $7,265,315,820 -
1979 $6,234,391,113 -
1978 $5,303,735,111 -
1977 $4,494,378,764 -
1976 $3,474,542,392 -
1975 $3,259,345,083 -
1974 $2,969,958,812 -
1973 $2,509,001,324 -
1972 $2,107,279,157 -
1971 $1,778,391,289 -
1970 $1,603,447,359 -
1969 $1,458,379,417 -
1968 $1,353,295,459 -
1967 $1,232,559,507 -
1966 $1,164,519,674 -
1965 $997,919,321 -
1964 $998,759,334 -
1963 $926,589,349 -
1962 $868,111,401 -
1961 $792,959,473 -
1960 $791,265,459 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Lebanon by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,363 - - -
2024 $2,133 $6,644 $4,473 -
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $916 $2,459 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $840 $2,481 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $700 $2,330 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $523 $2,189 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $464 $2,066 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $443 $1,975 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $403 $1,940 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $411 $1,961 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $415 $1,907 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $434 $1,910 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $488 $1,895 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $467 $1,865 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $441 $1,875 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $340 $1,818 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $229 $1,723 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $337 $1,728 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $345 $1,756 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $374 $1,729 $790 $2,990
1989 $374 - $771 -
1988 $391 - $959 -
1987 $387 - - -
1986 $364 - - -
1985 $320 - - -
1984 $334 - - -
1983 $335 - - -
1982 $374 - - -
1981 $413 - - -
1980 $454 - - -
1979 $403 - - -
1978 $355 - - -
1977 $311 - - -
1976 $248.9 - - -
1975 $241.2 - - -
1974 $227.2 - - -
1973 $198.6 - - -
1972 $172.6 - - -
1971 $150.9 - - -
1970 $141 - - -
1969 $133.3 - - -
1968 $128.7 - - -
1967 $121.9 - - -
1966 $119.8 - - -
1965 $106.9 - - -
1964 $111.3 - - -
1963 $107.4 - - -
1962 $104.6 - - -
1961 $99.3 - - -
1960 $102.8 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,363, ranking 154/197, compared to $4,473 in Lebanon, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Kenya Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$136B
2025
$26B
2024
GDP rank
62/197
2025
121/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2024-2025
-7.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,363
2025
$4,473
2024
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2025
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$94.3B
2025
$41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
69.3%
2025
139.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,638
2025
$7,061
2024
Government debt per person rank
126/185
2025
71/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,538
2026
$3,055
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$22.8B
2025
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2022
25.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.07%
2024-2025
14.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
8.75%
2026
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
11.3%
2019
Population
59218766
5921719

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24% 69.3% 15.5% 139.4%
2024 23.2% 67.3% 15.3% 157.9%
2023 22.6% 73.4% 14.3% 185.8%
2022 23.1% 67.8% 12.9% 235.9%
2021 24% 68.2% 10.5% 346%
2020 24.8% 68% 24.5% 157.2%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 31.3% 171.9%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 32.1% 154%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 30.7% 150.4%
2016 25.3% 50.4% 28.6% 147.9%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 26.7% 140.9%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 28.9% 138.5%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 20.3% 36% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 16% 43.8% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 15.7% 42% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 15.3% 38.5% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 15.6% 36% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 15.2% 40.5% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 17.3% 52.1% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 18.8% 57% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 18.9% 61.6% 23% 50.5%
1992 17.6% 41.2% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 16.4% 43% 35.6% 67.1%
1990 17.2% 37.6% 40% 99.7%
1989 16.3% 33.4% - -
1988 15.9% 33.9% - -
1987 15.5% 36.3% - -
1986 15.3% 31.3% - -
1985 15.6% 28.8% - -
1984 14.9% 25.6% - -
1983 14.6% 26.1% - -
1982 16.2% 26.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kenya's government spending was $32.6B, accounting for 24% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $3.98B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 69.3% in Kenya and 139.4% in Lebanon, ranking 59/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Lebanon
2025 -6.41% 3.25%
2024 -5.74% 0.39%
2023 -5.61% -1.64%
2022 -6.01% -7.49%
2021 -7.2% -2.57%
2020 -8.13% -7.79%
2019 -7.4% -10.5%
2018 -6.91% -11.2%
2017 -7.37% -8.68%
2016 -7.45% -8.98%
2015 -6.68% -7.49%
2014 -5.75% -6.22%
2013 -5.25% -8.83%
2012 -5.29% -8.43%
2011 -3.64% -5.94%
2010 -3.67% -7.47%
2009 -3.12% -8.1%
2008 -1.95% -9.86%
2007 -0.95% -10.9%
2006 -0.43% -10.6%
2005 -0.19% -8.57%
2004 0.5% -9.83%
2003 -0.73% -14%
2002 -1.29% -16.2%
2001 -0.53% -21%
2000 0.38% -23.9%
1999 0.84% -16.7%
1998 -0.03% -17.3%
1997 -0.91% -24.5%
1996 -0.49% -25.7%
1995 -0.23% -13.6%
1994 -4.14% -29.1%
1993 -8.57% -7.19%
1992 -8.28% -24%
1991 -6.56% -19.5%
1990 -3.28% -30.2%
1989 -2.39% -
1988 -1.97% -
1987 -2.27% -
1986 -2.98% -
1985 -3.05% -
1984 -2.55% -
1983 -2.17% -
1982 -3.07% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.91B, equivalent to 5.74% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's surplus of $102M, or 0.39% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.77% of GDP, compared to deficit of 12.7% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Lebanon
2025 4.07% 14.6%
2024 4.49% 45.2%
2023 7.67% 221.3%
2022 7.66% 171.2%
2021 6.11% 154.8%
2020 5.41% 84.9%
2019 5.24% 2.9%
2018 4.69% 6.1%
2017 8.01% 4.4%
2016 6.3% -0.8%
2015 6.58% -3.7%
2014 6.88% 1.9%
2013 5.72% 4.8%
2012 9.38% 6.6%
2011 14% 5%
2010 3.96% 4%
2009 9.23% 1.2%
2008 26.2% 10.7%
2007 9.76% 4.1%
2006 14.5% 4.1%
2005 10.3% -1.4%
2004 11.6% 1.7%
2003 9.82% 1.3%
2002 1.96% 1.8%
2001 5.74% -0.4%
2000 9.98% -0.4%
1999 5.74% 0.2%
1998 6.72% 4.5%
1997 11.4% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.25%, compared with 26.1% in Lebanon. In 2025, inflation was 4.07% in Kenya and 14.6% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $951K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $511K
Machinery & equipment $185K
Chemicals & pharma $81K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Raw materials & minerals $6K
Metals $3K
Animal & marine products $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7.18M
Metals $1.41M
Raw agricultural goods $846K
Textiles & consumer goods $808K
Chemicals & pharma $494K
Wood & paper products $274K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $218K
Raw materials & minerals $217K
Miscellaneous $44K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K

Balance of trade

Kenya Lebanon
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
130/190
2024
166/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
58.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
23.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Kenya Lebanon
Economic freedom 55.5 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 183/197
Property rights 40.2 21.8
Government integrity 32.7 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 47 23.8
Tax burden 76.3 90.3
Government spending 84.1 93.3
Fiscal health 36.2 63.4
Business freedom 61.5 47.6
Labor freedom 56.5 48.4
Monetary freedom 75.1 0
Trade freedom 52 65.6
Investment freedom 55 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Lebanon
2026 55.5 43.1
2025 54.8 44.1
2024 53.6 48.3
2023 52.5 45.6
2022 52.6 47.3
2021 54.9 51.4
2020 55.3 51.7
2019 55.1 51.1
2018 54.7 53.2
2017 53.5 53.3
2016 57.5 59.5
2015 55.6 59.3
2014 57.1 59.4
2013 55.9 59.5
2012 57.5 60.1
2011 57.4 60.1
2010 57.5 59.5
2009 58.7 58.1
2008 59.3 60
2007 59.6 60.4
2006 59.7 57.5
2005 57.9 57.2
2004 57.7 56.9
2003 58.6 56.7
2002 58.2 57.1
2001 57.6 61
2000 59.7 56.1
1999 58.2 59.1
1998 58.4 59
1997 60.1 63.9
1996 56.4 63.2
1995 54.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, 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

Kenya Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
55.1%
2025
35.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
2.63%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
1.05%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$127B
2025
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,910
2025
$11,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.4B
2025
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
76/177
2025
56/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.82%
2024
9.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17%
2025
1.44%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.