Skip to content

Economy of Lebanon vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 128/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Lebanon vs Malaysia GDP by year

Lebanon
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Malaysia
2024 - $422,227,005,429
2023 $20,078,620,357 $399,949,418,753
2022 $20,992,421,949 $407,830,525,990
2021 $23,131,941,557 $373,784,553,030
2020 $31,712,128,254 $337,456,163,961
2019 $51,605,959,131 $365,177,721,022
2018 $54,901,519,156 $358,788,845,713
2017 $53,027,680,686 $319,109,094,160
2016 $51,147,308,774 $301,256,033,870
2015 $49,929,337,837 $301,355,266,965
2014 $48,095,213,747 $338,066,095,097
2013 $46,880,103,081 $323,276,235,524
2012 $44,016,799,516 $314,443,047,642
2011 $39,927,125,962 $297,951,668,675
2010 $38,443,907,042 $255,017,638,456
2009 $35,399,582,929 $202,257,453,037
2008 $29,118,916,105 $230,811,614,370
2007 $24,827,355,015 $193,549,569,478
2006 $22,022,709,851 $162,692,258,307
2005 $21,497,336,499 $143,534,405,819
2004 $21,159,827,992 $124,749,473,684
2003 $20,082,918,740 $110,202,368,421
2002 $19,152,238,806 $100,845,526,316
2001 $17,649,751,244 $92,783,947,368
2000 $17,260,364,842 $93,789,736,842
1999 $17,391,056,369 $79,148,421,053
1998 $17,247,179,006 $72,167,498,981
1997 $15,751,867,489 $100,005,323,302
1996 $13,690,217,334 $100,855,393,910
1995 $11,718,795,529 $88,705,342,903
1994 $9,599,127,050 $74,478,356,958
1993 $7,941,744,492 $66,894,966,969
1992 $5,843,579,161 $59,167,550,163
1991 $4,690,415,093 $49,143,148,094
1990 $2,838,485,354 $44,024,585,240
1989 $2,717,998,688 $38,847,965,293
1988 $3,313,540,068 $35,272,109,220
1987 - $32,181,210,158
1986 - $27,734,111,400
1985 - $31,199,633,353
1984 - $33,942,897,422
1983 - $30,347,442,111
1982 - $26,804,493,635
1981 - $25,004,285,792
1980 - $24,488,224,677
1979 - $21,213,264,962
1978 - $16,358,079,862
1977 - $13,139,488,633
1976 - $11,050,234,599
1975 - $9,298,800,799
1974 - $9,496,204,302
1973 - $7,662,902,678
1972 - $5,043,347,250
1971 - $4,244,395,956
1970 - $3,864,145,667
1969 - $3,664,552,041
1968 - $3,330,371,551
1967 - $3,188,924,677
1966 - $3,143,517,944
1965 - $2,956,337,669
1964 - $2,674,423,922
1963 - $2,510,110,348
1962 - $2,001,489,602
1961 - $1,901,856,123
1960 - $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Malaysia by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $11,874 $38,779
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $790 $2,990 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $771 - $2,244 -
1988 $959 - $2,100 -
1987 - - $1,977 -
1986 - - $1,760 -
1985 - - $2,046 -
1984 - - $2,300 -
1983 - - $2,124 -
1982 - - $1,938 -
1981 - - $1,866 -
1980 - - $1,886 -
1979 - - $1,680 -
1978 - - $1,327 -
1977 - - $1,092 -
1976 - - $940 -
1975 - - $811 -
1974 - - $848 -
1973 - - $701 -
1972 - - $472 -
1971 - - $407 -
1970 - - $380 -
1969 - - $368 -
1968 - - $342 -
1967 - - $335 -
1966 - - $339 -
1965 - - $326 -
1964 - - $303 -
1963 - - $291.8 -
1962 - - $238.8 -
1961 - - $232.9 -
1960 - - $240.8 -

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

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$422B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
38/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
60/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$11,005
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$449B
2024
Number of billionaires
6
2025
19
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
3.93%
2022
Population
5906622
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 10.9% 358% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 25% 67.7%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 30.6% 150% 22% 54.4%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 24.7% 57%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 26% 55.4%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 25.9% 42%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 23% 50.5% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 40% 99.7% 30.5% 74.1%

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/lebanon/malaysia | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 6/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Malaysia
2024 -0.19% -3.95%
2023 -1.7% -3.97%
2022 -7.77% -4.56%
2021 -2.67% -6.03%
2020 -7.37% -4.9%
2019 -10.5% -2.01%
2018 -11.3% -2.64%
2017 -8.65% -2.41%
2016 -8.88% -2.6%
2015 -7.48% -2.55%
2014 -6.22% -2.63%
2013 -8.82% -3.48%
2012 -8.43% -3.1%
2011 -5.94% -3.57%
2010 -7.47% -4.32%
2009 -8.1% -5.88%
2008 -9.86% -3.4%
2007 -10.9% -2.57%
2006 -10.6% -2.6%
2005 -8.57% -2.83%
2004 -9.83% -3.35%
2003 -14% -4.6%
2002 -16.2% -3.96%
2001 -21% -4.36%
2000 -23.9% -6.05%
1999 -16.7% -3%
1998 -17.3% -0.63%
1997 -24.5% 4.84%
1996 -25.7% 3.27%
1995 -13.6% 3.1%
1994 -29.1% 5.45%
1993 -7.19% 3.44%
1992 -24% 1.81%
1991 -19.5% 1.6%
1990 -30.2% 0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Lebanon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $342M, equivalent to 1.7% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $15.9B, or 3.97% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 13.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.01% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Malaysia
2024 45.2% 1.83%
2023 221.3% 2.49%
2022 171.2% 3.38%
2021 154.8% 2.48%
2020 84.9% -1.14%
2019 2.9% 0.66%
2018 6.1% 0.88%
2017 4.5% 3.87%
2016 -0.8% 2.09%
2015 -3.8% 2.1%
2014 1.1% 3.14%
2013 5.6% 2.11%
2012 6.6% 1.66%
2011 5% 3.17%
2010 4% 1.62%
2009 1.2% 0.58%
2008 10.7% 5.44%
2007 4.1% 2.03%
2006 4.1% 3.61%
2005 -1.4% 2.98%
2004 1.7% 1.42%
2003 1.3% 1.09%
2002 1.8% 1.81%
2001 -0.4% 1.42%
2000 -0.4% 1.53%
1999 0.2% 2.74%
1998 4.5% 5.27%
1997 7.7% 2.66%

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/lebanon/malaysia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 2.25% in Malaysia. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $6.04M
Machinery & equipment $5.5M
Raw agricultural goods $1.07M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $870K
Precious metals & jewellery $388K
Chemicals & pharma $272K
Metals $188K
Textiles & consumer goods $69K
Wood & paper products $48K
Animal & marine products $33K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29.8M
Chemicals & pharma $5.26M
Machinery & equipment $4.64M
Raw materials & minerals $3.39M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.24M
Wood & paper products $2.54M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.1M
Miscellaneous $326K
Animal & marine products $288K
Metals $178K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Malaysia
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$248B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
71.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Malaysia
Economic freedom 43.1 68
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 51/197
Property rights 21.8 62.7
Government integrity 23.4 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 63.4
Tax burden 90.3 83.5
Government spending 93.3 82
Fiscal health 63.4 62.5
Business freedom 47.6 79.6
Labor freedom 48.4 55.4
Monetary freedom 0 80.8
Trade freedom 65.6 83
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Malaysia
2026 43.1 68
2025 44.1 67.1
2024 48.3 65.7
2023 45.6 67.3
2022 47.3 68.1
2021 51.4 74.4
2020 51.7 74.7
2019 51.1 74
2018 53.2 74.5
2017 53.3 73.8
2016 59.5 71.5
2015 59.3 70.8
2014 59.4 69.6
2013 59.5 66.1
2012 60.1 66.4
2011 60.1 66.3
2010 59.5 64.8
2009 58.1 64.6
2008 60 63.9
2007 60.4 63.8
2006 57.5 61.6
2005 57.2 61.9
2004 56.9 59.9
2003 56.7 61.1
2002 57.1 60.1
2001 61 60.2
2000 56.1 66
1999 59.1 68.9
1998 59 68.2
1997 63.9 66.8
1996 63.2 69.9
1995 - 71.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
22%
2024

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/lebanon/malaysia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.