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Economy of Lebanon vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 128/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

Lebanon vs Malta GDP by year

Lebanon
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Malta
2024 - $24,971,574,502
2023 $20,078,620,357 $22,610,561,526
2022 $20,992,421,949 $18,928,276,162
2021 $23,131,941,557 $19,739,875,611
2020 $31,712,128,254 $16,404,663,226
2019 $51,605,959,131 $16,337,793,531
2018 $54,901,519,156 $16,153,779,511
2017 $53,027,680,686 $14,161,366,724
2016 $51,147,308,774 $12,025,782,834
2015 $49,929,337,837 $11,340,795,042
2014 $48,095,213,747 $11,888,032,874
2013 $46,880,103,081 $10,796,782,636
2012 $44,016,799,516 $9,609,532,089
2011 $39,927,125,962 $9,789,361,703
2010 $38,443,907,042 $9,097,044,159
2009 $35,399,582,929 $8,734,745,698
2008 $29,118,916,105 $9,135,419,465
2007 $24,827,355,015 $7,908,412,306
2006 $22,022,709,851 $6,749,838,806
2005 $21,497,336,499 $6,393,234,993
2004 $21,159,827,992 $6,104,141,520
2003 $20,082,918,740 $5,418,315,224
2002 $19,152,238,806 $4,455,127,414
2001 $17,649,751,244 $4,070,867,133
2000 $17,260,364,842 $4,036,809,815
1999 $17,391,056,369 $4,111,857,809
1998 $17,247,179,006 $4,010,111,688
1997 $15,751,867,489 $3,787,023,707
1996 $13,690,217,334 $3,822,547,197
1995 $11,718,795,529 $3,709,396,045
1994 $9,599,127,050 $2,998,505,428
1993 $7,941,744,492 $2,709,193,538
1992 $5,843,579,161 $3,021,942,759
1991 $4,690,415,093 $2,750,216,747
1990 $2,838,485,354 $2,547,328,748
1989 $2,717,998,688 $2,118,655,677
1988 $3,313,540,068 $2,019,503,068
1987 - $1,751,293,461
1986 - $1,435,038,441
1985 - $1,117,797,439
1984 - $1,101,807,023
1983 - $1,165,729,707
1982 - $1,234,474,404
1981 - $1,243,509,394
1980 - $1,250,198,601
1979 - $1,001,288,847
1978 - $793,673,402
1977 - $625,563,171
1976 - $527,936,989
1975 - $474,618,321
1974 - $376,081,124
1973 - $345,616,106
1972 - $295,106,628
1971 - $264,578,485
1970 - $250,728,796

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Malta by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $43,899 $69,864
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $790 $2,990 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $771 - $6,041 -
1988 $959 - $5,814 -
1987 - - $5,084 -
1986 - - $4,195 -
1985 - - $3,322 -
1984 - - $3,333 -
1983 - - $3,527 -
1982 - - $3,788 -
1981 - - $3,898 -
1980 - - $3,948 -
1979 - - $3,196 -
1978 - - $2,559 -
1977 - - $2,038 -
1976 - - $1,727 -
1975 - - $1,560 -
1974 - - $1,245 -
1973 - - $1,144 -
1972 - - $976 -
1971 - - $874 -
1970 - - $828 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Malta
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$25B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
119/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
25/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$4.29B
2024
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
3.12%
2024
Population
5906622
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 10.9% 358% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 30.6% 150% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 37.8% 55%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 40.1% 65%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 41.1% 66%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 41.2% 62%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 42% 70.4%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 44.4% 70%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 35.6% 130.2% - 69.8%
1998 34.7% 108.2% - 66.4%
1997 40.5% 100.2% - 60.8%
1996 43.6% 101.2% - 51.5%
1995 31.1% 79.6% - 45.3%
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/lebanon/malta | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 6/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Malta
2024 -0.19% -3.58%
2023 -1.7% -4.65%
2022 -7.77% -5.31%
2021 -2.67% -6.95%
2020 -7.37% -8.72%
2019 -10.5% 0.72%
2018 -11.3% 1.86%
2017 -8.65% 3.4%
2016 -8.88% 1.1%
2015 -7.48% -0.84%
2014 -6.22% -1.49%
2013 -8.82% -2.19%
2012 -8.43% -3.31%
2011 -5.94% -2.99%
2010 -7.47% -2.22%
2009 -8.1% -3.11%
2008 -9.86% -4.06%
2007 -10.9% -2.05%
2006 -10.6% -2.46%
2005 -8.57% -2.83%
2004 -9.83% -4.28%
2003 -14% -9.04%
2002 -16.2% -5.62%
2001 -21% -6.5%
2000 -23.9% -5.83%
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/lebanon/malta | 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 Malta's deficit of $1.05B, or 4.65% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 9.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Malta
2024 45.2% 1.65%
2023 221.3% 5.09%
2022 171.2% 6.15%
2021 154.8% 1.5%
2020 84.9% 0.64%
2019 2.9% 1.64%
2018 6.1% 1.16%
2017 4.5% 1.36%
2016 -0.8% 0.64%
2015 -3.8% 1.1%
2014 1.1% 0.31%
2013 5.6% 1.18%
2012 6.6% 2.38%
2011 5% 2.96%
2010 4% 1.52%
2009 1.2% 2.08%
2008 10.7% 4.26%
2007 4.1% 1.25%
2006 4.1% 2.77%
2005 -1.4% 3.01%
2004 1.7% 2.79%
2003 1.3% 1.3%
2002 1.8% 2.19%
2001 -0.4% 2.93%
2000 -0.4% 2.37%
1999 0.2% 2.13%
1998 4.5% 2.39%
1997 7.7% 3.11%

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/malta | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.3M
Wood & paper products $600K
Chemicals & pharma $185K
Textiles & consumer goods $161K
Machinery & equipment $134K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $112K
Miscellaneous $26K
Metals $19K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Malta
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.12M
Chemicals & pharma $276K
Machinery & equipment $251K
Metals $53K
Raw agricultural goods $20K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Animal & marine products $11K
Wood & paper products $2K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Malta
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
118.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Malta
Economic freedom 43.1 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 49/197
Property rights 21.8 85.5
Government integrity 23.4 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 80.2
Tax burden 90.3 68.5
Government spending 93.3 58.4
Fiscal health 63.4 63.2
Business freedom 47.6 83.2
Labor freedom 48.4 62.6
Monetary freedom 0 73.1
Trade freedom 65.6 79.4
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Malta
2026 43.1 68.2
2025 44.1 66.8
2024 48.3 64.5
2023 45.6 67.5
2022 47.3 71.5
2021 51.4 70.2
2020 51.7 69.5
2019 51.1 68.6
2018 53.2 68.5
2017 53.3 67.7
2016 59.5 66.7
2015 59.3 66.5
2014 59.4 66.4
2013 59.5 67.5
2012 60.1 67
2011 60.1 65.7
2010 59.5 67.2
2009 58.1 66.1
2008 60 66
2007 60.4 66.1
2006 57.5 67.3
2005 57.2 68.9
2004 56.9 63.3
2003 56.7 61.1
2002 57.1 62.2
2001 61 62.9
2000 56.1 58.3
1999 59.1 59.3
1998 59 61.2
1997 63.9 57.9
1996 63.2 55.8
1995 - 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Malta
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
19%
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/malta | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, 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.