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Economy of Lebanon vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $22.2B for Nicaragua, ranking 121/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $7.74B (34.8% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Lebanon vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Lebanon
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Nicaragua
2025 - $22,237,167,113
2024 $25,971,643,441 $19,696,311,850
2023 $20,078,620,357 $17,805,842,221
2022 $20,992,421,949 $15,634,573,556
2021 $23,131,941,557 $14,209,019,392
2020 $31,712,128,254 $12,726,422,432
2019 $51,605,959,131 $12,699,023,614
2018 $54,901,519,156 $13,025,221,974
2017 $53,027,680,686 $13,785,893,007
2016 $51,147,308,774 $13,286,093,388
2015 $49,929,337,837 $12,756,696,261
2014 $48,095,213,747 $11,880,438,824
2013 $46,880,103,081 $10,982,988,249
2012 $44,016,799,516 $10,532,017,232
2011 $39,927,125,962 $9,774,329,333
2010 $38,443,907,042 $8,758,602,233
2009 $35,399,582,929 $8,298,702,489
2008 $29,118,916,105 $8,496,967,597
2007 $24,827,355,015 $7,423,375,015
2006 $22,022,709,851 $6,763,672,381
2005 $21,497,336,499 $6,321,324,279
2004 $21,159,827,992 $5,792,932,838
2003 $20,082,918,740 $5,322,228,351
2002 $19,152,238,806 $5,223,727,303
2001 $17,649,751,244 $5,351,752,034
2000 $17,260,364,842 $5,109,587,050
1999 $17,391,056,369 $4,856,026,259
1998 $17,247,179,006 $4,635,347,386
1997 $15,751,867,489 $4,389,973,490
1996 $13,690,217,334 $4,308,351,903
1995 $11,718,795,529 $4,140,470,000
1994 $9,599,127,050 $3,863,185,119
1993 $7,941,744,492 $1,756,454,248
1992 $5,843,579,161 $1,792,800,000
1991 $4,690,415,093 $1,488,804,124
1990 $2,838,485,354 $1,009,455,484
1989 $2,717,998,688 $1,013,184,756
1988 $3,313,540,068 $2,630,900,096
1987 - $3,851,200,118
1986 - $2,885,799,994
1985 - $2,683,699,935
1984 - $3,117,599,872
1983 - $2,753,100,058
1982 - $2,454,499,872
1981 - $2,474,700,227
1980 - $2,144,300,006
1979 - $1,567,599,982
1978 - $2,127,699,979
1977 - $2,226,999,874
1976 - $1,836,899,999
1975 - $1,581,599,959
1974 - $1,521,400,012
1973 - $1,092,900,015
1972 - $878,570,045
1971 - $828,569,953
1970 - $778,569,939
1969 - $750,000,003
1968 - $692,859,985
1967 - $657,140,011
1966 - $607,140,010
1965 - $564,290,020
1964 - $347,119,918
1963 - $297,324,163
1962 - $269,283,804
1961 - $244,144,237
1960 - $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Nicaragua by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $3,173 -
2024 $4,473 - $2,848 $8,709
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $980 $2,672
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $949 $2,497
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $913 $2,418
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $911 $2,325
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $892 $2,187
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $849 $2,064
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $394 $1,998
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $411 $2,003
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $350 $1,995
1990 $790 $2,990 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $771 - $249.2 -
1988 $959 - $662 -
1987 - - $992 -
1986 - - $761 -
1985 - - $724 -
1984 - - $861 -
1983 - - $780 -
1982 - - $714 -
1981 - - $740 -
1980 - - $659 -
1979 - - $495 -
1978 - - $691 -
1977 - - $744 -
1976 - - $633 -
1975 - - $561 -
1974 - - $557 -
1973 - - $413 -
1972 - - $341 -
1971 - - $331 -
1970 - - $321 -
1969 - - $319 -
1968 - - $304 -
1967 - - $297.9 -
1966 - - $284 -
1965 - - $272.3 -
1964 - - $172.7 -
1963 - - $152.5 -
1962 - - $142.3 -
1961 - - $132.9 -
1960 - - $127.5 -

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

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $3,173 in Nicaragua, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$22.2B
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
128/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
4.92%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$3,173
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
140/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
138/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$7.74B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
34.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$1,104
2025
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
142/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$1,939
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
26.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
2.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
5.2%
2018
Population
5921719
7144725

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% 26.1% 34.8%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 26.2% 37.9%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 26% 42.4%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 10.5% 346% 30% 48.4%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 32.1% 154% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 21.9% 26%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 20.8% 84%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 18% -
1995 31.1% 79.6% 17.7% -
1994 47.3% 71.5% 18.4% -
1993 23% 50.5% 18.4% -
1992 36.1% 51.7% 18.4% -
1991 35.6% 67.1% 16.8% -
1990 40% 99.7% 28.2% -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - 24.8% -
1987 - - - 266.6%
1986 - - 26.1% 159.2%
1985 - - 29.9% 218%
1984 - - 31.9% 198%
1983 - - 33.8% 211.6%
1982 - - 49.4% 159.1%
1981 - - 39.3% 149.1%
1980 - - 30.4% 152.1%
1979 - - 20.7% 116.3%
1978 - - 17.7% 76.9%
1977 - - 19.9% 62.7%
1976 - - 16.2% 59.5%
1975 - - 17.5% 57.8%
1974 - - 15.3% 40%
1973 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1972 - - 15.1% 30.2%
1971 - - 15.1% 31.6%
1970 - - 13.2% 35.4%
1969 - - 11.1% -
1968 - - 10.9% -
1967 - - 12.7% -
1966 - - 12.2% -
1965 - - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 - - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.8B, or 26.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 34.8% in Nicaragua, ranking 8/185 and 145/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Nicaragua
2025 3.25% 2.1%
2024 0.39% 2.25%
2023 -1.64% 2.3%
2022 -7.49% 0.65%
2021 -2.57% -1.26%
2020 -7.79% -2.57%
2019 -10.5% -1.12%
2018 -11.2% -4.35%
2017 -8.68% -1.75%
2016 -8.98% -1.92%
2015 -7.49% -1.64%
2014 -6.22% -0.89%
2013 -8.83% -0.3%
2012 -8.43% 0.22%
2011 -5.94% 0.59%
2010 -7.47% 0.69%
2009 -8.1% -0.9%
2008 -9.86% 0.27%
2007 -10.9% 1.88%
2006 -10.6% 1.36%
2005 -8.57% 1.72%
2004 -9.83% 1.69%
2003 -14% 1.3%
2002 -16.2% 2.07%
2001 -21% 0.34%
2000 -23.9% 2.15%
1999 -16.7% -6.86%
1998 -17.3% -2.88%
1997 -24.5% -3.31%
1996 -25.7% -5%
1995 -13.6% -4.62%
1994 -29.1% -5.79%
1993 -7.19% -4.66%
1992 -24% -3.8%
1991 -19.5% -3.45%
1990 -30.2% -15.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -22.4%
1987 - -
1986 - -7.33%
1985 - -11.3%
1984 - -11.8%
1983 - -15.6%
1982 - -20.2%
1981 - -10.6%
1980 - -6.53%
1979 - -5.89%
1978 - -4.44%
1977 - -5.91%
1976 - -2.2%
1975 - -3.53%
1974 - -1.41%
1973 - 1.21%
1972 - -2.61%
1971 - -2.33%
1970 - -2.69%
1969 - -1.57%
1968 - -1.21%
1967 - -2.11%
1966 - -1.04%
1965 - 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 - 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Lebanon's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $102M, equivalent to 0.39% of GDP. This compares to Nicaragua's surplus of $443M, or 2.25% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 12.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Nicaragua
2025 14.6% 2.1%
2024 45.2% 4.6%
2023 221.3% 8.4%
2022 171.2% 10.5%
2021 154.8% 4.9%
2020 84.9% 3.7%
2019 2.9% 5.4%
2018 6.1% 4.9%
2017 4.4% 3.9%
2016 -0.8% 3.5%
2015 -3.7% 4%
2014 1.9% 6%
2013 4.8% 7.1%
2012 6.6% 7.2%
2011 5% 8.1%
2010 4% 5.5%
2009 1.2% 3.7%
2008 10.7% 19.8%
2007 4.1% 11.1%
2006 4.1% 9.1%
2005 -1.4% 9.6%
2004 1.7% 8.5%
2003 1.3% 5.3%
2002 1.8% 3.8%
2001 -0.4% 7.4%
2000 -0.4% 11.5%
1999 0.2% 11.2%
1998 4.5% 13%
1997 7.7% 9.2%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 7.34% in Nicaragua. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 2.1% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $21K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $948K
Raw agricultural goods $683K
Animal & marine products $78K
Wood & paper products $10K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
52/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
54.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
41.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Nicaragua
Economic freedom 43.1 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 139/197
Property rights 21.8 23.8
Government integrity 23.4 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 8.8
Tax burden 90.3 74.5
Government spending 93.3 77.7
Fiscal health 63.4 96.9
Business freedom 47.6 54.4
Labor freedom 48.4 47.3
Monetary freedom 0 69.4
Trade freedom 65.6 67
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Nicaragua
2026 43.1 53.6
2025 44.1 54
2024 48.3 53.4
2023 45.6 54.9
2022 47.3 54.8
2021 51.4 56.3
2020 51.7 57.2
2019 51.1 57.7
2018 53.2 58.9
2017 53.3 59.2
2016 59.5 58.6
2015 59.3 57.6
2014 59.4 58.4
2013 59.5 56.6
2012 60.1 57.9
2011 60.1 58.8
2010 59.5 58.3
2009 58.1 59.8
2008 60 60.8
2007 60.4 62.7
2006 57.5 63.8
2005 57.2 62.5
2004 56.9 61.4
2003 56.7 62.6
2002 57.1 61.1
2001 61 58
2000 56.1 56.9
1999 59.1 54
1998 59 53.8
1997 63.9 53.3
1996 63.2 54.1
1995 - 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
45.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
29.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
14.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$19.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$8,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$8.32B
2025
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
87/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
25.8%
2025

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/lebanon/nicaragua | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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.