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Economy of Lebanon vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $17B for North Macedonia, ranking 128/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $9.3B (54.8% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Lebanon vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Lebanon
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon North Macedonia
2024 - $16,951,682,245
2023 $20,078,620,357 $15,855,131,189
2022 $20,992,421,949 $13,932,436,550
2021 $23,131,941,557 $14,000,283,827
2020 $31,712,128,254 $12,361,036,914
2019 $51,605,959,131 $12,606,338,449
2018 $54,901,519,156 $12,683,068,114
2017 $53,027,680,686 $11,307,067,070
2016 $51,147,308,774 $10,672,467,073
2015 $49,929,337,837 $10,064,519,963
2014 $48,095,213,747 $11,362,265,253
2013 $46,880,103,081 $10,817,702,346
2012 $44,016,799,516 $9,745,261,301
2011 $39,927,125,962 $10,494,626,768
2010 $38,443,907,042 $9,407,170,321
2009 $35,399,582,929 $9,401,736,825
2008 $29,118,916,105 $9,909,552,435
2007 $24,827,355,015 $8,336,474,974
2006 $22,022,709,851 $6,861,226,972
2005 $21,497,336,499 $6,258,602,873
2004 $21,159,827,992 $5,682,784,472
2003 $20,082,918,740 $4,946,296,599
2002 $19,152,238,806 $4,018,365,747
2001 $17,649,751,244 $3,709,636,031
2000 $17,260,364,842 $3,772,859,034
1999 $17,391,056,369 $3,863,619,285
1998 $17,247,179,006 $3,765,745,023
1997 $15,751,867,489 $3,912,986,091
1996 $13,690,217,334 $4,642,021,256
1995 $11,718,795,529 $4,707,041,315
1994 $9,599,127,050 $3,559,608,640
1993 $7,941,744,492 $2,682,456,897
1992 $5,843,579,161 $2,436,849,342
1991 $4,690,415,093 $4,938,775,510
1990 $2,838,485,354 $4,699,646,643
1989 $2,717,998,688 -
1988 $3,313,540,068 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1988–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs North Macedonia by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $9,292 $26,995
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $790 $2,990 $2,277 $5,348
1989 $771 - - -
1988 $959 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1988–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/north-macedonia | CC BY

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $9,292 in North Macedonia, ranking 88/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Lebanon North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$17B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
138/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$9,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
88/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
78/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$9.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
54.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$5,095
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
77/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$7,534
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
12.3%
2024
Population
5906622
1805954

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 36.7% 54.8%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 35.5% 50.8%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 35% 50.4%
2021 10.9% 358% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 30.6% 150% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 32.2% 38%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 31.7% 38%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 31.7% 34%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 36% 36.5%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 32% 45.6%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 33.2% 30.4%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 32.8% 33.1%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 32.9% 29.3%
1996 43.6% 101.2% - -
1995 31.1% 79.6% - -
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.23B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 54.8% in North Macedonia, ranking 6/185 and 96/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon North Macedonia
2024 -0.19% -4.45%
2023 -1.7% -4.61%
2022 -7.77% -5.23%
2021 -2.67% -5.32%
2020 -7.37% -8.05%
2019 -10.5% -1.97%
2018 -11.3% -1.76%
2017 -8.65% -2.73%
2016 -8.88% -2.7%
2015 -7.48% -3.48%
2014 -6.22% -4.19%
2013 -8.82% -3.84%
2012 -8.43% -3.81%
2011 -5.94% -2.47%
2010 -7.47% -2.41%
2009 -8.1% -2.63%
2008 -9.86% -0.93%
2007 -10.9% 0.58%
2006 -10.6% -0.51%
2005 -8.57% 0.21%
2004 -9.83% 0.37%
2003 -14% -0.07%
2002 -16.2% -5.24%
2001 -21% -5.88%
2000 -23.9% 2.37%
1999 -16.7% 0.03%
1998 -17.3% -1.63%
1997 -24.5% -0.36%
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/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $732M, or 4.61% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 10.9% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.45% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon North Macedonia
2024 45.2% 3.5%
2023 221.3% 9.4%
2022 171.2% 14.2%
2021 154.8% 3.2%
2020 84.9% 1.2%
2019 2.9% 0.8%
2018 6.1% 1.5%
2017 4.5% 1.4%
2016 -0.8% -0.2%
2015 -3.8% -0.3%
2014 1.1% -0.3%
2013 5.6% 2.8%
2012 6.6% 3.3%
2011 5% 3.9%
2010 4% 1.5%
2009 1.2% -0.7%
2008 10.7% 8.3%
2007 4.1% 2.3%
2006 4.1% 3.2%
2005 -1.4% 0.5%
2004 1.7% -0.4%
2003 1.3% 0.9%
2002 1.8% 1.1%
2001 -0.4% 5.2%
2000 -0.4% 6.6%
1999 0.2% -1.3%
1998 4.5% 0.5%
1997 7.7% 1.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 2.62% in North Macedonia. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 3.5% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $127K
Wood & paper products $33K
Raw agricultural goods $26K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $123K
Chemicals & pharma $46K
Raw materials & minerals $43K
Metals $35K
Machinery & equipment $34K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Wood & paper products $19K
Precious metals & jewellery $15K
Miscellaneous $9K
Raw agricultural goods $5K

Balance of trade

Lebanon North Macedonia
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$356M
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
102/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-2.1%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$10.6B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$7.3B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$2.01B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$3.16B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
74.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
61.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon North Macedonia
Economic freedom 43.1 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 81/197
Property rights 21.8 56.2
Government integrity 23.4 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 49.5
Tax burden 90.3 94.9
Government spending 93.3 61.7
Fiscal health 63.4 57.7
Business freedom 47.6 72.2
Labor freedom 48.4 51.4
Monetary freedom 0 69.6
Trade freedom 65.6 77.8
Investment freedom 20 65
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon North Macedonia
2026 43.1 63.3
2025 44.1 63.2
2024 48.3 61.4
2023 45.6 63.7
2022 47.3 65.7
2021 51.4 68.6
2020 51.7 69.5
2019 51.1 71.1
2018 53.2 71.3
2017 53.3 70.7
2016 59.5 67.5
2015 59.3 67.1
2014 59.4 68.6
2013 59.5 68.2
2012 60.1 68.5
2011 60.1 66
2010 59.5 65.7
2009 58.1 61.2
2008 60 61.1
2007 60.4 60.6
2006 57.5 59.2
2005 57.2 56.1
2004 56.9 56.8
2003 56.7 60.1
2002 57.1 58
2001 61 -
2000 56.1 -
1999 59.1 -
1998 59 -
1997 63.9 -
1996 63.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
56.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
6.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$15.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$25,610
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$5.25B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
97/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$1.12B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
22.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
30.6%
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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.