Skip to content

Economy of Lebanon vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 128/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Lebanon vs Panama GDP by year

Lebanon
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Panama
2024 - $86,523,959,132
2023 $20,078,620,357 $83,812,155,244
2022 $20,992,421,949 $76,479,304,471
2021 $23,131,941,557 $67,396,392,506
2020 $31,712,128,254 $57,059,846,522
2019 $51,605,959,131 $69,778,991,193
2018 $54,901,519,156 $67,316,471,181
2017 $53,027,680,686 $64,327,688,826
2016 $51,147,308,774 $59,760,858,718
2015 $49,929,337,837 $55,767,806,073
2014 $48,095,213,747 $51,427,104,882
2013 $46,880,103,081 $46,949,496,479
2012 $44,016,799,516 $41,595,439,721
2011 $39,927,125,962 $35,687,738,252
2010 $38,443,907,042 $30,231,009,533
2009 $35,399,582,929 $27,791,215,547
2008 $29,118,916,105 $25,721,327,955
2007 $24,827,355,015 $21,717,433,808
2006 $22,022,709,851 $18,659,721,513
2005 $21,497,336,499 $16,623,906,739
2004 $21,159,827,992 $15,100,203,362
2003 $20,082,918,740 $13,603,456,003
2002 $19,152,238,806 $12,800,851,271
2001 $17,649,751,244 $12,252,906,341
2000 $17,260,364,842 $11,966,497,049
1999 $17,391,056,369 $11,660,704,777
1998 $17,247,179,006 $11,019,557,689
1997 $15,751,867,489 $10,058,854,386
1996 $13,690,217,334 $9,197,503,323
1995 $11,718,795,529 $9,573,813,700
1994 $9,599,127,050 $9,365,289,800
1993 $7,941,744,492 $8,782,585,400
1992 $5,843,579,161 $8,042,337,700
1991 $4,690,415,093 $7,074,675,500
1990 $2,838,485,354 $6,433,967,000
1989 $2,717,998,688 $5,918,469,800
1988 $3,313,540,068 $5,902,783,400
1987 - $6,827,665,300
1986 - $6,797,834,200
1985 - $6,541,517,100
1984 - $6,183,387,100
1983 - $5,923,755,900
1982 - $5,769,767,900
1981 - $5,222,421,500
1980 - $4,614,086,400
1979 - $3,704,551,600
1978 - $3,244,558,600
1977 - $2,738,261,900
1976 - $2,588,106,000
1975 - $2,435,304,100
1974 - $2,188,307,600
1973 - $1,913,793,400
1972 - $1,673,411,700
1971 - $1,523,917,200
1970 - $1,351,006,400
1969 - $1,221,305,700
1968 - $1,112,791,100
1967 - $1,034,376,400
1966 - $928,833,000
1965 - $852,485,300
1964 - $776,137,500
1963 - $722,784,500
1962 - $652,120,900
1961 - $599,026,300
1960 - $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Panama by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $19,161 $41,369
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $790 $2,990 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $771 - $2,462 -
1988 $959 - $2,509 -
1987 - - $2,966 -
1986 - - $3,019 -
1985 - - $2,972 -
1984 - - $2,875 -
1983 - - $2,819 -
1982 - - $2,811 -
1981 - - $2,605 -
1980 - - $2,357 -
1979 - - $1,938 -
1978 - - $1,738 -
1977 - - $1,503 -
1976 - - $1,457 -
1975 - - $1,406 -
1974 - - $1,296 -
1973 - - $1,164 -
1972 - - $1,046 -
1971 - - $979 -
1970 - - $893 -
1969 - - $830 -
1968 - - $778 -
1967 - - $745 -
1966 - - $689 -
1965 - - $651 -
1964 - - $611 -
1963 - - $587 -
1962 - - $546 -
1961 - - $516 -
1960 - - $477 -

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

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Panama
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
78/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
56/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$18.3B
2024
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
8.61%
2024
Population
5906622
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 10.9% 358% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 30.6% 150% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 23% 34.7%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 22.8% 34%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 22.7% 40%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 23.5% 57%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 23% 55.1%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 21.5% 65%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 25.2% 78.3%
1993 23% 50.5% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 40% 99.7% 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 6/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Panama
2024 -0.19% -7.42%
2023 -1.7% -3.9%
2022 -7.77% -3.98%
2021 -2.67% -6.48%
2020 -7.37% -10.2%
2019 -10.5% -2.89%
2018 -11.3% -2.88%
2017 -8.65% -1.92%
2016 -8.88% -1.89%
2015 -7.48% -2.3%
2014 -6.22% -3.21%
2013 -8.82% -2.38%
2012 -8.43% -1.31%
2011 -5.94% -1.96%
2010 -7.47% -1.68%
2009 -8.1% -0.9%
2008 -9.86% 0.37%
2007 -10.9% 3.12%
2006 -10.6% 0.51%
2005 -8.57% -2.21%
2004 -9.83% -4.33%
2003 -14% -2.27%
2002 -16.2% -0.96%
2001 -21% -0.42%
2000 -23.9% 2.05%
1999 -16.7% -0.65%
1998 -17.3% -1.11%
1997 -24.5% 1.24%
1996 -25.7% 2.48%
1995 -13.6% 2.3%
1994 -29.1% 2.12%
1993 -7.19% -9.4%
1992 -24% -2.62%
1991 -19.5% -0.6%
1990 -30.2% -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $3.27B, or 3.9% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 13.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.82% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Panama
2024 45.2% 0.69%
2023 221.3% 1.49%
2022 171.2% 2.86%
2021 154.8% 1.63%
2020 84.9% -1.55%
2019 2.9% -0.36%
2018 6.1% 0.76%
2017 4.5% 0.88%
2016 -0.8% 0.74%
2015 -3.8% 0.14%
2014 1.1% 2.63%
2013 5.6% 4.03%
2012 6.6% 5.7%
2011 5% 5.88%
2010 4% 3.49%
2009 1.2% 2.41%
2008 10.7% 8.76%
2007 4.1% 4.17%
2006 4.1% 2.46%
2005 -1.4% 2.86%
2004 1.7% 0.47%
2003 1.3% 0.39%
2002 1.8% 1.01%
2001 -0.4% 0.31%
2000 -0.4% 1.5%
1999 0.2% 1.25%
1998 4.5% 0.56%
1997 7.7% 1.32%

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/panama | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $714K
Machinery & equipment $245K
Chemicals & pharma $143K
Raw agricultural goods $97K
Textiles & consumer goods $77K
Wood & paper products $18K
Animal & marine products $14K
Metals $13K
Miscellaneous $3K
Panama
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $218K
Textiles & consumer goods $201K
Raw agricultural goods $40K
Chemicals & pharma $13K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Wood & paper products $8K
Metals $4K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Panama
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Panama
Economic freedom 43.1 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 70/197
Property rights 21.8 56.7
Government integrity 23.4 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 49.6
Tax burden 90.3 86.1
Government spending 93.3 85.5
Fiscal health 63.4 51.8
Business freedom 47.6 72.6
Labor freedom 48.4 60.9
Monetary freedom 0 78.2
Trade freedom 65.6 80.2
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Panama
2026 43.1 64.9
2025 44.1 65.5
2024 48.3 64.1
2023 45.6 63.8
2022 47.3 65.4
2021 51.4 66.2
2020 51.7 67.2
2019 51.1 67.2
2018 53.2 67
2017 53.3 66.3
2016 59.5 64.8
2015 59.3 64.1
2014 59.4 63.4
2013 59.5 62.5
2012 60.1 65.2
2011 60.1 64.9
2010 59.5 64.8
2009 58.1 64.7
2008 60 64.7
2007 60.4 64.6
2006 57.5 65.6
2005 57.2 64.3
2004 56.9 65.3
2003 56.7 68.4
2002 57.1 68.5
2001 61 70.6
2000 56.1 71.6
1999 59.1 72.6
1998 59 72.6
1997 63.9 72.4
1996 63.2 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Panama
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
33.5%
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/panama | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.