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Economy of Lebanon vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 121/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Lebanon vs Qatar GDP by year

Lebanon
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Qatar
2025 - $215,559,615,385
2024 $25,971,643,441 $216,294,505,495
2023 $20,078,620,357 $213,002,809,341
2022 $20,992,421,949 $235,709,325,714
2021 $23,131,941,557 $179,732,009,560
2020 $31,712,128,254 $144,411,363,352
2019 $51,605,959,131 $176,371,267,692
2018 $54,901,519,156 $183,334,953,819
2017 $53,027,680,686 $161,099,122,225
2016 $51,147,308,774 $151,732,181,868
2015 $49,929,337,837 $161,739,955,577
2014 $48,095,213,747 $206,224,598,571
2013 $46,880,103,081 $198,727,642,967
2012 $44,016,799,516 $186,833,502,363
2011 $39,927,125,962 $167,775,274,725
2010 $38,443,907,042 $125,122,252,747
2009 $35,399,582,929 $97,798,351,648
2008 $29,118,916,105 $115,269,780,220
2007 $24,827,355,015 $79,711,813,187
2006 $22,022,709,851 $60,882,142,857
2005 $21,497,336,499 $44,530,494,505
2004 $21,159,827,992 $31,734,065,934
2003 $20,082,918,740 $23,533,791,209
2002 $19,152,238,806 $19,363,736,264
2001 $17,649,751,244 $17,538,461,538
2000 $17,260,364,842 $17,759,890,110
1999 $17,391,056,369 $12,393,131,868
1998 $17,247,179,006 $10,255,494,505
1997 $15,751,867,489 $11,297,802,198
1996 $13,690,217,334 $9,059,340,659
1995 $11,718,795,529 $8,137,912,088
1994 $9,599,127,050 $7,374,450,549
1993 $7,941,744,492 $7,156,593,407
1992 $5,843,579,161 $7,646,153,846
1991 $4,690,415,093 $6,883,516,484
1990 $2,838,485,354 $7,360,439,560
1989 $2,717,998,688 $6,487,912,088
1988 $3,313,540,068 $6,038,186,813
1987 - $5,446,428,571
1986 - $5,053,021,978
1985 - $6,153,296,703
1984 - $6,870,329,670
1983 - $6,484,890,110
1982 - $7,611,263,736
1981 - $8,672,527,473
1980 - $7,837,915,956
1979 - $5,632,962,997
1978 - $4,052,000,413
1977 - $3,617,564,638
1976 - $3,284,273,987
1975 - $2,512,773,166
1974 - $2,401,403,227
1973 - $793,885,560
1972 - $510,262,500
1971 - $387,703,106
1970 - $301,791,302

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Qatar by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $72,525 -
2024 $4,473 - $75,685 $126,046
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $790 $2,990 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $771 - $15,243 -
1988 $959 - $14,682 -
1987 - - $13,719 -
1986 - - $13,213 -
1985 - - $16,815 -
1984 - - $19,749 -
1983 - - $19,669 -
1982 - - $24,431 -
1981 - - $29,543 -
1980 - - $28,407 -
1979 - - $21,777 -
1978 - - $16,757 -
1977 - - $16,058 -
1976 - - $15,710 -
1975 - - $13,014 -
1974 - - $13,540 -
1973 - - $4,905 -
1972 - - $3,483 -
1971 - - $2,952 -
1970 - - $2,594 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Qatar
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$216B
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
56/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
5/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires
6
2026
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
0.1%
2024
Population
5921719
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 26% 41.3%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 10.5% 346% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 32.1% 154% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 31% 32.1%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 32% 30.4%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 36.4% 36%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 29% 19.1%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 23% 50.5% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 40% 99.7% 50% 12.6%

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

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

In 2025, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 8/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Qatar
2025 3.25% -1%
2024 0.39% 0.71%
2023 -1.64% 5.51%
2022 -7.49% 10.4%
2021 -2.57% 0.24%
2020 -7.79% -2.13%
2019 -10.5% 1%
2018 -11.2% 2.26%
2017 -8.68% -6.82%
2016 -8.98% -9.2%
2015 -7.49% 18.4%
2014 -6.22% 13.4%
2013 -8.83% 19.3%
2012 -8.43% 8.55%
2011 -5.94% 5.24%
2010 -7.47% 4.6%
2009 -8.1% 14.1%
2008 -9.86% 9.49%
2007 -10.9% 10.3%
2006 -10.6% 8.39%
2005 -8.57% 9.8%
2004 -9.83% 17.7%
2003 -14% 6.71%
2002 -16.2% 7.89%
2001 -21% 4.48%
2000 -23.9% 4.62%
1999 -16.7% -4.35%
1998 -17.3% -7%
1997 -24.5% -9.4%
1996 -25.7% -8.73%
1995 -13.6% -5.78%
1994 -29.1% -11.8%
1993 -7.19% -9.53%
1992 -24% -2.74%
1991 -19.5% -2.57%
1990 -30.2% 3.23%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.53B, or 0.71% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 12.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Qatar
2025 14.6% 0.6%
2024 45.2% 1.2%
2023 221.3% 3.1%
2022 171.2% 5%
2021 154.8% 2.3%
2020 84.9% -2.5%
2019 2.9% -0.9%
2018 6.1% 0.1%
2017 4.4% 0.6%
2016 -0.8% 2.7%
2015 -3.7% 0.9%
2014 1.9% 4.2%
2013 4.8% 3.1%
2012 6.6% 1.8%
2011 5% 2%
2010 4% -2.4%
2009 1.2% -4.9%
2008 10.7% 15.1%
2007 4.1% 13.7%
2006 4.1% 11.7%
2005 -1.4% 9%
2004 1.7% 6.8%
2003 1.3% 2.3%
2002 1.8% 0.2%
2001 -0.4% 1.7%
2000 -0.4% 1.6%
1999 0.2% 2.2%
1998 4.5% 2.9%
1997 7.7% 2.7%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $32.3M
Chemicals & pharma $16.5M
Raw agricultural goods $9.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.81M
Machinery & equipment $4.94M
Animal & marine products $4.8M
Wood & paper products $3.39M
Metals $2.96M
Miscellaneous $2.93M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.01M
Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $25.9M
Metals $21M
Precious metals & jewellery $9.11M
Chemicals & pharma $3.92M
Machinery & equipment $2.02M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.11M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $282K
Weapons & explosives $208K
Animal & marine products $168K
Miscellaneous $100K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Qatar
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$90B
2025
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Qatar
Economic freedom 43.1 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 37/197
Property rights 21.8 66.2
Government integrity 23.4 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 41.5
Tax burden 90.3 99.9
Government spending 93.3 79.9
Fiscal health 63.4 96.6
Business freedom 47.6 68
Labor freedom 48.4 58.5
Monetary freedom 0 76
Trade freedom 65.6 81.8
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Qatar
2026 43.1 70.2
2025 44.1 70.2
2024 48.3 68.8
2023 45.6 68.6
2022 47.3 67.7
2021 51.4 72
2020 51.7 72.3
2019 51.1 72.6
2018 53.2 72.6
2017 53.3 73.1
2016 59.5 70.7
2015 59.3 70.8
2014 59.4 71.2
2013 59.5 71.3
2012 60.1 71.3
2011 60.1 70.5
2010 59.5 69
2009 58.1 65.8
2008 60 62.2
2007 60.4 62.9
2006 57.5 62.4
2005 57.2 63.5
2004 56.9 66.5
2003 56.7 65.9
2002 57.1 61.9
2001 61 60
2000 56.1 62
1999 59.1 62
1998 59 -
1997 63.9 -
1996 63.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Qatar
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, 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.