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Economy of Lebanon vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 121/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Lebanon vs Romania GDP by year

Lebanon
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Romania
2025 - $428,677,977,855
2024 $25,971,643,441 $382,564,217,989
2023 $20,078,620,357 $347,757,995,759
2022 $20,992,421,949 $295,317,862,856
2021 $23,131,941,557 $285,072,444,957
2020 $31,712,128,254 $250,624,575,872
2019 $51,605,959,131 $250,080,428,512
2018 $54,901,519,156 $241,791,427,224
2017 $53,027,680,686 $210,147,385,855
2016 $51,147,308,774 $185,290,759,249
2015 $49,929,337,837 $177,885,131,240
2014 $48,095,213,747 $199,722,319,676
2013 $46,880,103,081 $189,798,603,751
2012 $44,016,799,516 $179,117,323,107
2011 $39,927,125,962 $192,623,977,894
2010 $38,443,907,042 $170,064,350,672
2009 $35,399,582,929 $174,110,532,659
2008 $29,118,916,105 $214,315,932,061
2007 $24,827,355,015 $174,588,782,939
2006 $22,022,709,851 $122,023,735,993
2005 $21,497,336,499 $98,454,380,120
2004 $21,159,827,992 $74,973,656,852
2003 $20,082,918,740 $57,806,384,143
2002 $19,152,238,806 $46,065,502,703
2001 $17,649,751,244 $40,395,116,581
2000 $17,260,364,842 $37,253,739,511
1999 $17,391,056,369 $35,953,156,754
1998 $17,247,179,006 $41,696,091,974
1997 $15,751,867,489 $35,575,214,078
1996 $13,690,217,334 $36,937,074,278
1995 $11,718,795,529 $37,430,162,103
1994 $9,599,127,050 $30,072,805,104
1993 $7,941,744,492 $26,361,160,450
1992 $5,843,579,161 $25,121,666,667
1991 $4,690,415,093 $28,850,634,900
1990 $2,838,485,354 $38,247,882,300
1989 $2,717,998,688 $41,450,777,202
1988 $3,313,540,068 $40,424,528,302
1987 - $38,067,567,568

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Romania by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $22,538 -
2024 $4,473 - $20,080 $49,077
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $790 $2,990 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $771 - $1,790 -
1988 $959 - $1,753 -
1987 - - $1,659 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Romania
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$429B
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
39/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
47/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$70.9B
2025
Number of billionaires
6
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
6.1%
2025
Population
5921719
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 40% 57.5%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 37% 52.6%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 10.5% 346% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 32.1% 154% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 31% 37.1%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 35% 32.6%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 35.3% 13%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 35% 29.6%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 33.5% 15%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 33.5% 11%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 33.1% -
1993 23% 50.5% 33.5% -
1992 36.1% 51.7% 41.5% -
1991 35.6% 67.1% 38.3% -
1990 40% 99.7% 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 8/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Romania
2025 3.25% -7.64%
2024 0.39% -8.68%
2023 -1.64% -5.66%
2022 -7.49% -5.85%
2021 -2.57% -6.74%
2020 -7.79% -9.6%
2019 -10.5% -4.58%
2018 -11.2% -2.76%
2017 -8.68% -2.86%
2016 -8.98% -2.5%
2015 -7.49% -1.35%
2014 -6.22% -1.76%
2013 -8.83% -2.44%
2012 -8.43% -2.39%
2011 -5.94% -4.14%
2010 -7.47% -6.22%
2009 -8.1% -6.86%
2008 -9.86% -4.6%
2007 -10.9% -3.05%
2006 -10.6% -1.36%
2005 -8.57% -0.69%
2004 -9.83% -3.39%
2003 -14% -2.29%
2002 -16.2% -2.59%
2001 -21% -3.2%
2000 -23.9% -3.99%
1999 -16.7% -3.58%
1998 -17.3% -5.33%
1997 -24.5% -5.19%
1996 -25.7% -4.74%
1995 -13.6% -3.32%
1994 -29.1% -2.2%
1993 -7.19% -0.35%
1992 -24% -4.55%
1991 -19.5% 3.23%
1990 -30.2% 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 12.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.56% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Romania
2025 14.6% 7.3%
2024 45.2% 5.6%
2023 221.3% 10.4%
2022 171.2% 13.8%
2021 154.8% 5%
2020 84.9% 2.6%
2019 2.9% 3.8%
2018 6.1% 4.6%
2017 4.4% 1.3%
2016 -0.8% -1.6%
2015 -3.7% -0.6%
2014 1.9% 1.1%
2013 4.8% 4%
2012 6.6% 3.3%
2011 5% 5.8%
2010 4% 6.1%
2009 1.2% 5.6%
2008 10.7% 7.8%
2007 4.1% 4.8%
2006 4.1% 6.6%
2005 -1.4% 9%
2004 1.7% 11.9%
2003 1.3% 15.4%
2002 1.8% 22.5%
2001 -0.4% 34.5%
2000 -0.4% 45.7%
1999 0.2% 45.8%
1998 4.5% 59.1%
1997 7.7% 154.8%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.33M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.23M
Machinery & equipment $2.87M
Chemicals & pharma $966K
Raw agricultural goods $631K
Textiles & consumer goods $422K
Precious metals & jewellery $85K
Metals $76K
Miscellaneous $47K
Wood & paper products $36K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $173M
Wood & paper products $49.1M
Raw materials & minerals $48.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.02M
Animal & marine products $6.22M
Machinery & equipment $3.82M
Chemicals & pharma $1.25M
Miscellaneous $1.09M
Textiles & consumer goods $911K
Metals $334K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Romania
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$102B
2025
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
35.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Romania
Economic freedom 43.1 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 64/197
Property rights 21.8 81
Government integrity 23.4 50
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 67
Tax burden 90.3 89.1
Government spending 93.3 56.7
Fiscal health 63.4 21.4
Business freedom 47.6 74.4
Labor freedom 48.4 63.6
Monetary freedom 0 72.7
Trade freedom 65.6 79.4
Investment freedom 20 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Romania
2026 43.1 65.4
2025 44.1 66.5
2024 48.3 64.4
2023 45.6 64.5
2022 47.3 67.1
2021 51.4 69.5
2020 51.7 69.7
2019 51.1 68.6
2018 53.2 69.4
2017 53.3 69.7
2016 59.5 65.6
2015 59.3 66.6
2014 59.4 65.5
2013 59.5 65.1
2012 60.1 64.4
2011 60.1 64.7
2010 59.5 64.2
2009 58.1 63.2
2008 60 61.7
2007 60.4 61.2
2006 57.5 58.2
2005 57.2 52.1
2004 56.9 50
2003 56.7 50.6
2002 57.1 48.7
2001 61 50
2000 56.1 52.1
1999 59.1 50.1
1998 59 54.4
1997 63.9 50.8
1996 63.2 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Romania
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
25.9%
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/romania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, 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 (1962–1999, 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 (2024–2025, 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.