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Economy of Lebanon vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 128/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Lebanon vs Romania GDP by year

Lebanon
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Romania
2024 - $382,564,217,989
2023 $20,078,620,357 $347,757,995,759
2022 $20,992,421,949 $295,319,437,557
2021 $23,131,941,557 $285,071,280,114
2020 $31,712,128,254 $250,625,048,304
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 (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 - - $20,080 $49,077
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $15,504 $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 (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. 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
$20.1B
2023
$383B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
42/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
47/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires
6
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
5.43%
2024
Population
5906622
18839108

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
2024 16.5% 163.8% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 10.9% 358% 37% 51.5%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 30.6% 150% 31% 37.1%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 6/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Romania
2024 -0.19% -8.68%
2023 -1.7% -5.61%
2022 -7.77% -5.83%
2021 -2.67% -6.7%
2020 -7.37% -9.54%
2019 -10.5% -4.55%
2018 -11.3% -2.74%
2017 -8.65% -2.86%
2016 -8.88% -2.5%
2015 -7.48% -1.35%
2014 -6.22% -1.76%
2013 -8.82% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $19.5B, or 5.61% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 13.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Romania
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 4.5% 1.3%
2016 -0.8% -1.6%
2015 -3.8% -0.6%
2014 1.1% 1.1%
2013 5.6% 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $5.13M
Machinery & equipment $4.54M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.34M
Chemicals & pharma $952K
Textiles & consumer goods $665K
Raw agricultural goods $597K
Wood & paper products $122K
Metals $92K
Precious metals & jewellery $31K
Animal & marine products $23K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $72M
Raw agricultural goods $55.5M
Wood & paper products $27.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.86M
Animal & marine products $6.86M
Machinery & equipment $1.15M
Chemicals & pharma $985K
Textiles & consumer goods $829K
Metals $622K
Miscellaneous $211K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Romania
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
35.6%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
42.4%
2023
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$5.17B
2024
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
22%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
25%
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/romania | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, 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.