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Economy of Lebanon vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 121/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Lebanon vs Samoa GDP by year

Lebanon
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Samoa
2025 - $1,287,936,622
2024 $25,971,643,441 $1,175,749,786
2023 $20,078,620,357 $1,044,909,500
2022 $20,992,421,949 $889,554,712
2021 $23,131,941,557 $859,724,936
2020 $31,712,128,254 $868,884,903
2019 $51,605,959,131 $912,950,466
2018 $54,901,519,156 $878,448,433
2017 $53,027,680,686 $884,844,384
2016 $51,147,308,774 $843,924,797
2015 $49,929,337,837 $824,150,499
2014 $48,095,213,747 $796,683,520
2013 $46,880,103,081 $797,736,334
2012 $44,016,799,516 $773,141,661
2011 $39,927,125,962 $744,097,050
2010 $38,443,907,042 $680,260,907
2009 $35,399,582,929 $628,006,115
2008 $29,118,916,105 $641,346,192
2007 $24,827,355,015 $573,548,460
2006 $22,022,709,851 $499,923,758
2005 $21,497,336,499 $476,801,793
2004 $21,159,827,992 $407,747,565
2003 $20,082,918,740 $333,426,188
2002 $19,152,238,806 $281,790,134
2001 $17,649,751,244 $266,299,591
2000 $17,260,364,842 $258,856,140
1999 $17,391,056,369 $255,408,060
1998 $17,247,179,006 $269,485,244
1997 $15,751,867,489 $285,475,592
1996 $13,690,217,334 $249,907,869
1995 $11,718,795,529 $224,865,731
1994 $9,599,127,050 $221,098,107
1993 $7,941,744,492 $133,122,897
1992 $5,843,579,161 $132,303,041
1991 $4,690,415,093 $125,597,205
1990 $2,838,485,354 $125,766,270
1989 $2,717,998,688 $122,888,610
1988 $3,313,540,068 $133,016,065
1987 - $111,713,922
1986 - $100,947,849
1985 - $95,572,173
1984 - $109,200,934
1983 - $111,862,824
1982 - $121,221,652
1981 - $118,190,655
1980 - $125,747,038
1979 - $122,257,393
1978 - $108,223,444
1977 - $98,295,671
1976 - $85,003,078
1975 - $93,489,283
1974 - $93,549,611
1973 - $82,452,985
1972 - $62,566,116
1971 - $53,719,569
1970 - $45,208,338

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

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Samoa by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $5,873 -
2024 $4,473 - $5,393 $8,737
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $775 $2,323
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $777 $2,198
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $742 $2,166
1990 $790 $2,990 $744 $2,148
1989 $771 - $728 -
1988 $959 - $790 -
1987 - - $666 -
1986 - - $604 -
1985 - - $573 -
1984 - - $655 -
1983 - - $671 -
1982 - - $728 -
1981 - - $713 -
1980 - - $765 -
1979 - - $751 -
1978 - - $671 -
1977 - - $615 -
1976 - - $541 -
1975 - - $610 -
1974 - - $626 -
1973 - - $563 -
1972 - - $433 -
1971 - - $377 -
1970 - - $322 -

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

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Samoa
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
186/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
137/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$3,918
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
5.05%
2022
Population
5921719
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 31.1% 41%
2021 10.5% 346% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 32.1% 154% 30% 49.4%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 27.3% 49%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 30% 53.8%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 31% -
1996 43.6% 101.2% 38.9% -
1995 31.1% 79.6% 42.2% -
1994 47.3% 71.5% 54.1% -
1993 23% 50.5% 49.5% -
1992 36.1% 51.7% 43.4% -
1991 35.6% 67.1% - -
1990 40% 99.7% - -

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/samoa | CC BY

In 2025, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 8/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Samoa
2025 3.25% 4.68%
2024 0.39% 9.29%
2023 -1.64% 2.7%
2022 -7.49% 5.03%
2021 -2.57% 1.71%
2020 -7.79% 5.41%
2019 -10.5% 1.51%
2018 -11.2% 0.06%
2017 -8.68% -1.98%
2016 -8.98% -0.35%
2015 -7.49% -3.79%
2014 -6.22% -5.38%
2013 -8.83% -3.82%
2012 -8.43% -7.43%
2011 -5.94% -5.25%
2010 -7.47% -5.49%
2009 -8.1% -2.98%
2008 -9.86% -0.36%
2007 -10.9% 0.55%
2006 -10.6% -0.44%
2005 -8.57% 0.23%
2004 -9.83% -0.74%
2003 -14% -0.51%
2002 -16.2% -1.77%
2001 -21% -1.96%
2000 -23.9% -0.62%
1999 -16.7% 0.27%
1998 -17.3% 1.64%
1997 -24.5% 1.92%
1996 -25.7% 1.21%
1995 -13.6% -5.82%
1994 -29.1% -9.51%
1993 -7.19% -13.2%
1992 -24% -9.89%
1991 -19.5% -
1990 -30.2% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 11.9% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Samoa
2025 14.6% 2.21%
2024 45.2% 2.17%
2023 221.3% 7.92%
2022 171.2% 11%
2021 154.8% 3.13%
2020 84.9% -1.57%
2019 2.9% 0.98%
2018 6.1% 4.2%
2017 4.4% 1.75%
2016 -0.8% 1.3%
2015 -3.7% 0.72%
2014 1.9% -0.41%
2013 4.8% 0.61%
2012 6.6% 2.05%
2011 5% 5.24%
2010 4% 0.78%
2009 1.2% 6.32%
2008 10.7% 11.6%
2007 4.1% 5.58%
2006 4.1% 3.7%
2005 -1.4% 1.86%
2004 1.7% 16.3%
2003 1.3% 0.12%
2002 1.8% 8.05%
2001 -0.4% 3.84%
2000 -0.4% 0.97%
1999 0.2% 0.27%
1998 4.5% 2.22%
1997 7.7% 6.86%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 3.78% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 2.21% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Lebanon Samoa
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$108M
2025
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Samoa
Economic freedom 43.1 68
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 52/197
Property rights 21.8 77.1
Government integrity 23.4 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 77.6
Tax burden 90.3 79.3
Government spending 93.3 75.2
Fiscal health 63.4 98.7
Business freedom 47.6 63.7
Labor freedom 48.4 73.7
Monetary freedom 0 69.4
Trade freedom 65.6 67.2
Investment freedom 20 40
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Samoa
2026 43.1 68
2025 44.1 66.6
2024 48.3 67.2
2023 45.6 68.3
2022 47.3 68.3
2021 51.4 61.9
2020 51.7 62.1
2019 51.1 62.2
2018 53.2 61.5
2017 53.3 58.4
2016 59.5 63.5
2015 59.3 61.9
2014 59.4 61.1
2013 59.5 57.1
2012 60.1 60.5
2011 60.1 60.6
2010 59.5 60.4
2009 58.1 59.5
2008 60 -
2007 60.4 -
2006 57.5 -
2005 57.2 -
2004 56.9 -
2003 56.7 -
2002 57.1 -
2001 61 63.1
2000 56.1 60.8
1999 59.1 58.7
1998 59 49.9
1997 63.9 51.5
1996 63.2 47.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Samoa
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
30%
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/samoa | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.