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Economy of Lebanon vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 128/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Lebanon vs Serbia GDP by year

Lebanon
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Serbia
2024 - $90,097,765,959
2023 $20,078,620,357 $81,343,999,280
2022 $20,992,421,949 $66,809,895,701
2021 $23,131,941,557 $66,159,884,073
2020 $31,712,128,254 $55,874,017,669
2019 $51,605,959,131 $53,864,693,665
2018 $54,901,519,156 $52,787,520,249
2017 $53,027,680,686 $45,972,834,714
2016 $51,147,308,774 $42,225,495,910
2015 $49,929,337,837 $41,297,410,635
2014 $48,095,213,747 $49,114,321,280
2013 $46,880,103,081 $50,455,529,604
2012 $44,016,799,516 $45,103,269,969
2011 $39,927,125,962 $51,251,098,408
2010 $38,443,907,042 $43,536,629,233
2009 $35,399,582,929 $46,955,984,410
2008 $29,118,916,105 $54,220,641,202
2007 $24,827,355,015 $44,888,028,946
2006 $22,022,709,851 $33,298,057,362
2005 $21,497,336,499 $28,334,256,181
2004 $21,159,827,992 $26,845,632,342
2003 $20,082,918,740 $23,593,044,418
2002 $19,152,238,806 $17,930,583,571
2001 $17,649,751,244 $13,599,378,662
2000 $17,260,364,842 $7,326,373,882
1999 $17,391,056,369 $20,878,694,851
1998 $17,247,179,006 $21,004,077,441
1997 $15,751,867,489 $27,153,408,995
1996 $13,690,217,334 $23,277,430,168
1995 $11,718,795,529 $17,921,892,655
1994 $9,599,127,050 -
1993 $7,941,744,492 -
1992 $5,843,579,161 -
1991 $4,690,415,093 -
1990 $2,838,485,354 -
1989 $2,717,998,688 -
1988 $3,313,540,068 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1988–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Serbia by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $13,679 $32,832
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $975 $6,416
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $2,468 $6,367 - -
1993 $2,079 $5,871 - -
1992 $1,559 $5,279 - -
1991 $1,278 $4,527 - -
1990 $790 $2,990 - -
1989 $771 - - -
1988 $959 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1988–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Serbia
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
76/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
69/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$4.06B
2011
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
7.24%
2024
Population
5906622
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 10.9% 358% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 46% 54.3%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 39% 51.1%
2017 30.6% 150% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 40.3% 65%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 41% 67.1%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 40% 42%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 40.6% 30%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 41.3% 37%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 28% 200.6%
1999 35.6% 130.2% - -
1998 34.7% 108.2% - -
1997 40.5% 100.2% - -
1996 43.6% 101.2% - -
1995 31.1% 79.6% - -
1994 47.3% 71.5% - -
1993 23% 50.5% - -
1992 36.1% 51.7% - -
1991 35.6% 67.1% - -
1990 40% 99.7% - -

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

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

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 6/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Serbia
2024 -0.19% -1.75%
2023 -1.7% -1.21%
2022 -7.77% -0.14%
2021 -2.67% -3.16%
2020 -7.37% -6.91%
2019 -10.5% -0.004%
2018 -11.3% 0.78%
2017 -8.65% 1.32%
2016 -8.88% -1.08%
2015 -7.48% -3.25%
2014 -6.22% -5.61%
2013 -8.82% -4.79%
2012 -8.43% -6.11%
2011 -5.94% -3.75%
2010 -7.47% -3.35%
2009 -8.1% -3.3%
2008 -9.86% -4.25%
2007 -10.9% -0.8%
2006 -10.6% -0.9%
2005 -8.57% 1.02%
2004 -9.83% 0.06%
2003 -14% -2.39%
2002 -16.2% -2.33%
2001 -21% 0.32%
2000 -23.9% -0.15%
1999 -16.7% -
1998 -17.3% -
1997 -24.5% -
1996 -25.7% -
1995 -13.6% -
1994 -29.1% -
1993 -7.19% -
1992 -24% -
1991 -19.5% -
1990 -30.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $985M, or 1.21% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 9.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.08% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Serbia
2024 45.2% 4.67%
2023 221.3% 12.4%
2022 171.2% 12%
2021 154.8% 4.09%
2020 84.9% 1.58%
2019 2.9% 1.85%
2018 6.1% 1.96%
2017 4.5% 3.13%
2016 -0.8% 1.12%
2015 -3.8% 1.39%
2014 1.1% 2.08%
2013 5.6% 7.69%
2012 6.6% 7.33%
2011 5% 11.1%
2010 4% 6.14%
2009 1.2% 8.12%
2008 10.7% 12.4%
2007 4.1% 6.39%
2006 4.1% 11.7%
2005 -1.4% 16.1%
2004 1.7% 11%
2003 1.3% 9.88%
2002 1.8% 19.5%
2001 -0.4% 95%
2000 -0.4% 71.1%
1999 0.2% 42.5%
1998 4.5% 30.2%
1997 7.7% 23.3%

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/serbia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 15.6% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $89K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $70K
Raw agricultural goods $59K
Machinery & equipment $33K
Raw materials & minerals $21K
Wood & paper products $9K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.28M
Raw materials & minerals $3.01M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.32M
Raw agricultural goods $1.73M
Machinery & equipment $1.2M
Chemicals & pharma $734K
Wood & paper products $659K
Metals $253K
Animal & marine products $149K
Miscellaneous $55K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Serbia
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Serbia
Economic freedom 43.1 65
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 68/197
Property rights 21.8 57.2
Government integrity 23.4 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 50.1
Tax burden 90.3 88
Government spending 93.3 48.2
Fiscal health 63.4 94.3
Business freedom 47.6 73.6
Labor freedom 48.4 61.8
Monetary freedom 0 73
Trade freedom 65.6 76.6
Investment freedom 20 70
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Serbia
2026 43.1 65
2025 44.1 64.4
2024 48.3 62.7
2023 45.6 63.5
2022 47.3 65.2
2021 51.4 67.2
2020 51.7 66
2019 51.1 63.9
2018 53.2 62.5
2017 53.3 58.9
2016 59.5 62.1
2015 59.3 60
2014 59.4 59.4
2013 59.5 58.6
2012 60.1 58
2011 60.1 58
2010 59.5 56.9
2009 58.1 56.6
2008 60 -
2007 60.4 -
2006 57.5 -
2005 57.2 -
2004 56.9 -
2003 56.7 43.5
2002 57.1 46.6
2001 61 -
2000 56.1 -
1999 59.1 -
1998 59 -
1997 63.9 -
1996 63.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Serbia
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
19.7%
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/serbia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.