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Economy of Lebanon vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 128/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Lebanon vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Lebanon
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Sierra Leone
2024 - $6,971,127,235
2023 $20,078,620,357 $6,415,852,767
2022 $20,992,421,949 $7,121,125,278
2021 $23,131,941,557 $7,166,931,485
2020 $31,712,128,254 $6,688,307,703
2019 $51,605,959,131 $6,523,577,594
2018 $54,901,519,156 $6,390,514,689
2017 $53,027,680,686 $5,749,846,528
2016 $51,147,308,774 $6,084,297,211
2015 $49,929,337,837 $6,788,352,975
2014 $48,095,213,747 $7,686,138,791
2013 $46,880,103,081 $7,502,762,863
2012 $44,016,799,516 $6,141,666,509
2011 $39,927,125,962 $4,861,632,885
2010 $38,443,907,042 $4,262,805,967
2009 $35,399,582,929 $3,953,403,098
2008 $29,118,916,105 $4,157,895,298
2007 $24,827,355,015 $3,632,957,611
2006 $22,022,709,851 $3,263,697,467
2005 $21,497,336,499 $2,545,275,313
2004 $21,159,827,992 $2,237,350,687
2003 $20,082,918,740 $2,142,618,046
2002 $19,152,238,806 $1,933,863,911
2001 $17,649,751,244 $1,681,473,894
2000 $17,260,364,842 $635,866,404
1999 $17,391,056,369 $669,386,624
1998 $17,247,179,006 $672,368,187
1997 $15,751,867,489 $850,232,760
1996 $13,690,217,334 $941,709,423
1995 $11,718,795,529 $870,740,292
1994 $9,599,127,050 $911,853,802
1993 $7,941,744,492 $768,867,883
1992 $5,843,579,161 $679,940,814
1991 $4,690,415,093 $779,981,987
1990 $2,838,485,354 $649,644,098
1989 $2,717,998,688 $932,974,420
1988 $3,313,540,068 $1,055,083,933
1987 - $660,106,336
1986 - $490,181,457
1985 - $856,890,459
1984 - $1,087,471,862
1983 - $995,104,305
1982 - $1,295,361,886
1981 - $1,114,830,472
1980 - $1,100,685,845
1979 - $1,109,374,911
1978 - $960,728,339
1977 - $691,777,584
1976 - $594,895,942
1975 - $679,336,344
1974 - $648,590,643
1973 - $575,230,724
1972 - $465,381,340
1971 - $419,549,305
1970 - $434,410,974
1969 - $408,690,163
1968 - $329,859,732
1967 - $348,795,303
1966 - $375,479,850
1965 - $359,379,856
1964 - $371,847,461
1963 - $348,547,279
1962 - $342,721,416
1961 - $327,834,191
1960 - $322,009,962

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Sierra Leone by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $807 $3,522
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $758 $3,368
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $860 $3,144
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $885 $2,849
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $845 $2,719
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $844 $2,704
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $846 $2,640
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $779 $2,501
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $844 $2,635
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $965 $2,560
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $938 $2,317
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $761 $2,043
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $685 $1,900
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $653 $1,814
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $705 $1,824
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $632 $1,770
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $580 $1,698
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $463 $1,615
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $418 $1,541
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $414 $1,458
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $389 $1,360
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $358 $1,121
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $155 $1,167
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $185 $1,269
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $790 $2,990 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $771 - $231.3 -
1988 $959 - $268.2 -
1987 - - $172.4 -
1986 - - $131.5 -
1985 - - $235.5 -
1984 - - $306 -
1983 - - $285.8 -
1982 - - $380 -
1981 - - $334 -
1980 - - $336 -
1979 - - $346 -
1978 - - $305 -
1977 - - $224.2 -
1976 - - $196.4 -
1975 - - $228.4 -
1974 - - $222.1 -
1973 - - $200.6 -
1972 - - $165.4 -
1971 - - $151.8 -
1970 - - $160.2 -
1969 - - $153.6 -
1968 - - $126.3 -
1967 - - $136.1 -
1966 - - $149.3 -
1965 - - $145.6 -
1964 - - $153.4 -
1963 - - $146.3 -
1962 - - $146.3 -
1961 - - $142.3 -
1960 - - $142 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sierra-leone | CC BY

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
160/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
171/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
3.19%
2018
Population
5906622
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 16.7% 54%
2021 10.9% 358% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 30.6% 150% 15% 44.2%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 10.3% -
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/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 6/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Sierra Leone
2024 -0.19% -4.53%
2023 -1.7% -4.99%
2022 -7.77% -5.93%
2021 -2.67% -4.35%
2020 -7.37% -3.5%
2019 -10.5% -1.95%
2018 -11.3% -3.57%
2017 -8.65% -5.61%
2016 -8.88% -5.41%
2015 -7.48% -2.86%
2014 -6.22% -2.77%
2013 -8.82% -1.74%
2012 -8.43% -3.41%
2011 -5.94% -2.78%
2010 -7.47% -3.09%
2009 -8.1% -1.51%
2008 -9.86% -2.22%
2007 -10.9% 12.6%
2006 -10.6% -0.93%
2005 -8.57% -1.17%
2004 -9.83% -1.46%
2003 -14% -2.78%
2002 -16.2% -3.03%
2001 -21% -3.22%
2000 -23.9% -1.94%
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/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $320M, or 4.99% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 9.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.4% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Sierra Leone
2024 45.2% 28.4%
2023 221.3% 47.7%
2022 171.2% 27.2%
2021 154.8% 11.9%
2020 84.9% 13.4%
2019 2.9% 14.8%
2018 6.1% 16%
2017 4.5% 18.2%
2016 -0.8% 10.9%
2015 -3.8% 6.7%
2014 1.1% 4.6%
2013 5.6% 5.5%
2012 6.6% 6.6%
2011 5% 6.8%
2010 4% 7.2%
2009 1.2% 7.5%
2008 10.7% 8.2%
2007 4.1% 17%
2006 4.1% 10.5%
2005 -1.4% 13.7%
2004 1.7% 12.9%
2003 1.3% 4%
2002 1.8% 0.1%
2001 -0.4% 2.6%
2000 -0.4% -0.9%
1999 0.2% 34.1%
1998 4.5% 36%
1997 7.7% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9.19M
Metals $3.61M
Chemicals & pharma $2.89M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.18M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.66M
Precious metals & jewellery $576K
Raw materials & minerals $572K
Wood & paper products $518K
Raw agricultural goods $235K
Miscellaneous $65K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $100K
Animal & marine products $79K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$348M
2023
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 43.1 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 165/197
Property rights 21.8 32.9
Government integrity 23.4 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 42
Tax burden 90.3 88.2
Government spending 93.3 92.4
Fiscal health 63.4 54.1
Business freedom 47.6 44.8
Labor freedom 48.4 38.2
Monetary freedom 0 53.6
Trade freedom 65.6 63.6
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Sierra Leone
2026 43.1 49.6
2025 44.1 48
2024 48.3 44.6
2023 45.6 50.2
2022 47.3 52
2021 51.4 51.7
2020 51.7 48
2019 51.1 47.5
2018 53.2 51.8
2017 53.3 52.6
2016 59.5 52.3
2015 59.3 51.7
2014 59.4 50.5
2013 59.5 48.3
2012 60.1 49.1
2011 60.1 49.6
2010 59.5 47.9
2009 58.1 47.8
2008 60 48.3
2007 60.4 47
2006 57.5 45.2
2005 57.2 44.8
2004 56.9 43.6
2003 56.7 42.2
2002 57.1 -
2001 61 -
2000 56.1 44.2
1999 59.1 47.2
1998 59 47.7
1997 63.9 45
1996 63.2 52.3
1995 - 49.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2018–2023, 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.