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Economy of Lebanon vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $7.46B for Sierra Leone, ranking 121/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $3.38B (45.2% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Lebanon vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Lebanon
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Sierra Leone
2025 - $7,464,157,904
2024 $25,971,643,441 $6,971,127,234
2023 $20,078,620,357 $6,415,852,766
2022 $20,992,421,949 $7,121,125,277
2021 $23,131,941,557 $7,166,931,483
2020 $31,712,128,254 $6,688,307,706
2019 $51,605,959,131 $6,523,577,590
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 - - $846 -
2024 $4,473 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $846 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
$26B
2024
$7.46B
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
160/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
4.61%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$846
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
186/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
171/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$3.38B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
45.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$383
2025
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
173/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$1,418
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
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
16.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
7.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
16.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
1.65%
2018
Population
5921719
9090531

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
2025 15.5% 139.4% 16.5% 45.2%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 17.6% 46.7%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 15.4% 49.4%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 16.7% 54%
2021 10.5% 346% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 32.1% 154% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 15% 44.2%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.23B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 45.2% in Sierra Leone, ranking 8/185 and 115/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Sierra Leone
2025 3.25% -4.2%
2024 0.39% -5.16%
2023 -1.64% -4.99%
2022 -7.49% -5.93%
2021 -2.57% -4.35%
2020 -7.79% -3.5%
2019 -10.5% -1.95%
2018 -11.2% -3.57%
2017 -8.68% -5.61%
2016 -8.98% -5.41%
2015 -7.49% -2.86%
2014 -6.22% -2.77%
2013 -8.83% -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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $359M, or 5.16% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 9.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.51% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Sierra Leone
2025 14.6% 7.6%
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 4.4% 18.2%
2016 -0.8% 10.9%
2015 -3.7% 6.7%
2014 1.9% 4.6%
2013 4.8% 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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 13.6% in Sierra Leone. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 7.6% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.15M
Chemicals & pharma $2.76M
Metals $2.72M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.28M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $517K
Wood & paper products $414K
Raw materials & minerals $390K
Raw agricultural goods $357K
Animal & marine products $159K
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
-$984M
2024
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$2.4B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$1.55B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$514M
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$49.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
20.9%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
35.7%
2024
41.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
25.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
29.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$7.34B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$3,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
161/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$122M
2024
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
9.68%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
23.2%
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/sierra-leone | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, 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.