Skip to content

Economy of Lebanon vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 121/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Lebanon vs South Korea GDP by year

Lebanon
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon South Korea
2025 - $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $25,971,643,441 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $20,078,620,357 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $20,992,421,949 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $23,131,941,557 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $31,712,128,254 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $51,605,959,131 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $54,901,519,156 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $53,027,680,686 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $51,147,308,774 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $49,929,337,837 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $48,095,213,747 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $46,880,103,081 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $44,016,799,516 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $39,927,125,962 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $38,443,907,042 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $35,399,582,929 $983,065,242,417
2008 $29,118,916,105 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $24,827,355,015 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $22,022,709,851 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $21,497,336,499 $971,740,329,984
2004 $21,159,827,992 $823,251,107,639
2003 $20,082,918,740 $728,516,494,684
2002 $19,152,238,806 $650,014,391,470
2001 $17,649,751,244 $567,564,806,235
2000 $17,260,364,842 $597,487,173,479
1999 $17,391,056,369 $515,697,079,289
1998 $17,247,179,006 $397,297,216,492
1997 $15,751,867,489 $589,202,526,424
1996 $13,690,217,334 $631,196,863,758
1995 $11,718,795,529 $586,286,469,401
1994 $9,599,127,050 $479,181,794,217
1993 $7,941,744,492 $405,705,302,846
1992 $5,843,579,161 $366,921,291,825
1991 $4,690,415,093 $340,851,946,804
1990 $2,838,485,354 $292,064,221,389
1989 $2,717,998,688 $254,236,243,100
1988 $3,313,540,068 $205,477,530,605
1987 - $152,240,393,646
1986 - $119,965,960,795
1985 - $103,764,281,281
1984 - $99,749,645,089
1983 - $89,621,208,322
1982 - $79,921,300,447
1981 - $74,287,368,087
1980 - $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 - $39,064,462,810
1976 - $30,371,074,380
1975 - $22,126,033,058
1974 - $19,860,929,977
1973 - $14,067,523,813
1972 - $10,990,490,570
1971 - $10,005,257,131
1970 - $9,085,001,794
1969 - $7,743,940,189
1968 - $6,167,109,472
1967 - $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs South Korea by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $36,227 -
2024 $4,473 - $36,239 $61,051
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $790 $2,990 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $771 - $5,989 -
1988 $959 - $4,889 -
1987 - - $3,658 -
1986 - - $2,911 -
1985 - - $2,543 -
1984 - - $2,469 -
1983 - - $2,246 -
1982 - - $2,032 -
1981 - - $1,918 -
1980 - - $1,746 -
1979 - - $1,814 -
1978 - - $1,429 -
1977 - - $1,073 -
1976 - - $847 -
1975 - - $627 -
1974 - - $572 -
1973 - - $412 -
1972 - - $328 -
1971 - - $304 -
1970 - - $281.8 -
1969 - - $245.5 -
1968 - - $200 -
1967 - - $162.5 -
1966 - - $134.4 -
1965 - - $109.4 -
1964 - - $124.2 -
1963 - - $147 -
1962 - - $106.6 -
1961 - - $94.2 -
1960 - - $158.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/south-korea | CC BY

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Lebanon South Korea
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
13/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
33/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires
6
2026
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
2.79%
2025
Population
5921719
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% 24% 52.3%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 10.5% 346% 24.1% 48%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 32.1% 154% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 18.6% 38%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 19% 36%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 18.7% 27%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 16% 16.1%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 16% 13.8%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 14% 7.81%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 23% 50.5% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 40% 99.7% 15.2% 12.8%
1989 - - 15% 12.4%
1988 - - 13.9% 12.7%
1987 - - 14.3% 15.3%
1986 - - 14.9% 14.5%
1985 - - 15.5% 16.2%
1984 - - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 - - 16% 19.3%
1982 - - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 - - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 - - 16.8% 18.6%
1979 - - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 - - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 - - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 - - 17% 20.4%
1975 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 - - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 - - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 - - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 - - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 - - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 - - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 - - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 - - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 - - 16% 4.44%
1965 - - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 - - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 - - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 - - 22.3% 13%
1961 - - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 - - 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 8/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon South Korea
2025 3.25% -1.43%
2024 0.39% -0.78%
2023 -1.64% -0.67%
2022 -7.49% -1.49%
2021 -2.57% -0.02%
2020 -7.79% -2.11%
2019 -10.5% 0.35%
2018 -11.2% 2.42%
2017 -8.68% 2.08%
2016 -8.98% 1.56%
2015 -7.49% 0.5%
2014 -6.22% 0.57%
2013 -8.83% 0.79%
2012 -8.43% 1.63%
2011 -5.94% 1.72%
2010 -7.47% 1.61%
2009 -8.1% 0.24%
2008 -9.86% 1.58%
2007 -10.9% 2.49%
2006 -10.6% 1.18%
2005 -8.57% 0.95%
2004 -9.83% 0.09%
2003 -14% 1.51%
2002 -16.2% 3.23%
2001 -21% 2.42%
2000 -23.9% 3.91%
1999 -16.7% 1.15%
1998 -17.3% 1.09%
1997 -24.5% 2.31%
1996 -25.7% 2.3%
1995 -13.6% 2.16%
1994 -29.1% 2.06%
1993 -7.19% 3.21%
1992 -24% 2.42%
1991 -19.5% 1.94%
1990 -30.2% 2.98%
1989 - 2.27%
1988 - 2.85%
1987 - 1.7%
1986 - 0.8%
1985 - 0.47%
1984 - 0.78%
1983 - 1.05%
1982 - -0.41%
1981 - 0.99%
1980 - 0.46%
1979 - 0.47%
1978 - -0.27%
1977 - -1.81%
1976 - -0.87%
1975 - -3.68%
1974 - -2.78%
1973 - -1.72%
1972 - -4.33%
1971 - -1.3%
1970 - -0.52%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.36%
1967 - -2.87%
1966 - -4.27%
1965 - -3.43%
1964 - -4.1%
1963 - -4.32%
1962 - -7.82%
1961 - -9.48%
1960 - -5.18%
1959 - -6.52%
1958 - -10%
1957 - -10.1%
1956 - -10.8%
1955 - -10.6%
1954 - -10.3%
1953 - -4.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/south-korea | 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 South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 12.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon South Korea
2025 14.6% 2.12%
2024 45.2% 2.32%
2023 221.3% 3.6%
2022 171.2% 5.09%
2021 154.8% 2.5%
2020 84.9% 0.54%
2019 2.9% 0.38%
2018 6.1% 1.48%
2017 4.4% 1.94%
2016 -0.8% 0.97%
2015 -3.7% 0.71%
2014 1.9% 1.27%
2013 4.8% 1.3%
2012 6.6% 2.19%
2011 5% 4.03%
2010 4% 2.94%
2009 1.2% 2.76%
2008 10.7% 4.67%
2007 4.1% 2.53%
2006 4.1% 2.24%
2005 -1.4% 2.75%
2004 1.7% 3.59%
2003 1.3% 3.51%
2002 1.8% 2.76%
2001 -0.4% 4.07%
2000 -0.4% 2.26%
1999 0.2% 0.81%
1998 4.5% 7.51%
1997 7.7% 4.44%

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/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Metals $92.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $277K
Machinery & equipment $195K
Textiles & consumer goods $130K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $113K
Chemicals & pharma $46K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Miscellaneous $11K
Wood & paper products $6K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $64.8M
Chemicals & pharma $27.7M
Raw materials & minerals $10M
Metals $6.98M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.6M
Wood & paper products $1.22M
Raw agricultural goods $579K
Animal & marine products $101K
Miscellaneous $79K

Balance of trade

Lebanon South Korea
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$719B
2025
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$185B
2025
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon South Korea
Economic freedom 43.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 24/197
Property rights 21.8 89.6
Government integrity 23.4 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 77.5
Tax burden 90.3 61.5
Government spending 93.3 82.6
Fiscal health 63.4 93.5
Business freedom 47.6 81.5
Labor freedom 48.4 55
Monetary freedom 0 79.3
Trade freedom 65.6 73
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon South Korea
2026 43.1 73.7
2025 44.1 74
2024 48.3 73.1
2023 45.6 73.7
2022 47.3 74.6
2021 51.4 74
2020 51.7 74
2019 51.1 72.3
2018 53.2 73.8
2017 53.3 74.3
2016 59.5 71.7
2015 59.3 71.5
2014 59.4 71.2
2013 59.5 70.3
2012 60.1 69.9
2011 60.1 69.8
2010 59.5 69.9
2009 58.1 68.1
2008 60 68.6
2007 60.4 67.8
2006 57.5 67.5
2005 57.2 66.4
2004 56.9 67.8
2003 56.7 68.3
2002 57.1 69.5
2001 61 69.1
2000 56.1 69.7
1999 59.1 69.7
1998 59 73.3
1997 63.9 69.8
1996 63.2 73
1995 - 72

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon South Korea
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
29.1%
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/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.