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Economy of Lebanon vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $109B for Sri Lanka, ranking 121/197 and 71/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $100B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Lebanon vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Lebanon
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Sri Lanka
2025 - $108,825,231,671
2024 $25,971,643,441 $99,616,111,266
2023 $20,078,620,357 $84,080,307,356
2022 $20,992,421,949 $74,143,020,304
2021 $23,131,941,557 $88,556,699,052
2020 $31,712,128,254 $84,335,574,372
2019 $51,605,959,131 $88,998,706,178
2018 $54,901,519,156 $94,450,015,983
2017 $53,027,680,686 $94,369,350,439
2016 $51,147,308,774 $88,000,210,878
2015 $49,929,337,837 $85,090,300,896
2014 $48,095,213,747 $82,531,125,462
2013 $46,880,103,081 $76,976,204,075
2012 $44,016,799,516 $70,447,216,891
2011 $39,927,125,962 $67,753,285,882
2010 $38,443,907,042 $58,636,049,581
2009 $35,399,582,929 $42,066,224,093
2008 $29,118,916,105 $40,713,826,215
2007 $24,827,355,015 $32,350,238,760
2006 $22,022,709,851 $28,267,410,543
2005 $21,497,336,499 $24,405,791,045
2004 $21,159,827,992 $20,662,525,941
2003 $20,082,918,740 $18,881,765,437
2002 $19,152,238,806 $16,536,535,647
2001 $17,649,751,244 $15,749,753,805
2000 $17,260,364,842 $16,595,882,819
1999 $17,391,056,369 $15,711,933,513
1998 $17,247,179,006 $15,760,736,956
1997 $15,751,867,489 $15,091,913,884
1996 $13,690,217,334 $13,897,738,375
1995 $11,718,795,529 $13,029,697,561
1994 $9,599,127,050 $11,717,604,209
1993 $7,941,744,492 $10,338,679,636
1992 $5,843,579,161 $9,703,011,636
1991 $4,690,415,093 $9,000,362,582
1990 $2,838,485,354 $8,032,551,173
1989 $2,717,998,688 $6,987,267,684
1988 $3,313,540,068 $6,978,371,581
1987 - $6,682,167,120
1986 - $6,405,210,564
1985 - $5,978,460,972
1984 - $6,043,474,843
1983 - $5,167,913,302
1982 - $4,768,765,017
1981 - $4,415,844,156
1980 - $4,024,621,900
1979 - $3,364,611,432
1978 - $2,733,183,857
1977 - $4,104,509,583
1976 - $3,591,319,857
1975 - $3,791,298,146
1974 - $3,574,586,466
1973 - $2,875,625,000
1972 - $2,553,936,348
1971 - $2,369,308,600
1970 - $2,296,470,588
1969 - $1,965,546,218
1968 - $1,801,344,538
1967 - $1,859,465,021
1966 - $1,751,470,588
1965 - $1,698,319,328
1964 - $1,309,747,899
1963 - $1,240,672,269
1962 - $1,434,156,379
1961 - $1,444,327,731
1960 - $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Sri Lanka by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $5,002 -
2024 $4,473 - $4,545 $15,633
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $3,815 $14,456
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $946 $4,850
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $835 $4,522
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $804 $4,328
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $860 $4,368
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $829 $4,103
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $848 $3,952
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $827 $3,804
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $776 $3,582
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $742 $3,454
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $678 $3,260
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $607 $3,067
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $580 $2,851
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $546 $2,713
1990 $790 $2,990 $491 $2,527
1989 $771 - $430 -
1988 $959 - $434 -
1987 - - $420 -
1986 - - $407 -
1985 - - $385 -
1984 - - $391 -
1983 - - $336 -
1982 - - $312 -
1981 - - $292.5 -
1980 - - $271.1 -
1979 - - $230.8 -
1978 - - $191 -
1977 - - $292.1 -
1976 - - $260.3 -
1975 - - $279.8 -
1974 - - $268.7 -
1973 - - $220.2 -
1972 - - $199.4 -
1971 - - $188.8 -
1970 - - $186.9 -
1969 - - $163.6 -
1968 - - $153.5 -
1967 - - $162.3 -
1966 - - $156.6 -
1965 - - $155.6 -
1964 - - $122.9 -
1963 - - $119.4 -
1962 - - $141.4 -
1961 - - $145.9 -
1960 - - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sri-lanka | CC BY

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $5,002 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$109B
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
71/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
4.95%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$5,002
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
124/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
111/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$100B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$4,584
2024
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
90/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$2,830
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$26.1B
2025
Number of billionaires
6
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
-4.76%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
4.32%
2024
Population
5921719
21926160

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% - -
2024 15.3% 157.9% 19.1% 100.8%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 10.5% 346% 20% 102.7%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 32.1% 154% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 18.2% 75%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 21% 72.8%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 23% 50.5% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 23% 77.9%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 40% 99.7% 25.4% 78.9%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 8/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Sri Lanka
2025 3.25% -
2024 0.39% -5.43%
2023 -1.64% -8.32%
2022 -7.49% -10.2%
2021 -2.57% -11.7%
2020 -7.79% -13.4%
2019 -10.5% -7.52%
2018 -11.2% -4.96%
2017 -8.68% -5.1%
2016 -8.98% -5%
2015 -7.49% -6.64%
2014 -6.22% -5.99%
2013 -8.83% -5%
2012 -8.43% -5.44%
2011 -5.94% -6.01%
2010 -7.47% -6.73%
2009 -8.1% -8.33%
2008 -9.86% -5.93%
2007 -10.9% -5.81%
2006 -10.6% -5.91%
2005 -8.57% -5.93%
2004 -9.83% -6.32%
2003 -14% -6.15%
2002 -16.2% -6.9%
2001 -21% -8.48%
2000 -23.9% -7.78%
1999 -16.7% -5.58%
1998 -17.3% -6.79%
1997 -24.5% -5.71%
1996 -25.7% -6.89%
1995 -13.6% -7.11%
1994 -29.1% -7.41%
1993 -7.19% -5.77%
1992 -24% -4.95%
1991 -19.5% -7.97%
1990 -30.2% -6.39%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.4B, or 5.43% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 12.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.84% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Sri Lanka
2025 14.6% -4.76%
2024 45.2% -0.43%
2023 221.3% 16.5%
2022 171.2% 49.7%
2021 154.8% 7.01%
2020 84.9% 6.15%
2019 2.9% 3.53%
2018 6.1% 2.14%
2017 4.4% 7.7%
2016 -0.8% 3.96%
2015 -3.7% 3.77%
2014 1.9% 3.18%
2013 4.8% 6.91%
2012 6.6% 7.54%
2011 5% 6.72%
2010 4% 6.22%
2009 1.2% 3.46%
2008 10.7% 22.6%
2007 4.1% 15.8%
2006 4.1% 10%
2005 -1.4% 11.6%
2004 1.7% 7.58%
2003 1.3% 6.31%
2002 1.8% 9.55%
2001 -0.4% 14.2%
2000 -0.4% 6.18%
1999 0.2% 4.69%
1998 4.5% 9.36%
1997 7.7% 9.57%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 8.86% in Sri Lanka. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and -4.76% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $795K
Raw agricultural goods $136K
Machinery & equipment $91K
Miscellaneous $57K
Wood & paper products $42K
Metals $24K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $13.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.88M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.85M
Raw materials & minerals $217K
Machinery & equipment $170K
Metals $116K
Animal & marine products $31K
Precious metals & jewellery $25K
Chemicals & pharma $20K
Wood & paper products $14K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Sri Lanka
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
22.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 43.1 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 162/197
Property rights 21.8 47.3
Government integrity 23.4 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 47.2
Tax burden 90.3 77
Government spending 93.3 89
Fiscal health 63.4 0
Business freedom 47.6 60.1
Labor freedom 48.4 54.3
Monetary freedom 0 65.9
Trade freedom 65.6 65.6
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Sri Lanka
2026 43.1 50.3
2025 44.1 49.4
2024 48.3 49.2
2023 45.6 52.2
2022 47.3 53.3
2021 51.4 55.7
2020 51.7 57.4
2019 51.1 56.4
2018 53.2 57.8
2017 53.3 57.4
2016 59.5 59.9
2015 59.3 58.6
2014 59.4 60
2013 59.5 60.7
2012 60.1 58.3
2011 60.1 57.1
2010 59.5 54.6
2009 58.1 56
2008 60 58.4
2007 60.4 59.4
2006 57.5 58.7
2005 57.2 61
2004 56.9 61.6
2003 56.7 62.5
2002 57.1 64
2001 61 66
2000 56.1 63.2
1999 59.1 64
1998 59 64.6
1997 63.9 65.5
1996 63.2 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
54.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
25.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
8.36%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$102B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$16,750
2025
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
96/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
4.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
29.6%
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/sri-lanka | 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 (2020–2024, 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.