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Economy of Lebanon vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 128/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Lebanon vs Sudan GDP by year

Lebanon
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Sudan
2024 - $49,672,435,513
2023 $20,078,620,357 $39,898,289,821
2022 $20,992,421,949 $51,666,875,363
2021 $23,131,941,557 $34,229,513,775
2020 $31,712,128,254 $27,034,593,750
2019 $51,605,959,131 $32,338,079,165
2018 $54,901,519,156 $32,333,780,383
2017 $53,027,680,686 $41,283,617,976
2016 $51,147,308,774 $42,630,376,000
2015 $49,929,337,837 $51,726,758,677
2014 $48,095,213,747 $49,516,748,618
2013 $46,880,103,081 $43,024,018,082
2012 $44,016,799,516 $37,632,919,967
2011 $39,927,125,962 $55,018,567,211
2010 $38,443,907,042 $58,962,978,034
2009 $35,399,582,929 $51,621,044,077
2008 $29,118,916,105 $64,833,083,257
2007 $24,827,355,015 $59,440,139,775
2006 $22,022,709,851 $45,263,831,634
2005 $21,497,336,499 $35,182,711,988
2004 $21,159,827,992 $26,646,007,251
2003 $20,082,918,740 $21,355,298,460
2002 $19,152,238,806 $18,137,128,388
2001 $17,649,751,244 $15,716,361,792
2000 $17,260,364,842 $12,257,299,147
1999 $17,391,056,369 $10,682,028,340
1998 $17,247,179,006 $11,250,221,537
1997 $15,751,867,489 $11,681,175,864
1996 $13,690,217,334 $9,018,300,725
1995 $11,718,795,529 $13,830,363,900
1994 $9,599,127,050 $12,793,794,737
1993 $7,941,744,492 $8,881,005,436
1992 $5,843,579,161 $7,031,933,492
1991 $4,690,415,093 $44,171,194,366
1990 $2,838,485,354 $33,641,222,222
1989 $2,717,998,688 $21,408,111,111
1988 $3,313,540,068 $14,372,555,556
1987 - $12,093,333,333
1986 - $10,092,200,000
1985 - $8,075,259,600
1984 - $10,447,615,385
1983 - $8,230,153,846
1982 - $8,732,542,274
1981 - $10,753,888,154
1980 - $8,951,800,000
1979 - $8,418,407,787
1978 - $8,128,719,315
1977 - $7,499,005,639
1976 - $6,013,210,816
1975 - $4,823,090,192
1974 - $3,958,931,660
1973 - $3,077,254,460
1972 - $2,483,055,722
1971 - $2,288,340,041
1970 - $2,100,229,759
1969 - $1,847,501,441
1968 - $1,677,771,401
1967 - $1,607,409,539
1966 - $1,484,491,676
1965 - $1,446,869,619
1964 - $1,388,282,600
1963 - $1,351,234,926
1962 - $1,328,259,625
1961 - $1,222,860,429
1960 - $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Sudan by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $985 $2,116
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $797 $2,421
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $712 $3,249
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $578 $3,349
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $710 $3,914
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $731 $4,199
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $967 $4,252
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $872 $3,215
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $714 $3,058
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $621 $2,898
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $551 $2,769
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $441 $2,616
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $394 $2,475
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $425 $2,428
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $453 $2,358
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $357 $2,006
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $561 $1,902
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $532 $1,805
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $379 $1,794
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $307 $1,710
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $790 $2,990 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $771 - $992 -
1988 $959 - $680 -
1987 - - $584 -
1986 - - $497 -
1985 - - $406 -
1984 - - $534 -
1983 - - $431 -
1982 - - $472 -
1981 - - $605 -
1980 - - $525 -
1979 - - $515 -
1978 - - $518 -
1977 - - $497 -
1976 - - $413 -
1975 - - $343 -
1974 - - $291.5 -
1973 - - $235.8 -
1972 - - $198.2 -
1971 - - $189 -
1970 - - $179.6 -
1969 - - $163.5 -
1968 - - $153.7 -
1967 - - $152.4 -
1966 - - $145.6 -
1965 - - $146.8 -
1964 - - $145.7 -
1963 - - $146.6 -
1962 - - $148.9 -
1961 - - $141.6 -
1960 - - $134.7 -

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

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Sudan
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
94/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
185/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$1,704
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
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
7.53%
2022
Population
5906622
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 10.9% 358% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 30.6% 150% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 18.8% 71%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 12.9% 239%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 19.6% 386%
1993 23% 50.5% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 50.4% 495%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 45.7% -
1990 40% 99.7% 31% -

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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 6/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Sudan
2024 -0.19% -3.46%
2023 -1.7% -3.7%
2022 -7.77% -2.15%
2021 -2.67% -0.29%
2020 -7.37% -6.03%
2019 -10.5% -10.8%
2018 -11.3% -7.92%
2017 -8.65% -6.07%
2016 -8.88% -3.92%
2015 -7.48% -3.87%
2014 -6.22% -4.72%
2013 -8.82% -5.76%
2012 -8.43% -7.37%
2011 -5.94% -2.33%
2010 -7.47% 0.11%
2009 -8.1% -3.8%
2008 -9.86% 0.49%
2007 -10.9% -2.84%
2006 -10.6% -1.32%
2005 -8.57% -1.88%
2004 -9.83% 0.16%
2003 -14% 0.77%
2002 -16.2% -0.69%
2001 -21% -0.77%
2000 -23.9% -0.7%
1999 -16.7% -0.8%
1998 -17.3% -0.56%
1997 -24.5% -0.59%
1996 -25.7% -2.61%
1995 -13.6% -3.48%
1994 -29.1% -3.03%
1993 -7.19% -8.04%
1992 -24% -24.5%
1991 -19.5% -26.5%
1990 -30.2% -16.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.47B, or 3.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 13.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.76% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Sudan
2024 45.2% -
2023 221.3% -
2022 171.2% 138.8%
2021 154.8% 359%
2020 84.9% 163.3%
2019 2.9% 51%
2018 6.1% 63.3%
2017 4.5% 32.4%
2016 -0.8% 17.8%
2015 -3.8% 16.9%
2014 1.1% 36.9%
2013 5.6% 36.5%
2012 6.6% 35.6%
2011 5% 18.1%
2010 4% 13%
2009 1.2% 11.3%
2008 10.7% 14.3%
2007 4.1% 14.8%
2006 4.1% 7.2%
2005 -1.4% 8.51%
2004 1.7% 9.66%
2003 1.3% 6.49%
2002 1.8% 22.2%
2001 -0.4% 1.94%
2000 -0.4% 7.12%
1999 0.2% 17.2%
1998 4.5% 24.6%
1997 7.7% 47.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 26 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 18.4%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.54M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.78M
Chemicals & pharma $871K
Metals $759K
Raw agricultural goods $480K
Textiles & consumer goods $292K
Wood & paper products $136K
Raw materials & minerals $60K
Miscellaneous $58K
Animal & marine products $54K
Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $26M
Animal & marine products $3.43M
Machinery & equipment $57K
Wood & paper products $30K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Sudan
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Sudan
Economic freedom 43.1 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 191/197
Property rights 21.8 6.5
Government integrity 23.4 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 2.4
Tax burden 90.3 84.7
Government spending 93.3 96.5
Fiscal health 63.4 64.6
Business freedom 47.6 27.3
Labor freedom 48.4 33.6
Monetary freedom 0 6.2
Trade freedom 65.6 29.6
Investment freedom 20 5
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Sudan
2026 43.1 32.5
2025 44.1 35.3
2024 48.3 33.9
2023 45.6 32.8
2022 47.3 32
2021 51.4 39.1
2020 51.7 45
2019 51.1 47.7
2018 53.2 49.4
2017 53.3 48.8
2016 59.5 -
2015 59.3 -
2014 59.4 -
2013 59.5 -
2012 60.1 -
2011 60.1 -
2010 59.5 -
2009 58.1 -
2008 60 -
2007 60.4 -
2006 57.5 -
2005 57.2 -
2004 56.9 -
2003 56.7 -
2002 57.1 -
2001 61 -
2000 56.1 47.2
1999 59.1 39.6
1998 59 38.3
1997 63.9 39.9
1996 63.2 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Sudan
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
2.89%
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/sudan | 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.