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Economy of Lebanon vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 128/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Lebanon vs Switzerland GDP by year

Lebanon
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Switzerland
2024 - $936,564,198,049
2023 $20,078,620,357 $894,424,821,645
2022 $20,992,421,949 $828,508,926,958
2021 $23,131,941,557 $815,309,330,987
2020 $31,712,128,254 $741,999,406,006
2019 $51,605,959,131 $721,369,112,727
2018 $54,901,519,156 $725,568,717,468
2017 $53,027,680,686 $695,200,833,086
2016 $51,147,308,774 $687,895,460,903
2015 $49,929,337,837 $694,118,186,380
2014 $48,095,213,747 $726,537,808,338
2013 $46,880,103,081 $706,234,937,371
2012 $44,016,799,516 $686,420,221,558
2011 $39,927,125,962 $715,888,126,682
2010 $38,443,907,042 $598,851,028,907
2009 $35,399,582,929 $554,212,916,092
2008 $29,118,916,105 $567,267,767,519
2007 $24,827,355,015 $490,740,715,595
2006 $22,022,709,851 $441,634,672,197
2005 $21,497,336,499 $418,284,865,885
2004 $21,159,827,992 $403,912,891,033
2003 $20,082,918,740 $362,075,086,508
2002 $19,152,238,806 $309,301,422,430
2001 $17,649,751,244 $286,582,672,434
2000 $17,260,364,842 $279,216,033,870
1999 $17,391,056,369 $297,873,643,323
1998 $17,247,179,006 $303,459,014,347
1997 $15,751,867,489 $294,788,198,856
1996 $13,690,217,334 $340,103,959,547
1995 $11,718,795,529 $352,835,806,342
1994 $9,599,127,050 $301,375,055,202
1993 $7,941,744,492 $272,237,527,071
1992 $5,843,579,161 $279,921,425,828
1991 $4,690,415,093 $268,901,693,863
1990 $2,838,485,354 $265,763,573,999
1989 $2,717,998,688 $208,105,846,934
1988 $3,313,540,068 $215,540,625,299
1987 - $199,236,370,038
1986 - $159,089,921,063
1985 - $110,980,314,192
1984 - $109,455,312,168
1983 - $114,634,358,535
1982 - $115,043,365,512
1981 - $112,244,805,519
1980 - $122,557,843,886
1979 - $114,970,094,425
1978 - $102,280,472,036
1977 - $73,135,771,167
1976 - $68,476,524,644
1975 - $65,466,081,819
1974 - $57,103,011,446
1973 - $49,550,006,320
1972 - $36,844,318,854
1971 - $30,040,171,751
1970 - $24,998,066,773
1969 - $22,442,043,274
1968 - $20,712,102,794
1967 - $19,397,044,714
1966 - $18,019,402,374
1965 - $16,780,226,225
1964 - $15,833,133,858
1963 - $14,283,872,299
1962 - $12,989,649,694
1961 - $11,713,348,834
1960 - $10,412,232,621

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

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Switzerland by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $103,998 $96,498
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $790 $2,990 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $771 - $31,309 -
1988 $959 - $32,690 -
1987 - - $30,441 -
1986 - - $24,460 -
1985 - - $17,152 -
1984 - - $16,991 -
1983 - - $17,859 -
1982 - - $18,000 -
1981 - - $17,665 -
1980 - - $19,394 -
1979 - - $18,266 -
1978 - - $16,282 -
1977 - - $11,644 -
1976 - - $10,865 -
1975 - - $10,328 -
1974 - - $9,005 -
1973 - - $7,856 -
1972 - - $5,885 -
1971 - - $4,835 -
1970 - - $4,044 -
1969 - - $3,657 -
1968 - - $3,413 -
1967 - - $3,237 -
1966 - - $3,045 -
1965 - - $2,865 -
1964 - - $2,735 -
1963 - - $2,508 -
1962 - - $2,330 -
1961 - - $2,155 -
1960 - - $1,954 -

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

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$937B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
20/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
8/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires
6
2025
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
4.34%
2024
Population
5906622
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 10.9% 358% 34.4% 41%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 37% 43.2%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 32% 39.6%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 30.6% 150% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 30% 44.8%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 32.9% 53.7%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 33% 51.3%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 32.4% 50%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 32.5% 47.1%
1993 23% 50.5% 32.5% 44.4%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 31.3% 39.5%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 29.5% 35.1%
1990 40% 99.7% 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 6/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Switzerland
2024 -0.19% 0.58%
2023 -1.7% 0.12%
2022 -7.77% 1.19%
2021 -2.67% -0.29%
2020 -7.37% -3.01%
2019 -10.5% 1.34%
2018 -11.3% 1.29%
2017 -8.65% 1.13%
2016 -8.88% 0.24%
2015 -7.48% 0.55%
2014 -6.22% -0.25%
2013 -8.82% -0.43%
2012 -8.43% 0.24%
2011 -5.94% 0.68%
2010 -7.47% 0.35%
2009 -8.1% 0.5%
2008 -9.86% 1.93%
2007 -10.9% 1.57%
2006 -10.6% 0.85%
2005 -8.57% -0.65%
2004 -9.83% -1.39%
2003 -14% -1.36%
2002 -16.2% -1.75%
2001 -21% 0.21%
2000 -23.9% 0.28%
1999 -16.7% -1.57%
1998 -17.3% -1.31%
1997 -24.5% -2.33%
1996 -25.7% -2.01%
1995 -13.6% -1.86%
1994 -29.1% -2.59%
1993 -7.19% -3.15%
1992 -24% -2.96%
1991 -19.5% -1.85%
1990 -30.2% -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $1.09B, or 0.12% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 13.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.48% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Switzerland
2024 45.2% 1.06%
2023 221.3% 2.14%
2022 171.2% 2.84%
2021 154.8% 0.58%
2020 84.9% -0.73%
2019 2.9% 0.36%
2018 6.1% 0.94%
2017 4.5% 0.53%
2016 -0.8% -0.43%
2015 -3.8% -1.14%
2014 1.1% -0.01%
2013 5.6% -0.22%
2012 6.6% -0.69%
2011 5% 0.23%
2010 4% 0.69%
2009 1.2% -0.48%
2008 10.7% 2.43%
2007 4.1% 0.73%
2006 4.1% 1.06%
2005 -1.4% 1.17%
2004 1.7% 0.8%
2003 1.3% 0.64%
2002 1.8% 0.64%
2001 -0.4% 0.99%
2000 -0.4% 1.56%
1999 0.2% 0.81%
1998 4.5% 0.02%
1997 7.7% 0.52%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $144M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.14M
Raw agricultural goods $1.51M
Wood & paper products $939K
Textiles & consumer goods $377K
Machinery & equipment $374K
Chemicals & pharma $206K
Metals $107K
Raw materials & minerals $49K
Miscellaneous $38K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $894M
Chemicals & pharma $72.5M
Machinery & equipment $14.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.39M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.45M
Wood & paper products $2.42M
Raw materials & minerals $1.83M
Raw agricultural goods $1.62M
Animal & marine products $969K
Metals $472K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Switzerland
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$502B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$203B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Switzerland
Economic freedom 43.1 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 2/197
Property rights 21.8 94.4
Government integrity 23.4 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 98.3
Tax burden 90.3 70.9
Government spending 93.3 69.5
Fiscal health 63.4 97.2
Business freedom 47.6 86.3
Labor freedom 48.4 60
Monetary freedom 0 82.3
Trade freedom 65.6 87
Investment freedom 20 85
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Switzerland
2026 43.1 83.7
2025 44.1 83.7
2024 48.3 83
2023 45.6 83.8
2022 47.3 84.2
2021 51.4 81.9
2020 51.7 82
2019 51.1 81.9
2018 53.2 81.7
2017 53.3 81.5
2016 59.5 81
2015 59.3 80.5
2014 59.4 81.6
2013 59.5 81
2012 60.1 81.1
2011 60.1 81.9
2010 59.5 81.1
2009 58.1 79.4
2008 60 79.5
2007 60.4 78
2006 57.5 78.9
2005 57.2 79.3
2004 56.9 79.5
2003 56.7 79
2002 57.1 79.3
2001 61 76
2000 56.1 76.8
1999 59.1 79.1
1998 59 79
1997 63.9 78.6
1996 63.2 76.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
27%
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/switzerland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.