Skip to content

Economy of Lebanon vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 121/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Lebanon vs Syria GDP by year

Lebanon
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Syria
2024 $25,971,643,441 -
2023 $20,078,620,357 $19,993,439,950
2022 $20,992,421,949 $23,737,634,644
2021 $23,131,941,557 $14,892,885,528
2020 $31,712,128,254 $12,501,503,673
2019 $51,605,959,131 $22,583,046,645
2018 $54,901,519,156 $21,497,779,248
2017 $53,027,680,686 $16,369,842,725
2016 $51,147,308,774 $12,597,854,088
2015 $49,929,337,837 $16,466,861,435
2014 $48,095,213,747 $21,502,061,466
2013 $46,880,103,081 $21,361,254,635
2012 $44,016,799,516 $43,190,318,033
2011 $39,927,125,962 $67,539,433,544
2010 $38,443,907,042 $61,390,833,273
2009 $35,399,582,929 $54,111,721,044
2008 $29,118,916,105 $52,557,913,397
2007 $24,827,355,015 $40,465,331,020
2006 $22,022,709,851 $33,751,812,959
2005 $21,497,336,499 $28,858,937,499
2004 $21,159,827,992 $25,086,910,448
2003 $20,082,918,740 $21,828,144,686
2002 $19,152,238,806 $20,786,986,580
2001 $17,649,751,244 $20,078,599,626
2000 $17,260,364,842 $18,937,031,610
1999 $17,391,056,369 $15,873,875,969
1998 $17,247,179,006 $15,200,846,154
1997 $15,751,867,489 $14,505,233,463
1996 $13,690,217,334 $13,789,560,878
1995 $11,718,795,529 $11,396,706,587
1994 $9,599,127,050 $10,122,020,000
1993 $7,941,744,492 $13,695,962,055
1992 $5,843,579,161 $13,253,565,861
1991 $4,690,415,093 $12,981,833,333
1990 $2,838,485,354 $12,308,624,418
1989 $2,717,998,688 $9,853,395,762
1988 $3,313,540,068 $10,577,041,645
1987 - $11,356,215,543
1986 - $13,293,205,278
1985 - $16,403,539,893
1984 - $17,503,078,174
1983 - $17,589,277,143
1982 - $16,298,929,011
1981 - $15,518,201,335
1980 - $13,062,420,382
1979 - $9,929,681,529
1978 - $9,275,200,458
1977 - $7,696,011,396
1976 - $7,633,528,867
1975 - $6,826,980,444
1974 - $5,159,557,148
1973 - $3,239,487,516
1972 - $3,059,681,698
1971 - $2,589,851,325
1970 - $2,140,384,010
1969 - $2,245,011,515
1968 - $1,753,746,430
1967 - $1,580,229,799
1966 - $1,342,287,553
1965 - $1,472,036,540
1964 - $1,339,494,267
1963 - $1,200,447,408
1962 - $1,110,565,881
1961 - $945,244,972
1960 - $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Syria by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,473 - - -
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $847 $4,650
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $689 $4,593
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $594 $3,738
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $852 $3,265
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $656 -
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $848 -
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $1,061 -
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $986 -
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $1,898 -
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $2,952 -
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $2,731 -
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $2,462 -
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $2,429 -
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $1,938 -
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $1,719 -
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $1,534 -
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $1,368 -
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $1,220 -
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $1,190 -
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $1,178 -
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $1,138 -
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $978 -
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $961 -
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $941 -
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $918 -
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $780 -
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $712 -
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $993 -
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $990 -
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $1,000 -
1990 $790 $2,990 $978 -
1989 $771 - $809 -
1988 $959 - $898 -
1987 - - $997 -
1986 - - $1,208 -
1985 - - $1,544 -
1984 - - $1,706 -
1983 - - $1,776 -
1982 - - $1,703 -
1981 - - $1,676 -
1980 - - $1,458 -
1979 - - $1,146 -
1978 - - $1,108 -
1977 - - $951 -
1976 - - $976 -
1975 - - $904 -
1974 - - $707 -
1973 - - $459 -
1972 - - $448 -
1971 - - $393 -
1970 - - $335 -
1969 - - $364 -
1968 - - $293.3 -
1967 - - $272.9 -
1966 - - $239.3 -
1965 - - $270.8 -
1964 - - $254.2 -
1963 - - $234.9 -
1962 - - $223.9 -
1961 - - $196.3 -
1960 - - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Syria
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
121/197
2024
134/197
2023
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
160/197
2023
Government debt
$41B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$693
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
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
14.9%
2011
Population
5921719
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% - -
2024 15.3% 157.9% - -
2023 14.3% 185.8% - -
2022 12.9% 235.9% - -
2021 10.5% 346% - -
2020 24.5% 157.2% - -
2019 31.3% 171.9% - -
2018 32.1% 154% - -
2017 30.7% 150.4% - -
2016 28.6% 147.9% - -
2015 26.7% 140.9% - -
2014 28.9% 138.5% - -
2013 28.9% 135.4% - -
2012 30.2% 131.1% - -
2011 28.8% 134.4% - -
2010 29.2% 136.8% 28.6% 30%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 26.3% 45%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 31.3% 113%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 28% 144.5%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 28% 147.7%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 29% 147.6%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 30.3% 163%
1993 23% 50.5% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 40% 99.7% 28.3% 189.8%

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/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 30% in Syria, ranking 8/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Syria
2025 3.25% -
2024 0.39% -
2023 -1.64% -
2022 -7.49% -
2021 -2.57% -
2020 -7.79% -
2019 -10.5% -
2018 -11.2% -
2017 -8.68% -
2016 -8.98% -
2015 -7.49% -
2014 -6.22% -
2013 -8.83% -
2012 -8.43% -
2011 -5.94% -
2010 -7.47% -7.79%
2009 -8.1% -2.89%
2008 -9.86% -2.86%
2007 -10.9% -2.99%
2006 -10.6% -1.12%
2005 -8.57% -4.41%
2004 -9.83% -4.18%
2003 -14% -2.7%
2002 -16.2% -2.02%
2001 -21% 2.3%
2000 -23.9% -1.36%
1999 -16.7% -1.47%
1998 -17.3% -2.81%
1997 -24.5% -1.78%
1996 -25.7% -2.83%
1995 -13.6% -3.81%
1994 -29.1% -6%
1993 -7.19% -4.96%
1992 -24% -7.26%
1991 -19.5% -6.57%
1990 -30.2% -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Lebanon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.87B, equivalent to 7.47% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 16.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Syria
2025 14.6% -
2024 45.2% -
2023 221.3% -
2022 171.2% -
2021 154.8% -
2020 84.9% -
2019 2.9% 13.4%
2018 6.1% 0.94%
2017 4.4% 18.1%
2016 -0.8% 47.7%
2015 -3.7% 38.5%
2014 1.9% 10.9%
2013 4.8% 40%
2012 6.6% 36.7%
2011 5% 4.75%
2010 4% 4.4%
2009 1.2% 2.92%
2008 10.7% 15.7%
2007 4.1% 3.91%
2006 4.1% 10%
2005 -1.4% 7.24%
2004 1.7% 4.43%
2003 1.3% 5.8%
2002 1.8% -0.13%
2001 -0.4% 3%
2000 -0.4% -3.85%
1999 0.2% -3.7%
1998 4.5% -0.8%
1997 7.7% 1.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.88%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $29.3M
Chemicals & pharma $23.2M
Machinery & equipment $20.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.42M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.95M
Raw materials & minerals $4.42M
Metals $3.58M
Wood & paper products $3.35M
Miscellaneous $993K
Animal & marine products $679K
Syria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $193M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $47.6M
Animal & marine products $41.2M
Chemicals & pharma $39.8M
Raw agricultural goods $37.3M
Metals $35.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $15.9M
Wood & paper products $13.9M
Machinery & equipment $11M
Miscellaneous $869K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Syria
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Syria
Economic freedom 43.1 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 155/197
Property rights 21.8 4
Government integrity 23.4 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 3.7
Tax burden 90.3 87.3
Government spending 93.3 78.5
Fiscal health 63.4 13.8
Business freedom 47.6 33.8
Labor freedom 48.4 37.2
Monetary freedom 0 80
Trade freedom 65.6 47
Investment freedom 20 0
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Syria
2026 43.1 -
2025 44.1 -
2024 48.3 -
2023 45.6 -
2022 47.3 -
2021 51.4 -
2020 51.7 -
2019 51.1 -
2018 53.2 -
2017 53.3 -
2016 59.5 -
2015 59.3 -
2014 59.4 -
2013 59.5 -
2012 60.1 51.2
2011 60.1 51.3
2010 59.5 49.4
2009 58.1 51.3
2008 60 47.2
2007 60.4 48.3
2006 57.5 51.2
2005 57.2 46.3
2004 56.9 40.6
2003 56.7 41.3
2002 57.1 36.3
2001 61 36.6
2000 56.1 37.2
1999 59.1 39
1998 59 42.2
1997 63.9 43
1996 63.2 42.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Syria
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
16%
1969

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/syria | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010–2024, 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.