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Economy of Lebanon vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 128/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% 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
2023 $20,078,620,357 $19,993,439,950
2022 $20,992,421,949 $23,622,827,080
2021 $23,131,941,557 $14,353,205,678
2020 $31,712,128,254 $12,047,752,036
2019 $51,605,959,131 $22,583,045,060
2018 $54,901,519,156 $21,497,782,868
2017 $53,027,680,686 $16,369,843,352
2016 $51,147,308,774 $12,597,854,877
2015 $49,929,337,837 $16,466,863,117
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 $67,539,428,159
2010 $38,443,907,042 $61,390,830,875
2009 $35,399,582,929 $54,111,735,629
2008 $29,118,916,105 $52,557,913,569
2007 $24,827,355,015 $40,465,318,382
2006 $22,022,709,851 $33,751,788,856
2005 $21,497,336,499 $28,858,965,517
2004 $21,159,827,992 $25,086,950,495
2003 $20,082,918,740 $21,828,144,686
2002 $19,152,238,806 $20,669,357,462
2001 $17,649,751,244 $20,237,024,725
2000 $17,260,364,842 $18,937,052,543
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 (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $847 $4,650
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $664 $4,593
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $572 $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 $1,183 -
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $1,187 -
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 (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, 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
$20.1B
2023
$20B
2023
GDP rank
128/197
2023
129/197
2023
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
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
$38.7B
2023
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$730
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
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
8.61%
2010
Population
5906622
26829400

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
2024 16.5% 163.8% - -
2023 14.9% 192.8% - -
2022 13.4% 244.6% - -
2021 10.9% 358% - -
2020 23.2% 148.7% - -
2019 31.3% 172.1% - -
2018 32.3% 155.1% - -
2017 30.6% 150% - -
2016 28.3% 146.4% - -
2015 26.7% 140.8% - -
2014 28.8% 138.4% - -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 30% in Syria, ranking 6/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Syria
2024 -0.19% -
2023 -1.7% -
2022 -7.77% -
2021 -2.67% -
2020 -7.37% -
2019 -10.5% -
2018 -11.3% -
2017 -8.65% -
2016 -8.88% -
2015 -7.48% -
2014 -6.22% -
2013 -8.82% -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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
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 4.5% 18.1%
2016 -0.8% 47.7%
2015 -3.8% 38.5%
2014 1.1% 10.9%
2013 5.6% 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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 45.2% in Lebanon and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $38.1M
Raw agricultural goods $31M
Chemicals & pharma $24.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.7M
Wood & paper products $7.04M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.06M
Raw materials & minerals $4.37M
Metals $3.84M
Miscellaneous $1.54M
Animal & marine products $338K
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
168/190
2023
103/190
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
73.7%
2023
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
6.81%
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 2026-03-09).

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
42.4%
2023
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
62/177
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
22%
2023
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
16%
1969

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/syria | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010–2023, 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)

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.