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Economy of Lebanon vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 128/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Lebanon vs Tonga GDP by year

Lebanon
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Tonga
2023 $20,078,620,357 $591,139,749
2022 $20,992,421,949 $556,514,555
2021 $23,131,941,557 $519,306,353
2020 $31,712,128,254 $506,571,468
2019 $51,605,959,131 $506,031,239
2018 $54,901,519,156 $493,530,783
2017 $53,027,680,686 $459,976,850
2016 $51,147,308,774 $420,828,262
2015 $49,929,337,837 $437,525,514
2014 $48,095,213,747 $440,997,738
2013 $46,880,103,081 $451,788,498
2012 $44,016,799,516 $471,122,971
2011 $39,927,125,962 $414,143,828
2010 $38,443,907,042 $366,887,375
2009 $35,399,582,929 $312,415,028
2008 $29,118,916,105 $344,438,844
2007 $24,827,355,015 $298,519,623
2006 $22,022,709,851 $292,232,703
2005 $21,497,336,499 $261,823,805
2004 $21,159,827,992 $230,678,011
2003 $20,082,918,740 $202,246,591
2002 $19,152,238,806 $182,764,281
2001 $17,649,751,244 $181,117,230
2000 $17,260,364,842 $204,848,488
1999 $17,391,056,369 $199,208,718
1998 $17,247,179,006 $191,504,893
1997 $15,751,867,489 $214,991,452
1996 $13,690,217,334 $222,100,576
1995 $11,718,795,529 $208,871,666
1994 $9,599,127,050 $195,990,986
1993 $7,941,744,492 $138,489,884
1992 $5,843,579,161 $137,066,291
1991 $4,690,415,093 $132,201,141
1990 $2,838,485,354 $113,563,822
1989 $2,717,998,688 $106,344,855
1988 $3,313,540,068 $106,657,267
1987 - $81,667,133
1986 - $68,195,856
1985 - $60,058,663
1984 - $64,248,355
1983 - $60,863,964
1982 - $62,068,161
1981 - $62,242,013
1980 - $53,260,077
1979 - $44,667,002
1978 - $41,567,472
1977 - $34,139,388
1976 - $30,036,417
1975 - $32,506,742

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Tonga by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $790 $2,990 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $771 - $1,070 -
1988 $959 - $1,078 -
1987 - - $830 -
1986 - - $696 -
1985 - - $613 -
1984 - - $656 -
1983 - - $621 -
1982 - - $633 -
1981 - - $636 -
1980 - - $545 -
1979 - - $458 -
1978 - - $428 -
1977 - - $353 -
1976 - - $315 -
1975 - - $349 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Tonga
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$591M
2023
GDP rank
128/197
2023
191/197
2023
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
144/197
2023
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$3,886
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
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
1.65%
2023
Population
5906622
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 51.3% 37%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 10.9% 358% 44.6% 43%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 30.6% 150% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 32% 60%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 24% 34%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 20% 56.2%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 20% 43.6%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 34.7% 108.2% - -
1997 40.5% 100.2% - -
1996 43.6% 101.2% - -
1995 31.1% 79.6% - -
1994 47.3% 71.5% - -
1993 23% 50.5% - -
1992 36.1% 51.7% - -
1991 35.6% 67.1% - -
1990 40% 99.7% - -

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/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 37% in Tonga, ranking 6/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Tonga
2024 -0.19% 4.17%
2023 -1.7% 6.14%
2022 -7.77% -0.1%
2021 -2.67% -0.87%
2020 -7.37% 5.25%
2019 -10.5% 3.28%
2018 -11.3% 2.92%
2017 -8.65% 3.58%
2016 -8.88% 1.47%
2015 -7.48% -2.75%
2014 -6.22% 6.38%
2013 -8.82% -1.3%
2012 -8.43% -1.74%
2011 -5.94% -6.02%
2010 -7.47% -1.22%
2009 -8.1% 6.85%
2008 -9.86% 2.14%
2007 -10.9% 5.39%
2006 -10.6% 1.34%
2005 -8.57% 4.23%
2004 -9.83% 4.23%
2003 -14% 2.37%
2002 -16.2% 2.59%
2001 -21% 2.23%
2000 -23.9% 1.35%
1999 -16.7% 1.55%
1998 -17.3% -
1997 -24.5% -
1996 -25.7% -
1995 -13.6% -
1994 -29.1% -
1993 -7.19% -
1992 -24% -
1991 -19.5% -
1990 -30.2% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/tonga | 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 Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 10.1% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Tonga
2024 45.2% 3.18%
2023 221.3% 6.35%
2022 171.2% 11%
2021 154.8% 5.64%
2020 84.9% -0.35%
2019 2.9% 1.18%
2018 6.1% 5.03%
2017 4.5% 7.52%
2016 -0.8% 2.58%
2015 -3.8% -1.05%
2014 1.1% 2.51%
2013 5.6% 0.78%
2012 6.6% 1.15%
2011 5% 6.27%
2010 4% 3.53%
2009 1.2% 1.43%
2008 10.7% 10.4%
2007 4.1% 5.84%
2006 4.1% 6.15%
2005 -1.4% 8.67%
2004 1.7% 11%
2003 1.3% 11.6%
2002 1.8% 10.4%
2001 -0.4% 8.29%
2000 -0.4% 6.33%
1999 0.2% 4.46%
1998 4.5% 3.27%
1997 7.7% 2.12%

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/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 3.18% in Tonga.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $148K
Tonga
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Lebanon Tonga
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$161M
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Tonga
Economic freedom 43.1 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 107/197
Property rights 21.8 71.1
Government integrity 23.4 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 64.9
Tax burden 90.3 85.6
Government spending 93.3 31
Fiscal health 63.4 97.3
Business freedom 47.6 59.2
Labor freedom 48.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 0 61
Trade freedom 65.6 75.4
Investment freedom 20 40
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Tonga
2026 43.1 58.9
2025 44.1 58.5
2024 48.3 59.2
2023 45.6 60
2022 47.3 60.8
2021 51.4 57.5
2020 51.7 58.8
2019 51.1 57.7
2018 53.2 63.1
2017 53.3 63
2016 59.5 59.6
2015 59.3 59.3
2014 59.4 58.2
2013 59.5 56
2012 60.1 57
2011 60.1 55.8
2010 59.5 53.4
2009 58.1 54.1
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 -
1999 59.1 -
1998 59 -
1997 63.9 -
1996 63.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Tonga
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
25.9%
2023

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/tonga | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.