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Economy of Lebanon vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 128/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Lebanon vs Tunisia GDP by year

Lebanon
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Tunisia
2024 - $51,332,285,657
2023 $20,078,620,357 $48,205,328,303
2022 $20,992,421,949 $44,929,920,093
2021 $23,131,941,557 $47,073,234,359
2020 $31,712,128,254 $42,491,780,918
2019 $51,605,959,131 $41,905,642,419
2018 $54,901,519,156 $42,686,504,460
2017 $53,027,680,686 $42,163,530,591
2016 $51,147,308,774 $44,360,072,680
2015 $49,929,337,837 $45,779,494,042
2014 $48,095,213,747 $50,271,812,921
2013 $46,880,103,081 $48,685,446,414
2012 $44,016,799,516 $47,311,401,813
2011 $39,927,125,962 $48,123,325,825
2010 $38,443,907,042 $46,206,091,938
2009 $35,399,582,929 $43,455,740,497
2008 $29,118,916,105 $44,859,439,902
2007 $24,827,355,015 $38,915,353,867
2006 $22,022,709,851 $34,376,664,601
2005 $21,497,336,499 $32,272,186,695
2004 $21,159,827,992 $31,183,885,241
2003 $20,082,918,740 $27,453,902,261
2002 $19,152,238,806 $23,141,616,605
2001 $17,649,751,244 $22,065,832,449
2000 $17,260,364,842 $21,473,528,161
1999 $17,391,056,369 $22,943,202,175
1998 $17,247,179,006 $21,802,893,587
1997 $15,751,867,489 $20,746,210,354
1996 $13,690,217,334 $19,587,161,807
1995 $11,718,795,529 $18,030,876,599
1994 $9,599,127,050 $15,633,174,304
1993 $7,941,744,492 $14,608,335,608
1992 $5,843,579,161 $15,496,708,060
1991 $4,690,415,093 $13,074,782,609
1990 $2,838,485,354 $12,290,568,182
1989 $2,717,998,688 $10,101,851,745
1988 $3,313,540,068 $10,096,245,762
1987 - $9,696,715,911
1986 - $9,017,806,654
1985 - $8,410,226,053
1984 - $8,254,541,195
1983 - $8,350,582,748
1982 - $8,133,580,052
1981 - $8,428,445,294
1980 - $8,744,134,354
1979 - $7,188,863,904
1978 - $5,968,460,080
1977 - $5,109,324,009
1976 - $4,508,191,942
1975 - $4,328,965,588
1974 - $3,545,868,575
1973 - $2,730,813,385
1972 - $2,237,556,149
1971 - $1,685,162,272
1970 - $1,439,238,095
1969 - $1,289,904,762
1968 - $1,214,666,667
1967 - $1,085,714,286
1966 - $1,040,952,381
1965 - $991,047,619
1964 - $1,025,866,792
1963 - $1,026,737,600
1962 - $880,027,733
1961 - $866,155,429

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Tunisia by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,181 $14,521
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $790 $2,990 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $771 - $1,239 -
1988 $959 - $1,266 -
1987 - - $1,245 -
1986 - - $1,187 -
1985 - - $1,135 -
1984 - - $1,143 -
1983 - - $1,184 -
1982 - - $1,177 -
1981 - - $1,247 -
1980 - - $1,324 -
1979 - - $1,113 -
1978 - - $946 -
1977 - - $830 -
1976 - - $752 -
1975 - - $741 -
1974 - - $624 -
1973 - - $493 -
1972 - - $415 -
1971 - - $320 -
1970 - - $280.5 -
1969 - - $257.7 -
1968 - - $248.9 -
1967 - - $228 -
1966 - - $223.8 -
1965 - - $217.3 -
1964 - - $228.5 -
1963 - - $231.9 -
1962 - - $201.4 -
1961 - - $200.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
93/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
114/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$8.3B
2024
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
15.1%
2023
Population
5906622
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 33.8% 83.4%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 35.7% 84%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 36.5% 83%
2021 10.9% 358% 33.2% 79.7%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 30.6% 150% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 28.3% 49%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 24% 38.8%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 23% 50%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 23% 51.6%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 24% 52.2%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 24% 62.9%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 24% 61.9%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 23% 50.5% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 27.6% 63.3%
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/tunisia | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 6/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Tunisia
2024 -0.19% -5.92%
2023 -1.7% -7.03%
2022 -7.77% -6.91%
2021 -2.67% -7.6%
2020 -7.37% -9.06%
2019 -10.5% -3.6%
2018 -11.3% -4.27%
2017 -8.65% -5.61%
2016 -8.88% -5.87%
2015 -7.48% -4.95%
2014 -6.22% -3.11%
2013 -8.82% -7.05%
2012 -8.43% -4.9%
2011 -5.94% -3.19%
2010 -7.47% -0.46%
2009 -8.1% -2.59%
2008 -9.86% -0.62%
2007 -10.9% -2.47%
2006 -10.6% -2.33%
2005 -8.57% -2.59%
2004 -9.83% -2.1%
2003 -14% -2.64%
2002 -16.2% -2.55%
2001 -21% -2.87%
2000 -23.9% -3.22%
1999 -16.7% -3.05%
1998 -17.3% -2.84%
1997 -24.5% -3.7%
1996 -25.7% -5.18%
1995 -13.6% -4.53%
1994 -29.1% -2.87%
1993 -7.19% -3.22%
1992 -24% -3.45%
1991 -19.5% -5.25%
1990 -30.2% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.39B, or 7.03% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 12.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.99% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Tunisia
2024 45.2% 7%
2023 221.3% 9.3%
2022 171.2% 8.3%
2021 154.8% 5.7%
2020 84.9% 5.6%
2019 2.9% 6.7%
2018 6.1% 7.3%
2017 4.5% 5.3%
2016 -0.8% 3.6%
2015 -3.8% 4.4%
2014 1.1% 4.6%
2013 5.6% 5.3%
2012 6.6% 4.6%
2011 5% 3.2%
2010 4% 4.4%
2009 1.2% 3.5%
2008 10.7% 4.9%
2007 4.1% 3.4%
2006 4.1% 4.1%
2005 -1.4% 2%
2004 1.7% 3.7%
2003 1.3% 2.7%
2002 1.8% 2.7%
2001 -0.4% 1.9%
2000 -0.4% 2.8%
1999 0.2% 2.8%
1998 4.5% 3.1%
1997 7.7% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 4.52% in Tunisia. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.56M
Chemicals & pharma $3.02M
Machinery & equipment $2.24M
Metals $868K
Textiles & consumer goods $793K
Wood & paper products $774K
Animal & marine products $464K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $454K
Miscellaneous $12K
Precious metals & jewellery $12K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $7.14M
Raw materials & minerals $6.15M
Wood & paper products $4.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.58M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.87M
Metals $275K
Machinery & equipment $235K
Animal & marine products $183K
Raw agricultural goods $110K
Miscellaneous $21K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Tunisia
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Tunisia
Economic freedom 43.1 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 172/197
Property rights 21.8 55.7
Government integrity 23.4 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 39.7
Tax burden 90.3 68.5
Government spending 93.3 62.5
Fiscal health 63.4 16
Business freedom 47.6 59.4
Labor freedom 48.4 55.8
Monetary freedom 0 72.4
Trade freedom 65.6 54.6
Investment freedom 20 20
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Tunisia
2026 43.1 48.1
2025 44.1 49.1
2024 48.3 48.8
2023 45.6 52.9
2022 47.3 54.2
2021 51.4 56.6
2020 51.7 55.8
2019 51.1 55.4
2018 53.2 58.9
2017 53.3 55.7
2016 59.5 57.6
2015 59.3 57.7
2014 59.4 57.3
2013 59.5 57
2012 60.1 58.6
2011 60.1 58.5
2010 59.5 58.9
2009 58.1 58
2008 60 60.1
2007 60.4 60.3
2006 57.5 57.5
2005 57.2 55.4
2004 56.9 58.4
2003 56.7 58.1
2002 57.1 60.2
2001 61 60.8
2000 56.1 61.3
1999 59.1 61.1
1998 59 63.9
1997 63.9 63.8
1996 63.2 63.9
1995 - 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
7.86%
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/tunisia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, 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 (2020–2023, 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.