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Economy of Lebanon vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $1.36T for Turkey, ranking 128/197 and 17/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $327B (24% of GDP) in Turkey.

Lebanon vs Turkey GDP by year

Lebanon
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Turkey
2024 - $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $20,078,620,357 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $20,992,421,949 $926,097,476,914
2021 $23,131,941,557 $839,938,668,172
2020 $31,712,128,254 $733,628,247,119
2019 $51,605,959,131 $775,853,144,223
2018 $54,901,519,156 $788,356,985,774
2017 $53,027,680,686 $863,874,522,365
2016 $51,147,308,774 $870,818,016,910
2015 $49,929,337,837 $865,460,050,684
2014 $48,095,213,747 $942,343,431,929
2013 $46,880,103,081 $962,167,643,589
2012 $44,016,799,516 $885,327,622,479
2011 $39,927,125,962 $844,192,507,381
2010 $38,443,907,042 $782,545,664,268
2009 $35,399,582,929 $653,894,449,921
2008 $29,118,916,105 $775,415,944,333
2007 $24,827,355,015 $685,228,481,017
2006 $22,022,709,851 $559,668,118,237
2005 $21,497,336,499 $508,314,210,213
2004 $21,159,827,992 $410,156,784,496
2003 $20,082,918,740 $315,392,899,922
2002 $19,152,238,806 $240,778,008,474
2001 $17,649,751,244 $202,195,080,239
2000 $17,260,364,842 $274,748,463,179
1999 $17,391,056,369 $256,673,939,248
1998 $17,247,179,006 $276,035,372,655
1997 $15,751,867,489 $263,817,553,748
1996 $13,690,217,334 $250,366,965,174
1995 $11,718,795,529 $234,699,627,004
1994 $9,599,127,050 $130,650,447,499
1993 $7,941,744,492 $180,415,757,852
1992 $5,843,579,161 $159,104,772,992
1991 $4,690,415,093 $151,034,731,544
1990 $2,838,485,354 $150,655,500,192
1989 $2,717,998,688 $107,127,191,329
1988 $3,313,540,068 $90,875,175,809
1987 - $87,190,081,680
1986 - $75,673,037,037
1985 - $67,232,758,621
1984 - $59,937,602,180
1983 - $61,803,555,556
1982 - $64,369,325,153
1981 - $71,180,180,180
1980 - $68,823,684,211
1979 - $89,616,129,032
1978 - $65,912,500,000
1977 - $58,683,333,333
1976 - $51,450,000,000
1975 - $46,042,857,143
1974 - $35,414,285,714
1973 - $26,000,000,000
1972 - $20,650,000,000
1971 - $16,166,666,667
1970 - $17,863,636,364
1969 - $19,466,666,667
1968 - $17,500,000,000
1967 - $15,644,444,444
1966 - $14,100,000,000
1965 - $11,966,666,667
1964 - $11,177,777,778
1963 - $10,355,555,556
1962 - $8,922,222,222
1961 - $7,988,888,889
1960 - $7,566,666,667

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

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Turkey by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $15,893 $45,639
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $10,984 $26,731
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $10,913 $16,142
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $9,767 $14,951
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $7,990 $13,555
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $7,332 $11,803
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $5,980 $10,759
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $4,650 $9,474
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $3,591 $9,154
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $3,052 $9,014
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $4,199 $9,326
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $3,974 $8,470
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $4,331 $8,763
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $4,197 $11,514
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $4,041 $10,624
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $3,846 $9,962
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $2,176 $9,253
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $3,058 $9,751
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $2,744 $8,969
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $2,649 $8,418
1990 $790 $2,990 $2,690 $8,208
1989 $771 - $1,949 -
1988 $959 - $1,686 -
1987 - - $1,650 -
1986 - - $1,461 -
1985 - - $1,326 -
1984 - - $1,209 -
1983 - - $1,276 -
1982 - - $1,360 -
1981 - - $1,537 -
1980 - - $1,516 -
1979 - - $2,013 -
1978 - - $1,510 -
1977 - - $1,372 -
1976 - - $1,228 -
1975 - - $1,122 -
1974 - - $881 -
1973 - - $661 -
1972 - - $537 -
1971 - - $431 -
1970 - - $488 -
1969 - - $544 -
1968 - - $501 -
1967 - - $459 -
1966 - - $425 -
1965 - - $370 -
1964 - - $354 -
1963 - - $337 -
1962 - - $298.2 -
1961 - - $274.4 -
1960 - - $267.1 -

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

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $15,893 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Turkey
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$1.36T
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
17/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
3.33%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$15,893
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
66/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
51/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$327B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
24%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$3,820
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
92/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$10,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$379B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
60,787
2025
Number of billionaires
6
2025
32
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
35.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
32.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
58.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
38%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
8.71%
2024
Population
5906622
86002379

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 32.6% 24%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 32.5% 28.7%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 26.8% 30.2%
2021 10.9% 358% 30.5% 39.4%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 34% 38.7%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 34.8% 31.8%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 33.9% 29.5%
2017 30.6% 150% 32.4% 27.6%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 33.8% 27.7%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 32.4% 27.1%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 32.5% 28.2%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 33.5% 30.8%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 34% 32.1%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 32.6% 35.7%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 35.2% 39.2%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 37% 42.9%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 33.5% 37.5%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 32.7% 37.5%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 33.4% 44%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 32% 50%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 34.5% 57%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 38.3% 65%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 40.9% 71.3%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 43.9% 75.3%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 39.4% 51.2%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 32.7% 52.1%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 27.9% 36.5%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 26.4% 32.5%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 24.5% 35.5%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 19.4% 34.6%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 20.5% 39.2%
1993 23% 50.5% 22% 29.1%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 18.6% 29.2%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 18.2% 28.4%
1990 40% 99.7% 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

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/turkey | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $444B, or 32.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 24% in Turkey, ranking 6/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Turkey
2024 -0.19% -4.57%
2023 -1.7% -5.22%
2022 -7.77% -1.1%
2021 -2.67% -2.98%
2020 -7.37% -4.64%
2019 -10.5% -4.69%
2018 -11.3% -3.1%
2017 -8.65% -1.87%
2016 -8.88% -1.68%
2015 -7.48% -0.51%
2014 -6.22% -0.96%
2013 -8.82% -1.21%
2012 -8.43% -1.78%
2011 -5.94% -0.35%
2010 -7.47% -2.99%
2009 -8.1% -5.14%
2008 -9.86% -2.13%
2007 -10.9% -1.37%
2006 -10.6% -0.22%
2005 -8.57% -0.75%
2004 -9.83% -4.11%
2003 -14% -7.55%
2002 -16.2% -11.3%
2001 -21% -11.6%
2000 -23.9% -8.36%
1999 -16.7% -13.8%
1998 -17.3% -9.84%
1997 -24.5% -10.1%
1996 -25.7% -10.7%
1995 -13.6% -5.95%
1994 -29.1% -6.04%
1993 -7.19% -8.84%
1992 -24% -6.73%
1991 -19.5% -6.86%
1990 -30.2% -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/turkey | 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 Turkey's deficit of $59.5B, or 5.22% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 13.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.95% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Turkey
2024 45.2% 58.5%
2023 221.3% 53.9%
2022 171.2% 72.3%
2021 154.8% 19.6%
2020 84.9% 12.3%
2019 2.9% 15.2%
2018 6.1% 16.3%
2017 4.5% 11.1%
2016 -0.8% 7.78%
2015 -3.8% 7.67%
2014 1.1% 8.85%
2013 5.6% 7.49%
2012 6.6% 8.89%
2011 5% 6.47%
2010 4% 8.57%
2009 1.2% 6.25%
2008 10.7% 10.4%
2007 4.1% 8.76%
2006 4.1% 9.6%
2005 -1.4% 8.18%
2004 1.7% 8.6%
2003 1.3% 21.6%
2002 1.8% 45%
2001 -0.4% 54.4%
2000 -0.4% 54.9%
1999 0.2% 64.9%
1998 4.5% 84.6%
1997 7.7% 85.7%

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/turkey | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 27.8% in Turkey. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 58.5% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $141M
Machinery & equipment $128M
Metals $39.6M
Raw materials & minerals $17.3M
Raw agricultural goods $12.4M
Chemicals & pharma $10.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.64M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.59M
Wood & paper products $2.07M
Animal & marine products $1.2M
Turkey
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $327M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $179M
Textiles & consumer goods $142M
Metals $114M
Machinery & equipment $90.4M
Raw agricultural goods $89.5M
Chemicals & pharma $74M
Precious metals & jewellery $40.8M
Wood & paper products $35.6M
Animal & marine products $23.3M

Balance of trade

Lebanon Turkey
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$10.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
176/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-0.75%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$314B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$257B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$53.3B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$115B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
27.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Turkey
Economic freedom 43.1 55
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 129/197
Property rights 21.8 36.4
Government integrity 23.4 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 23.5
Tax burden 90.3 72
Government spending 93.3 71.8
Fiscal health 63.4 77.8
Business freedom 47.6 61.6
Labor freedom 48.4 44.3
Monetary freedom 0 36.5
Trade freedom 65.6 71
Investment freedom 20 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Turkey
2026 43.1 55
2025 44.1 56.1
2024 48.3 56.2
2023 45.6 56.9
2022 47.3 56.9
2021 51.4 64
2020 51.7 64.4
2019 51.1 64.6
2018 53.2 65.4
2017 53.3 65.2
2016 59.5 62.1
2015 59.3 63.2
2014 59.4 64.9
2013 59.5 62.9
2012 60.1 62.5
2011 60.1 64.2
2010 59.5 63.8
2009 58.1 61.6
2008 60 59.9
2007 60.4 57.4
2006 57.5 57
2005 57.2 50.6
2004 56.9 52.8
2003 56.7 51.9
2002 57.1 54.2
2001 61 60.6
2000 56.1 63.4
1999 59.1 59.2
1998 59 60.9
1997 63.9 60.8
1996 63.2 56.7
1995 - 58.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Turkey
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
5.82%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$1.15T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$45,110
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$155B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
21/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$5.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
6.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
13.6%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
30.7%
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/turkey | 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 (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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.