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Economy of Lebanon vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 121/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Lebanon vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Lebanon
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon UAE
2024 $25,971,643,441 $552,324,919,096
2023 $20,078,620,357 $522,622,268,401
2022 $20,992,421,949 $511,403,404,642
2021 $23,131,941,557 $422,441,282,436
2020 $31,712,128,254 $357,161,776,271
2019 $51,605,959,131 $433,926,218,686
2018 $54,901,519,156 $440,560,003,161
2017 $53,027,680,686 $403,365,056,079
2016 $51,147,308,774 $381,717,208,621
2015 $49,929,337,837 $381,973,135,513
2014 $48,095,213,747 $424,935,834,104
2013 $46,880,103,081 $409,632,574,703
2012 $44,016,799,516 $392,793,559,051
2011 $39,927,125,962 $368,881,033,963
2010 $38,443,907,042 $307,736,348,527
2009 $35,399,582,929 $253,547,358,747
2008 $29,118,916,105 $315,474,615,741
2007 $24,827,355,015 $257,916,148,767
2006 $22,022,709,851 $222,116,532,963
2005 $21,497,336,499 $180,617,467,954
2004 $21,159,827,992 $147,824,249,958
2003 $20,082,918,740 $124,346,476,180
2002 $19,152,238,806 $109,816,091,079
2001 $17,649,751,244 $103,311,631,797
2000 $17,260,364,842 $104,337,463,730
1999 $17,391,056,369 $84,445,399,335
1998 $17,247,179,006 $75,674,384,205
1997 $15,751,867,489 $78,838,886,862
1996 $13,690,217,334 $73,571,217,377
1995 $11,718,795,529 $65,743,604,966
1994 $9,599,127,050 $59,305,111,228
1993 $7,941,744,492 $55,625,269,485
1992 $5,843,579,161 $54,239,188,746
1991 $4,690,415,093 $51,552,058,250
1990 $2,838,485,354 $50,701,374,187
1989 $2,717,998,688 $41,464,966,302
1988 $3,313,540,068 $36,275,613,877
1987 - $36,384,802,310
1986 - $33,943,568,481
1985 - $40,603,631,079
1984 - $41,807,931,453
1983 - $42,803,373,390
1982 - $46,622,715,281
1981 - $49,333,471,895
1980 - $43,599,134,193
1979 - $31,225,557,022
1978 - $23,775,718,541
1977 - $24,871,660,292
1976 - $19,213,212,475
1975 - $14,720,729,969
1974 - $11,651,505,689
1973 - $4,231,243,616
1972 - $1,415,086,929
1971 - $939,893,600
1970 - $685,986,701

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs United Arab Emirates by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,473 - $50,274 $79,229
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $790 $2,990 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $771 - $23,167 -
1988 $959 - $21,570 -
1987 - - $23,113 -
1986 - - $23,132 -
1985 - - $29,468 -
1984 - - $32,012 -
1983 - - $34,650 -
1982 - - $39,972 -
1981 - - $44,855 -
1980 - - $42,925 -
1979 - - $34,238 -
1978 - - $29,379 -
1977 - - $35,020 -
1976 - - $31,197 -
1975 - - $27,117 -
1974 - - $23,823 -
1973 - - $9,696 -
1972 - - $3,675 -
1971 - - $2,805 -
1970 - - $2,394 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Lebanon UAE
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
121/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
16/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires
6
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
1.88%
2024
Population
5921719
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 10.5% 346% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 32.1% 154% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 35% 21.1%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 22% 8.95%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 20% 3.33%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 23% 50.5% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 36% 4.97%
1990 40% 99.7% - -

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 8/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon UAE
2025 3.25% 5.15%
2024 0.39% 6.41%
2023 -1.64% 5.82%
2022 -7.49% 9.8%
2021 -2.57% 3.96%
2020 -7.79% -2.42%
2019 -10.5% 2.5%
2018 -11.2% 3.65%
2017 -8.68% -0.16%
2016 -8.98% -2.95%
2015 -7.49% -6.35%
2014 -6.22% 1.74%
2013 -8.83% 7.99%
2012 -8.43% 8.59%
2011 -5.94% 5.05%
2010 -7.47% 0.52%
2009 -8.1% -6.13%
2008 -9.86% 17.6%
2007 -10.9% 17.1%
2006 -10.6% 20.2%
2005 -8.57% 16%
2004 -9.83% 6.4%
2003 -14% 2.35%
2002 -16.2% -1.24%
2001 -21% 1.21%
2000 -23.9% 10.7%
1999 -16.7% 1.31%
1998 -17.3% 1%
1997 -24.5% 6.71%
1996 -25.7% 0.92%
1995 -13.6% 3.58%
1994 -29.1% -1.78%
1993 -7.19% -2.89%
1992 -24% 3.34%
1991 -19.5% 3.89%
1990 -30.2% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Lebanon's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $102M, equivalent to 0.39% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 12.2% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon UAE
2025 14.6% 1.3%
2024 45.2% 1.7%
2023 221.3% 1.6%
2022 171.2% 4.8%
2021 154.8% -0.1%
2020 84.9% -2.1%
2019 2.9% -1.9%
2018 6.1% 3.1%
2017 4.4% 2%
2016 -0.8% 1.6%
2015 -3.7% 4.1%
2014 1.9% 2.3%
2013 4.8% 1.1%
2012 6.6% 0.7%
2011 5% 0.9%
2010 4% 0.9%
2009 1.2% -4.7%
2008 10.7% 12.3%
2007 4.1% 11.1%
2006 4.1% 9.3%
2005 -1.4% 6.2%
2004 1.7% 5%
2003 1.3% 3.1%
2002 1.8% 2.9%
2001 -0.4% 2.8%
2000 -0.4% 1.3%
1999 0.2% 2.1%
1998 4.5% 2%
1997 7.7% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $534M
Precious metals & jewellery $339M
Chemicals & pharma $56.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $34.3M
Raw agricultural goods $31.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $15.4M
Wood & paper products $10.8M
Metals $8.83M
Miscellaneous $3.71M
Animal & marine products $2.37M
UAE
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $1.37B
Machinery & equipment $562M
Chemicals & pharma $151M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $79.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $59.4M
Raw materials & minerals $31M
Metals $20.8M
Wood & paper products $11.1M
Raw agricultural goods $8.04M
Miscellaneous $3.3M

Balance of trade

Lebanon UAE
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$467B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$117B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon UAE
Economic freedom 43.1 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 29/197
Property rights 21.8 62.9
Government integrity 23.4 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 34.4
Tax burden 90.3 99.9
Government spending 93.3 85.1
Fiscal health 63.4 97.6
Business freedom 47.6 84.5
Labor freedom 48.4 63.2
Monetary freedom 0 81.2
Trade freedom 65.6 78.6
Investment freedom 20 50
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon UAE
2026 43.1 71.9
2025 44.1 71.6
2024 48.3 71.1
2023 45.6 70.9
2022 47.3 70.2
2021 51.4 76.9
2020 51.7 76.2
2019 51.1 77.6
2018 53.2 77.6
2017 53.3 76.9
2016 59.5 72.6
2015 59.3 72.4
2014 59.4 71.4
2013 59.5 71.1
2012 60.1 69.3
2011 60.1 67.8
2010 59.5 67.3
2009 58.1 64.7
2008 60 62.6
2007 60.4 62.6
2006 57.5 62.2
2005 57.2 65.2
2004 56.9 67.2
2003 56.7 73.4
2002 57.1 73.6
2001 61 74.9
2000 56.1 74.2
1999 59.1 71.5
1998 59 72.2
1997 63.9 71.9
1996 63.2 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon UAE
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, 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 (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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.