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

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 128/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% 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 - $552,324,846,835
2023 $20,078,620,357 $522,622,191,967
2022 $20,992,421,949 $511,403,403,676
2021 $23,131,941,557 $422,441,388,700
2020 $31,712,128,254 $357,161,878,829
2019 $51,605,959,131 $433,926,208,305
2018 $54,901,519,156 $440,560,108,918
2017 $53,027,680,686 $403,365,010,211
2016 $51,147,308,774 $381,717,086,453
2015 $49,929,337,837 $381,973,042,886
2014 $48,095,213,747 $424,935,874,745
2013 $46,880,103,081 $409,632,675,289
2012 $44,016,799,516 $392,793,464,942
2011 $39,927,125,962 $368,881,143,635
2010 $38,443,907,042 $307,736,419,333
2009 $35,399,582,929 $253,547,358,747
2008 $29,118,916,105 $315,474,615,739
2007 $24,827,355,015 $257,916,133,424
2006 $22,022,709,851 $222,116,541,865
2005 $21,497,336,499 $180,617,467,965
2004 $21,159,827,992 $147,824,370,320
2003 $20,082,918,740 $124,346,358,067
2002 $19,152,238,806 $109,816,201,498
2001 $17,649,751,244 $103,311,640,572
2000 $17,260,364,842 $104,337,372,362
1999 $17,391,056,369 $84,445,473,111
1998 $17,247,179,006 $75,674,336,283
1997 $15,751,867,489 $78,839,008,445
1996 $13,690,217,334 $73,571,233,996
1995 $11,718,795,529 $65,743,666,576
1994 $9,599,127,050 $59,305,093,980
1993 $7,941,744,492 $55,625,170,253
1992 $5,843,579,161 $54,239,171,888
1991 $4,690,415,093 $51,552,165,622
1990 $2,838,485,354 $50,701,443,748
1989 $2,717,998,688 $41,464,995,914
1988 $3,313,540,068 $36,275,674,203
1987 - $36,384,908,744
1986 - $33,943,612,095
1985 - $40,603,650,232
1984 - $41,807,954,236
1983 - $42,803,323,345
1982 - $46,622,718,605
1981 - $49,333,424,135
1980 - $43,599,160,050
1979 - $31,225,659,621
1978 - $23,775,764,225
1977 - $24,871,775,165
1976 - $19,213,158,779
1975 - $14,720,728,249
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 2026-04-06).

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 - - $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 $44,119 $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 - - $44,854 -
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 2026-04-06).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. 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
$20.1B
2023
$552B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
27/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
16/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
6
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
1.88%
2024
Population
5906622
11686438

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
2024 16.5% 163.8% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 10.9% 358% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 30.6% 150% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 6/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon UAE
2024 -0.19% 6.41%
2023 -1.7% 5.82%
2022 -7.77% 9.8%
2021 -2.67% 3.96%
2020 -7.37% -2.42%
2019 -10.5% 2.5%
2018 -11.3% 3.65%
2017 -8.65% -0.16%
2016 -8.88% -2.95%
2015 -7.48% -6.35%
2014 -6.22% 1.74%
2013 -8.82% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $30.4B, or 5.82% of GDP.

Over the past 33 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 12.5% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.18% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon UAE
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 4.5% 2%
2016 -0.8% 1.6%
2015 -3.8% 4.1%
2014 1.1% 2.3%
2013 5.6% 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $467M
Precious metals & jewellery $368M
Chemicals & pharma $63.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $37.2M
Raw agricultural goods $29.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $18.8M
Wood & paper products $12.9M
Metals $11.1M
Animal & marine products $2.77M
Miscellaneous $2.72M
UAE
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $829M
Machinery & equipment $483M
Chemicals & pharma $146M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $103M
Raw materials & minerals $61.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $39.7M
Metals $20.5M
Wood & paper products $10.5M
Animal & marine products $6.52M
Raw agricultural goods $5.7M

Balance of trade

Lebanon UAE
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
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
73.7%
2023
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
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 2026-03-09).

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
42.4%
2023
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
14/177
2024
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
22%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
26.6%
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, 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 (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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.