Skip to content

Economy of Lebanon vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $30.8T for the United States, ranking 121/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $38.1T (123.9% of GDP) in the United States.

Lebanon vs United States GDP by year

Lebanon
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon United States
2025 - $30,769,700,000,000
2024 $25,971,643,441 $29,298,013,000,000
2023 $20,078,620,357 $27,811,517,000,000
2022 $20,992,421,949 $26,054,614,000,000
2021 $23,131,941,557 $23,725,645,000,000
2020 $31,712,128,254 $21,375,281,000,000
2019 $51,605,959,131 $21,539,982,000,000
2018 $54,901,519,156 $20,656,516,000,000
2017 $53,027,680,686 $19,612,102,000,000
2016 $51,147,308,774 $18,804,913,000,000
2015 $49,929,337,837 $18,295,019,000,000
2014 $48,095,213,747 $17,608,138,000,000
2013 $46,880,103,081 $16,880,683,000,000
2012 $44,016,799,516 $16,253,970,000,000
2011 $39,927,125,962 $15,599,732,000,000
2010 $38,443,907,042 $15,048,971,000,000
2009 $35,399,582,929 $14,478,067,000,000
2008 $29,118,916,105 $14,769,862,000,000
2007 $24,827,355,015 $14,474,228,000,000
2006 $22,022,709,851 $13,815,583,000,000
2005 $21,497,336,499 $13,039,197,000,000
2004 $21,159,827,992 $12,217,196,000,000
2003 $20,082,918,740 $11,456,450,000,000
2002 $19,152,238,806 $10,929,108,000,000
2001 $17,649,751,244 $10,581,929,000,000
2000 $17,260,364,842 $10,250,952,000,000
1999 $17,391,056,369 $9,631,172,000,000
1998 $17,247,179,006 $9,062,817,000,000
1997 $15,751,867,489 $8,577,552,000,000
1996 $13,690,217,334 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $11,718,795,529 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $9,599,127,050 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $7,941,744,492 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $5,843,579,161 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $4,690,415,093 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $2,838,485,354 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $2,717,998,688 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $3,313,540,068 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 - $4,855,215,000,000
1986 - $4,579,631,000,000
1985 - $4,338,979,000,000
1984 - $4,037,613,000,000
1983 - $3,634,038,000,000
1982 - $3,343,789,000,000
1981 - $3,207,041,000,000
1980 - $2,857,307,000,000
1979 - $2,627,333,000,000
1978 - $2,351,599,000,000
1977 - $2,081,826,000,000
1976 - $1,873,412,000,000
1975 - $1,684,904,000,000
1974 - $1,545,243,000,000
1973 - $1,425,376,000,000
1972 - $1,279,110,000,000
1971 - $1,164,850,000,000
1970 - $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs United States by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $90,027 -
2024 $4,473 - $86,143 $85,810
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $83,041 $82,305
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $78,178 $77,861
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $71,486 $71,307
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $64,475 $64,402
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $65,605 $65,228
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $63,201 $62,876
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $60,322 $60,048
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $58,207 $57,977
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $57,040 $56,849
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $55,304 $55,153
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $53,410 $53,297
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $790 $2,990 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $771 - $22,857 -
1988 $959 - $21,417 -
1987 - - $20,039 -
1986 - - $19,071 -
1985 - - $18,237 -
1984 - - $17,121 -
1983 - - $15,544 -
1982 - - $14,434 -
1981 - - $13,976 -
1980 - - $12,613 -
1979 - - $11,674 -
1978 - - $10,565 -
1977 - - $9,453 -
1976 - - $8,592 -
1975 - - $7,801 -
1974 - - $7,226 -
1973 - - $6,726 -
1972 - - $6,094 -
1971 - - $5,609 -
1970 - - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-states | CC BY

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $90,027 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Lebanon United States
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$30.8T
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
1/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$90,027
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
10/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
12/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$38.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
123.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$111,531
2025
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
2/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$54,600
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$68.9T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
23,627,000
2026
Number of billionaires
6
2026
989
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
30.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
37.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
4.28%
2025
Population
5921719
344434632

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% 37.7% 123.9%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 37.7% 122.3%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 37.5% 120%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 10.5% 346% 43.2% 125%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 44.7% 132.6%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 32.1% 154% 35.3% 107.7%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 35% 105.4%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 35.8% 105%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 38.8% 100%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 39.8% 95.7%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 34% 59%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 23% 50.5% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 40% 99.7% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-states | CC BY

In 2025, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while the United States spent $11.6T, or 37.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 123.9% in the United States, ranking 8/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon United States
2025 3.25% -6.82%
2024 0.39% -7.86%
2023 -1.64% -7.89%
2022 -7.49% -3.72%
2021 -2.57% -11.5%
2020 -7.79% -14.1%
2019 -10.5% -5.81%
2018 -11.2% -5.33%
2017 -8.68% -4.79%
2016 -8.98% -4.36%
2015 -7.49% -3.53%
2014 -6.22% -4.03%
2013 -8.83% -4.56%
2012 -8.43% -8.11%
2011 -5.94% -9.72%
2010 -7.47% -11%
2009 -8.1% -13.2%
2008 -9.86% -6.61%
2007 -10.9% -2.91%
2006 -10.6% -2.04%
2005 -8.57% -3.07%
2004 -9.83% -4.24%
2003 -14% -4.77%
2002 -16.2% -3.82%
2001 -21% -0.54%
2000 -23.9% 3.62%
1999 -16.7% 2.71%
1998 -17.3% 2.18%
1997 -24.5% 0.88%
1996 -25.7% -0.46%
1995 -13.6% -1.7%
1994 -29.1% -2.05%
1993 -7.19% -3.35%
1992 -24% -3.98%
1991 -19.5% -2.72%
1990 -30.2% -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-states | 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 States' deficit of $2.3T, or 7.86% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 12.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.4% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon United States
2025 14.6% -
2024 45.2% 2.95%
2023 221.3% 4.12%
2022 171.2% 8%
2021 154.8% 4.7%
2020 84.9% 1.23%
2019 2.9% 1.81%
2018 6.1% 2.44%
2017 4.4% 2.13%
2016 -0.8% 1.26%
2015 -3.7% 0.12%
2014 1.9% 1.62%
2013 4.8% 1.46%
2012 6.6% 2.07%
2011 5% 3.16%
2010 4% 1.64%
2009 1.2% -0.36%
2008 10.7% 3.84%
2007 4.1% 2.85%
2006 4.1% 3.23%
2005 -1.4% 3.39%
2004 1.7% 2.68%
2003 1.3% 2.27%
2002 1.8% 1.59%
2001 -0.4% 2.83%
2000 -0.4% 3.38%
1999 0.2% 2.19%
1998 4.5% 1.55%
1997 7.7% 2.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $89.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $59.5M
Raw materials & minerals $45M
Raw agricultural goods $7.39M
Textiles & consumer goods $7M
Machinery & equipment $5.51M
Chemicals & pharma $5.02M
Metals $3.8M
Wood & paper products $1.25M
Weapons & explosives $687K
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $419M
Chemicals & pharma $109M
Raw agricultural goods $70.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $44.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $43.3M
Raw materials & minerals $29.4M
Miscellaneous $29M
Precious metals & jewellery $26.2M
Wood & paper products $25.2M
Metals $11.8M

Balance of trade

Lebanon United States
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$1.12T
2025
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
190/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$3.44T
2025
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$2.2T
2025
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$903B
2025
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$1.23T
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
14%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
11%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon United States
Economic freedom 43.1 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 27/197
Property rights 21.8 91.6
Government integrity 23.4 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 76.4
Tax burden 90.3 75.3
Government spending 93.3 57.9
Fiscal health 63.4 18.5
Business freedom 47.6 88.6
Labor freedom 48.4 76.3
Monetary freedom 0 84.2
Trade freedom 65.6 67.6
Investment freedom 20 80
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon United States
2026 43.1 72.8
2025 44.1 70.2
2024 48.3 70.1
2023 45.6 70.6
2022 47.3 72.1
2021 51.4 74.8
2020 51.7 76.6
2019 51.1 76.8
2018 53.2 75.7
2017 53.3 75.1
2016 59.5 75.4
2015 59.3 76.2
2014 59.4 75.5
2013 59.5 76
2012 60.1 76.3
2011 60.1 77.8
2010 59.5 78
2009 58.1 80.7
2008 60 81
2007 60.4 81.2
2006 57.5 81.2
2005 57.2 79.9
2004 56.9 78.7
2003 56.7 78.2
2002 57.1 78.4
2001 61 79.1
2000 56.1 76.4
1999 59.1 75.5
1998 59 75.4
1997 63.9 75.6
1996 63.2 76.7
1995 - 76.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon United States
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$30.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$89,490
2025
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$1.39T
2025
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
2/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
$21.7B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
21.5%
2024

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-states | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, 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.