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Economy of Lebanon vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $99.7B for Venezuela, ranking 121/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $308B (309% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Lebanon vs Venezuela GDP by year

Lebanon
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Venezuela
2025 - $99,661,244,156
2024 $25,971,643,441 $120,566,112,397
2023 $20,078,620,357 $102,377,501,186
2022 $20,992,421,949 $89,013,251,021
2021 $23,131,941,557 $56,615,026,263
2020 $31,712,128,254 $42,837,965,907
2019 $51,605,959,131 $73,014,157,108
2018 $54,901,519,156 $101,987,075,929
2017 $53,027,680,686 $115,892,475,743
2016 $51,147,308,774 $112,948,035,495
2015 $49,929,337,837 $125,249,941,854
2014 $48,095,213,747 $214,838,755,022
2013 $46,880,103,081 $258,512,396,298
2012 $44,016,799,516 $371,846,610,182
2011 $39,927,125,962 $316,482,190,800
2010 $38,443,907,042 $393,192,354,511
2009 $35,399,582,929 $329,787,628,928
2008 $29,118,916,105 $315,953,388,511
2007 $24,827,355,015 $230,364,012,576
2006 $22,022,709,851 $183,477,522,124
2005 $21,497,336,499 $145,513,489,652
2004 $21,159,827,992 $112,451,400,425
2003 $20,082,918,740 $83,620,628,582
2002 $19,152,238,806 $92,893,587,734
2001 $17,649,751,244 $122,911,036,747
2000 $17,260,364,842 $117,146,466,003
1999 $17,391,056,369 $97,972,842,462
1998 $17,247,179,006 $91,336,763,255
1997 $15,751,867,489 $85,837,678,560
1996 $13,690,217,334 $70,543,211,119
1995 $11,718,795,529 $77,389,487,770
1994 $9,599,127,050 $58,418,666,667
1993 $7,941,744,492 $60,037,460,783
1992 $5,843,579,161 $60,416,519,620
1991 $4,690,415,093 $53,453,444,787
1990 $2,838,485,354 $48,606,952,195
1989 $2,717,998,688 $43,536,709,104
1988 $3,313,540,068 $60,226,413,793
1987 - $48,029,034,483
1986 - $60,516,123,711
1985 - $61,965,466,667
1984 - $59,867,743,468
1983 - $67,556,279,070
1982 - $67,736,744,186
1981 - $66,327,441,860
1980 - $59,116,511,628
1979 - $48,310,930,233
1978 - $39,316,279,070
1977 - $36,210,697,674
1976 - $31,419,534,884
1975 - $27,464,651,163
1974 - $26,100,930,233
1973 - $17,035,581,395
1972 - $13,977,727,273
1971 - $12,986,590,909
1970 - $11,561,111,111
1969 - $10,285,111,111
1968 - $10,034,444,444
1967 - $9,250,000,000
1966 - $8,781,333,333
1965 - $8,427,777,778
1964 - $8,192,413,793
1963 - $9,608,717,288
1962 - $8,814,309,884
1961 - $8,067,267,031
1960 - $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Venezuela by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $3,495 -
2024 $4,473 - $4,244 -
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $3,617 -
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $3,155 -
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $2,005 -
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $1,506 -
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $2,523 -
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $3,422 -
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $3,792 -
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $3,671 -
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $4,097 -
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $7,101 -
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $8,642 -
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $12,582 -
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $790 $2,990 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $771 - $2,250 -
1988 $959 - $3,191 -
1987 - - $2,611 -
1986 - - $3,376 -
1985 - - $3,549 -
1984 - - $3,520 -
1983 - - $4,079 -
1982 - - $4,202 -
1981 - - $4,228 -
1980 - - $3,874 -
1979 - - $3,257 -
1978 - - $2,727 -
1977 - - $2,585 -
1976 - - $2,309 -
1975 - - $2,078 -
1974 - - $2,034 -
1973 - - $1,367 -
1972 - - $1,155 -
1971 - - $1,106 -
1970 - - $1,015 -
1969 - - $932 -
1968 - - $938 -
1967 - - $893 -
1966 - - $876 -
1965 - - $869 -
1964 - - $874 -
1963 - - $1,060 -
1962 - - $1,007 -
1961 - - $954 -
1960 - - $939 -

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

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $3,495 in Venezuela, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$99.7B
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
78/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
1.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$3,495
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
138/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
93/197
2011
Government debt
$41B
2024
$308B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
309%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$10,790
2025
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
58/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$2,659
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires
6
2026
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
20.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
252%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
58.9%
2026
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
7.53%
2020
Population
5921719
28692435

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% 20.3% 309%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 17.5% 169.1%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 10.5% 346% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 11.2% 337%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 21% 206%
2018 32.1% 154% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 38% 58.4%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 32.2% 56%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 31% 48.2%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 34.7% 108.2% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 40.5% 100.2% 31% 34.8%
1996 43.6% 101.2% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 31.1% 79.6% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 47.3% 71.5% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 23% 50.5% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 36.1% 51.7% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 35.6% 67.1% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 40% 99.7% 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $20.2B, or 20.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 309% in Venezuela, ranking 8/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Venezuela
2025 3.25% -5.84%
2024 0.39% -3.67%
2023 -1.64% -1.25%
2022 -7.49% -5.29%
2021 -2.57% -5.85%
2020 -7.79% -6.63%
2019 -10.5% -10.9%
2018 -11.2% -31%
2017 -8.68% -13.3%
2016 -8.98% -8.46%
2015 -7.49% -8.06%
2014 -6.22% -9.81%
2013 -8.83% -10.4%
2012 -8.43% -9.86%
2011 -5.94% -8.24%
2010 -7.47% -4.74%
2009 -8.1% -8.69%
2008 -9.86% -3.46%
2007 -10.9% -2.82%
2006 -10.6% -1.6%
2005 -8.57% 4.09%
2004 -9.83% 2.47%
2003 -14% 0.17%
2002 -16.2% -1.48%
2001 -21% -4.59%
2000 -23.9% 4.45%
1999 -16.7% 0.74%
1998 -17.3% -4.49%
1997 -24.5% 2.58%
1996 -25.7% 7.94%
1995 -13.6% -5.86%
1994 -29.1% -11.2%
1993 -7.19% -2.92%
1992 -24% -6.37%
1991 -19.5% -2.28%
1990 -30.2% 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.42B, or 3.67% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 12.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.77% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Venezuela
2025 14.6% 252%
2024 45.2% 49.4%
2023 221.3% 338%
2022 171.2% 186.5%
2021 154.8% 1,589%
2020 84.9% 2,355%
2019 2.9% 19,906%
2018 6.1% 65,374%
2017 4.4% 438%
2016 -0.8% 254.9%
2015 -3.7% 121.7%
2014 1.9% 62.2%
2013 4.8% 40.6%
2012 6.6% 21.1%
2011 5% 26.1%
2010 4% 28.2%
2009 1.2% 26%
2008 10.7% 31.4%
2007 4.1% 18.7%
2006 4.1% 13.7%
2005 -1.4% 16%
2004 1.7% 21.7%
2003 1.3% 31.1%
2002 1.8% 22.4%
2001 -0.4% 12.5%
2000 -0.4% 16.2%
1999 0.2% 23.6%
1998 4.5% 35.8%
1997 7.7% 50%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 3,150% in Venezuela. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 252% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.26M
Raw agricultural goods $663K
Chemicals & pharma $343K
Metals $226K
Textiles & consumer goods $197K
Wood & paper products $38K
Machinery & equipment $30K
Miscellaneous $29K
Animal & marine products $14K
Raw materials & minerals $14K
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $130K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Venezuela
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
155/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
10.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
14.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Venezuela
Economic freedom 43.1 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 194/197
Property rights 21.8 0
Government integrity 23.4 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 5.1
Tax burden 90.3 73.4
Government spending 93.3 93
Fiscal health 63.4 29.1
Business freedom 47.6 31.1
Labor freedom 48.4 35.5
Monetary freedom 0 0
Trade freedom 65.6 43.2
Investment freedom 20 0
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Venezuela
2026 43.1 27.3
2025 44.1 27.6
2024 48.3 28.1
2023 45.6 25.8
2022 47.3 24.8
2021 51.4 24.7
2020 51.7 25.2
2019 51.1 25.9
2018 53.2 25.2
2017 53.3 27
2016 59.5 33.7
2015 59.3 34.3
2014 59.4 36.3
2013 59.5 36.1
2012 60.1 38.1
2011 60.1 37.6
2010 59.5 37.1
2009 58.1 39.9
2008 60 44.7
2007 60.4 47.9
2006 57.5 44.6
2005 57.2 45.2
2004 56.9 46.7
2003 56.7 54.8
2002 57.1 54.7
2001 61 54.6
2000 56.1 57.4
1999 59.1 56.1
1998 59 54
1997 63.9 52.8
1996 63.2 54.5
1995 - 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$110B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$20,840
2011
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
80/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
5.93%
2025

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/venezuela | CC BY

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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 (1920–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2013–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.