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Economy of Lebanon vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 128/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Lebanon vs Venezuela GDP by year

Lebanon
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Venezuela
2024 - $119,802,963,258
2023 $20,078,620,357 $102,376,526,556
2022 $20,992,421,949 $89,013,255,585
2021 $23,131,941,557 $56,614,976,855
2020 $31,712,128,254 $42,838,020,721
2019 $51,605,959,131 $73,014,084,091
2018 $54,901,519,156 $102,021,093,965
2017 $53,027,680,686 $115,883,275,163
2016 $51,147,308,774 $112,915,034,262
2015 $49,929,337,837 $125,449,241,571
2014 $48,095,213,747 $214,689,614,733
2013 $46,880,103,081 $258,930,655,486
2012 $44,016,799,516 $372,592,062,768
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 - - $4,218 -
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 $3,423 -
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $3,791 -
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $3,670 -
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $4,103 -
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $7,096 -
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $8,656 -
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $12,607 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. 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
$20.1B
2023
$120B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
65/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
93/197
2011
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires
6
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
7.53%
2020
Population
5906622
28661242

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
2024 16.5% 163.8% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 10.9% 358% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 11.2% 337%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 21% 206%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 30.6% 150% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 6/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Venezuela
2024 -0.19% -3.6%
2023 -1.7% -1.25%
2022 -7.77% -5.29%
2021 -2.67% -5.85%
2020 -7.37% -6.63%
2019 -10.5% -10.9%
2018 -11.3% -31%
2017 -8.65% -13.3%
2016 -8.88% -8.46%
2015 -7.48% -8.06%
2014 -6.22% -9.81%
2013 -8.82% -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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $1.28B, or 1.25% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 13.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.8% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Venezuela
2024 45.2% 49%
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 4.5% 438%
2016 -0.8% 254.9%
2015 -3.8% 121.7%
2014 1.1% 62.2%
2013 5.6% 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.77M
Chemicals & pharma $512K
Raw agricultural goods $399K
Machinery & equipment $325K
Textiles & consumer goods $273K
Miscellaneous $162K
Metals $69K
Wood & paper products $27K
Raw materials & minerals $22K
Animal & marine products $5K
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
168/190
2023
161/190
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
73.7%
2023
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
16.9%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
42.4%
2023
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
77/177
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
22%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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 (1920–1999, 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 (2013–2023, 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.