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Economy of Lebanon vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lebanon has a GDP of $26B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 121/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $41B in government debt (139.4% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Lebanon vs Vietnam GDP by year

Lebanon
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Vietnam
2025 - $514,697,215,165
2024 $25,971,643,441 $476,324,572,784
2023 $20,078,620,357 $433,805,036,898
2022 $20,992,421,949 $413,445,230,669
2021 $23,131,941,557 $366,474,752,771
2020 $31,712,128,254 $346,615,738,538
2019 $51,605,959,131 $334,365,270,497
2018 $54,901,519,156 $310,106,478,395
2017 $53,027,680,686 $281,353,605,987
2016 $51,147,308,774 $257,096,001,178
2015 $49,929,337,837 $239,258,328,382
2014 $48,095,213,747 $233,451,469,643
2013 $46,880,103,081 $213,708,811,665
2012 $44,016,799,516 $195,590,661,129
2011 $39,927,125,962 $172,595,049,184
2010 $38,443,907,042 $147,201,173,197
2009 $35,399,582,929 $106,014,659,565
2008 $29,118,916,105 $99,130,304,099
2007 $24,827,355,015 $77,414,425,532
2006 $22,022,709,851 $66,371,664,817
2005 $21,497,336,499 $57,633,255,738
2004 $21,159,827,992 $45,427,854,693
2003 $20,082,918,740 $39,552,513,232
2002 $19,152,238,806 $35,064,105,501
2001 $17,649,751,244 $32,685,198,809
2000 $17,260,364,842 $31,172,518,403
1999 $17,391,056,369 $28,683,659,007
1998 $17,247,179,006 $27,209,602,050
1997 $15,751,867,489 $26,843,700,442
1996 $13,690,217,334 $24,657,470,575
1995 $11,718,795,529 $20,736,164,459
1994 $9,599,127,050 $16,286,433,533
1993 $7,941,744,492 $13,180,953,598
1992 $5,843,579,161 $9,866,990,236
1991 $4,690,415,093 $9,613,369,520
1990 $2,838,485,354 $6,471,740,806
1989 $2,717,998,688 $6,293,304,975
1988 $3,313,540,068 $25,423,812,649
1987 - $36,658,108,850
1986 - $26,336,616,250
1985 - $14,094,687,821

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Vietnam by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $5,066 -
2024 $4,473 - $4,717 $16,386
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $926 $4,581
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $808 $4,237
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $711 $3,894
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $565 $3,543
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $497 $3,240
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $445 $3,002
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $419 $2,809
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $404 $2,614
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $376 $2,421
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $361 $2,308
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $362 $2,189
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $337 $2,019
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $790 $2,990 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $771 - $98.1 -
1988 $959 - $405 -
1987 - - $595 -
1986 - - $436 -
1985 - - $238.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $4,473, ranking 129/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$515B
2025
GDP rank
121/197
2024
33/197
2025
GDP growth
-7.08%
2023-2024
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,473
2024
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
108/197
2024
Government debt
$41B
2024
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
139.4%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,061
2024
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,055
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires
6
2026
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.6%
2022
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.5%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.6%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
1.53%
2024
Population
5921719
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 15.5% 139.4% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 15.3% 157.9% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 14.3% 185.8% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 12.9% 235.9% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 10.5% 346% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 24.5% 157.2% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 31.3% 171.9% 19.8% 41%
2018 32.1% 154% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 30.7% 150.4% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 28.6% 147.9% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 26.7% 140.9% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 28.9% 138.5% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 25% 36.2%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 21.4% 31%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 35.6% 130.2% 16.7% -
1998 34.7% 108.2% 16% -
1997 40.5% 100.2% - -
1996 43.6% 101.2% - -
1995 31.1% 79.6% - -
1994 47.3% 71.5% - -
1993 23% 50.5% - -
1992 36.1% 51.7% - -
1991 35.6% 67.1% - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Lebanon's government spending was $3.98B, accounting for 15.5% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 139.4% in Lebanon and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 8/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Vietnam
2025 3.25% -2.2%
2024 0.39% -1.54%
2023 -1.64% -1.72%
2022 -7.49% 0.67%
2021 -2.57% -1.43%
2020 -7.79% -2.86%
2019 -10.5% -0.4%
2018 -11.2% -1.02%
2017 -8.68% -1.96%
2016 -8.98% -3.16%
2015 -7.49% -4.98%
2014 -6.22% -5.02%
2013 -8.83% -5.96%
2012 -8.43% -5.46%
2011 -5.94% -0.9%
2010 -7.47% -2.25%
2009 -8.1% -4.82%
2008 -9.86% -0.45%
2007 -10.9% -1.74%
2006 -10.6% 0.2%
2005 -8.57% -0.95%
2004 -9.83% -0.15%
2003 -14% -2.56%
2002 -16.2% -1.85%
2001 -21% -2.19%
2000 -23.9% -1.61%
1999 -16.7% -1.25%
1998 -17.3% -0.1%
1997 -24.5% -
1996 -25.7% -
1995 -13.6% -
1994 -29.1% -
1993 -7.19% -
1992 -24% -
1991 -19.5% -
1990 -30.2% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.31B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 9.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Vietnam
2025 14.6% 3.3%
2024 45.2% 3.6%
2023 221.3% 3.3%
2022 171.2% 3.2%
2021 154.8% 1.8%
2020 84.9% 3.2%
2019 2.9% 2.8%
2018 6.1% 3.5%
2017 4.4% 3.5%
2016 -0.8% 2.7%
2015 -3.7% 0.6%
2014 1.9% 4.1%
2013 4.8% 6.6%
2012 6.6% 9.1%
2011 5% 18.7%
2010 4% 10.5%
2009 1.2% 6.7%
2008 10.7% 23.1%
2007 4.1% 8.3%
2006 4.1% 7.5%
2005 -1.4% 8.4%
2004 1.7% 7.9%
2003 1.3% 3.3%
2002 1.8% 4.1%
2001 -0.4% -0.3%
2000 -0.4% -1.8%
1999 0.2% 4.1%
1998 4.5% 7.2%
1997 7.7% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.1%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 14.6% in Lebanon and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Metals $475K
Animal & marine products $196K
Raw agricultural goods $185K
Chemicals & pharma $112K
Precious metals & jewellery $40K
Machinery & equipment $30K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14K
Miscellaneous $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Lebanon Vietnam
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
166/190
2023
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$407B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2024
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Vietnam
Economic freedom 43.1 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 73/197
Property rights 21.8 47.3
Government integrity 23.4 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 31.3
Tax burden 90.3 80.9
Government spending 93.3 89.5
Fiscal health 63.4 96.9
Business freedom 47.6 70
Labor freedom 48.4 54.7
Monetary freedom 0 73.2
Trade freedom 65.6 79.8
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Vietnam
2026 43.1 64.4
2025 44.1 65.2
2024 48.3 62.8
2023 45.6 61.8
2022 47.3 60.6
2021 51.4 61.7
2020 51.7 58.8
2019 51.1 55.3
2018 53.2 53.1
2017 53.3 52.4
2016 59.5 54
2015 59.3 51.7
2014 59.4 50.8
2013 59.5 51
2012 60.1 51.3
2011 60.1 51.6
2010 59.5 49.8
2009 58.1 51
2008 60 50.4
2007 60.4 49.8
2006 57.5 50.5
2005 57.2 48.1
2004 56.9 46.1
2003 56.7 46.2
2002 57.1 45.6
2001 61 44.3
2000 56.1 43.7
1999 59.1 42.7
1998 59 40.4
1997 63.9 38.6
1996 63.2 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
35.7%
2024
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
2.63%
2024
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.05%
2024
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,790
2024
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.68%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.44%
2024
30.8%
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/vietnam | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.