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Economy of Lebanon vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lebanon has a GDP of $20.1B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 128/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lebanon has $38.7B in government debt (163.8% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Lebanon vs Zambia GDP by year

Lebanon
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lebanon Zambia
2024 - $25,303,185,342
2023 $20,078,620,357 $27,577,956,471
2022 $20,992,421,949 $29,163,782,140
2021 $23,131,941,557 $22,096,416,932
2020 $31,712,128,254 $18,137,764,931
2019 $51,605,959,131 $23,308,667,781
2018 $54,901,519,156 $26,311,507,274
2017 $53,027,680,686 $25,873,601,261
2016 $51,147,308,774 $20,958,412,538
2015 $49,929,337,837 $21,251,216,799
2014 $48,095,213,747 $27,141,023,558
2013 $46,880,103,081 $28,037,239,463
2012 $44,016,799,516 $25,503,060,420
2011 $39,927,125,962 $23,459,515,276
2010 $38,443,907,042 $20,265,559,484
2009 $35,399,582,929 $15,328,342,304
2008 $29,118,916,105 $17,910,858,638
2007 $24,827,355,015 $14,056,957,976
2006 $22,022,709,851 $12,756,858,899
2005 $21,497,336,499 $8,331,870,169
2004 $21,159,827,992 $6,221,110,219
2003 $20,082,918,740 $4,901,869,764
2002 $19,152,238,806 $4,193,850,445
2001 $17,649,751,244 $4,094,441,301
2000 $17,260,364,842 $3,600,632,111
1999 $17,391,056,369 $3,404,284,891
1998 $17,247,179,006 $3,537,741,942
1997 $15,751,867,489 $4,303,288,480
1996 $13,690,217,334 $3,597,220,962
1995 $11,718,795,529 $3,806,983,413
1994 $9,599,127,050 $3,656,806,166
1993 $7,941,744,492 $3,273,505,344
1992 $5,843,579,161 $3,182,810,841
1991 $4,690,415,093 $3,376,806,697
1990 $2,838,485,354 $3,288,381,797
1989 $2,717,998,688 $3,994,673,161
1988 $3,313,540,068 $3,728,878,149
1987 - $2,265,250,972
1986 - $1,664,413,508
1985 - $2,252,454,500
1984 - $2,719,518,933
1983 - $3,321,048,451
1982 - $3,871,117,093
1981 - $4,008,126,497
1980 - $3,884,530,854
1979 - $3,353,445,378
1978 - $2,811,032,473
1977 - $2,515,296,940
1976 - $2,742,859,263
1975 - $2,442,672,141
1974 - $2,910,981,262
1973 - $2,434,255,237
1972 - $1,872,416,680
1971 - $1,653,259,341
1970 - $1,788,779,285
1969 - $1,926,399,230
1968 - $1,573,739,371
1967 - $1,340,639,464
1966 - $1,238,999,505
1965 - $1,061,199,576
1964 - $822,639,671
1963 - $704,339,719
1962 - $679,279,729
1961 - $682,359,727
1960 - $698,739,721

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Lebanon vs Zambia by year

Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lebanon Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $1,187 $4,215
2023 $3,478 $12,575 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $3,654 $12,293 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $4,045 $11,600 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $5,561 $16,260 $952 $3,157
2019 $8,906 $21,710 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $9,175 $21,985 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $8,608 $20,964 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $8,089 $18,941 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $7,714 $17,046 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $7,578 $16,140 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $8,162 $16,316 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $8,407 $16,121 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $7,835 $14,975 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $7,626 $14,704 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $7,091 $13,586 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $5,912 $12,416 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $5,125 $11,356 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $4,635 $10,312 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $4,602 $10,020 $711 $2,213
2004 $4,601 $9,609 $549 $2,068
2003 $4,438 $8,914 $446 $1,942
2002 $4,291 $8,586 $394 $1,837
2001 $4,010 $8,289 $397 $1,785
2000 $3,987 $7,938 $359 $1,709
1999 $4,087 $7,793 $350 $1,654
1998 $4,125 $7,861 $373 $1,601
1997 $3,834 $7,632 $466 $1,631
1996 $3,393 $7,560 $400 $1,585
1995 $2,959 $6,796 $433 $1,501
1994 $2,468 $6,367 $426 $1,464
1993 $2,079 $5,871 $391 $1,607
1992 $1,559 $5,279 $389 $1,505
1991 $1,278 $4,527 $423 $1,534
1990 $790 $2,990 $422 $1,522
1989 $771 - $526 -
1988 $959 - $504 -
1987 - - $315 -
1986 - - $238.2 -
1985 - - $332 -
1984 - - $413 -
1983 - - $520 -
1982 - - $627 -
1981 - - $670 -
1980 - - $669 -
1979 - - $595 -
1978 - - $514 -
1977 - - $474 -
1976 - - $533 -
1975 - - $490 -
1974 - - $601 -
1973 - - $518 -
1972 - - $410 -
1971 - - $372 -
1970 - - $414 -
1969 - - $459 -
1968 - - $387 -
1967 - - $341 -
1966 - - $325 -
1965 - - $287.4 -
1964 - - $230 -
1963 - - $203.2 -
1962 - - $202.3 -
1961 - - $209.7 -
1960 - - $221.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Lebanon's GDP per capita is $3,478, ranking 135/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Lebanon Zambia
Gross domestic product
$20.1B
2023
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
128/197
2023
116/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.76%
2022-2023
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,478
2023
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
135/197
2023
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,575
2023
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
123/197
2023
166/197
2024
Government debt
$38.7B
2023
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
163.8%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,704
2023
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2023
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,560
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$10.6B
2021
$7.77B
2024
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2022
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
45.2%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
20%
2023
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
5.86%
2023
Population
5906622
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lebanon
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lebanon Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.5% 163.8% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 14.9% 192.8% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 13.4% 244.6% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 10.9% 358% 30.5% 111%
2020 23.2% 148.7% 34% 140%
2019 31.3% 172.1% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 32.3% 155.1% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 30.6% 150% 25% 66.6%
2016 28.3% 146.4% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 26.7% 140.8% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 28.8% 138.4% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 28.9% 135.4% 24% 25.9%
2012 30.2% 131.1% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 28.8% 134.4% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 29.2% 136.8% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 32.1% 144.5% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 34.3% 161.5% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 35.2% 169.3% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 36.1% 183.3% 19.7% 25%
2005 31.4% 178.9% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 33.3% 169.5% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 36.4% 171.3% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 36.8% 163.1% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 38.9% 163.1% 28% 210.2%
2000 42.8% 148.1% 21.4% 261%
1999 35.6% 130.2% - -
1998 34.7% 108.2% - -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lebanon's government spending was $2.99B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 163.8% in Lebanon and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 6/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lebanon

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lebanon Zambia
2024 -0.19% -3.32%
2023 -1.7% -5.48%
2022 -7.77% -7.82%
2021 -2.67% -8.13%
2020 -7.37% -13.8%
2019 -10.5% -9.41%
2018 -11.3% -8.31%
2017 -8.65% -7.5%
2016 -8.88% -5.69%
2015 -7.48% -8.88%
2014 -6.22% -5.43%
2013 -8.82% -6.4%
2012 -8.43% -3.16%
2011 -5.94% -1.78%
2010 -7.47% -2.43%
2009 -8.1% -2.06%
2008 -9.86% -0.67%
2007 -10.9% -1.04%
2006 -10.6% 16.9%
2005 -8.57% -2.37%
2004 -9.83% -2.51%
2003 -14% -5.31%
2002 -16.2% -4.5%
2001 -21% -5.89%
2000 -23.9% 1.16%
1999 -16.7% -
1998 -17.3% -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lebanon/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $1.51B, or 5.48% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Lebanon recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Lebanon posted an annual deficit equal to 9.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.19% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lebanon

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lebanon Zambia
2024 45.2% 15%
2023 221.3% 10.9%
2022 171.2% 11%
2021 154.8% 22%
2020 84.9% 15.7%
2019 2.9% 9.2%
2018 6.1% 7.5%
2017 4.5% 6.6%
2016 -0.8% 17.9%
2015 -3.8% 10.1%
2014 1.1% 7.8%
2013 5.6% 7%
2012 6.6% 6.6%
2011 5% 8.7%
2010 4% 8.5%
2009 1.2% 13.4%
2008 10.7% 12.4%
2007 4.1% 10.7%
2006 4.1% 9%
2005 -1.4% 18.3%
2004 1.7% 18%
2003 1.3% 21.4%
2002 1.8% 22.2%
2001 -0.4% 21.4%
2000 -0.4% 24.1%
1999 0.2% 23.9%
1998 4.5% 22.7%
1997 7.7% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Lebanon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 26.6%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 45.2% in Lebanon and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Lebanon
Export category Export value
Metals $1.05M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $660K
Textiles & consumer goods $506K
Machinery & equipment $465K
Chemicals & pharma $414K
Raw agricultural goods $169K
Wood & paper products $117K
Animal & marine products $40K
Raw materials & minerals $19K
Miscellaneous $13K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $131K
Miscellaneous $17K

Balance of trade

Lebanon Zambia
Current account balance
-$5.64B
2023
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
168/190
2023
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-28.1%
2023
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$16.7B
2023
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.85B
2023
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$6.63B
2023
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$7.92B
2023
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.7%
2023
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.6%
2023
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lebanon Zambia
Economic freedom 43.1 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 183/197 152/197
Property rights 21.8 43.9
Government integrity 23.4 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.8 45
Tax burden 90.3 74.3
Government spending 93.3 78.1
Fiscal health 63.4 30.9
Business freedom 47.6 53.4
Labor freedom 48.4 48.8
Monetary freedom 0 66.6
Trade freedom 65.6 62.8
Investment freedom 20 40
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lebanon
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lebanon Zambia
2026 43.1 51.9
2025 44.1 50.9
2024 48.3 48.4
2023 45.6 47.8
2022 47.3 48.7
2021 51.4 50.4
2020 51.7 53.5
2019 51.1 53.6
2018 53.2 54.3
2017 53.3 55.8
2016 59.5 58.8
2015 59.3 58.7
2014 59.4 60.4
2013 59.5 58.7
2012 60.1 58.3
2011 60.1 59.7
2010 59.5 58
2009 58.1 56.6
2008 60 56.2
2007 60.4 56.2
2006 57.5 56.8
2005 57.2 55
2004 56.9 54.9
2003 56.7 55.3
2002 57.1 59.6
2001 61 59.5
2000 56.1 62.8
1999 59.1 64.2
1998 59 62.7
1997 63.9 62.1
1996 63.2 59.6
1995 - 55.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lebanon is 43.1, ranking 183/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lebanon Zambia
Services, % of GDP
42.4%
2023
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.09%
2023
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.97%
2023
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.4B
2023
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,420
2023
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$33.3B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
54/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$583M
2023
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.84B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$391M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22%
2023
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2012
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.9%
2023
23.8%
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/zambia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2023, 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)

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.