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Economy of Libya vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 95/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Mauritania GDP by year

Libya
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Mauritania
2024 $48,487,151,215 $10,908,045,687
2023 $44,027,664,915 $10,726,838,461
2022 $43,246,297,922 $9,557,966,698
2021 $35,217,995,647 $9,222,536,364
2020 $46,854,285,441 $8,260,752,385
2019 $69,254,496,472 $7,894,764,886
2018 $76,686,029,772 $7,473,550,557
2017 $67,157,452,182 $6,800,135,898
2016 $49,912,073,701 $6,398,747,592
2015 $48,717,501,321 $6,166,863,897
2014 $57,372,355,592 $6,592,537,782
2013 $75,351,107,029 $7,223,071,097
2012 $92,540,938,129 $6,728,208,836
2011 $48,169,263,294 $6,764,627,746
2010 $75,380,825,062 $5,628,878,798
2009 $60,808,562,033 $4,714,595,548
2008 $86,710,767,415 $5,206,437,194
2007 $68,032,978,391 $4,346,212,355
2006 $60,094,231,607 $3,919,577,286
2005 $47,334,691,241 $2,936,019,526
2004 $33,122,307,692 $2,362,501,023
2003 $26,265,625,000 $2,051,147,607
2002 $20,481,889,764 $1,777,057,481
2001 $34,112,093,927 $1,746,063,558
2000 $38,270,954,138 $1,779,520,886
1999 $35,975,860,857 $1,985,922,776
1998 $27,251,301,398 $2,032,347,665
1997 $30,700,897,875 $2,071,996,564
1996 $27,884,615,385 $2,132,087,009
1995 $25,541,379,187 $2,091,726,101
1994 $28,610,549,763 $1,944,876,755
1993 $30,660,051,911 $1,847,353,211
1992 $33,887,047,909 $2,164,298,425
1991 $31,991,821,265 $2,133,692,697
1990 $28,904,183,602 $1,506,914,408
1989 $25,156,707,899 $1,450,647,019
1988 $24,308,959,591 $1,414,951,290
1987 $26,697,659,335 $1,344,664,725
1986 $24,180,400,959 $1,186,628,778
1985 $31,530,566,324 $1,009,723,326
1984 $29,476,109,153 $1,074,373,230
1983 $33,200,520,140 $1,165,171,263
1982 $33,760,146,991 $1,108,776,653
1981 $36,374,353,880 $1,105,494,682
1980 $40,953,924,949 $1,047,925,106
1979 $30,536,429,497 $951,900,945
1978 $22,136,422,643 $804,629,877
1977 $22,428,297,108 $799,030,017
1976 $19,096,943,017 $775,045,517
1975 $14,710,912,458 $703,377,837
1974 $15,112,543,717 $613,010,553
1973 $8,625,889,430 $493,237,876
1972 $6,299,395,544 $391,669,449
1971 $5,260,185,125 $335,568,907
1970 $4,601,649,451 $309,405,316
1969 $4,380,987,481 $295,062,308
1968 $3,850,623,095 $311,395,937
1967 $2,726,986,913 $282,615,310
1966 $2,312,438,536 $266,533,605
1965 $1,804,979,680 $255,340,475
1964 $1,341,395,421 $224,495,744
1963 $892,327,911 $168,186,297
1962 $619,725,785 $164,271,558
1961 $443,905,612 $159,213,430
1960 $401,644,249 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/mauritania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Libya vs Mauritania by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $999 $2,809
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $824 $2,570
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $732 $2,447
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $649 $2,296
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $652 $2,280
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $681 $2,304
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $781 $2,411
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $821 $2,355
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $859 $2,325
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $904 $2,436
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $905 $2,306
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $865 $2,114
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $850 $2,209
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $772 $2,070
1989 $5,793 - $762 -
1988 $5,736 - $762 -
1987 $6,465 - $746 -
1986 $6,019 - $677 -
1985 $8,087 - $593 -
1984 $7,811 - $650 -
1983 $8,927 - $725 -
1982 $9,064 - $710 -
1981 $10,044 - $729 -
1980 $11,960 - $711 -
1979 $9,443 - $664 -
1978 $7,252 - $578 -
1977 $7,783 - $590 -
1976 $7,018 - $589 -
1975 $5,721 - $551 -
1974 $6,214 - $494 -
1973 $3,727 - $410 -
1972 $2,830 - $335 -
1971 $2,443 - $296 -
1970 $2,210 - $281.3 -
1969 $2,175 - $276.6 -
1968 $1,972 - $301 -
1967 $1,437 - $281.5 -
1966 $1,251 - $273.6 -
1965 $1,001 - $270 -
1964 $765 - $244.3 -
1963 $528 - $188.2 -
1962 $382 - $189 -
1961 $285.3 - $188.2 -
1960 $269 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/mauritania | CC BY

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Libya Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$2,078
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
10.4%
2019
Population
7559873
5505206

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Mauritania
2024 -25.1% -1.35%
2023 8.22% -2.45%
2022 23.6% -3.09%
2021 14.8% 2.6%
2020 -22.3% 2.78%
2019 11.9% 2.65%
2018 9.39% 3.23%
2017 -11.1% 0.53%
2016 -29.3% 0.13%
2015 -28.5% -2.44%
2014 -30.5% -2.64%
2013 -16.3% -0.66%
2012 24.6% 1.67%
2011 -11.5% 0.07%
2010 11.5% -0.45%
2009 -5.46% -3.59%
2008 27.7% -3.32%
2007 28.4% -1.38%
2006 29.1% 2.05%
2005 30.4% -3.16%
2004 11.3% -3.06%
2003 6.17% -
2002 6.99% -
2001 0.07% -
2000 13.6% -
1999 5.69% -
1998 -2.36% -
1997 -2.1% -
1996 11.3% -
1995 3.8% -
1994 -2.67% -
1993 -5.77% -
1992 0.11% -
1991 8.41% -
1990 3.36% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Libya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $12.1B, equivalent to 25.1% of GDP. This compares to Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Mauritania
2024 2.13% 2.49%
2023 2.37% 4.95%
2022 4.51% 9.53%
2021 2.87% 3.57%
2020 1.45% 2.39%
2019 -2.16% 2.3%
2018 13.2% 3.07%
2017 25.8% 2.25%
2016 25.9% 1.47%
2015 10.4% 3.25%
2014 2.43% 3.53%
2013 2.61% 4.13%
2012 6.06% 4.9%
2011 15.5% 5.69%
2010 2.8% 6.28%
2009 2.46% 2.22%
2008 10.4% 7.35%
2007 6.25% 7.25%
2006 1.46% 6.24%
2005 2.65% 12.1%
2004 -2.2% 10.4%
2003 -2.19% 5.15%
2002 -9.8% 3.9%
2001 -8.81% 4.71%
2000 -2.9% 3.25%
1999 2.65% 4.07%
1998 3.71% 8.03%
1997 3.55% 4.63%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/mauritania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $351K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $125K
Raw agricultural goods $114K
Machinery & equipment $25K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $106K
Animal & marine products $77K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $39K
Textiles & consumer goods $31K
Machinery & equipment $5K

Balance of trade

Libya Mauritania
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya Mauritania
Economic freedom 35.9 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 136/197
Property rights 6.3 32.6
Government integrity 10.3 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 26.4
Tax burden 95 75.5
Government spending 0 80.2
Fiscal health 19.9 87.9
Business freedom 32.4 38.7
Labor freedom 48.2 53.6
Monetary freedom 75.2 77.8
Trade freedom 80 59.6
Investment freedom 5 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya Mauritania
2026 - 53.9
2025 - 54.9
2024 - 55.3
2023 - 55.3
2022 - 55.3
2021 - 56.1
2020 - 55.3
2019 - 55.7
2018 - 54
2017 - 54.4
2016 - 54.8
2015 - 53.3
2014 - 53.2
2013 - 52.3
2012 35.9 53
2011 38.6 52.1
2010 40.2 52
2009 43.5 53.9
2008 38.7 55.2
2007 37 53.6
2006 33.2 55.7
2005 32.8 59.4
2004 31.5 61.8
2003 34.6 59
2002 35.4 52.5
2001 34 48.5
2000 34.7 46
1999 32.3 42.8
1998 32 43.7
1997 28.9 47
1996 31.7 45.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/mauritania | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Libya Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
43.1%
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/libya/mauritania | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, 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.