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Economy of Libya vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Libya has a GDP of $48.1B compared to $15.1B for Namibia, ranking 100/197 and 146/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Namibia GDP by year

Libya
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Namibia
2025 $48,098,909,614 $15,080,340,654
2024 $48,487,151,215 $13,641,190,683
2023 $44,027,664,915 $12,522,012,874
2022 $43,246,297,922 $12,569,449,123
2021 $35,217,995,647 $12,402,486,184
2020 $46,854,285,441 $10,583,748,542
2019 $69,254,496,472 $12,541,928,303
2018 $76,686,029,772 $13,682,019,076
2017 $67,157,452,182 $12,895,153,371
2016 $49,912,073,701 $10,722,018,732
2015 $48,717,501,321 $11,335,161,084
2014 $57,372,355,592 $12,435,430,970
2013 $75,351,107,029 $12,043,307,277
2012 $92,540,938,129 $13,042,053,592
2011 $48,169,263,294 $12,523,359,441
2010 $75,380,825,062 $11,431,412,421
2009 $60,808,562,033 $8,938,847,189
2008 $86,710,767,415 $8,607,431,497
2007 $68,032,978,391 $8,839,536,476
2006 $60,094,231,607 $8,001,779,551
2005 $47,334,691,241 $7,248,374,838
2004 $33,122,307,692 $6,609,205,995
2003 $26,265,625,000 $4,926,439,384
2002 $20,481,889,764 $3,349,169,826
2001 $34,112,093,927 $3,557,341,215
2000 $38,270,954,138 $3,922,232,165
1999 $35,975,860,857 $3,868,551,730
1998 $27,251,301,398 $3,873,109,866
1997 $30,700,897,875 $4,154,989,950
1996 $27,884,615,385 $3,989,163,197
1995 $25,541,379,187 $3,978,514,206
1994 $28,610,549,763 $3,666,503,530
1993 $30,660,051,911 $3,251,188,833
1992 $33,887,047,909 $3,429,521,699
1991 $31,991,821,265 $2,996,869,281
1990 $28,904,183,602 $2,789,921,854
1989 $25,156,707,899 $2,535,135,798
1988 $24,308,959,591 $2,495,094,746
1987 $26,697,659,335 $2,300,068,217
1986 $24,180,400,959 $1,809,048,527
1985 $31,530,566,324 $1,608,237,350
1984 $29,476,109,153 $1,951,260,038
1983 $33,200,520,140 $2,297,400,688
1982 $33,760,146,991 $2,118,710,248
1981 $36,374,353,880 $2,249,908,578
1980 $40,953,924,949 $2,421,990,338
1979 $30,536,429,497 -
1978 $22,136,422,643 -
1977 $22,428,297,108 -
1976 $19,096,943,017 -
1975 $14,710,912,458 -
1974 $15,112,543,717 -
1973 $8,625,889,430 -
1972 $6,299,395,544 -
1971 $5,260,185,125 -
1970 $4,601,649,451 -
1969 $4,380,987,481 -
1968 $3,850,623,095 -
1967 $2,726,986,913 -
1966 $2,312,438,536 -
1965 $1,804,979,680 -
1964 $1,341,395,421 -
1963 $892,327,911 -
1962 $619,725,785 -
1961 $443,905,612 -
1960 $401,644,249 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs Namibia by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,449 - $4,876 -
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $4,502 $11,687
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $4,226 $11,251
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $5,793 - $1,967 -
1988 $5,736 - $2,063 -
1987 $6,465 - $1,969 -
1986 $6,019 - $1,599 -
1985 $8,087 - $1,466 -
1984 $7,811 - $1,830 -
1983 $8,927 - $2,214 -
1982 $9,064 - $2,097 -
1981 $10,044 - $2,267 -
1980 $11,960 - $2,468 -
1979 $9,443 - - -
1978 $7,252 - - -
1977 $7,783 - - -
1976 $7,018 - - -
1975 $5,721 - - -
1974 $6,214 - - -
1973 $3,727 - - -
1972 $2,830 - - -
1971 $2,443 - - -
1970 $2,210 - - -
1969 $2,175 - - -
1968 $1,972 - - -
1967 $1,437 - - -
1966 $1,251 - - -
1965 $1,001 - - -
1964 $765 - - -
1963 $528 - - -
1962 $382 - - -
1961 $285.3 - - -
1960 $269 - - -

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

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,449, ranking 112/197, compared to $4,876 in Namibia, ranking 125/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Libya Namibia
Gross domestic product
$48.1B
2025
$15.1B
2025
GDP rank
100/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP growth
13.4%
2024-2025
1.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$6,449
2025
$4,876
2025
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2025
125/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
70.2%
2025
Government debt per person n/a
$3,425
2025
Government debt per person rank n/a
97/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,426
2026
$3,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
102.3%
2025
39.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.84%
2024-2025
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
19.9%
2018
Population
7580693
3185686

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Namibia
2025 -31.1% -6.46%
2024 -25.9% -3.84%
2023 -7.16% -3.14%
2022 23.6% -6.33%
2021 14.8% -8.68%
2020 -22.3% -8.07%
2019 11.9% -5.49%
2018 9.39% -5.09%
2017 -11.1% -4.99%
2016 -29.3% -9.3%
2015 -28.5% -8.3%
2014 -30.5% -6.44%
2013 -16.3% -4.69%
2012 24.6% -3.1%
2011 -11.5% -7.09%
2010 11.5% -4.98%
2009 -5.46% -0.4%
2008 27.7% 3.48%
2007 28.4% 6.01%
2006 29.1% 3.41%
2005 30.4% -0.31%
2004 11.3% -2.67%
2003 6.17% -4.47%
2002 6.99% -1.38%
2001 0.07% -2.01%
2000 13.6% -0.79%
1999 5.69% -1.88%
1998 -2.36% -2.76%
1997 -2.1% -2.38%
1996 11.3% -3.7%
1995 3.8% -1.74%
1994 -2.67% -0.57%
1993 -5.77% -2.73%
1992 0.11% -2.55%
1991 8.41% -1.59%
1990 3.36% 1.08%

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

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

In 2025, Libya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $14.9B, equivalent to 31.1% of GDP. This compares to Namibia's deficit of $974M, or 6.46% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 1.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Namibia
2025 1.84% 3.5%
2024 2.13% 4.2%
2023 2.37% 5.9%
2022 4.51% 6.1%
2021 2.87% 3.6%
2020 1.45% 2.2%
2019 -2.16% 3.7%
2018 13.2% 4.3%
2017 25.8% 6.1%
2016 25.9% 6.7%
2015 10.4% 3.4%
2014 2.43% 5.3%
2013 2.61% 5.6%
2012 6.06% 6.7%
2011 15.5% 5%
2010 2.8% 4.9%
2009 2.46% 9.5%
2008 10.4% 9.1%
2007 6.25% 6.5%
2006 1.46% 5%
2005 2.65% 2.3%
2004 -2.2% 4.1%
2003 -2.19% 7.2%
2002 -9.8% 12.7%
2001 -8.81% 10.2%
2000 -2.9% 10.2%
1999 2.65% 9.4%
1998 3.71% 6.6%
1997 3.55% 9.7%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.3%, compared with 6.2% in Namibia. In 2025, inflation was 1.84% in Libya and 3.5% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
Namibia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $322K
Animal & marine products $203K
Miscellaneous $10K
Raw materials & minerals $4K

Balance of trade

Libya Namibia
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$1.83B
2024
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2023
138/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-13.4%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.9%
2025
63.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.7%
2025
44.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya Namibia
Economic freedom 35.9 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 95/197
Property rights 6.3 63.1
Government integrity 10.3 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 67.2
Tax burden 95 66.4
Government spending 0 57.1
Fiscal health 19.9 60.5
Business freedom 32.4 58
Labor freedom 48.2 62.7
Monetary freedom 75.2 76.1
Trade freedom 80 69.8
Investment freedom 5 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya Namibia
2026 - 60.2
2025 - 58.7
2024 - 57.5
2023 - 57.7
2022 - 59.2
2021 - 62.6
2020 - 60.9
2019 - 58.7
2018 - 58.5
2017 - 62.5
2016 - 61.9
2015 - 59.6
2014 - 59.4
2013 - 60.3
2012 35.9 61.9
2011 38.6 62.7
2010 40.2 62.2
2009 43.5 62.4
2008 38.7 61.4
2007 37 63.5
2006 33.2 60.7
2005 32.8 61.4
2004 31.5 62.4
2003 34.6 67.3
2002 35.4 65.1
2001 34 64.8
2000 34.7 66.7
1999 32.3 66.1
1998 32 66.1
1997 28.9 61.6
1996 31.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Libya Namibia
Services, % of GDP
26.9%
2025
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
73.2%
2025
28.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.5%
2025
6.99%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$54.1B
2025
$13.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,150
2025
$11,260
2025
Total reserves including gold
$105B
2025
$3.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2025
119/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$1.89B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.93B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
$44.4M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
18.7%
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/libya/namibia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, 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.

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.