Skip to content

Economy of Libya vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $260B for New Zealand, ranking 95/197 and 52/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs New Zealand GDP by year

Libya
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya New Zealand
2024 $48,487,151,215 $260,172,385,098
2023 $44,027,664,915 $255,194,972,673
2022 $43,246,297,922 $249,509,991,440
2021 $35,217,995,647 $253,977,931,815
2020 $46,854,285,441 $213,029,554,654
2019 $69,254,496,472 $213,006,341,102
2018 $76,686,029,772 $211,985,631,173
2017 $67,157,452,182 $206,745,969,246
2016 $49,912,073,701 $189,100,085,275
2015 $48,717,501,321 $178,224,167,088
2014 $57,372,355,592 $201,518,402,787
2013 $75,351,107,029 $191,012,364,177
2012 $92,540,938,129 $176,560,711,239
2011 $48,169,263,294 $168,484,908,960
2010 $75,380,825,062 $146,887,902,524
2009 $60,808,562,033 $121,663,439,315
2008 $86,710,767,415 $133,437,126,590
2007 $68,032,978,391 $137,188,946,866
2006 $60,094,231,607 $111,538,810,713
2005 $47,334,691,241 $114,720,129,550
2004 $33,122,307,692 $103,905,210,084
2003 $26,265,625,000 $88,250,885,550
2002 $20,481,889,764 $66,627,729,311
2001 $34,112,093,927 $53,872,425,917
2000 $38,270,954,138 $52,623,281,957
1999 $35,975,860,857 $58,762,260,626
1998 $27,251,301,398 $56,227,169,851
1997 $30,700,897,875 $66,075,143,415
1996 $27,884,615,385 $70,140,835,299
1995 $25,541,379,187 $63,918,703,507
1994 $28,610,549,763 $55,314,732,279
1993 $30,660,051,911 $46,775,620,817
1992 $33,887,047,909 $41,649,829,860
1991 $31,991,821,265 $42,745,329,732
1990 $28,904,183,602 $45,495,129,385
1989 $25,156,707,899 $43,920,222,525
1988 $24,308,959,591 $45,176,811,594
1987 $26,697,659,335 $40,376,354,070
1986 $24,180,400,959 $30,604,668,357
1985 $31,530,566,324 $24,679,795,396
1984 $29,476,109,153 $21,665,975,319
1983 $33,200,520,140 $24,309,279,706
1982 $33,760,146,991 $24,164,603,059
1981 $36,374,353,880 $24,417,617,184
1980 $40,953,924,949 $23,244,547,385
1979 $30,536,429,497 $20,731,243,113
1978 $22,136,422,643 $18,530,518,395
1977 $22,428,297,108 $15,446,825,318
1976 $19,096,943,017 $13,604,832,424
1975 $14,710,912,458 $12,861,983,284
1974 $15,112,543,717 $13,940,981,798
1973 $8,625,889,430 $12,802,281,898
1972 $6,299,395,544 $9,567,331,065
1971 $5,260,185,125 $7,911,136,757
1970 $4,601,649,451 $6,495,605,331
1969 $4,380,987,481 $5,814,357,709
1968 $3,850,623,095 $5,228,045,415
1967 $2,726,986,913 $6,016,017,227
1966 $2,312,438,536 $5,917,437,693
1965 $1,804,979,680 $5,706,251,400
1964 $1,341,395,421 $7,340,766,415
1963 $892,327,911 $6,699,741,645
1962 $619,725,785 $6,133,158,532
1961 $443,905,612 $5,721,994,864
1960 $401,644,249 $5,536,098,360

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Libya vs New Zealand by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $49,205 $55,551
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $49,076 $54,697
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $49,100 $54,034
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $49,950 $48,249
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $41,998 $45,513
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $42,856 $45,278
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $43,257 $42,527
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $42,950 $42,244
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $40,114 $39,989
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $38,665 $37,513
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $44,618 $37,331
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $43,000 $36,263
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $40,054 $33,055
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $38,432 $32,739
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $11,793 $14,877
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $12,230 $14,501
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $13,663 $14,812
1989 $5,793 - $13,312 -
1988 $5,736 - $13,759 -
1987 $6,465 - $12,331 -
1986 $6,019 - $9,428 -
1985 $8,087 - $7,601 -
1984 $7,811 - $6,714 -
1983 $8,927 - $7,598 -
1982 $9,064 - $7,656 -
1981 $10,044 - $7,814 -
1980 $11,960 - $7,467 -
1979 $9,443 - $6,668 -
1978 $7,252 - $5,937 -
1977 $7,783 - $4,951 -
1976 $7,018 - $4,374 -
1975 $5,721 - $4,172 -
1974 $6,214 - $4,611 -
1973 $3,727 - $4,323 -
1972 $2,830 - $3,295 -
1971 $2,443 - $2,773 -
1970 $2,210 - $2,311 -
1969 $2,175 - $2,097 -
1968 $1,972 - $1,902 -
1967 $1,437 - $2,208 -
1966 $1,251 - $2,211 -
1965 $1,001 - $2,171 -
1964 $765 - $2,839 -
1963 $528 - $2,646 -
1962 $382 - $2,471 -
1961 $285.3 - $2,365 -
1960 $269 - $2,334 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/new-zealand | CC BY

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $49,205 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Libya New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$260B
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
1.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$49,205
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
26/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$131B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
50.2%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$24,722
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
28/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$37,758
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$92.9B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
41.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
2.92%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
4.76%
2024
Population
7559873
5374272

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya New Zealand
2024 -25.1% -3.61%
2023 8.22% -3.54%
2022 23.6% -4.16%
2021 14.8% -3.5%
2020 -22.3% -4.35%
2019 11.9% -2.5%
2018 9.39% 1.27%
2017 -11.1% 1.36%
2016 -29.3% 0.98%
2015 -28.5% 0.36%
2014 -30.5% -0.34%
2013 -16.3% -1.29%
2012 24.6% -2.19%
2011 -11.5% -4.96%
2010 11.5% -5.51%
2009 -5.46% -1.81%
2008 27.7% 1.47%
2007 28.4% 3.6%
2006 29.1% 4.62%
2005 30.4% 5.13%
2004 11.3% 4.49%
2003 6.17% 3.68%
2002 6.99% 2.55%
2001 0.07% 1.29%
2000 13.6% 0.17%
1999 5.69% -1.11%
1998 -2.36% -0.48%
1997 -2.1% 1.23%
1996 11.3% 2.58%
1995 3.8% 3.7%
1994 -2.67% 1.99%
1993 -5.77% -1.53%
1992 0.11% -6.27%
1991 8.41% -6.14%
1990 3.36% -2.74%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/new-zealand | 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 New Zealand's deficit of $9.38B, or 3.61% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.44% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya New Zealand
2024 2.13% 2.92%
2023 2.37% 5.73%
2022 4.51% 7.17%
2021 2.87% 3.94%
2020 1.45% 1.71%
2019 -2.16% 1.62%
2018 13.2% 1.6%
2017 25.8% 1.85%
2016 25.9% 0.65%
2015 10.4% 0.29%
2014 2.43% 1.23%
2013 2.61% 1.13%
2012 6.06% 1.06%
2011 15.5% 4.03%
2010 2.8% 2.3%
2009 2.46% 2.12%
2008 10.4% 3.96%
2007 6.25% 2.38%
2006 1.46% 3.37%
2005 2.65% 3.04%
2004 -2.2% 2.29%
2003 -2.19% 1.75%
2002 -9.8% 2.68%
2001 -8.81% 2.63%
2000 -2.9% 2.62%
1999 2.65% -0.11%
1998 3.71% 1.27%
1997 3.55% 1.19%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 2.37% in New Zealand. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 2.92% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $98.8M
Chemicals & pharma $256K
Machinery & equipment $158K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K

Balance of trade

Libya New Zealand
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$12.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
178/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-4.65%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$47.3B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$43.3B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$19.5B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$18.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
26.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
2024
24.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya New Zealand
Economic freedom 35.9 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 13/197
Property rights 6.3 85.4
Government integrity 10.3 90
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 95.9
Tax burden 95 66.1
Government spending 0 48
Fiscal health 19.9 72.2
Business freedom 32.4 89.1
Labor freedom 48.2 68.6
Monetary freedom 75.2 77.4
Trade freedom 80 90.6
Investment freedom 5 70
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya New Zealand
2026 - 77.8
2025 - 78.1
2024 - 77.8
2023 - 78.9
2022 - 80.6
2021 - 83.9
2020 - 84.1
2019 - 84.4
2018 - 84.2
2017 - 83.7
2016 - 81.6
2015 - 82.1
2014 - 81.2
2013 - 81.4
2012 35.9 82.1
2011 38.6 82.3
2010 40.2 82.1
2009 43.5 82
2008 38.7 80.7
2007 37 81.4
2006 33.2 82
2005 32.8 82.3
2004 31.5 81.5
2003 34.6 81.1
2002 35.4 80.7
2001 34 81.1
2000 34.7 80.9
1999 32.3 81.7
1998 32 79.2
1997 28.9 79
1996 31.7 78.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/new-zealand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, compared to 77.8 for New Zealand, ranking 13/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Libya New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
67.4%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
19.6%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
4.57%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$252B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$53,600
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$22.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
59/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$878M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
$882M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
22.5%
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/new-zealand | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.

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.