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Economy of Libya vs Russia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $2.17T for Russia, ranking 95/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Russia GDP by year

Libya
Russia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Russia
2024 $48,487,151,215 $2,173,835,806,672
2023 $44,027,664,915 $2,071,505,725,031
2022 $43,246,297,922 $2,291,612,121,335
2021 $35,217,995,647 $1,829,186,719,575
2020 $46,854,285,441 $1,493,075,894,362
2019 $69,254,496,472 $1,693,115,002,708
2018 $76,686,029,772 $1,657,328,773,461
2017 $67,157,452,182 $1,574,199,360,089
2016 $49,912,073,701 $1,276,786,350,881
2015 $48,717,501,321 $1,363,482,182,198
2014 $57,372,355,592 $2,059,241,589,895
2013 $75,351,107,029 $2,292,470,078,346
2012 $92,540,938,129 $2,208,293,553,878
2011 $48,169,263,294 $2,045,922,753,398
2010 $75,380,825,062 $1,524,916,715,224
2009 $60,808,562,033 $1,222,645,900,056
2008 $86,710,767,415 $1,660,848,058,303
2007 $68,032,978,391 $1,299,703,478,482
2006 $60,094,231,607 $989,932,071,353
2005 $47,334,691,241 $764,015,973,481
2004 $33,122,307,692 $591,016,690,732
2003 $26,265,625,000 $430,347,420,185
2002 $20,481,889,764 $345,470,494,418
2001 $34,112,093,927 $306,602,070,621
2000 $38,270,954,138 $259,710,142,197
1999 $35,975,860,857 $195,907,128,351
1998 $27,251,301,398 $270,955,486,862
1997 $30,700,897,875 $404,928,954,192
1996 $27,884,615,385 $391,724,890,744
1995 $25,541,379,187 $395,537,185,735
1994 $28,610,549,763 $395,077,301,248
1993 $30,660,051,911 $435,083,713,851
1992 $33,887,047,909 $460,290,556,901
1991 $31,991,821,265 $517,962,962,963
1990 $28,904,183,602 $517,014,446,228
1989 $25,156,707,899 $506,631,299,735
1988 $24,308,959,591 $554,828,660,436
1987 $26,697,659,335 -
1986 $24,180,400,959 -
1985 $31,530,566,324 -
1984 $29,476,109,153 -
1983 $33,200,520,140 -
1982 $33,760,146,991 -
1981 $36,374,353,880 -
1980 $40,953,924,949 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs Russia by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Russia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $15,145 $47,405
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $14,403 $44,269
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $15,888 $40,939
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $12,637 $38,638
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $10,280 $31,491
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $11,640 $30,964
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $11,399 $28,629
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $10,835 $25,778
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $8,804 $24,012
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $9,427 $23,994
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $14,277 $25,688
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $15,941 $26,020
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $15,402 $24,274
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $14,305 $22,790
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $10,675 $20,490
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $8,563 $19,390
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $11,635 $20,164
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $9,101 $16,648
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $6,920 $14,912
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $5,323 $11,822
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $4,102 $10,227
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $2,975 $9,255
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $2,378 $8,037
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $2,100 $7,361
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $1,772 $6,825
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $1,331 $5,914
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $1,835 $5,465
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $2,738 $5,700
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $2,644 $5,518
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $2,666 $5,613
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $2,662 $5,734
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $2,931 $6,420
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $3,099 $6,862
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $3,490 $7,858
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $3,494 $8,028
1989 $5,793 - $3,430 -
1988 $5,736 - $3,778 -
1987 $6,465 - - -
1986 $6,019 - - -
1985 $8,087 - - -
1984 $7,811 - - -
1983 $8,927 - - -
1982 $9,064 - - -
1981 $10,044 - - -
1980 $11,960 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $15,145 in Russia, ranking 68/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Russia ranks 50th at $47,405.

Economic indicators

Libya Russia
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$2.17T
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
4.34%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$15,145
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
68/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$47,405
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
50/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$440B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
20.3%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$3,067
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
98/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$10,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$650B
2023
Number of millionaires n/a
426,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
140
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
36.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
16%
2025
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
2.43%
2024
Population
7559873
141906741

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Russia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Russia
2024 -25.1% -1.6%
2023 8.22% -2.22%
2022 23.6% -1.34%
2021 14.8% 0.78%
2020 -22.3% -3.99%
2019 11.9% 1.93%
2018 9.39% 2.92%
2017 -11.1% -1.47%
2016 -29.3% -3.67%
2015 -28.5% -3.39%
2014 -30.5% -1.07%
2013 -16.3% -1.16%
2012 24.6% 0.38%
2011 -11.5% 1.43%
2010 11.5% -3.19%
2009 -5.46% -5.89%
2008 27.7% 4.55%
2007 28.4% 5.59%
2006 29.1% 7.8%
2005 30.4% 7.6%
2004 11.3% 4.57%
2003 6.17% 1.35%
2002 6.99% 0.67%
2001 0.07% 2.99%
2000 13.6% 3.11%
1999 5.69% -3.59%
1998 -2.36% -7.42%
1997 -2.1% -
1996 11.3% -
1995 3.8% -
1994 -2.67% -
1993 -5.77% -
1992 0.11% -
1991 8.41% -
1990 3.36% -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - 0.15%
1939 - 0.12%
1938 - 0.16%
1937 - 0.12%
1936 - 0.1%
1935 - 0.07%
1934 - 0.25%
1933 - 0.58%
1932 - 0.06%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - -1.62%
1929 - -0.4%
1928 - -0.4%
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 - 0.69%
1911 - 1.26%
1910 - 1.52%
1909 - -0.15%
1908 - -0.83%
1907 - -0.86%
1906 - -3.19%
1905 - -7.72%
1904 - -5.13%
1903 - 1.04%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - 0.14%
1900 - -0.36%
1899 - 0.66%
1898 - 0.03%
1897 - 0.34%
1896 - 1.3%
1895 - 0.7%
1894 - 1.43%
1893 - 0.63%
1892 - -1.16%
1891 - -0.97%
1890 - 0.01%
1889 - 1.34%
1888 - 0.88%
1887 - 0.14%
1886 - -0.84%
1885 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1940, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/russia | 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 Russia's deficit of $34.9B, or 1.6% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Russia ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 3.01% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.21% of GDP for Russia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Russia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Russia
2024 2.13% 8.4%
2023 2.37% 5.9%
2022 4.51% 13.7%
2021 2.87% 6.7%
2020 1.45% 3.4%
2019 -2.16% 4.5%
2018 13.2% 2.9%
2017 25.8% 3.7%
2016 25.9% 7%
2015 10.4% 15.5%
2014 2.43% 7.8%
2013 2.61% 6.8%
2012 6.06% 5.1%
2011 15.5% 8.4%
2010 2.8% 6.8%
2009 2.46% 11.6%
2008 10.4% 14.1%
2007 6.25% 9%
2006 1.46% 9.7%
2005 2.65% 12.7%
2004 -2.2% 10.9%
2003 -2.19% 13.7%
2002 -9.8% 15.8%
2001 -8.81% 21.5%
2000 -2.9% 20.8%
1999 2.65% 85.7%
1998 3.71% 27.7%
1997 3.55% 14.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 13.4% in Russia. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 8.4% in Russia.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Russia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $250M
Manufacturing & construction services $66.4M
Raw materials & minerals $48M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24.8M
Machinery & equipment $5.19M
Wood & paper products $4.37M
Chemicals & pharma $1.55M
Precious metals & jewellery $640K
Metals $594K
Textiles & consumer goods $510K

Balance of trade

Libya Russia
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
$63.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
12/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
+2.91%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$302B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$434B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$81.5B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$43.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
2024
21.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya Russia
Economic freedom 35.9 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 161/197
Property rights 6.3 18.6
Government integrity 10.3 22.8
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 22.8
Tax burden 95 81.9
Government spending 0 61.3
Fiscal health 19.9 94.4
Business freedom 32.4 51.4
Labor freedom 48.2 59.1
Monetary freedom 75.2 61.8
Trade freedom 80 69.4
Investment freedom 5 30
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
Russia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya Russia
2026 - 50.3
2025 - 51.6
2024 - 52
2023 - 53.8
2022 - 56.1
2021 - 61.5
2020 - 61
2019 - 58.9
2018 - 58.2
2017 - 57.1
2016 - 50.6
2015 - 52.1
2014 - 51.9
2013 - 51.1
2012 35.9 50.5
2011 38.6 50.5
2010 40.2 50.3
2009 43.5 50.8
2008 38.7 49.8
2007 37 52.2
2006 33.2 52.4
2005 32.8 51.3
2004 31.5 52.8
2003 34.6 50.8
2002 35.4 48.7
2001 34 49.8
2000 34.7 51.8
1999 32.3 54.5
1998 32 52.8
1997 28.9 48.6
1996 31.7 51.6
1995 - 51.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, compared to 50.3 for Russia, ranking 161/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Libya Russia
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
30.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
2.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$2.24T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$46,780
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$597B
2023
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
6/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
$9.37B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$9.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
-$170M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
12.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
26.3%
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/russia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1940, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2012–2021, 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.

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.