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Economy of Libya vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 95/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Thailand GDP by year

Libya
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Thailand
2024 $48,487,151,215 $526,517,658,842
2023 $44,027,664,915 $515,906,283,941
2022 $43,246,297,922 $495,644,697,588
2021 $35,217,995,647 $506,194,668,790
2020 $46,854,285,441 $500,461,898,480
2019 $69,254,496,472 $543,976,691,794
2018 $76,686,029,772 $506,754,208,404
2017 $67,157,452,182 $456,356,813,537
2016 $49,912,073,701 $413,366,349,748
2015 $48,717,501,321 $401,296,238,228
2014 $57,372,355,592 $407,339,040,198
2013 $75,351,107,029 $420,333,654,593
2012 $92,540,938,129 $397,558,325,279
2011 $48,169,263,294 $370,818,739,624
2010 $75,380,825,062 $341,104,766,329
2009 $60,808,562,033 $281,710,630,187
2008 $86,710,767,415 $291,382,982,431
2007 $68,032,978,391 $262,942,621,455
2006 $60,094,231,607 $221,758,296,022
2005 $47,334,691,241 $189,318,408,469
2004 $33,122,307,692 $172,895,685,155
2003 $26,265,625,000 $152,280,615,246
2002 $20,481,889,764 $134,300,904,400
2001 $34,112,093,927 $120,296,476,180
2000 $38,270,954,138 $126,392,224,254
1999 $35,975,860,857 $126,669,211,779
1998 $27,251,301,398 $113,675,596,788
1997 $30,700,897,875 $150,180,456,566
1996 $27,884,615,385 $183,035,237,429
1995 $25,541,379,187 $169,278,916,593
1994 $28,610,549,763 $146,683,778,959
1993 $30,660,051,911 $128,889,262,951
1992 $33,887,047,909 $111,452,746,518
1991 $31,991,821,265 $98,234,714,971
1990 $28,904,183,602 $85,343,190,719
1989 $25,156,707,899 $72,250,748,100
1988 $24,308,959,591 $61,667,253,471
1987 $26,697,659,335 $50,535,446,555
1986 $24,180,400,959 $43,096,773,981
1985 $31,530,566,324 $38,900,711,333
1984 $29,476,109,153 $41,797,647,776
1983 $33,200,520,140 $40,042,798,388
1982 $33,760,146,991 $36,589,772,404
1981 $36,374,353,880 $34,846,039,194
1980 $40,953,924,949 $32,353,514,989
1979 $30,536,429,497 $27,371,650,825
1978 $22,136,422,643 $24,006,566,637
1977 $22,428,297,108 $19,779,312,261
1976 $19,096,943,017 $16,985,208,648
1975 $14,710,912,458 $14,882,770,594
1974 $15,112,543,717 $13,702,998,512
1973 $8,625,889,430 $10,838,587,358
1972 $6,299,395,544 $8,177,873,151
1971 $5,260,185,125 $7,375,000,024
1970 $4,601,649,451 $7,086,538,438
1969 $4,380,987,481 $6,695,336,567
1968 $3,850,623,095 $6,081,009,428
1967 $2,726,986,913 $5,638,461,442
1966 $2,312,438,536 $5,279,230,817
1965 $1,804,979,680 $4,388,937,649
1964 $1,341,395,421 $3,889,129,942
1963 $892,327,911 $3,540,403,457
1962 $619,725,785 $3,308,912,797
1961 $443,905,612 $3,034,037,811
1960 $401,644,249 $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs Thailand by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $5,793 - $1,342 -
1988 $5,736 - $1,164 -
1987 $6,465 - $970 -
1986 $6,019 - $842 -
1985 $8,087 - $774 -
1984 $7,811 - $847 -
1983 $8,927 - $827 -
1982 $9,064 - $770 -
1981 $10,044 - $748 -
1980 $11,960 - $709 -
1979 $9,443 - $612 -
1978 $7,252 - $548 -
1977 $7,783 - $462 -
1976 $7,018 - $405 -
1975 $5,721 - $364 -
1974 $6,214 - $343 -
1973 $3,727 - $278.3 -
1972 $2,830 - $215.6 -
1971 $2,443 - $199.7 -
1970 $2,210 - $197.1 -
1969 $2,175 - $191.4 -
1968 $1,972 - $178.8 -
1967 $1,437 - $170.7 -
1966 $1,251 - $164.5 -
1965 $1,001 - $140.9 -
1964 $765 - $128.6 -
1963 $528 - $120.7 -
1962 $382 - $116.2 -
1961 $285.3 - $109.7 -
1960 $269 - $102.8 -

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

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Libya Thailand
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
0.78%
2024
Population
7559873
71571743

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Thailand
2024 -25.1% -1.29%
2023 8.22% -1.98%
2022 23.6% -4.61%
2021 14.8% -6.74%
2020 -22.3% -4.47%
2019 11.9% 0.43%
2018 9.39% 0.2%
2017 -11.1% -0.42%
2016 -29.3% 0.41%
2015 -28.5% 0.19%
2014 -30.5% -0.7%
2013 -16.3% 0.6%
2012 24.6% -0.86%
2011 -11.5% 0.09%
2010 11.5% -1.07%
2009 -5.46% -2.21%
2008 27.7% 0.8%
2007 28.4% 0.22%
2006 29.1% 1.87%
2005 30.4% 2.17%
2004 11.3% 1.11%
2003 6.17% 1.98%
2002 6.99% -6.72%
2001 0.07% -1.77%
2000 13.6% -1.79%
1999 5.69% -9.02%
1998 -2.36% -6.29%
1997 -2.1% -1.68%
1996 11.3% 2.75%
1995 3.8% 3.05%
1994 -2.67% 2.78%
1993 -5.77% 6.67%
1992 0.11% -0.18%
1991 8.41% 1.6%
1990 3.36% 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.67% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Thailand
2024 2.13% 1.37%
2023 2.37% 8.48%
2022 4.51% -1.61%
2021 2.87% 1.23%
2020 1.45% -0.85%
2019 -2.16% 0.71%
2018 13.2% 1.06%
2017 25.8% 0.67%
2016 25.9% 0.19%
2015 10.4% -0.9%
2014 2.43% 1.9%
2013 2.61% 2.18%
2012 6.06% 3.01%
2011 15.5% 3.81%
2010 2.8% 3.25%
2009 2.46% -0.85%
2008 10.4% 5.47%
2007 6.25% 2.24%
2006 1.46% 4.64%
2005 2.65% 4.54%
2004 -2.2% 2.76%
2003 -2.19% 1.8%
2002 -9.8% 0.7%
2001 -8.81% 1.63%
2000 -2.9% 1.59%
1999 2.65% 0.28%
1998 3.71% 7.99%
1997 3.55% 5.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $504M
Thailand
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $162M
Machinery & equipment $70.3M
Raw materials & minerals $5.59M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.2M
Chemicals & pharma $1.74M
Raw agricultural goods $1.51M
Wood & paper products $1.49M
Metals $788K
Precious metals & jewellery $74K
Animal & marine products $28K

Balance of trade

Libya Thailand
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$297B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$74B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya Thailand
Economic freedom 35.9 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 88/197
Property rights 6.3 41.8
Government integrity 10.3 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 35
Tax burden 95 80.8
Government spending 0 83.6
Fiscal health 19.9 81
Business freedom 32.4 69.9
Labor freedom 48.2 56.4
Monetary freedom 75.2 73.3
Trade freedom 80 70.2
Investment freedom 5 55
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya Thailand
2026 - 62.2
2025 - 60.6
2024 - 59
2023 - 60.6
2022 - 63.2
2021 - 69.7
2020 - 69.4
2019 - 68.3
2018 - 67.1
2017 - 66.2
2016 - 63.9
2015 - 62.4
2014 - 63.3
2013 - 64.1
2012 35.9 64.9
2011 38.6 64.7
2010 40.2 64.1
2009 43.5 63
2008 38.7 62.3
2007 37 63.5
2006 33.2 63.3
2005 32.8 62.5
2004 31.5 63.7
2003 34.6 65.8
2002 35.4 69.1
2001 34 68.9
2000 34.7 66.6
1999 32.3 66.9
1998 32 67.3
1997 28.9 66.1
1996 31.7 71
1995 - 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Libya Thailand
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
21.6%
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/thailand | 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 (1948–1994, 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 (2019–2024, 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.

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.