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Economy of Libya vs Uganda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $53.9B for Uganda, ranking 95/197 and 89/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Uganda GDP by year

Libya
Uganda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Uganda
2024 $48,487,151,215 $53,911,907,086
2023 $44,027,664,915 $48,768,955,863
2022 $43,246,297,922 $45,565,333,211
2021 $35,217,995,647 $40,529,788,749
2020 $46,854,285,441 $37,600,368,242
2019 $69,254,496,472 $35,353,061,003
2018 $76,686,029,772 $32,927,025,620
2017 $67,157,452,182 $30,744,473,841
2016 $49,912,073,701 $29,203,988,696
2015 $48,717,501,321 $32,387,183,730
2014 $57,372,355,592 $32,612,397,257
2013 $75,351,107,029 $28,915,786,517
2012 $92,540,938,129 $27,305,915,911
2011 $48,169,263,294 $27,871,725,241
2010 $75,380,825,062 $26,673,441,431
2009 $60,808,562,033 $25,127,805,567
2008 $86,710,767,415 $14,440,404,132
2007 $68,032,978,391 $11,902,564,495
2006 $60,094,231,607 $9,977,647,683
2005 $47,334,691,241 $9,239,221,763
2004 $33,122,307,692 $7,939,487,548
2003 $26,265,625,000 $6,606,884,275
2002 $20,481,889,764 $6,178,563,591
2001 $34,112,093,927 $5,840,503,869
2000 $38,270,954,138 $6,193,246,837
1999 $35,975,860,857 $5,998,563,258
1998 $27,251,301,398 $6,584,815,847
1997 $30,700,897,875 $6,269,333,313
1996 $27,884,615,385 $6,044,585,327
1995 $25,541,379,187 $5,755,818,842
1994 $28,610,549,763 $3,990,430,447
1993 $30,660,051,911 $3,220,439,044
1992 $33,887,047,909 $2,857,457,762
1991 $31,991,821,265 $3,321,729,160
1990 $28,904,183,602 $4,304,399,310
1989 $25,156,707,899 $5,276,480,799
1988 $24,308,959,591 $6,508,931,652
1987 $26,697,659,335 $6,269,522,042
1986 $24,180,400,959 $3,923,244,050
1985 $31,530,566,324 $3,519,695,444
1984 $29,476,109,153 $3,615,647,477
1983 $33,200,520,140 $2,240,333,333
1982 $33,760,146,991 $2,177,500,000
1981 $36,374,353,880 $1,337,300,000
1980 $40,953,924,949 $1,244,610,000
1979 $30,536,429,497 $2,139,025,000
1978 $22,136,422,643 $2,420,260,870
1977 $22,428,297,108 $2,936,470,588
1976 $19,096,943,017 $2,447,300,000
1975 $14,710,912,458 $2,359,555,556
1974 $15,112,543,717 $2,098,944,967
1973 $8,625,889,430 $1,701,829,789
1972 $6,299,395,544 $1,490,970,181
1971 $5,260,185,125 $1,417,191,656
1970 $4,601,649,451 $1,259,554,809
1969 $4,380,987,481 $1,168,556,629
1968 $3,850,623,095 $1,037,379,252
1967 $2,726,986,913 $967,240,655
1966 $2,312,438,536 $925,381,492
1965 $1,804,979,680 $884,502,310
1964 $1,341,395,421 $589,247,687
1963 $892,327,911 $516,315,231
1962 $619,725,785 $449,158,233
1961 $443,905,612 $441,667,335
1960 $401,644,249 $423,145,605

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

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs Uganda by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Uganda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $1,078 $3,273
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $963 $2,919
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $883 $2,685
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $846 $2,532
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $822 $2,441
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $792 $2,312
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $765 $2,158
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $753 $2,165
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $863 $2,190
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $896 $2,134
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $818 $2,045
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $795 $2,032
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $836 $2,268
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $823 $2,092
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $799 $2,015
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $473 $1,931
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $401 $1,795
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $347 $1,660
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $330 $1,497
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $242 $1,255
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $236 $1,173
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $284.7 $969
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $278.5 $897
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $198.4 $809
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $165.6 $770
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $152.1 $719
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $183 $703
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $245 $666
1989 $5,793 - $310 -
1988 $5,736 - $395 -
1987 $6,465 - $393 -
1986 $6,019 - $253.6 -
1985 $8,087 - $234.3 -
1984 $7,811 - $247.5 -
1983 $8,927 - $157.5 -
1982 $9,064 - $157 -
1981 $10,044 - $98.6 -
1980 $11,960 - $93.8 -
1979 $9,443 - $164.5 -
1978 $7,252 - $190.7 -
1977 $7,783 - $237.6 -
1976 $7,018 - $203.3 -
1975 $5,721 - $201.2 -
1974 $6,214 - $183.7 -
1973 $3,727 - $152.7 -
1972 $2,830 - $137 -
1971 $2,443 - $133.5 -
1970 $2,210 - $122 -
1969 $2,175 - $116.7 -
1968 $1,972 - $106.9 -
1967 $1,437 - $102.8 -
1966 $1,251 - $101.4 -
1965 $1,001 - $100 -
1964 $765 - $68.6 -
1963 $528 - $62 -
1962 $382 - $55.5 -
1961 $285.3 - $56.2 -
1960 $269 - $55.4 -

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

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $1,078 in Uganda, ranking 176/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273.

Economic indicators

Libya Uganda
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$53.9B
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
89/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$1,078
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$3,273
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
176/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$27.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
51.5%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$555
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
163/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$1,466
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
34.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
18.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
9.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
3.42%
2021
Population
7559873
53170946

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Uganda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Uganda
2024 -25.1% -3.99%
2023 8.22% -4.87%
2022 23.6% -5.45%
2021 14.8% -7.76%
2020 -22.3% -7.76%
2019 11.9% -4.82%
2018 9.39% -3.02%
2017 -11.1% -3.83%
2016 -29.3% -2.64%
2015 -28.5% -2.59%
2014 -30.5% -2.74%
2013 -16.3% -3.19%
2012 24.6% -2.39%
2011 -11.5% -2.04%
2010 11.5% -4.64%
2009 -5.46% -1.61%
2008 27.7% -1.99%
2007 28.4% -0.82%
2006 29.1% -0.64%
2005 30.4% -0.17%
2004 11.3% 0.34%
2003 6.17% -0.97%
2002 6.99% -2.07%
2001 0.07% -0.99%
2000 13.6% -0.62%
1999 5.69% -1.24%
1998 -2.36% -0.7%
1997 -2.1% -0.83%
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/uganda | 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 Uganda's deficit of $2.15B, or 3.99% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Uganda ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.82% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.64% of GDP for Uganda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Uganda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Uganda
2024 2.13% 3.3%
2023 2.37% 5.4%
2022 4.51% 7.2%
2021 2.87% 2.2%
2020 1.45% 2.8%
2019 -2.16% 2.1%
2018 13.2% 2.5%
2017 25.8% 5.6%
2016 25.9% 5.2%
2015 10.4% 3.7%
2014 2.43% 4.3%
2013 2.61% 5.5%
2012 6.06% 14%
2011 15.5% 18.7%
2010 2.8% 4%
2009 2.46% 13%
2008 10.4% 12%
2007 6.25% 6.1%
2006 1.46% 7.2%
2005 2.65% 8.6%
2004 -2.2% 3.7%
2003 -2.19% 8.7%
2002 -9.8% -0.3%
2001 -8.81% 1.9%
2000 -2.9% 3.4%
1999 2.65% 5.8%
1998 3.71% 5.8%
1997 3.55% 7.7%

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/uganda | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 6.08% in Uganda. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 3.3% in Uganda.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
Uganda
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $500K
Machinery & equipment $247K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $176K
Raw agricultural goods $166K

Balance of trade

Libya Uganda
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$4.29B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
164/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-7.96%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$8.67B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$4.38B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$2.39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
25.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
2024
16.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya Uganda
Economic freedom 35.9 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 149/197
Property rights 6.3 42.2
Government integrity 10.3 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 29.4
Tax burden 95 73.4
Government spending 0 89
Fiscal health 19.9 58.3
Business freedom 32.4 50.2
Labor freedom 48.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 75.2 77.1
Trade freedom 80 58
Investment freedom 5 30
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
Uganda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya Uganda
2026 - 52.4
2025 - 51.3
2024 - 50.7
2023 - 51.4
2022 - 54.2
2021 - 58.6
2020 - 59.5
2019 - 59.7
2018 - 62
2017 - 60.9
2016 - 59.3
2015 - 59.7
2014 - 59.9
2013 - 61.1
2012 35.9 61.9
2011 38.6 61.7
2010 40.2 62.2
2009 43.5 63.5
2008 38.7 63.8
2007 37 63.1
2006 33.2 63.9
2005 32.8 62.9
2004 31.5 64.1
2003 34.6 60.1
2002 35.4 61
2001 34 60.4
2000 34.7 58.2
1999 32.3 64.8
1998 32 64.7
1997 28.9 66.6
1996 31.7 66.2
1995 - 62.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, compared to 52.4 for Uganda, ranking 149/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Libya Uganda
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
43.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
24.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$3.36B
2018
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
114/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$3.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$3.26B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
$400K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
20.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
22.4%
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/uganda | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.