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Economy of Libya vs United Kingdom compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $3.69T for the United Kingdom, ranking 95/197 and 6/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs United Kingdom GDP by year

Libya
United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya United Kingdom
2024 $48,487,151,215 $3,686,033,044,482
2023 $44,027,664,915 $3,420,796,653,789
2022 $43,246,297,922 $3,181,244,350,465
2021 $35,217,995,647 $3,194,559,188,926
2020 $46,854,285,441 $2,724,001,478,305
2019 $69,254,496,472 $2,875,710,080,015
2018 $76,686,029,772 $2,897,028,009,916
2017 $67,157,452,182 $2,699,118,387,873
2016 $49,912,073,701 $2,706,807,606,539
2015 $48,717,501,321 $2,945,579,890,258
2014 $57,372,355,592 $3,085,362,169,410
2013 $75,351,107,029 $2,796,908,333,283
2012 $92,540,938,129 $2,719,715,961,540
2011 $48,169,263,294 $2,675,590,034,129
2010 $75,380,825,062 $2,496,740,681,057
2009 $60,808,562,033 $2,429,358,155,476
2008 $86,710,767,415 $2,945,251,838,235
2007 $68,032,978,391 $3,104,699,879,952
2006 $60,094,231,607 $2,719,558,417,663
2005 $47,334,691,241 $2,551,361,818,182
2004 $33,122,307,692 $2,429,774,807,763
2003 $26,265,625,000 $2,061,227,755,102
2002 $20,481,889,764 $1,790,536,570,743
2001 $34,112,093,927 $1,656,171,009,069
2000 $38,270,954,138 $1,671,597,821,153
1999 $35,975,860,857 $1,693,458,987,219
1998 $27,251,301,398 $1,660,821,464,061
1997 $30,700,897,875 $1,569,317,288,802
1996 $27,884,615,385 $1,425,287,051,482
1995 $25,541,379,187 $1,349,094,208,616
1994 $28,610,549,763 $1,140,489,745,944
1993 $30,660,051,911 $1,061,388,722,256
1992 $33,887,047,909 $1,179,659,529,660
1991 $31,991,821,265 $1,142,797,178,131
1990 $28,904,183,602 $1,093,169,389,205
1989 $25,156,707,899 $926,884,816,754
1988 $24,308,959,591 $910,122,732,124
1987 $26,697,659,335 $745,162,608,269
1986 $24,180,400,959 $601,452,653,181
1985 $31,530,566,324 $489,285,164,271
1984 $29,476,109,153 $461,487,097,632
1983 $33,200,520,140 $489,618,008,186
1982 $33,760,146,991 $515,048,916,841
1981 $36,374,353,880 $540,765,675,241
1980 $40,953,924,949 $564,947,710,899
1979 $30,536,429,497 $438,994,070,309
1978 $22,136,422,643 $335,883,029,722
1977 $22,428,297,108 $263,066,457,352
1976 $19,096,943,017 $232,614,555,256
1975 $14,710,912,458 $241,756,637,168
1974 $15,112,543,717 $206,131,369,799
1973 $8,625,889,430 $192,537,971,583
1972 $6,299,395,544 $169,965,034,965
1971 $5,260,185,125 $148,113,896,325
1970 $4,601,649,451 $130,671,946,244
1969 $4,380,987,481 $116,464,702,803
1968 $3,850,623,095 $107,759,910,068
1967 $2,726,986,913 $113,116,888,211
1966 $2,312,438,536 $108,572,752,102
1965 $1,804,979,680 $101,824,755,079
1964 $1,341,395,421 $94,407,558,351
1963 $892,327,911 $86,561,961,812
1962 $619,725,785 $81,247,564,157
1961 $443,905,612 $77,741,965,703
1960 $401,644,249 $73,233,967,692

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/united-kingdom | CC BY

GDP per capita in Libya vs United Kingdom by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Kingdom
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya United Kingdom
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $53,246 $62,009
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $49,944 $59,911
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $47,057 $59,022
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $47,691 $51,004
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $40,813 $48,230
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $43,159 $50,065
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $43,703 $47,212
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $40,917 $46,113
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $41,258 $44,085
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $45,255 $42,515
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $47,746 $41,267
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $43,607 $39,948
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $42,688 $38,337
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $42,296 $37,224
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $39,778 $36,484
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $39,009 $35,042
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $47,652 $36,745
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $50,629 $35,522
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $44,695 $34,727
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $42,240 $32,726
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $40,504 $32,051
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $34,557 $30,314
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $30,159 $29,089
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $28,014 $27,913
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $28,384 $26,536
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $28,858 $24,494
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $28,396 $23,689
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $26,910 $23,071
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $24,503 $21,947
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $23,253 $20,595
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $19,709 $19,605
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $18,389 $18,336
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $20,487 $17,349
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $19,901 $16,791
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $19,095 $16,505
1989 $5,793 - $16,239 -
1988 $5,736 - $15,987 -
1987 $6,465 - $13,119 -
1986 $6,019 - $10,611 -
1985 $8,087 - $8,652 -
1984 $7,811 - $8,179 -
1983 $8,927 - $8,692 -
1982 $9,064 - $9,146 -
1981 $10,044 - $9,599 -
1980 $11,960 - $10,032 -
1979 $9,443 - $7,805 -
1978 $7,252 - $5,977 -
1977 $7,783 - $4,681 -
1976 $7,018 - $4,138 -
1975 $5,721 - $4,300 -
1974 $6,214 - $3,666 -
1973 $3,727 - $3,426 -
1972 $2,830 - $3,030 -
1971 $2,443 - $2,650 -
1970 $2,210 - $2,348 -
1969 $2,175 - $2,101 -
1968 $1,972 - $1,952 -
1967 $1,437 - $2,059 -
1966 $1,251 - $1,987 -
1965 $1,001 - $1,874 -
1964 $765 - $1,748 -
1963 $528 - $1,613 -
1962 $382 - $1,526 -
1961 $285.3 - $1,472 -
1960 $269 - $1,398 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/united-kingdom | CC BY

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $53,246 in the United Kingdom, ranking 22/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while the United Kingdom ranks 32nd at $62,009.

Economic indicators

Libya United Kingdom
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$3.69T
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
6/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
1.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$53,246
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
22/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$62,009
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
32/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$3.73T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
101.2%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$53,900
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
7/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$39,230
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.1T
2022
Number of millionaires n/a
2,624,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
55
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
44%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
3.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
4.36%
2024
Population
7559873
70154914

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

United Kingdom
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya United Kingdom
2024 -25.1% -5.75%
2023 8.22% -6.05%
2022 23.6% -4.56%
2021 14.8% -7.72%
2020 -22.3% -13.2%
2019 11.9% -2.47%
2018 9.39% -2.27%
2017 -11.1% -2.49%
2016 -29.3% -3.31%
2015 -28.5% -4.59%
2014 -30.5% -5.53%
2013 -16.3% -5.34%
2012 24.6% -7.45%
2011 -11.5% -7.38%
2010 11.5% -9.22%
2009 -5.46% -10.1%
2008 27.7% -5.09%
2007 28.4% -2.65%
2006 29.1% -2.76%
2005 30.4% -3.15%
2004 11.3% -3.16%
2003 6.17% -3.22%
2002 6.99% -1.96%
2001 0.07% 0.34%
2000 13.6% 1.4%
1999 5.69% 0.76%
1998 -2.36% -0.21%
1997 -2.1% -2.01%
1996 11.3% -3.65%
1995 3.8% -4.99%
1994 -2.67% -5.74%
1993 -5.77% -6.62%
1992 0.11% -5.41%
1991 8.41% -2.77%
1990 3.36% -1.54%
1989 - 0.77%
1988 - 0.46%
1987 - -1.79%
1986 - -2.56%
1985 - -5.57%
1984 - -6.39%
1983 - -6.26%
1982 - -5.66%
1981 - -7.03%
1980 - -5.65%
1979 - -5.79%
1978 - -6.63%
1977 - -4.41%
1976 - -5.61%
1975 - -5.08%
1974 - -4.06%
1973 - -4.29%
1972 - -1.66%
1971 - 1.48%
1970 - 2.61%
1969 - 1.03%
1968 - -2.3%
1967 - -4.57%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.06%
1964 - -1.76%
1963 - -5.47%
1962 - -0.49%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.75%
1959 - -0.58%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - -1.04%
1956 - 0.55%
1955 - -0.39%
1954 - -1.65%
1953 - -2.84%
1952 - -1.26%
1951 - 2.03%
1950 - 0.34%
1949 - 3.01%
1948 - -0.39%
1947 - -15.8%
1946 - -22.5%
1945 - -30.9%
1944 - -29.7%
1943 - -33.3%
1942 - -31.6%
1941 - -32%
1940 - -12.1%
1939 - -2.99%
1938 - 0%
1937 - 0.82%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 0.37%
1934 - 0.48%
1933 - 0.99%
1932 - -0.15%
1931 - 0.8%
1930 - 1.01%
1929 - 0.75%
1928 - 1.75%
1927 - 1.62%
1926 - 0.6%
1925 - 0.84%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - 2.23%
1922 - 2.45%
1921 - 1.15%
1920 - 4.2%
1919 - -6.28%
1918 - -34.4%
1917 - -48.8%
1916 - -50.6%
1915 - -30%
1914 - -14.6%
1913 - 0.25%
1912 - 0.22%
1911 - 0.51%
1910 - 1.75%
1909 - -1.25%
1908 - 0.34%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.58%
1905 - 0.36%
1904 - 0.2%
1903 - -0.22%
1902 - -1.77%
1901 - -2.74%
1900 - -2.96%
1899 - -0.79%
1898 - 0.01%
1897 - 0.25%
1896 - 0.17%
1895 - 0.3%
1894 - 0.06%
1893 - -0.007%
1892 - 0.14%
1891 - 0.19%
1890 - 0.23%
1889 - 0.3%
1888 - 0.27%
1887 - 0.25%
1886 - 0.07%
1885 - -0.21%
1884 - -0.04%
1883 - 0.06%
1882 - 0.02%
1881 - 0.06%
1880 - 0.1%
1879 - -0.86%
1878 - -0.18%
1877 - -0.18%
1876 - 0.09%
1875 - 0%
1874 - 0.09%
1873 - 0%
1872 - 0.55%
1871 - 0.29%
1870 - 0%
1869 - 0.77%
1868 - -0.45%
1867 - -0.45%
1866 - 0.11%
1865 - 0%
1864 - 0.24%
1863 - 0%
1862 - -0.13%
1861 - -0.4%
1860 - -0.43%
1859 - 0%
1858 - -0.15%
1857 - -0.15%
1856 - -0.6%
1855 - -3.57%
1854 - -3.39%
1853 - 0.5%
1852 - 0.35%
1851 - 0.35%
1850 - 0.37%
1849 - 0.34%
1848 - -0.17%
1847 - -6.13%
1846 - 0.52%
1845 - 0.56%
1844 - 0.59%
1843 - 0.44%
1842 - -0.87%
1841 - -0.42%
1840 - -0.2%
1839 - -0.18%
1838 - -0.19%
1837 - -0.21%
1836 - 0.59%
1835 - 0.42%
1834 - 0.23%
1833 - 0.24%
1832 - 0%
1831 - 0%
1830 - 0.45%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/united-kingdom | 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 the United Kingdom's deficit of $212B, or 5.75% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while the United Kingdom ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.28% of GDP for the United Kingdom.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

United Kingdom
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya United Kingdom
2024 2.13% 3.27%
2023 2.37% 6.79%
2022 4.51% 7.92%
2021 2.87% 2.52%
2020 1.45% 0.99%
2019 -2.16% 1.74%
2018 13.2% 2.29%
2017 25.8% 2.56%
2016 25.9% 1.01%
2015 10.4% 0.37%
2014 2.43% 1.45%
2013 2.61% 2.29%
2012 6.06% 2.57%
2011 15.5% 3.86%
2010 2.8% 2.49%
2009 2.46% 1.96%
2008 10.4% 3.52%
2007 6.25% 2.39%
2006 1.46% 2.46%
2005 2.65% 2.09%
2004 -2.2% 1.39%
2003 -2.19% 1.38%
2002 -9.8% 1.52%
2001 -8.81% 1.53%
2000 -2.9% 1.18%
1999 2.65% 1.75%
1998 3.71% 1.82%
1997 3.55% 2.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/united-kingdom | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 2.4% in the United Kingdom. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 3.27% in the United Kingdom.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $384M
Textiles & consumer goods $295K
Miscellaneous $245K
Machinery & equipment $45K
Chemicals & pharma $38K
Metals $27K
Raw agricultural goods $13K
United Kingdom
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $78.3M
Chemicals & pharma $34.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22.1M
Wood & paper products $20.7M
Animal & marine products $18.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.5M
Metals $7.76M
Raw materials & minerals $4.11M
Miscellaneous $1.28M
Raw agricultural goods $651K

Balance of trade

Libya United Kingdom
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$80.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
189/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-2.19%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$763B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$494B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$411B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$648B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
31.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
2024
31%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya United Kingdom
Economic freedom 35.9 70.4
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 35/197
Property rights 6.3 93.6
Government integrity 10.3 83
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 83.1
Tax burden 95 61.7
Government spending 0 41.1
Fiscal health 19.9 32.4
Business freedom 32.4 83.6
Labor freedom 48.2 61.2
Monetary freedom 75.2 71.9
Trade freedom 80 82.8
Investment freedom 5 70
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
United Kingdom
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya United Kingdom
2026 - 70.4
2025 - 69.3
2024 - 68.6
2023 - 69.9
2022 - 72.7
2021 - 78.4
2020 - 79.3
2019 - 78.9
2018 - 78
2017 - 76.4
2016 - 76.4
2015 - 75.8
2014 - 74.9
2013 - 74.8
2012 35.9 74.1
2011 38.6 74.5
2010 40.2 76.5
2009 43.5 79
2008 38.7 79.4
2007 37 79.9
2006 33.2 80.4
2005 32.8 79.2
2004 31.5 77.7
2003 34.6 77.5
2002 35.4 78.5
2001 34 77.6
2000 34.7 77.3
1999 32.3 76.2
1998 32 76.5
1997 28.9 76.4
1996 31.7 76.4
1995 - 77.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/united-kingdom | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, compared to 70.4 for the United Kingdom, ranking 35/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Libya United Kingdom
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
72.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
0.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$3.42T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$61,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$175B
2024
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
19/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
$42.8B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$13B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
-$72.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
18.6%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
19.1%
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/united-kingdom | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (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.

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.