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Economy of Libya vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 95/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Venezuela GDP by year

Libya
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Venezuela
2024 $48,487,151,215 $119,802,963,258
2023 $44,027,664,915 $102,376,526,556
2022 $43,246,297,922 $89,013,255,585
2021 $35,217,995,647 $56,614,976,855
2020 $46,854,285,441 $42,838,020,721
2019 $69,254,496,472 $73,014,084,091
2018 $76,686,029,772 $102,021,093,965
2017 $67,157,452,182 $115,883,275,163
2016 $49,912,073,701 $112,915,034,262
2015 $48,717,501,321 $125,449,241,571
2014 $57,372,355,592 $214,689,614,733
2013 $75,351,107,029 $258,930,655,486
2012 $92,540,938,129 $372,592,062,768
2011 $48,169,263,294 $316,482,190,800
2010 $75,380,825,062 $393,192,354,511
2009 $60,808,562,033 $329,787,628,928
2008 $86,710,767,415 $315,953,388,511
2007 $68,032,978,391 $230,364,012,576
2006 $60,094,231,607 $183,477,522,124
2005 $47,334,691,241 $145,513,489,652
2004 $33,122,307,692 $112,451,400,425
2003 $26,265,625,000 $83,620,628,582
2002 $20,481,889,764 $92,893,587,734
2001 $34,112,093,927 $122,911,036,747
2000 $38,270,954,138 $117,146,466,003
1999 $35,975,860,857 $97,972,842,462
1998 $27,251,301,398 $91,336,763,255
1997 $30,700,897,875 $85,837,678,560
1996 $27,884,615,385 $70,543,211,119
1995 $25,541,379,187 $77,389,487,770
1994 $28,610,549,763 $58,418,666,667
1993 $30,660,051,911 $60,037,460,783
1992 $33,887,047,909 $60,416,519,620
1991 $31,991,821,265 $53,453,444,787
1990 $28,904,183,602 $48,606,952,195
1989 $25,156,707,899 $43,536,709,104
1988 $24,308,959,591 $60,226,413,793
1987 $26,697,659,335 $48,029,034,483
1986 $24,180,400,959 $60,516,123,711
1985 $31,530,566,324 $61,965,466,667
1984 $29,476,109,153 $59,867,743,468
1983 $33,200,520,140 $67,556,279,070
1982 $33,760,146,991 $67,736,744,186
1981 $36,374,353,880 $66,327,441,860
1980 $40,953,924,949 $59,116,511,628
1979 $30,536,429,497 $48,310,930,233
1978 $22,136,422,643 $39,316,279,070
1977 $22,428,297,108 $36,210,697,674
1976 $19,096,943,017 $31,419,534,884
1975 $14,710,912,458 $27,464,651,163
1974 $15,112,543,717 $26,100,930,233
1973 $8,625,889,430 $17,035,581,395
1972 $6,299,395,544 $13,977,727,273
1971 $5,260,185,125 $12,986,590,909
1970 $4,601,649,451 $11,561,111,111
1969 $4,380,987,481 $10,285,111,111
1968 $3,850,623,095 $10,034,444,444
1967 $2,726,986,913 $9,250,000,000
1966 $2,312,438,536 $8,781,333,333
1965 $1,804,979,680 $8,427,777,778
1964 $1,341,395,421 $8,192,413,793
1963 $892,327,911 $9,608,717,288
1962 $619,725,785 $8,814,309,884
1961 $443,905,612 $8,067,267,031
1960 $401,644,249 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs Venezuela by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $4,218 -
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $3,617 -
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $3,155 -
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $2,005 -
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $1,506 -
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $2,523 -
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $3,423 -
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $3,791 -
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $3,670 -
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $4,103 -
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $7,096 -
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $8,656 -
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $12,607 -
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $5,793 - $2,250 -
1988 $5,736 - $3,191 -
1987 $6,465 - $2,611 -
1986 $6,019 - $3,376 -
1985 $8,087 - $3,549 -
1984 $7,811 - $3,520 -
1983 $8,927 - $4,079 -
1982 $9,064 - $4,202 -
1981 $10,044 - $4,228 -
1980 $11,960 - $3,874 -
1979 $9,443 - $3,257 -
1978 $7,252 - $2,727 -
1977 $7,783 - $2,585 -
1976 $7,018 - $2,309 -
1975 $5,721 - $2,078 -
1974 $6,214 - $2,034 -
1973 $3,727 - $1,367 -
1972 $2,830 - $1,155 -
1971 $2,443 - $1,106 -
1970 $2,210 - $1,015 -
1969 $2,175 - $932 -
1968 $1,972 - $938 -
1967 $1,437 - $893 -
1966 $1,251 - $876 -
1965 $1,001 - $869 -
1964 $765 - $874 -
1963 $528 - $1,060 -
1962 $382 - $1,007 -
1961 $285.3 - $954 -
1960 $269 - $939 -

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

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Libya Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt n/a
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
7.53%
2020
Population
7559873
28661242

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Venezuela
2024 -25.1% -3.6%
2023 8.22% -1.25%
2022 23.6% -5.29%
2021 14.8% -5.85%
2020 -22.3% -6.63%
2019 11.9% -10.9%
2018 9.39% -31%
2017 -11.1% -13.3%
2016 -29.3% -8.46%
2015 -28.5% -8.06%
2014 -30.5% -9.81%
2013 -16.3% -10.4%
2012 24.6% -9.86%
2011 -11.5% -8.24%
2010 11.5% -4.74%
2009 -5.46% -8.69%
2008 27.7% -3.46%
2007 28.4% -2.82%
2006 29.1% -1.6%
2005 30.4% 4.09%
2004 11.3% 2.47%
2003 6.17% 0.17%
2002 6.99% -1.48%
2001 0.07% -4.59%
2000 13.6% 4.45%
1999 5.69% 0.74%
1998 -2.36% -4.49%
1997 -2.1% 2.58%
1996 11.3% 7.94%
1995 3.8% -5.86%
1994 -2.67% -11.2%
1993 -5.77% -2.92%
1992 0.11% -6.37%
1991 8.41% -2.28%
1990 3.36% 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.77% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Venezuela
2024 2.13% 49%
2023 2.37% 338%
2022 4.51% 186.5%
2021 2.87% 1,589%
2020 1.45% 2,355%
2019 -2.16% 19,906%
2018 13.2% 65,374%
2017 25.8% 438%
2016 25.9% 254.9%
2015 10.4% 121.7%
2014 2.43% 62.2%
2013 2.61% 40.6%
2012 6.06% 21.1%
2011 15.5% 26.1%
2010 2.8% 28.2%
2009 2.46% 26%
2008 10.4% 31.4%
2007 6.25% 18.7%
2006 1.46% 13.7%
2005 2.65% 16%
2004 -2.2% 21.7%
2003 -2.19% 31.1%
2002 -9.8% 22.4%
2001 -8.81% 12.5%
2000 -2.9% 16.2%
1999 2.65% 23.6%
1998 3.71% 35.8%
1997 3.55% 50%

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/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 49% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Libya Venezuela
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$642M
2023
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya Venezuela
Economic freedom 35.9 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 194/197
Property rights 6.3 0
Government integrity 10.3 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 5.1
Tax burden 95 73.4
Government spending 0 93
Fiscal health 19.9 29.1
Business freedom 32.4 31.1
Labor freedom 48.2 35.5
Monetary freedom 75.2 0
Trade freedom 80 43.2
Investment freedom 5 0
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya Venezuela
2026 - 27.3
2025 - 27.6
2024 - 28.1
2023 - 25.8
2022 - 24.8
2021 - 24.7
2020 - 25.2
2019 - 25.9
2018 - 25.2
2017 - 27
2016 - 33.7
2015 - 34.3
2014 - 36.3
2013 - 36.1
2012 35.9 38.1
2011 38.6 37.6
2010 40.2 37.1
2009 43.5 39.9
2008 38.7 44.7
2007 37 47.9
2006 33.2 44.6
2005 32.8 45.2
2004 31.5 46.7
2003 34.6 54.8
2002 35.4 54.7
2001 34 54.6
2000 34.7 57.4
1999 32.3 56.1
1998 32 54
1997 28.9 52.8
1996 31.7 54.5
1995 - 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Libya Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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 (1920–1989, 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. 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)

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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.