Lebanon External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Lebanon's external debt to gni was 461.43% in 2025, ranked 1st globally. This represents a 39.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1989–2025.
Overview
Lebanon's external debt to gni stood at 461.43% in 2025, a rise of +129.78pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 461.43% by 2025. Lebanon ranked 1st globally.
Lebanon’s external debt to gross national income has surged dramatically over the 36‑year series, climbing from 30.26 % in 1989 to an all‑time peak of 461.43 % in 2025, the highest ratio among all countries tracked by the World Bank. The trough of the series occurred in 1993 at 16.67 %, reflecting a brief period of relative fiscal relief before a prolonged escalation driven by persistent fiscal deficits, currency depreciation and a banking crisis that intensified after 2019. By 2025 the debt burden is more than four times the level recorded in 1993 and far exceeds the ratios of peer economies such as Mozambique (320.48 %) and Senegal (169.05 %). The steep upward trajectory suggests that without substantive structural reforms, debt restructuring or external assistance, Lebanon’s external debt to GNI is likely to remain at elevated levels, constraining fiscal space and macro‑economic stability.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 509.25% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 461.43% | - | - |
| 2025 | 461.43% | +129.78pp | #1 |
| 2023 | 331.65% | −1.21pp | #115 |
| 2022 | 332.86% | +17.77pp | #117 |
| 2021 | 315.10% | +90.65pp | #117 |
| 2020 | 224.45% | +77.67pp | #116 |
| 2019 | 146.78% | −1.34pp | #115 |
| 2018 | 148.12% | +7.66pp | #117 |
| 2017 | 140.46% | +2.32pp | #116 |
| 2016 | 138.14% | +0.07pp | #116 |
| 2015 | 138.06% | +2.39pp | #116 |
| 2014 | 135.67% | +2.55pp | #114 |
| 2013 | 133.13% | +5.91pp | #114 |
| 2012 | 127.21% | +2.06pp | #115 |
| 2011 | 125.15% | −0.93pp | #117 |
| 2010 | 126.08% | −5.07pp | #117 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lebanon matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lebanon's external debt to gni was 461.43% in 2025. Ranked 1st globally. This represents a 39.1% increase from the previous year.
Lebanon's external debt to gni peaked at 461.43% in 2025.
The lowest external debt to gni in Lebanon was 16.67% in 1993.
Lebanon ranks 1st globally in external debt to gni as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lebanon's external debt to gni is projected to reach 461.43% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Lebanon in 2025 was 461.43%. This ranks 1st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lebanon_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Lebanon External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lebanon/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}