Lebanon Tax Revenue
Tax revenue as % of GDP GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
Lebanon's tax revenue was 5.68% in 2021, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 36.1% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1997–2021.
Overview
Lebanon's tax revenue stood at 5.68% in 2021, a decline of +3.22% from 2020. Lebanon ranked 4th globally.
Lebanon’s tax revenue as a share of GDP has fallen sharply over the past 25 years, declining from 11.93 percent in 1997 to a historic low of 5.68 percent in 2021, the fourth‑lowest level among all economies in the World Bank database. The indicator peaked at 16.86 percent in 2009, a year that coincided with relatively strong fiscal collections before the country entered a prolonged period of political instability, currency depreciation and banking sector distress. By contrast, peer economies such as the Republic of Congo (6.51 percent) and Equatorial Guinea (5.40 percent) recorded slightly higher shares in 2021, underscoring Lebanon’s deteriorating fiscal capacity. The steep downward trajectory reflects persistent deficits, limited progress in broadening the tax base and the impact of the 2019‑2020 financial crisis. Unless structural reforms expand taxable activities and improve compliance, the tax‑to‑GDP ratio is likely to remain suppressed, restraining fiscal consolidation efforts.
Data & projection
| Year | Tax Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5.68% | −3.22% | #4 |
| 2020 | 8.90% | −6.50% | #16 |
| 2019 | 15.41% | +0.08% | #63 |
| 2018 | 15.33% | −0.03% | #64 |
| 2017 | 15.36% | +1.83% | #68 |
| 2016 | 13.53% | +0.06% | #50 |
| 2015 | 13.47% | −0.64% | #51 |
| 2014 | 14.11% | +0.04% | #56 |
| 2013 | 14.07% | −1.13% | #50 |
| 2012 | 15.20% | −1.18% | #59 |
| 2011 | 16.38% | −0.47% | #66 |
| 2010 | 16.84% | −0.01% | #74 |
| 2009 | 16.86% | +0.44% | #68 |
| 2008 | 16.42% | +1.47% | #51 |
| 2007 | 14.94% | −0.06% | #39 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lebanon matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw tax revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lebanon's tax revenue was 5.68% in 2021. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 36.1% decrease from the previous year.
Lebanon's tax revenue peaked at 16.86% in 2009.
The lowest tax revenue in Lebanon was 5.68% in 2021.
Lebanon ranks 4th globally in tax revenue as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The tax revenue of Lebanon in 2021 was 5.68%. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lebanon_tax-revenue,
title = {Lebanon Tax Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lebanon/tax-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}