Lebanon Trade Balance
External balance on goods and services NE.RSB.GNFS.CD
Lebanon's trade balance was $-7.8B in 2025, ranked 153rd globally. This represents a 9.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1989–2025.
Overview
Lebanon's trade balance stood at $-7.8B in 2025, a rise of +$850.4M from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $-7.8B by 2025. Lebanon ranked 153rd globally.
Lebanon’s trade balance has remained persistently negative, reaching –7,804,226,133.09 in 2025, which places the country at rank 153 globally among 190 economies. The deficit widened from its all‑time peak of –1,990,297,957.25 in 1989, a period of limited export diversification and high import dependence, to an all‑time trough of –15,537,075,882.59 in 2014, reflecting the convergence of a severe currency depreciation, soaring energy imports and the collapse of domestic production after the 2011‑2012 fiscal crisis. Over the 36‑year series, the balance has never turned positive, indicating structural trade imbalances that have deepened despite intermittent reforms. Lebanon’s deficit is comparable to peers such as El Salvador (–7,696,111,000.00) and Kenya (–7,692,623,537.56), yet its volatility is greater. Continued efforts to expand non‑oil exports, improve logistics and stabilize the Lebanese pound could gradually narrow the gap, but without substantive policy shifts the negative trajectory is likely to persist.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | $-7.7B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $-7.8B | - | - |
| 2025 | $-7.8B | +$850.4M | #153 |
| 2023 | $-8.7B | +$840.4M | #22 |
| 2022 | $-9.5B | −$3.3B | #28 |
| 2021 | $-6.2B | −$681.1M | #26 |
| 2020 | $-5.5B | +$5.6B | #24 |
| 2019 | $-11.1B | +$3.5B | #16 |
| 2018 | $-14.7B | −$1.6B | #12 |
| 2017 | $-13.0B | −$631.5M | #14 |
| 2016 | $-12.4B | +$347.7M | #13 |
| 2015 | $-12.8B | +$2.8B | #16 |
| 2014 | $-15.5B | −$122.5M | #13 |
| 2013 | $-15.4B | −$1.8B | #15 |
| 2012 | $-13.6B | −$1.9B | #14 |
| 2011 | $-11.7B | −$2.1B | #15 |
| 2010 | $-9.6B | −$1.1B | #19 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lebanon matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw trade balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lebanon's trade balance was $-7.8B in 2025. Ranked 153rd globally. This represents a 9.8% increase from the previous year.
Lebanon's trade balance peaked at $-2.0B in 1989.
The lowest trade balance in Lebanon was $-15.5B in 2014.
Lebanon ranks 153rd globally in trade balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.RSB.GNFS.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lebanon's trade balance is projected to reach $-7.8B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade balance of Lebanon in 2025 was $-7.8B. This ranks 153rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lebanon_trade-balance,
title = {Lebanon Trade Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lebanon/trade-balance/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}