Updated
Overview
Israel has about 75% more people than Lebanon: 10.12 million against 5.85 million (2025).
Israel's economy is 24 times the size of Lebanon's, at $610.78B versus $25.97B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $4,473 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Israel | Lebanon | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $610.78B | $25.97B | 2025 / 2024 | $540.38B / $20.08B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $60,337 | $4,473 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.9% | -7.1% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.0% | 14.6% | 2025 | 3.1% / 45.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.5% | 11.0% | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 101 | 38 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,383 | $780 | 2021 / 2019 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,589 | $201 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.67 | $5.36 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.12 million | 5.85 million | 2025 | 9.40 million / 5.36 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.2 yrs | 28.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.75 | 2.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 91% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 88% | 81% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 20,770 km² | 10,452 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 487.4/km² | 559.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 53 Mt | Lower: 16 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.6 t | Lower: 2.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $46.51B | $635.47M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 8.8% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 178,000 | 80,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Israel grew while the other economy contracted: 2.9% against -7.1%.
Lebanon runs the hotter price environment: 14.6% inflation versus 3.0%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Lebanon: a price level of 38 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Israel: $3,383 against $780 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 29.2 (Israel) and 28.8 (Lebanon).
Life expectancy is 5.3 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 77.9).
Geography
By land area, Israel is 2.0 times the size of Lebanon: 20,770 km² versus 10,452 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Israel spends 73 times as much on defence as Lebanon: $46.51B versus $635.47M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 2.6%.
Israel fields the larger armed forces: 178,000 personnel against 80,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Israel bigger than Lebanon?
- Israel is larger by land area. Israel covers 20,770 km² while Lebanon covers 10,452 km², so Israel is 2.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Israel or Lebanon?
- Israel has the larger population: 10.12 million versus 5.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Israel richer than Lebanon?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $4,473. Total GDP tells the same story: $610.78B for Israel versus $25.97B for Lebanon.
- Who spends more on their military, Israel or Lebanon?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $635.47M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).