Lebanon

As a result of its location at the crossroads of three continents, the area that is modern-day Lebanon is rich in cultural and religious diversity. This region was subject to various foreign conquerors for much of its history, including the Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans. Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. From it the French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920, and it gained independence in 1943. Lebanon subsequently experienced periods of political turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on its position as a regional center for finance and trade.The country's 1975-90 civil war, which resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability, and sectarianism remains a key element of Lebanese political life. The Israeli defense forces, which occupied parts of Lebanon during the civil war, did not completely withdraw until 2000. Neighboring Syria influenced Lebanon's foreign and domestic policies while its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005, but its influence diminished significantly after 2005. Over 1.5 million Syrian refugees fled to Lebanon after the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011. Hizballah -- a major Lebanese political party, militia, and US-designated foreign terrorist organization -- and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal and fought a brief war in 2006. After HAMAS attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, the intensity and frequency of these cross-border attacks increased substantially into a cycle of hostilities, mostly limited to the border areas as of January 2024. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.Lebanon's prosperity has significantly diminished since the beginning of the country's economic crisis in 2019, which has crippled its economy, shut down its previously lucrative banking sector, reduced the value of its currency, and caused many Lebanese to emigrate in search of better prospects.

land

10,230 sq km

total

10,400 sq km

water

170 sq km

about one-third the size of Maryland

Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows

225 km

highest point

Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m

lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

mean elevation

1,250 m

33 50 N, 35 50 E

smallest country in continental Asia; Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity

1,040 sq km (2012)

border countries

Israel 81 km; Syria 403 km

total

484 km

agricultural land

63.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 11.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 12.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 39.1% (2018 est.)

forest

13.4% (2018 est.)

other

23.3% (2018 est.)

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria

Middle East

territorial sea

12 nm

earthquakes; dust storms, sandstorms

limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land

the majority of the people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, and of these most live in and around the capital, Beirut; favorable growing conditions in the Bekaa Valley, on the southeastern side of the Lebanon Mountains, have attracted farmers and thus the area exhibits a smaller population density

narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

0-14 years

18.9% (male 519,352/female 495,591)

15-64 years

71.6% (male 1,939,311/female 1,900,574)

65 years and over

9.5% (2024 est.) (male 219,880/female 289,774)

beer

0.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

1.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

12.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

women married by age 15

1.4%

women married by age 18

6% (2016 est.)

3.4% (2021) NA

NA

8% of GDP (2020)

51.4% (2023 est.)

5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

15.3

potential support ratio

6.5 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

59.3

youth dependency ratio

44

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: NA

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: NA

1.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%

note

note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify as Arab but rather as descendants of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians

0.83 (2024 est.)

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2017)

female

6.2 deaths/1,000 live births

male

7.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

major-language sample(s)

كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

female

80.7 years

male

77.8 years

total population

79.2 years (2024 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

93.3% (2018)

male

96.9%

total population

95.1%

2.421 million BEIRUT (capital) (2023)

21 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

female

36.9 years

male

35.6 years

total

36.3 years (2024 est.)

adjective

Lebanese

noun

Lebanese (singular and plural)

-0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

32% (2016)

2.21 physicians/1,000 population (2019)

female

2,685,939 (2024 est.)

male

2,678,543

total

5,364,482

the majority of the people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, and of these most live in and around the capital, Beirut; favorable growing conditions in the Bekaa Valley, on the southeastern side of the Lebanon Mountains, have attracted farmers and thus the area exhibits a smaller population density

0.61% (2024 est.)

Muslim 67.8% (31.9% Sunni, 31.2% Shia, smaller percentages of Alawites and Ismailis), Christian 32.4% (Maronite Catholics are the largest Christian group), Druze 4.5%, very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, and Hindus (2020 est.)

note

note: data represent the religious affiliation of the citizen population (data do not include Lebanon's sizable Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations); 18 religious sects recognized

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: NA

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: NA

female

11 years (2014)

male

12 years

total

11 years

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.76 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

female

28.9% (2020 est.)

male

47.5% (2020 est.)

total

38.2% (2020 est.)

1.71 children born/woman (2024 est.)

rate of urbanization

-1.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

89.4% of total population (2023)

8 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Aakkar, Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa (Bekaa), Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord (North Lebanon), Liban-Sud (South Lebanon), Mont-Liban (Mount Lebanon), Nabatiye

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology

derived from the Canaanite or Phoenician word "ber'ot," meaning "the wells" or "fountain," which referred to the site's accessible water table

geographic coordinates

33 52 N, 35 30 E

name

Beirut

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

the father must be a citizen of Lebanon

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

unknown

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic and introduced as a government bill to the National Assembly or proposed by at least 10 members of the Assembly and agreed upon by two thirds of its members; if proposed by the National Assembly, review and approval by two-thirds majority of the Cabinet is required; if approved, the proposal is next submitted to the Cabinet for drafting as an amendment; Cabinet approval requires at least two-thirds majority, followed by submission to the National Assembly for discussion and vote; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of a required two-thirds quorum of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president; amended several times, last in 2004

history

drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926

conventional long form

Lebanese Republic

conventional short form

Lebanon

etymology

derives from the Semitic root "lbn" meaning "white" and refers to snow-capped Mount Lebanon

former

Greater Lebanon

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah

local short form

Lubnan

chief of mission

Ambassador-designate Lisa A. JOHNSON (since 11 January 2024)

email address and website

BeirutACS@state.govhttps://lb.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Awkar facing the MunicipalityP.O. Box 70-840 Antelias, Beirut

FAX

[961] (4) 544-019

mailing address

6070 Beirut Place, Washington DC  20521-6070

telephone

[961] (04) 543-600

chancery

2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Waël HACHEM, Counselor (since 15 March 2021)

consulate(s) general

Detroit, New York, Los Angeles

email address and website

info@lebanonembassyus.orghttp://www.lebanonembassyus.org/

FAX

[1] (202) 939-6324

telephone

[1] (202) 939-6300

cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and Parliament

chief of state

president (vacant)

election results

2023: on 14 June 2023, Parliament failed in its twelfth attempt to elect a president; note - the Hezbollah bloc withdrew following the first round of voting and a second round was not possible since Parliament lacked the required 86-member quorum for a second round of voting2016: Michel AWN elected president in second round; Parliament vote - Michel AWN (FPM) 83; the president was finally elected in its 46th attempt on 31 October 2016

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by a qualified majority of two-thirds of Parliament members in the first round and if needed a two-thirds quorum of members by simple majority vote in a second round for a 6-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); last held on 31 October 2016; prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with Parliament

head of government

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib MIQATI (since 20 September 2021)

three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band; the red bands symbolize blood shed for liberation, the white band denotes peace, the snow of the mountains, and purity; the green cedar tree is the symbol of Lebanon and represents eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity

parliamentary democratic republic

22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

highest court(s)

Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (organized into 8 chambers, each with a presiding judge and 2 associate judges); Constitutional Council (consists of 10 members)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Cassation judges appointed by Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body headed by the chief justice, and includes other judicial officials; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the Council of Ministers and 5 by parliament; members serve 5-year terms

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; specialized tribunals, religious courts; military courts

mixed legal system of civil law based on the French civil code, Ottoman legal tradition, and religious laws covering personal status, marriage, divorce, and other family relations of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian communities

description

unicameral House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwab in Arabic, Chambre des députés in French (128 seats; members directly elected in multi-member constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party/coalition – NA; seats by party/coalition – FPM 16, LF 14, Amal Movement 13, Hezbollah 13, PSP 9, Kata’ib Party 4, other 30, independent 29; composition - men 120, women 8, percentage women 6.3%

elections

last held on 15 May 2022 (next to be held in May 2026)

note

note 1: Lebanon’s constitution states that the Parliament cannot conduct regular business until it elects a president when the position is vacant note 2: seats are apportioned evenly between Christians and Muslims

lyrics/music

Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA

name

"Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!)

note

note: adopted 1927; chosen following a nationwide competition

selected World Heritage Site locales

Anjar; Baalbek; Byblos; Tyre; Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab); Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli

total World Heritage Sites

6 (all cultural)

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

cedar tree; national colors: red, white, green

Al-Ahbash (Association of Islamic Charitable Projects) or AICPAmal Movement ("Hope Movement")Azm MovementBa’th Arab Socialist Party of LebanonFree Patriotic Movement or FPMFuture Movement Bloc or FMHizballahIslamic Action Front or IAFKata'ib PartyLebanese Democratic PartyLebanese Forces or LFMarada MovementProgressive Socialist Party or PSPSocial Democrat Hunshaqian PartySyrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNPTashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation

21 years of age; authorized for all men and women regardless of religion; excludes persons convicted of felonies and other crimes or those imprisoned; excludes all military and security service personnel regardless of rank

potatoes, milk, tomatoes, apples, oranges, olives, cucumbers/gherkins, chicken, lemons/limes, wheat (2022)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

on alcohol and tobacco

1.1% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

on food

20.7% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

expenditures

$11.356 billion (2021 est.)

note

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

revenues

$12.73 billion (2021 est.)

Fitch rating

RD (2020)

Moody's rating

C (2020)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Standard & Poors rating

D (2020)

Current account balance 2021

-$4.556 billion (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$7.265 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$5.643 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external 2022

$38.856 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

upper middle-income Middle Eastern economy; economic activity hurt by economic depression, COVID-19, and port explosion; hyperinflation and sharp poverty increases; banks have ceased lending; new financing facility helping with recovery

Currency

Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2018

1,507.5 (2018 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

1,507.5 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

1,507.5 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

1,507.5 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

1,507.5 (2022 est.)

Exports 2021

$9.684 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$12.445 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$11.77 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

diamonds, plastics, jewelry, gold, scrap iron (2022)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

UAE 22%, Syria 8%, Egypt 5%, US 5%, Turkey 4% (2022)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

exports of goods and services

46.1% (2023 est.)

government consumption

5.8% (2023 est.)

household consumption

129.7% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-82.4% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

0.9% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

agriculture

1.1% (2023 est.)

industry

2.4% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

services

47.7% (2023 est.)

$17.937 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Imports 2021

$17.667 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$24.536 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$23.313 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

refined petroleum, cars, gold, broadcasting equipment, diamonds (2022)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

China 14%, Turkey 13%, Greece 9%, UAE 7%, Italy 5% (2022)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

0.74% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

banking, tourism, real estate and construction, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

154.76% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

171.21% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

221.34% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

1.771 million (2023 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

note

note: data cover central government debt and exclude debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment

Public debt 2017

146.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$66.329 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$65.917 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$65.818 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2021

-7% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

-0.62% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

-0.15% (2023 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$11,900 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$12,000 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$12,300 (2023 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2021

27.47% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

30.66% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

35.51% of GDP (2023 est.)

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020

$42.44 billion (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$35.239 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$32.513 billion (2022 est.)

5.68% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

12.62% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

11.6% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

11.57% (2023 est.)

female

22% (2023 est.)

male

24.6% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

total

23.7% (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

456,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

26.137 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total emissions

26.594 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

consumption

207,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

exports

47.1 metric tons (2022 est.)

imports

197,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

consumption

9.166 billion kWh (2022 est.)

imports

448.671 million kWh (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity

4.141 million kW (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

1.328 billion kWh (2022 est.)

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

biomass and waste

0.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

fossil fuels

90.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity

6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar

3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind

0.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Total energy consumption per capita 2022

67.466 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

174,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (2020 est.)

total

432,070 (2020 est.)

7 TV stations, 1 of which is state owned; more than 30 radio stations, 1 of which is state owned; satellite and cable TV services available; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible through partner stations (2019)

.lb

percent of population

87% (2021 est.)

total

4.872 million (2021 est.)

domestic

fixed-line is 16 per 100 and 77 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)

general assessment

Lebanon’s economic crisis has had a dire effect on the country’s telecom services; although some progress has been made with developing 5G, the poor economic conditions have contributed to an erratic electricity supply and a lack of fuel to maintain generators; this has meant that internet services to areas of the country are not available on a regular basis, frustrating all those who depend on stable connectivity, and stalling business growth; adding to the difficulties is the political crisis; the cabinet went into caretaker status after the National Assembly election in May 2022 meaning it can only engage in routine decision making; there is little confidence on the ground that sectarian-based political horse-trading will give way to responsible governing to improve the lot of the stressed populace (2023)

international

country code - 961; landing points for the IMEWE, BERYTAR AND CADMOS submarine cable links to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

875,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

77 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

4.288 million (2021 est.)

8 (2024)

OD

3 (2024)

by type

bulk carrier 2, container ship 1, general cargo 30, oil tanker 1, other 17

total

51 (2023)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

56.57 million (2018) mt-km

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

2,981,937 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

21

number of registered air carriers

1 (2020)

88 km gas (2013)

key ports

Bayrut, Sayda, Selaata, Sidon/zahrani Terminal, Tarabulus

large

1

medium

1

ports with oil terminals

3

total ports

5 (2024)

very small

3

narrow gauge

82 km (2017) 1.050-m gauge

note

note: rail system is still unusable due to damage sustained from fighting in the 1980s and in 2006

standard gauge

319 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge

total

401 km (2017)

total

21,705 km (2017)

the primary responsibilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are defense against external attack, border security, protecting the country’s territorial waters, and assisting with internal security and development projects; on Lebanon’s eastern and northern borders with Syria, the LAF has conducted operations to prevent or eliminate infiltrations of militants linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) and al-Qa’ida terrorist groups since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011; in the south, its focus is on maintaining stability along its volatile land border with Israel where the LAF and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are separated by the "Blue Line," a demarcation line established by the UN in 2000 following the withdrawal of the IDF, which had occupied southern Lebanon since invading in 1982; since the line’s establishment, the LAF and IDF have had periodic clashes, and IDF aircraft have routinely entered Lebanese air spacethe Iranian-backed terrorist group Hizballah is based in south Lebanon where it has significant influence and acts as a militia alongside the LAF; it has launched periodic cross-border attacks on Israel and threatened additional attacks, while the IDF has conducted air strikes on Hizballah positions and in 2006 launched a ground invasion into southern Lebanon to suppress the group; following the terrorist group HAMAS's attack on Israel from Gaza in October 2023 and subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza, Hizballah has sought to demonstrate solidarity with HAMAS by launching barrages of missiles, rockets, and armed drones into northern Israel; these attacks continued into 2024 and have been countered by numerous strikes from Israel on Hizballah targets in Lebanon the LAF’s domestic security responsibilities include countering narcotics trafficking and smuggling, managing protests, conducting search and rescue, and intervening to prevent violence between rival political factions; in recent years, the military has faced a financial crisis as government debt and national economic difficulties have undercut its ability to train and fully pay and supply personnel, which has sparked domestic and international fears that the armed forces may disintegrate; the UN, as well as individual countries such as France and the US have provided financial assistance the UN Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) has operated in the country since 1978, originally under UNSCRs 425 and 426 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area; following the July-August 2006 war, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1701 enhancing UNIFIL and deciding that in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other things, monitor the cessation of hostilities, support the LAF as they deployed throughout the south of Lebanon, and provide assistance for humanitarian access for civilians and the return of displaced persons; UNIFIL has approximately 9,500 military personnel deployed in the country and includes a maritime task force (2024)

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army Command (includes Presidential Guard Brigade, Land Border Regiments), Naval Forces, Air ForcesMinistry of Interior: Internal Security Forces Directorate (law enforcement; includes Mobile Gendarmerie), Directorate for General Security (DGS; border control, some domestic security duties); Parliamentary Police Force (2024)

note

note 1: the commander of the LAF is also the head of the Army; the LAF patrols external borders, while official border checkpoints are under the authority of Directorate for General Securitynote 2: the Parliamentary Police Force reports to the speaker of parliament and has responsibility for protecting parliament premises and the speaker’s residence; both the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces provide units to the Parliamentary Police Force

approximately 70-75,000 active troops (2024)

the LAF inventory includes a wide mix of mostly older equipment from a diverse array of countries, including the US; the country's economic crisis has limited military procurement efforts (2024)

Military Expenditures 2017

4.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

Military Expenditures 2018

5.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Military Expenditures 2019

4.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

3.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

17-25 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2024)

note

note: women were allowed to volunteer for military service in the 1980s; as of 2023, they comprised about 5% of the active duty military

source country for amphetamine tablets destined for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Libya and Sudan; source for captagon    

IDPs

7,000 (2020)

refugees (country of origin)

487,000 (Palestinian refugees) (2022); 784,884 (Syria) (2023)

stateless persons

undetermined (2016); note - tens of thousands of persons are stateless in Lebanon, including many Palestinian refugees and their descendants, Syrian Kurds denaturalized in Syria in 1962, children born to Lebanese women married to foreign or stateless men; most babies born to Syrian refugees, and Lebanese children whose births are unregistered

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared to the previous reporting period, therefore Lebanon remained on Tier 2 Watch List for a second consecutive year; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/lebanon/

Abdallah Azzam Brigades; al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; Asbat al-Ansar; HAMAS; Hizballah; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Nusrah Front (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham); Palestine Liberation Front; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP); PFLP-General Command

note

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

carbon dioxide emissions

24.8 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

3.37 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

24.23 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows

deforestation; soil deterioration, erosion; desertification; species loss; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills; waste-water management

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

widespread lack of access

due to the ongoing financial and economic crisis - according to the latest analysis, about 1.46 million Lebanese residents (38% of the resident population) were subjected to severe food insecurity between January and April 2023 (2023)

agricultural land

63.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 11.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 12.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 39.1% (2018 est.)

forest

13.4% (2018 est.)

other

23.3% (2018 est.)

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

4.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural

700 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial

900 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal

240 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

rate of urbanization

-1.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

89.4% of total population (2023)

municipal solid waste generated annually

2.04 million tons (2014 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually

163,200 tons (2014 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

8% (2014 est.)