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Lebanon

2025 Edition · 407 data fields

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Introduction

Background

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.

Geography

Area

Land: 10,230 sq km
Total: 10,400 sq km
Water: 170 sq km

Area - comparative

about one-third the size of Maryland

Climate

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

Coastline

225 km

Continent

Asia

Elevation

Highest point: Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m
Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
Mean elevation: 1,250 m

Geographic coordinates

33 50 N, 35 50 E

Geography - note

smallest country in continental Asia; Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary

Irrigated land

1,040 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

Border countries: Israel 81 km; Syria 403 km
number of neighbors: 2
Total: 484 km

Land use

Agricultural land: 65.9% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 13.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 13.7% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 39.1% (2023 est.)
arable land: 13.12%
Forest: 13.8% (2023 est.)
Other: 20.3% (2023 est.)
permanent crops: 13.69%

Landlocked

Location

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

Map links

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Sz5VCU8UFBqMyTdc9
OpenStreetMap: https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/184843

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

earthquakes; dust storms, sandstorms

Natural resources

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

Population distribution

the majority of people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, particularly in and around the capital of Beirut

Subregion

Western Asia

Terrain

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

Time zone

UTC+02:00
number of time zones: 1

People and Society

Age structure

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)

Alcohol consumption per capita

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.)

Birth rate

16.73 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Child marriage

Women married by age 15: 1.4% (2016)
Women married by age 18: 6% (2016)

Children under 5 years underweight

13.9%

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.1% (2023 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

52.4% (2019 est.)

Death rate

6.23 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
adult female: 58 per 1,000
adult male: 85 per 1,000

Dependency ratios

Elderly dependency ratio: 11.3 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 8.8 (2024 est.)
Total dependency ratio: 50.3 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 39 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved total: 47.7%
Improved: total: total: 92.6% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 7.4% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 8.6% national budget (2025 est.)

Education expenditures

1 % of GDP

Ethnic groups

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

Gross reproduction rate

1.07 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

6 % of GDP
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 10.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 15.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Female: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Male: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births
neonatal: 11 deaths/1,000 live births
Total: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

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.
number of languages: 2

Life expectancy at birth

Female: 80.7 years
Male: 77.8 years
Total population: 79.2 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

Female: 89.5% (2019 est.)
Male: 94.8% (2019 est.)
Total population: 92% (2019 est.)

Major urban areas - population

2.421 million BEIRUT (capital) (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

15 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

Female: 36.9 years
Male: 35.6 years
Total: 29.4 years (2025 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

21 births/1,000 women 15-19

Nationality

Adjective: Lebanese
Noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-18.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

32% (2016)

Physician density

2.68 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Population

Female: 2,685,939
Male: 2,678,543
Total: 5,364,482 (2024 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.77% (2025 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

improved total: 25.67%
Improved: total: total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Female: 11 years (2014)
Male: 12 years
Total: 11 years (2023 est.)

Sex ratio

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.)

Tobacco use

Female: 25.4% (2025 est.)
Male: 43.8% (2025 est.)
Total: 34.1% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.2 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

Rate of urbanization: -1.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Urban population: 89.4% of total population (2023)

Vaccination rate

measles: 67%

Government

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Etymology: derived from the Phoenician or Hebrew word be'erot, meaning "the wells," which were the only source of water in the region
Geographic coordinates: 33 52 N, 35 30 E
Name: Beirut
Time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

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

Coat of arms

svg: https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/lb.svg

Constitution

Amendment process: 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
History: drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926

Country name

alternative spellings: LB, Lebanese Republic, Al-Jumhūrīyah Al-Libnānīyah
Conventional long form: Lebanese Republic
Conventional short form: Lebanon
Etymology: derives from the Semitic root lbn, meaning "white," and probably refers to the country's snow-capped mountains
FIFA code: LBN
Former: Greater Lebanon
Local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah
local long form (ara): الجمهورية اللبنانية
Local short form: Lubnan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission: Ambassador Michel ISSA (since 17 November 2025)
Email address and website: BeirutACS@state.gov https://lb.usembassy.gov/
Embassy: Awkar facing the Municipality P.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

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Chief of mission: Ambassador Nada HAMADEH (since 5 September 2025)
Consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles
Email address and website: info@lebanonembassyus.org http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/
FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324
Telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300

Executive branch

Cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and the National Assembly
Chief of state: President Joseph AOUN (since 9 January 2025)
Election results: 2025: Joseph AOUN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - 99 of 128 2016: Michel AWN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - Michel AWN (FPM) 83; the president elected in its 46th attempt on 31 October 2016
Election/appointment process: 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 popular vote for a 6-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly
Expected date of next election: 2031
Head of government: Prime Minister Nawaf SALAM (since 8 February 2025)
Most recent election date: 9 January 2025

Flag

description: three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double-width), and red (bottom), with a green cedar tree centered on the white band meaning: red stands for blood shed for liberation, and white for peace, the snow of the mountains, and purity; the green cedar tree is the national symbol and represents eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity

Flag description

The flag of Lebanon is composed of three horizontal bands of red, white and red. The white band is twice the height of the red bands and bears a green Lebanese Cedar tree at its center.

Flag image

svg: https://flagcdn.com/lb.svg

Government type

parliamentary democratic republic

Independence

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

International law organization participation

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

International organization participation

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)

Judicial branch

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

Legal system

mixed 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

Legislative branch

Electoral system: proportional representation
Expected date of next election: May 2026
Legislative structure: unicameral
Legislature name: National Assembly (Majlis Al-Nuwwab)
Most recent election date: 5/15/2022
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
Number of seats: 128 (all directly elected)
Parties elected and seats per party: Strong Republic (19); Strong Lebanon (18); Development and Liberation (15); Loyalty to the Resistance (15); Independent Deputies (9); Democratic Gathering (8); Independents (20); Other (24)
Percentage of women in chamber: 6.3%
Scope of elections: full renewal
Term in office: 4 years

National coat of arms

Lebanon has had many coats of arms since declaring independence in 1943, but none were officially adopted. The current version is a variation of the national flag. Red stands for the blood shed for liberation, and white for peace, purity, and mountain snow. The cedar tree is the national symbol, embodying eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity.

National color(s)

red, white, green

National heritage

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)

National holiday

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

National symbol(s)

cedar tree

Political parties

Al-Ahbash (Association of Islamic Charitable Projects) or AICP Amal Movement ("Hope Movement") Azm Movement Ba’th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon Free Patriotic Movement or FPM Future Movement Bloc or FM Hizballah Islamic Action Front or IAF Kata'ib Party Lebanese Democratic Party Lebanese Forces or LF Marada Movement Progressive Socialist Party or PSP Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP Tashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation

Start of week

Monday

Suffrage

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

UN Member

Yes

Economy

Agricultural products

potatoes, milk, tomatoes, apples, oranges, olives, cucumbers/gherkins, chicken, lemons/limes, wheat (2023)
note: note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Average household expenditures

On alcohol and tobacco: 0.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
On food: 37.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Budget

Expenditures: $11.853 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.)

Currency

code: LBP
name: Lebanese pound (LBP) [ل.ل]

Current account balance

$-5,642,829,133
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

$67.39 billion
Debt - external 2023: $41.936 billion (2023 est.)
Note: note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Economic overview

lower middle-income Middle Eastern economy; hyperinflation and sharp poverty increases; banks have ceased lending; economic contraction, destroyed infrastructure, and reduced consumer demand resulting from Israel-Hezbollah conflict

Exchange rates

Currency: Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020: 1,507.5 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 1,507.5 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 1,507.5 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 13,875.625 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024: 89,500 (2024 est.)

Exports

$6.13 billion
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

Exports - commodities

jewelry, cars, diamonds, scrap iron, gold (2023)
note: note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

UAE 26%, Egypt 7%, Turkey 5%, Iraq 5%, USA 4% (2023)
note: note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Foreign direct investment

net inflows: $1.84 billion

GDP - composition, by end use

Exports of goods and services: 30.6% (2023 est.)
Government consumption: 5.2% (2023 est.)
Household consumption: 136% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -73.7% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 1.9% (2023 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)
Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

Agriculture: 1% (2023 est.)
Industry: 2.1% (2023 est.)
Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Services: 42.4% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$20.079 billion (2023 est.)
note: note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP per capita (nominal)

$3,478

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

31.8 (2011)

GNI (gross national income)

$19.82 billion

GNI per capita

$3,700

Gross domestic investment

2 % of GDP

Imports

$14.79 billion
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

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, gold, cars, packaged medicine, garments (2023)
note: note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

Switzerland 12%, China 11%, Greece 9%, Turkey 8%, Italy 6% (2023)
note: note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

0.1% (2023 est.)
note: note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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)

45.24%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 171.2% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 221.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 45.2% (2024 est.)
Note: note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

1.939 million (2023 est.)
note: note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
total: 1.84 million persons

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 3.51%
industry: 20.12%
services: 76.36%

Public debt

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.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$72.6 billion
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: $65.415 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

-0.76%
Note: note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP growth rate 2021: -7% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: -0.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: -0.8% (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$12,575
Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita 2021: $11,600 (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $11,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $11,300 (2023 est.)

Remittances

$5.8 billion
Note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Remittances 2021: 27.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022: 30.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 33.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$33.3 billion
Note: note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $32.513 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $27.49 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $33.301 billion (2024 est.)

Revenue (excl grants)

7 % of GDP

Tax revenue

6 % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues

5.7% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
note: note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

10.99%
Note: note: % of labor force seeking employment
Unemployment rate 2021: 12.7% (2021 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 11.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 11.6% (2023 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

Female: 21.9% (2023 est.)
Male: 24.4% (2023 est.)
Note: note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Total: 23.6% (2023 est.)

Energy

Coal

Consumption: 166,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Exports: 47 metric tons (2022 est.)
Imports: 164,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

Consumption: 4.077 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption per capita: 681 kWh
Imports: 797 million kWh (2021 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 5.161 million kW (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 436.839 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

Biomass and waste: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Fossil fuels: 52.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectric: 16.02%
Hydroelectricity: 15.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear: 0%
renewable: 5.07%
Solar: 31% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

617 kg of oil equivalent
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 43.105 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Petroleum

Refined petroleum consumption: 115,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Renewable energy consumption

6.8%

Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

per 100 inhabitants: 7 per 100
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2022 est.)
Total: 419,000 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

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)

Internet country code

.lb

Internet users

Percent of population: 84% (2023 est.)

Postal code format

#### ####|####

Telephone calling code

+961

Telephones - fixed lines

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2022 est.)
Total subscriptions: 875,000 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100: 74 per 100
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 77 (2021 est.)
Total subscriptions: 4.29 million (2021 est.)

Transportation

Air transport

passengers carried: 2.69 million passengers
registered carrier departures: 23,751 departures

Airports

8 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Driving side

Right

Heliports

27 (2025)

Merchant marine

By type: bulk carrier 2, container ship 1, general cargo 30, oil tanker 1, other 17
Total: 51 (2023)

Ports

Key ports: Bayrut, Sayda, Selaata, Sidon/zahrani Terminal, Tarabulus
Large: 1
Medium: 1
Ports with oil terminals: 3
Small: 0
Total ports: 5 (2024)
Very small: 3

Railways

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)

Vehicle registration code

Military and Security

Land forces

armored vehicles
tanks

Military - note

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 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; the UN, as well as individual countries such as France, Qatar, and the US have provided financial assistance the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has operated in the southern part of the country since 1978; it has approximately 10,500 personnel assigned and includes a maritime task force; the terrorist group Hizballah maintains thousands of fighters and militia in Lebanon, primarily in the south (see Terrorist Organizations in References) (2025)

Military and security forces

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army Command (includes Presidential Guard Brigade, Land Border Regiments), Naval Forces, Air Forces Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of Internal Security Forces (law enforcement; includes Mobile Gendarmerie), General Directorate for Public Security (border control, some domestic security duties) (2025)
active duty personnel: 80,000
note: note: 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 Security
percent of total labor force: 4.10 %

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 70,000 active Lebanese Armed Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the LAF's inventory is comprised of mostly older or secondhand equipment from an array of countries, such as France, Germany, Russia, and especially the US (2025)

Military expenditures

3 % of GDP
current USD: $635,471,572
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.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 2.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
percent of central government expenditure: 8.91 %
percent of GDP: 2.59 % of GDP

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2026)

Military strength ranking

PowerIndex score: 2.6521

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 984,514 (2024 est.)
Refugees: 765,390 (2024 est.)
Stateless persons: 40,000 (2024 est.)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s)

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

Environment

Carbon dioxide emissions

From coal and metallurgical coke: 375,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 17.109 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Total emissions: 17.484 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

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

International environmental agreements

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

Methane emissions

Agriculture: 11.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Energy: 7.9 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Other: 0.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste: 105.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

23.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Protected areas

3 % of total land area

Renewable electricity output

-1 % of total

Total renewable water resources

4.503 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

38 % of internal resources
Agricultural: 700 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Industrial: 900 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Municipal: 240 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.04 million tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15% (2022 est.)