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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.lb

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

64,926 (2012) country comparison to the world: 91

Internet users [time series]

1 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 98

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: repair of the telecommunications system, severely damaged during the civil war, now complete domestic: two mobile-cellular networks provide good service; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 961; submarine cable links to Cyprus, Egypt, and Syria; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean); coaxial cable to Syria

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

900,000 (2011) country comparison to the world: 82

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

3.35 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 121

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats

Budget [time series]

revenues: $9.317 billion expenditures: $12.57 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-7.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

7.3% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 7.53% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$7.85 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 -$4.163 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$32.64 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $29.47 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and weak intellectual property rights. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and derailed Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Following the civil war Lebanon rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks - saddling the government with a huge debt burden. Pledges of economic and financial reforms made at separate international donor conferences during the 2000s have mostly gone unfulfilled, including those made during the Paris III Donor Conference in 2007 following the July 2006 war. The collapse of the government in early 2011 over its backing of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and unrest in neighboring Syria slowed economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-12, after four years of 8% average growth. In September 2011 the Cabinet endorsed a bill that would provide $1.2 billion in funding to improve Lebanon's downtrodden electricity sector, but fiscal limitations will test the government's ability to invest in other areas, such as water.

Exchange rates [time series]

Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2012 est.) 1,507.5 (2011 est.) 1,507.5 (2010 est.) 1,507.5 (2009) 1,507.5 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$5.655 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $5.386 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

jewelry, base metals, chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper

Exports - partners [time series]

UAE 13.1%, Iraq 8.4%, Saudi Arabia 7.7%, Turkey 7%, Syria 6.7%, Switzerland 5.5% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$41.77 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$63.69 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $62.44 billion (2011 est.) $61.52 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 4.6% industry: 19.7% services: 75.8% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$15,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $15,800 (2011 est.) $15,700 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 1.5% (2011 est.) 7% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$20.73 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $19.3 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

US 10.2%, Italy 9.3%, France 8.8%, China 8.2%, Egypt 5.3%, Germany 5.1%, Turkey 4% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 5.1% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

34% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Labor force [time series]

1.481 million country comparison to the world: 130 note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$10.16 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 67 $12.59 billion (31 December 2010) $12.89 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

28% (1999 est.)

Public debt [time series]

127.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 134% of GDP (2011 est.) 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$51.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $48.14 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$97.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $92 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$73.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $69.65 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$4.397 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $4.072 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

22.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

15.24 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - consumption [time series]

12.34 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

87.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

12.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.155 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

2.314 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Electricity - production [time series]

12.98 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

106,700 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

102,300 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 10,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 170 land: 10,230 sq km water: 170 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

225 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 1.38 cu km/yr (33%/1%/67%) per capita: 385 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

33 50 N, 35 50 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

900 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 454 km border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 16.35% permanent crops: 13.75% other: 69.9% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

dust storms, sandstorms

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

4.8 cu km (1997)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beqaa, Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye note: two new governorates - Aakkar and Baalbek-Hermel - have been legislated but not yet implemented

Capital [time series]

name: Beirut geographic coordinates: 33 52 N, 35 30 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution [time series]

23 May 1926; amended a number of times, most recently in 1990 to include changes necessitated by the Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Lebanese Republic conventional short form: Lebanon local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah local short form: Lubnan former: Greater Lebanon

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Maura CONNELLY embassy: Awkar, Lebanon (Awkar facing the Municipality) mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070 telephone: [961] (4) 542600, 543600 FAX: [961] (4) 544136

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine CHEDID chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324 consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Michel SULAYMAN (since 25 May 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Najib MIQATI (since 7 July 2011), Deputy Prime Minister Samir MOQBIL (since 7 July 2011) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 25 May 2008 (next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly election results: Michel SULAYMAN elected president; National Assembly vote - 118 for, 6 abstentions, 3 invalidated; 1 seat unfilled due to death of incumbent

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

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

International law organization participation [time series]

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

International organization participation [time series]

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, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

Constitutional Council (rules on the constitutionality of laws); Judicial Council (for politically sensitive and serious criminal cases); Supreme Council (for charges against the president and prime minister as needed); Courts of Cassation (3 for civil and commercial cases and 1 for criminal cases); judicial courts (for first instance civil, commercial, and criminal cases); administrative courts (for issues arising from decisions issued by the state or its branches); religious courts (for issues of personal status, family; Lebanon recognizes 18 religous denominations); military courts (for issues related to military and national security)

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Nuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by group - March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%; seats by group - March 14 Coalition 71; March 8 Coalition 57; seats by party following 16 July 2012 by-election held to fill one seat - March 14 Coalition 72, March 8 Coalition 56

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!) lyrics/music: Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA note: adopted 1927; the anthem was chosen following a nationwide competition

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

National symbol(s) [time series]

cedar tree

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

14 March Coalition: Democratic Left [Ilyas ATALLAH]; Democratic Renewal Movement [Nassib LAHUD]; Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI]; Kataeb Party [Amine GEMAYEL]; Lebanese Forces [Samir JA'JA]; Tripoli Independent Bloc 8 March Coalition: Development and Resistance Bloc [Nabih BERRI, leader of Amal Movement]; Free Patriotic Movement [Michel AWN]; Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc [Mohammad RA'AD] (includes Hizballah [Hassan NASRALLAH]); Nasserite Popular Movement [Usama SAAD]; Popular Bloc [Elias SKAFF]; Syrian Ba'th Party [Sayez SHUKR]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSO]; Tashnaq [Hovig MEKHITIRIAN] Independent: Democratic Gathering Bloc [Walid JUNBLATT, leader of Progressive Socialist Party]; Metn Bloc [Michel MURR]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Maronite Church [Patriarch Bishara al-Ra'i] other: note - most sects retain militias and a number of militant groups operate in Palestinian refugee camps

Suffrage [time series]

21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education; excludes military personnel

Introduction

Background [time series]

Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French separated out the region of Lebanon in 1920, and granted this area independence in 1943. A lengthy civil war (1975-90) devastated the country, but Lebanon has since made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, Lebanon has conducted several successful elections. Most militias have been reduced or disbanded, with the exception of Hizballah, designated by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and Palestinian militant groups. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000 and the passage in September 2004 of UNSCR 1559 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces. The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI and 22 others in February 2005 led to massive demonstrations in Beirut against the Syrian presence ("the Cedar Revolution"), and Syria withdrew the remainder of its military forces in April 2005. In May-June 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections since the end of the civil war free of foreign interference, handing a majority to the bloc led by Sa'ad HARIRI, the slain prime minister's son. In July 2006, Hizballah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers leading to a 34-day conflict with Israel in which approximately 1,200 Lebanese civilians were killed. UNSCR 1701 ended the war in August 2006, and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deployed throughout the country for the first time in decades, charged with securing Lebanon's borders against weapons smuggling and maintaining a weapons-free zone in south Lebanon with the help of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The LAF in May-September 2007 battled Sunni extremist group Fatah al-Islam in the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp, winning a decisive victory, but destroying the camp and displacing 30,000 Palestinian residents. Lebanese politicians in November 2007 were unable to agree on a successor to Emile LAHUD when he stepped down as president, creating a political vacuum until the election of LAF Commander Gen. Michel SULAYMAN in May 2008 and the formation of a new unity government in July 2008. Legislative elections in June 2009 again produced victory for the bloc led by Sa'ad HARIRI, but a period of prolonged negotiation over the composition of the cabinet ensued. A national unity government was finally formed in November 2009 and approved by the National Assembly the following month. Inspired by the popular revolts that began in late 2010 against dictatorships across the Middle East and North Africa, marches and demonstrations in Lebanon were directed instead against sectarian politics. Although the protests gained some traction, they were limited in size and unsuccessful in changing the system. Opposition politicians collapsed the national unity government under Prime Minister Sa'ad HARIRI in February 2011. After several months in caretaker status, the government named Najib MIQATI Prime Minister.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,081,016 females age 16-49: 1,115,349 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 920,825 females age 16-49: 941,806 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 36,856 female: 35,121 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army ((Al Jaysh al Lubnaniya) includes Navy (Al Quwwat al Bahiriyya al Lubnaniya), Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Lubnaniya)) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; 18-24 years of age for officer candidates; no conscription (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 22.5% (male 477,647/ female 455,008) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,375,375/ female 1,451,246) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 175,847/ female 205,166) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.92 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

4.2% (2004) country comparison to the world: 91

Death rate [time series]

6.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

1.8% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 158

Ethnic groups [time series]

Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendents of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

3,600 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

8.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 50

Hospital bed density [time series]

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 15.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 112 male: 15.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.23 years country comparison to the world: 92 male: 73.67 years female: 76.88 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87.4% male: 93.1% female: 82.2% (2003 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

BEIRUT (capital) 1.909 million (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

25 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 130

Median age [time series]

total: 30.4 years male: 29.2 years female: 31.5 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese

Net migration rate [time series]

-12.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

13.5% (2004) country comparison to the world: 43

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.54 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population [time series]

4,140,289 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.38% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 215

Religions [time series]

Muslim 59.7% (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Coptic, Protestant), other 1.3% note: 17 religious sects recognized

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 87% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 13% of population total: 2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2009)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.76 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 22.1% country comparison to the world: 43 male: 22.3% female: 21.5% (2007)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 87% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms area in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the roughly 2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon has been in place since 1978

Illicit drugs [time series]

cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in 2002 despite continued significant cannabis consumption; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption; money laundering of drug proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug trafficking

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 436,154 (Palestinian refugees (UNRWA)); 9,056 (Iraq) (2011); 223,231 (Syria) (2013) IDPs: at least 47,000 (1975-90 civil war, Israeli military activity, 2007 destruction of Palestinian refugee camp) (2011)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

7 (2012) country comparison to the world: 170

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 29 country comparison to the world: 85 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 7, carrier 17, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 2 (Syria 2) registered in other countries: 34 (Barbados 2, Cambodia 5, Comoros 2, Egypt 1, Georgia 1, Honduras 2, Liberia 1, Malta 6, Moldova 1, Panama 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Sierra Leone 2, Togo 6, unknown 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 102 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Beirut, Tripoli

Railways [time series]

total: 401 km country comparison to the world: 116 standard gauge: 319 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 82 km 1.050-m gauge note: rail system unusable because of the damage done during fighting in the 1980s and in 2006 (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 6,970 km (includes 170 km of expressways) (2005) country comparison to the world: 148