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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: 99

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 (2011)

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

878,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 81

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 122

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $9.487 billion expenditures: $13.56 billion (2013 est.)

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

-9.4% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

7.5% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 7.25% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$3.224 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 -$1.663 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$26.74 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $25.16 billion (31 December 2012 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, which saddled 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 MIKATI government in early 2011 over its backing of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the conflict in neighboring Syria slowed economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-13, 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 (2013 est.) 1,507.5 (2012 est.) 1,507.5 (2010 est.) 1,507.5 (2009) 1,507.5 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$5.826 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $5.615 billion (2012 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]

South Africa 19.3%, Switzerland 12.2%, Saudi Arabia 8%, UAE 7.9%, Syria 6.6%, Iraq 4.7% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$43.49 billion (2013 est.)

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

$64.31 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $63.36 billion (2012 est.) $62.42 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 82.3% government consumption: 14.9% investment in fixed capital: 31.2% exports of goods and services: 18.6% imports of goods and services: -47% (2013 est.)

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

agriculture: 4.6% industry: 20% services: 75.4% (2013 est.)

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

$15,800 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $15,800 (2012 est.) $15,800 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

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

1.5% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 1.5% (2012 est.) 1.5% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

24.6% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 29.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 22.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$20.97 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $20.33 billion (2012 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 11.2%, Italy 8.6%, China 8.3%, France 7.2%, Germany 5.6%, Turkey 4.5%, Greece 4.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 6.4% (2012 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.481 million country comparison to the world: 130 note: does not include 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]

$10.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $10.16 billion (31 December 2011) $12.59 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

28% (1999 est.)

Public debt [time series]

120% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 119.6% of GDP (2012 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]

$51.95 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $52.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$97.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $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]

$80.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $75.76 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$5.419 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $4.712 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

21.8% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Energy

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

19.45 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - consumption [time series]

14.19 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

87.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

12.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Electricity - imports [time series]

1.245 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

2.314 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Electricity - production [time series]

14.81 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

150 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Natural gas - imports [time series]

150 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

106,700 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

120,400 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Geography

Area [time series]

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

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: 1.31 cu km/yr (29%/11%/60%) per capita: 316.8 cu m/yr (2005)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

33 50 N, 35 50 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

1,040 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 10.72% permanent crops: 12.06% other: 77.22% (2011)

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]

4.5 cu km (2011)

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]

drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926; amended several times, last in 2004 (2013)

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 David HALE (since 6 September 2013) 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 (since 4 June 2008) 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 (vacant); note - Parliament has tried six times to elect a president and failed; President Michel SULAYMAN's term expired on 24 May 2014; the prime minister and his cabinet are temporarily taking over the duties of the president head of government: Prime Minister Tamam SALAM (since 6 April 2013); 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); first round of election held on 23 April 2014 (next to be held in 2020); the prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly election results: 23 April 2014 first round parliamentary vote - Samir GEAGEA 48, Henri HELOU 16, Amin GEMAYEL 1; note - 86 out of a possible 128 votes required to win election; five subsequent rounds have failed because there was no quorum; a seventh round is scheduled to take place 18 June 2014

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]

highest court(s): Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (organized into 4 divisions, 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, 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 (6); Courts of First Instance; specialized tribunals, religious courts; military courts

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 byelection 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!)

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 demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920 and granted this area independence in 1943. Since independence the country has been marked by 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 that resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability. Sectarianism is a key element of Lebanese political life. Neighboring Syria has long influenced Lebanon's foreign policy and internal policies, and its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005. The Lebanon-based Hizballah militia and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal, and fought a brief war in 2006. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.

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): Lebanese Army ((Al Jaysh al Lubnani) includes Lebanese Navy (Al Quwwat al Bahiriyya al Lubnaniya), Lebanese Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Lubnaniya)) (2013)

Military expenditures [time series]

4.04% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 10 4.06% of GDP (2011) 4.04% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17-30 years of age for voluntary military service; 18-24 years of age for officer candidates; no conscription (2013)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 25.2% (male 758,153/female 723,619) 15-24 years: 17.2% (male 515,591/female 493,879) 25-54 years: 44.1% (male 1,309,544/female 1,283,074) 55-64 years: 6.9% (male 185,503/female 219,242) 65 years and over: 9.4% (male 175,911/female 218,046) (2014 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.8 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]

total number: 54,387 percentage: 7 % (2000 est.)

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

4.2% (2004) country comparison to the world: 98

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

58% (2004)

Death rate [time series]

4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 40.6 % youth dependency ratio: 28.3 % elderly dependency ratio: 12.3 % potential support ratio: 8.1 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.2% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 162

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: 156

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: 129

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

6.3% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 100

Hospital bed density [time series]

3.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 7.98 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 155 male: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 77.22 years country comparison to the world: 69 male: 76.03 years female: 78.46 years (2014 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.6% male: 93.4% female: 86% (2007 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

BEIRUT (capital) 2.022 million (2011)

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: 29.3 years male: 28.7 years female: 29.8 years (2014 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese

Net migration rate [time series]

83.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

27.4% (2008) country comparison to the world: 40

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.54 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population [time series]

5,882,562 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Population growth rate [time series]

9.37% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Religions [time series]

Muslim 54% (27% Sunni, 27% Shia), Christian 40.5% (includes 21% Maronite Catholic, 8% Greek Orthodox, 5% Greek Catholic, 6.5% other Christian), Druze 5.6%, very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, Hindus, and Mormons note: 18 religious sects recognized (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 87% of population total: 98.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 13% of population total: 1.7% of population (2005 est.)

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

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2012)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.74 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

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

total: 16.8% country comparison to the world: 76 male: 14.6% female: 22.3% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 87.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 0.86% 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): 447,328 (Palestinian refugees (UNRWA)); 1,107,550 (Syria) (2014) IDPs: at least 20,000 (2007 Lebanese security forces' destruction of Palestinian refugee camp) (2013)

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Lebanon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Eastern European women and children are transported through Lebanon for sexual exploitation in other Middle Eastern countries; women from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nepal, Madagascar, Congo, Togo, Cameroon, and Nigeria are recruited by agencies to work in domestic service but are often subject to conditions indicative of forced labor, including the withholding of passports, nonpayment of wages, restricted movement, threats, and abuse; Lebanon's artiste visa program enabling women to work as dancers for three months in the adult entertainment industry sustains a significant sex trade; anecdotal information indicates some Lebanese children are victims of forced labor, such as street begging and commercial sexual exploitation; Syrian refugee women and children in Lebanon are at increased risk of sex trafficking tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Lebanon does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government conducts investigations of human trafficking and possibly some prosecutions but for another year did not report convicting any trafficking offenders or officials complicit in human trafficking; the government continues to lack a formal system for identifying victims and does not have a policy to protect victims from being punished for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked; NGOs, rather than the government, provide victim assistance and protection (2013)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

8 (2013) country comparison to the world: 160

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 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2013)

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 88 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Beirut, Tripoli container port(s) (TEUs): Beirut (1,034,249)

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: 145