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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 432,070 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6.33 (2020 est.)

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 (2019)

Internet country code [time series]

.lb

Internet users [time series]

total: 5.31 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 78.18% (2019 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: struggling with effects of the economic crisis compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Port of Beirut explosion in 2020; Lebanon s telecom infrastructure is relatively weak and services are expensive; rural areas are less connected and experience frequent power cuts; state retains a monopoly over the Internet backbone and dominant ownership of the telecom industry; government backed improvements to fixed infrastructure; new landlines and fiber-optic networks provide faster DSL; limited 5G services; three international gateways through submarine cables; importer of broadcasting equipment from UAE; UAE investment in tech solutions (2020) domestic: fixed-line 13 per 100 and 62 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2019) international: country code - 961; landing points for the IMEWE, BERYTAR AND CADMOS submarine cable links to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 875,480 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12.83 (2020 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 4,288,221 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62.83 (2020 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products [time series]

potatoes, milk, tomatoes, apples, oranges, olives, wheat, cucumbers, poultry, lemons

Budget [time series]

revenues: 11.62 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 15.38 billion (2017 est.)

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

-6.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings [time series]

Fitch rating: RD (2020) Moody's rating: C (2020) Standard & Poors rating: D (2020)

Current account balance [time series]

-$12.37 billion (2017 est.) -$11.18 billion (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$33.077 billion (2019 est.) $33.655 billion (2018 est.)

Economic 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 inadequate intellectual property rights protection. 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 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 "CEDRE" investment event hosted by France in April 2018 again rallied the international community to assist Lebanon with concessional financing and some grants for capital infrastructure improvements, conditioned upon long-delayed structural economic reforms in fiscal management, electricity tariffs, and transparent public procurement, among many others. The Syria conflict cut off one of Lebanon's major markets and a transport corridor through the Levant. The influx of nearly one million registered and an estimated 300,000 unregistered Syrian refugees has increased social tensions and heightened competition for low-skill jobs and public services. Lebanon continues to face several long-term structural weaknesses that predate the Syria crisis, notably, weak infrastructure, poor service delivery, institutionalized corruption, and bureaucratic over-regulation. Chronic fiscal deficits have increased Lebanon’s debt-to-GDP ratio, the third highest in the world; most of the debt is held internally by Lebanese banks. These factors combined to slow economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-17, after four years of averaging 8% growth. Weak economic growth limits tax revenues, while the largest government expenditures remain debt servicing, salaries for government workers, and transfers to the electricity sector. These limitations constrain other government spending, limiting its ability to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements, such as water, electricity, and transportation. In early 2018, the Lebanese government signed long-awaited contract agreements with an international consortium for petroleum exploration and production as part of the country’s first offshore licensing round. Exploration is expected to begin in 2019.

Exchange rates [time series]

Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar - 1,517.5 (2020 est.) 1,513 (2019 est.) 1,506.5 (2018 est.) 1,507.5 (2014 est.) 1,507.5 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$18.17 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $19.16 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

gold, jewelry, shotguns, diamonds, scrap copper (2019)

Exports - partners [time series]

Switzerland 27%, United Arab Emirates 15%, South Korea 11%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Kuwait 6% (2019)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$53.253 billion (2019 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 87.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 23.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.4% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 3.9% (2017 est.) industry: 13.1% (2017 est.) services: 83% (2017 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income [time series]

31.8 (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$31.34 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $32.78 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, jewelry, gold (2019)

Imports - partners [time series]

United Arab Emirates 11%, China 10%, Italy 8%, Greece 8%, Turkey 7%, United States 6% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-21.1% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

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) [time series]

2.8% (2019 est.) 6% (2018 est.) 4.4% (2017 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.166 million (2016 est.) note: excludes as many as 1 million foreign workers and refugees

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 39% NA (2009 est.) industry: NA services: NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

27.4% (2011 est.)

Public debt [time series]

146.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 145.5% of GDP (2016 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 intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$79.51 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $99.76 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $106.93 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

1.5% (2017 est.) 1.7% (2016 est.) 0.2% (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$11,600 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $14,600 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $15,600 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$55.42 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $54.04 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

21.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.7% (2007)

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

total: 23.4% male: 24.5% female: 21.4% (2019)

Energy

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

15.71 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

88% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

11% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

69 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

2.346 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

17.59 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

154,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

151,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Environment

Air pollutants [time series]

particulate matter emissions: 30.67 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 24.8 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 3.37 megatons (2020 est.)

Climate [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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 (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Food insecurity [time series]

exceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies: due to the ongoing financial and economic crisis - in August 2020, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia estimated that more than 55% of the population lived in poverty, up from 28% in 2019; current figures are likely to be higher due to a fall in households' purchasing power; the already worrisome economic conditions, with increasing unemployment, poverty, and skyrocketing inflation rates, have further worsened due to the COVID‑19 pandemic and the measures introduced to contain the spread of the disease (2021)

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 63.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 11.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 12.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 39.1% (2018 est.) forest: 13.4% (2018 est.) other: 23.3% (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Lebanon; as of 6 October 2021, Lebanon has reported a total of 626,926 cases of COVID-19 or 9,185.13 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with 122.54 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 October 2021, 24.21% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Revenue from coal [time series]

coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources [time series]

forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources [time series]

4.503 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal [time series]

municipal: 240 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 900 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 700 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 89.1% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -1.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling [time series]

municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.04 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 163,200 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2014 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 10,400 sq km land: 10,230 sq km water: 170 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about one-third the size of Maryland

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

225 km

Elevation [time series]

highest point: Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m mean elevation: 1,250 m

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 (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 484 km border countries (2): Israel 81 km, Syria 403 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 63.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 11.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 12.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 39.1% (2018 est.) forest: 13.4% (2018 est.) other: 23.3% (2018 est.)

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]

earthquakes; dust storms, sandstorms

Natural resources [time series]

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

Population distribution [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Citizenship [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

history: drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic and introduced as a government bill to the National Assembly or proposed by at least 10 members of the Assembly and agreed upon by two thirds of its members; if proposed by the National Assembly, review and approval by two-thirds majority of the Cabinet is required; if approved, the proposal is next submitted to the Cabinet for drafting as an amendment; Cabinet approval requires at least two-thirds majority, followed by submission to the National Assembly for discussion and vote; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of a required two-thirds quorum of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president; amended several times, last in 2004

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Dorothy SHEA (since 11 March 2020) embassy: Awkar-Facing the Municipality, Main Street, Beirut mailing address: 6070 Beirut Place, Washington DC 20521-6070 telephone: [961] (04) 543-600 FAX: [961] (4) 544-019 email address and website: BeirutACS@state.gov https://lb.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Wael HACHEM (since 15 March 2021) chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324 email address and website: info@lebanonembassyus.org http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/ consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Michel AWN (since 31 October 2016) head of government: Prime Minister Hassan DIAB (since 22 October 2020); note - the Lebanese Government is in "caretaker" status cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and National Assembly elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly with two-thirds majority vote in the first round and if needed absolute majority vote in a second round for a 6-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); last held on 31 October 2016 (next to be held in 2022); prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly; deputy prime minister determined during cabinet formation election results: Michel AWN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - Michel AWN (FPM) 83 votes; note - in the initial election held on 23 April 2014, no candidate received the required two-thirds vote, and subsequent attempts failed because the Assembly lacked the necessary quorum to hold a vote; the president was finally elected in its 46th attempt on 31 October 2016

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]

parliamentary 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 courts: 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 [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]

description: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Nuwab in Arabic or Assemblee Nationale in French (128 seats; members directly elected by listed-based proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms); prior to 2017, the electoral system was by majoritarian vote elections: last held on 6 May 2018 (next to be held in 2022) election results: percent of vote by coalition - NA; seats by coalition Strong Lebanon Bloc (Free Patriotic Movement-led) 25; Future Bloc (Future Movement-led) 20; Development and Liberation Bloc (Amal Movement-led) 16; Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc (Hizballah-led) 15; Strong Republic Bloc (Lebanese Forces-led) 15; Democratic Gathering (Progressive Socialist Party-led) 9; Independent Centre Bloc 4; National Bloc (Marada Movement-led) 3; Syrian Social Nationalist Party 3; Tashnaq 3; Kata ib 3; other 8; independent 4; composition - men 122, women 6, percent of women 4.6% note: Lebanon s constitution states the National Assembly cannot conduct regular business until it elects a president when the position is vacant

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; chosen following a nationwide competition

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

National symbol(s) [time series]

cedar tree; national colors: red, white, green

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

Al-Ahbash or Association of Islamic Charitable Projects [Adnan TARABULSI] Amal Movement [Nabih BERRI] Azm Movement [Najib MIQATI] Ba th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon [Fayiz SHUKR] Free Patriotic Movement or FPM [Gibran BASSIL] Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI] Hizballah [Hassan NASRALLAH] Islamic Actions Front [Sheikh Zuhayr al-JU AYD] Kata'ib Party [Sami GEMAYEL] Lebanese Democratic Party [Talal ARSLAN] Lebanese Forces or LF [Samir JA'JA] Marada Movement [Sulayman FRANJIEH] Progressive Socialist Party or PSP [Walid JUNBLATT] Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party [Sabuh KALPAKIAN]Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSO] Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Hanna al-NASHIF] Tashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation [Hagop PAKRADOUNIAN]

Suffrage [time series]

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

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, which 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 historically 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 and Security

Military - note [time series]

as of late 2021, the Lebanese military faced multiple challenges, including securing the border with war-torn Syria from infiltrations of militants linked to the Islamic State and al-Qa ida terrorist groups and maintaining stability along its volatile border with Israel, where the Iranian-backed and Lebanon-based militant group Hizballah conducted a war with Israel in 2006 and tensions remained high, including occasional armed skirmishes; in 2021, the military also faced a financial crisis as government debt and national economic difficulties undercut its ability to fully pay and supply personnel, which has sparked domestic and international fears that the armed forces may disintegrate the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) has operated in the country since 1978, originally under UNSCRs 425 and 426 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area; following the July-August 2006 war, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1701 enhancing UNIFIL and deciding that in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other things, monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons; UNIFIL had about 10,000 personnel deployed in the country as of September 2021

Military and security forces [time series]

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army Command (includes Presidential Guard Brigade, Land Border Regiments), Naval Forces, Air Forces; Ministry of Interior: Internal Security Forces Directorate (law enforcement; includes Mobile Gendarmerie), Directorate for General Security (DGS; border control, some domestic security duties) (2021) note(s) - the commander of the LAF is also the commander of the Army; the LAF patrols external borders, while official checkpoints are under the authority of Directorate for General Security

Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]

the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have approximately 80,000 active troops (77,000 Army; 1,500 Navy; 1,500 Air Force) (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]

the LAF inventory includes a wide mix of mostly older equipment, largely from the US and European countries, particularly France and Germany; since 2010, the US is the leading supplier of armaments (mostly second hand equipment) to Lebanon (2021)

Military expenditures [time series]

3% of GDP (2020 est.) 4.2% of GDP (2019) 4.9% of GDP (2018) 4.5% of GDP (2017) 5.1% of GDP (2016)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17-25 years of age for voluntary military service (including women); no conscription (2021)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20.75% (male 581,015/female 554,175) 15-24 years: 14.98% (male 417,739/female 401,357) 25-54 years: 46.69% (male 1,296,250/female 1,257,273) 55-64 years: 9.62% (male 250,653/female 275,670) 65 years and over: 7.96% (male 187,001/female 248,479) (2020 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13.35 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

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

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

8.4% (2018)

Death rate [time series]

5.57 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 48.4 youth dependency ratio: 37.2 elderly dependency ratio: 11.2 potential support ratio: 8.9 (2020 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: total: 100% of population unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.6% of GDP (2019)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

<.1% (2020 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

<100 (2020 est.)

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

2,700 (2020 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2017)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 78.53 years male: 77.12 years female: 80 years (2021 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.1% male: 96.9% female: 93.3% (2018)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

Major urban areas - population [time series]

2.435 million BEIRUT (capital) (2021)

Maternal mortality ratio [time series]

29 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 33.7 years male: 33.1 years female: 34.4 years (2020 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

32% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.1 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Population [time series]

5,261,372 (July 2021 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

0.68% (2021 est.)

Religions [time series]

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: 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 [time series]

improved: total: 99% of population unimproved: total: 1% of population (2017 est.)

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

total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2014)

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: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.71 children born/woman (2021 est.)

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

total: 23.4% male: 24.5% female: 21.4% (2019)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 89.1% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -1.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s) [time series]

Abdallah Azzam Brigades; al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; Asbat al-Ansar; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Hizballah; al-Nusrah Front (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham); Palestine Liberation Front; PFLP-General Command; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine 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 Appendix-T

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-controlled Golan Heights; the roughly 2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon has been in place since 1978

Illicit drugs [time series]

source country for amphetamine tablets destined for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Libya and Sudan; in 2021 authorities in various Near Eastern countries seized millions of captagon tablets that originated in Lebanon, prompting Lebanese authorities to conduct raids on captagon production facilities within the country

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 479,537 (Palestinian refugees) (2020); 844,056 (Syria) (2021) IDPs: 7,000 (2020) stateless persons: undetermined (2016); note - tens of thousands of persons are stateless in Lebanon, including many Palestinian refugees and their descendants, Syrian Kurds denaturalized in Syria in 1962, children born to Lebanese women married to foreign or stateless men; most babies born to Syrian refugees, and Lebanese children whose births are unregistered

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 8 (2013)

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 (2019)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

Heliports [time series]

1 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 48 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 31, oil tanker 1, other 14 (2021)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 21 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,981,937 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 56.57 million mt-km (2018)

Pipelines [time series]

88 km gas (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Beirut, Tripoli container port(s) (TEUs): Beirut (1,229,100) (2019)

Railways [time series]

total: 401 km (2017) standard gauge: 319 km 1.435-m gauge (2017) narrow gauge: 82 km 1.050-m gauge (2017) note: rail system is still unusable due to damage sustained from fighting in the 1980s and in 2006

Roadways [time series]

total: 21,705 km (2017)