Lebanon profile

Demography and Health

Lebanon’s population was about 5.806 million in 2024, with a small negative net migration of roughly 17 thousand people, indicating continued outward movement that can influence labor markets, demographics, and urban dynamics. The birth rate stood at 16.1 per 1,000 people in 2023, while the crude death rate was 5.96 per 1,000 in 2023, producing a modest natural increase in population. Life expectancy at birth reached 77.8 years in 2023, suggesting substantial longevity despite macroeconomic strain. Under-5 mortality remained relatively high at 18.3 per 1,000 live births (2023), signaling ongoing child health and access-to-care challenges despite overall longevity gains. The internet continues to permeate society, with 83.5% of the population using the Internet in 2023, reflecting strong digital connectivity that can support health information channels and telemedicine initiatives. Health financing remains constrained: current health expenditure was about 5.74% of GDP in 2022, and domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, stood at 224 international dollars (2022), indicating limited fiscal capacity to scale health services even as life expectancy remains favorable. Hospital beds per 1,000 people were 2.73 in 2021, highlighting relatively constrained hospital capacity relative to population needs. Nutritional vulnerability persists, with 9.6% of the population undernourished (2022). Public health outcomes are influenced by broader governance and economic conditions, including high inflation and governance indicators, underscoring the interlinkages between health, economy, and institutions. Suicide mortality was low at 0.7 per 100,000 in 2021. Overall, Lebanon shows notable health achievements alongside gaps in health system capacity and nutrition that warrant sustained investment and social protection.

Economy

Lebanon’s GDP per capita was 3,478 current US$ in 2023, with GDP per capita at purchasing power parity around 12,575 international US$, illustrating a sizable gap between local prices and international cost structures. The inflation rate surged to 45.2% in 2024, signaling extreme macroeconomic volatility that erodes purchasing power, deters investment, and complicates budget planning for households and firms. The structure of the economy shows exports of goods and services at 30.6% of GDP in 2023, while imports accounted for 73.7% of GDP, underscoring a substantial import dependency and exposure to external price shifts. High-technology exports totalled about 98 million USD in 2023, indicating the presence of knowledge-intensive segments amid an otherwise import-reliant economy. The country hosts a diversified but modest export base with room to deepen value-added sectors. External balances are challenging: the current account deficit was 28.1% of GDP in 2023, reflecting large trade and service gaps that depend on external financing to sustain demand. Net foreign direct investment inflows averaged 3.26% of GDP in 2023, signaling some investor interest but not a dominant force in supporting growth. Taken together, these indicators point to an economy grappling with inflation, external fragility, and limited fiscal space, while maintaining pockets of high-value activity in technology and services.

Trade and Investment

Lebanon’s external orientation shows exports of goods and services at 30.6% of GDP in 2023 and imports at 73.7% of GDP, highlighting a highly open economy with substantial reliance on external supplies. The presence of high-technology exports—about 98 million USD in 2023—signals capability in advanced sectors that could form the basis for more export-oriented growth if supported by investment and stable policy conditions. Net foreign direct investment inflows reached 3.26% of GDP in 2023, indicating a moderate level of international capital engagement, though governance and macroeconomic volatility appear to constrain larger inflows. The current account deficit of 28.1% of GDP in 2023 reinforces the vulnerability to shifts in capital flows and import costs, suggesting that structural reforms, improved governance, and a competitive business environment would be crucial to mobilize sustained investment and reduce external vulnerabilities. The data collectively imply an economy with notable import dependence, selective strengths in high-tech exports, and a need for policy stability to attract larger, longer-term investment and restore external balance.

Governance and Institutions

Lebanon’s governance indicators paint a challenging picture. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism are rated at -1.52 in 2023, while regulatory quality stands at -1.01, rule of law at -1.17, control of corruption at -1.23, and government effectiveness at -1.58. These negative scores suggest weak institutional performance across the core dimensions of governance, including policy quality, legal integrity, public sector effectiveness, and anti-corruption. The combined pattern of low governance quality is consistent with a fragile macroeconomic environment, limited public trust, and obstacles to predictable policy implementation. Low governance effectiveness can hamper economic reforms, deter investment, and impede the efficient delivery of essential services such as health, water, and infrastructure. In such a context, external shocks—like inflationary pressures and currency volatility—are more likely to feed into social and political tensions, complicating long-term development planning. The persistence of governance shortcomings underscores the importance of credible reform agendas, transparency measures, and clear rule-based frameworks to anchor growth, investment, and social protection in Lebanon’s economy.

Infrastructure and Technology

Lebanon shows strong digital penetration, with 83.5% of the population using the Internet in 2023, indicating a solid foundation for digital services, e-government, and online commerce. Health infrastructure, however, appears relatively constrained, with hospital beds at 2.73 per 1,000 people (2021), suggesting limited inpatient capacity to meet fluctuations in demand. Renewable energy consumption accounts for 6.8% of total final energy consumption in 2021, highlighting a reliance on conventional energy sources and a potential for expansion of renewables as a way to reduce import dependence and energy costs. The environmental resource base faces pressure: water stress is high, with freshwater withdrawal at 58.8% of available resources in 2021, signaling vulnerability to droughts, climate variability, and urban demand. In terms of environmental performance, total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 4.27 t CO2e (2023), a level that invites further reductions through efficiency improvements and clean energy adoption. The combination of strong connectivity and relatively limited physical infrastructure points to opportunities for a digital-led growth model that must be supported by investments in health, water, and sustainable energy systems.

Environment and Sustainability

Lebanon faces notable environmental sustainability challenges alongside moderate emissions. Water resources are under stress, with freshwater withdrawal at 58.8% of available resources (2021), indicating significant competition among households, industry, and agriculture and a vulnerability to climate-driven hydrological variability. Renewable energy constitutes only 6.8% of total final energy consumption (2021), signaling strong dependence on non-renewable energy sources and a potential for expansion of renewables to enhance energy security and reduce import bills. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 4.27 t CO2e (2023), suggesting moderate per-person emissions that could rise with growth in energy use if not managed through efficiency and cleaner technologies. The prevalence of undernourishment stands at 9.6% (2022), highlighting ongoing food security concerns alongside nutrition resilience efforts. The combination of high population exposure to water and energy constraints, coupled with governance and economic fragility, underscores the importance of integrated environmental management and targeted investments in water efficiency, renewable energy, climate adaptation, and social protection to build a more sustainable trajectory for Lebanon.