Country Profile: Lebanon

Lebanon is a small, culturally rich country located at the crossroads of the Middle East, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Israel, and Syria. Its population of approximately 5.4 million is characterized by a diverse mix of ethnicities and religions, primarily Arab and Christian, reflecting its complex historical influences. The economy, once vibrant, has faced significant challenges since 2019 due to hyperinflation and civil unrest, impacting key sectors such as banking and trade. Governance in Lebanon operates as a parliamentary democratic republic, although political instability and sectarianism pose ongoing challenges.

Geography

Lebanon is situated in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a total land area of approximately 10,400 square kilometers. The country's geography features a narrow coastal plain, mountainous regions, and the Bekaa Valley that divides the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges. Its climate is Mediterranean, characterized by mild wet winters and hot dry summers. Lebanon's diverse terrain makes it a water-surplus state in a generally water-deficient region.

10,400 sq km – total area
225 km – coastline length
3,088 m – highest point (Qornet es Saouda)
13.8% – forested area (2023 est.)
65.9% – agricultural land (2023 est.)

People and Society

Lebanon has a population estimated at 5.4 million in 2024, with a mix of ethnic groups, predominantly Arab (95%) and Armenian (4%). The country is known for its rich cultural tapestry, where multiple languages are spoken, including Arabic, French, and English. The population is predominantly Muslim (67.8%) with a significant Christian minority (32.4%). Urbanization is high, with about 89.4% of the population living in urban areas, mainly concentrated around the capital, Beirut.

5,364,482 – total population (2024 est.)
29.4 years – median age (2025 est.)
79.2 years – life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
92% – literacy rate (2019 est.)
18.9% – population aged 0-14 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Lebanon's economy is classified as lower middle-income and has faced severe challenges since 2019, including hyperinflation and declining consumer demand. Real GDP has contracted, and unemployment rates have surged to 11.6% in 2023. Key sectors include banking, tourism, and agriculture, although many industries have been adversely impacted by the ongoing political and economic crises.

$20.079 billion – GDP (official exchange rate, 2023 est.)
$65.415 billion – real GDP (PPP, 2023 est.)
11.6% – unemployment rate (2023 est.)
-0.8% – real GDP growth rate (2023 est.)
33.3% – remittances as a share of GDP (2023 est.)

Government

Lebanon operates as a parliamentary democratic republic, with a president and a prime minister appointed by the National Assembly. The legal framework is a mix of civil and religious laws, reflecting the country’s diverse religious landscape. Political life is heavily influenced by sectarian divisions, and the constitution mandates a balanced representation of various religious sects in the parliament.

8 – number of governorates
128 – seats in the National Assembly, all directly elected
21 years – voting age
Joseph AOUN – current president (since January 2025)
Nawaf SALAM – current prime minister (since February 2025)

Military and Security

Lebanon has a military focused on defense, internal security, and border control. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) consist of the army, naval, and air forces, with approximately 70,000 active personnel. Military expenditure reflects the country’s ongoing security challenges, with the LAF facing resource constraints due to economic issues.

2.9% – military expenditure as a share of GDP (2022 est.)
70,000 – active military personnel (2025 est.)
18-25 years – voluntary military service age
UNIFIL – presence since 1978 to assist with southern Lebanon security

Energy

Lebanon's energy sector relies heavily on a mix of sources, with fossil fuels constituting the majority of its installed capacity. The country has made strides in improving electricity access, reaching 100% by 2022. However, infrastructure challenges and reliance on imports for energy sources persist.

5.161 million kW – installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
4.077 billion kWh – electricity consumption (2023 est.)
52.6% – share of fossil fuels in energy generation (2023 est.)
100% – electrification rate (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental challenges in Lebanon include deforestation, air pollution, and waste management issues exacerbated by rapid urbanization. The country is also a signatory to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity.

17.484 million metric tonnes – CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
92.6% – access to improved drinking water (2022 est.)
65.9% – agricultural land use (2023 est.)
15% – municipal solid waste recycling rate (2022 est.)

Transportation

Lebanon's transportation infrastructure includes a network of civil aircraft, limited railways, and ports. The country has several airports and a merchant marine fleet, while rail services remain largely non-operational due to historical conflicts.

8 – number of airports (2025)
401 km – railway system (unusable due to past conflicts)
5 – total ports (2024)
51 – total merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

The communications sector in Lebanon is characterized by a growing number of mobile cellular subscriptions and internet access, with approximately 84% of the population using the internet. The media landscape includes several TV and radio stations, contributing to an active civil society.

4.29 million – mobile cellular subscriptions (2021 est.)
84% – internet user percentage of population (2023 est.)
875,000 – fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2021 est.)
419,000 – broadband fixed subscriptions (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,364,482	Estimated for 2024
Area	10,400 sq km	Total area
GDP (official exchange rate)	$20.079 billion	Estimated for 2023
Real GDP (PPP)	$65.415 billion	Estimated for 2023
Unemployment rate	11.6%	Estimated for 2023
Life expectancy	79.2 years	Estimated for 2024
Military personnel	70,000	Estimated for 2025
Electricity coverage	100%	Estimated for 2022
Literacy rate	92%	Estimated for 2019
CO2 emissions	17.484 million metric tonnes	Estimated for 2023