As a result of its location at the crossroads of three continents, the area that is modern-day Lebanon is rich in cultural and religious diversity. This region was subject to various foreign conquerors for much of its history, including the Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans. Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. From it the French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920, and it gained independence in 1943. Lebanon subsequently experienced 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, and sectarianism remains a key element of Lebanese political life. The Israeli defense forces, which occupied parts of Lebanon during the civil war, did not completely withdraw until 2000. Neighboring Syria influenced Lebanon’s foreign and domestic policies while its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005, but its influence diminished significantly after 2005. Over 1.5 million Syrian refugees fled to Lebanon after the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011. Hizballah — a major Lebanese political party, militia, and US-designated foreign terrorist organization — and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria’s withdrawal and fought a brief war in 2006. After HAMAS attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, the intensity and frequency of these cross-border attacks increased substantially into a cycle of hostilities, mostly limited to the border areas as of January 2024. Lebanon’s borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.
Lebanon’s prosperity has significantly diminished since the beginning of the country’s economic crisis in 2019, which has crippled its economy, shut down its previously lucrative banking sector, reduced the value of its currency, and caused many Lebanese to emigrate in search of better prospects.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Geographic coordinates
33 50 N, 35 50 E
Map references
Middle East
Area
total : 10,400 sq km
land: 10,230 sq km
water: 170 sq km
comparison ranking: total 168
Area – comparative
about one-third the size of Maryland
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 484 km
border countries (2): Israel 81 km; Syria 403 km
Coastline
225 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows
Terrain
narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains
Elevation
highest point: Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 1,250 m
Natural resources
limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land
Land use
agricultural land: 66.4% (2022 est.)
arable land: 13.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 13.7% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 39.1% (2022 est.)
forest: 14.1% (2022 est.)
other: 19.5% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
1,040 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
the majority of people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, particularly in and around the capital of Beirut
Natural hazards
earthquakes; dust storms, sandstorms
Geography – note
smallest country in continental Asia; Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary
People and Society
Population
total: 5,364,482 (2024 est.)
male: 2,678,543
female: 2,685,939
comparison rankings: total 122; female 122; male 122
Nationality
noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Lebanese
Ethnic groups
Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify as Arab but rather as descendants of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians
Languages
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d’informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Arabic audio sample:
French audio sample:
Religions
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
Age structure
0-14 years: 18.9% (male 519,352/female 495,591)
15-64 years: 71.6% (male 1,939,311/female 1,900,574)
65 years and over: 9.5% (2024 est.) (male 219,880/female 289,774)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 50.3 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 39 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 11.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 8.8 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 36.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 35.6 years
female: 36.9 years
comparison ranking: total 90
Population growth rate
0.61% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 137
Birth rate
12.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 139
Death rate
5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 176
Net migration rate
-0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 141
Population distribution
the majority of people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, particularly in and around the capital of Beirut
Urbanization
urban population: 89.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: -1.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
2.421 million BEIRUT (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
15 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 139
Infant mortality rate
total: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 159
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 79.2 years (2024 est.)
male: 77.8 years
female: 80.7 years
comparison ranking: total population 67
Total fertility rate
1.71 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 159
Gross reproduction rate
0.83 (2024 est.)
Drinking water source
improved:
total: 92.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
total: 7.4% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
10.1% of GDP (2021)
15.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.68 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
2.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
32% (2016)
comparison ranking: 18
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 1.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 150
Tobacco use
total: 34.1% (2025 est.)
male: 43.8% (2025 est.)
female: 25.4% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 10
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.4% (2021)
comparison ranking: 76
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
51.4% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 1.4% (2016)
women married by age 18: 6% (2016)
Education expenditure
2.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
9.9% national budget (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 175
Literacy
total population: 93% (2018 est.)
male: 95% (2018 est.)
female: 90% (2018 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 11 years (2023 est.)
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2014)
Environment
Environmental issues
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
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
Climate
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows
Land use
agricultural land: 66.4% (2022 est.)
arable land: 13.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 13.7% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 39.1% (2022 est.)
forest: 14.1% (2022 est.)
other: 19.5% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 89.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: -1.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
17.484 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 375,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 17.109 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 96
Particulate matter emissions
23.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling
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.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 240 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 900 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 700 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
4.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
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 probably refers to the country’s snow-capped mountains
Government type
parliamentary democratic republic
Capital
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 Phoenician or Hebrew word be’erot, meaning “the wells,” which were the only source of water in the region
Administrative divisions
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
Legal system
mixed 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
Constitution
history: drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926
amendment process: 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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
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
Suffrage
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
Executive branch
chief of state: President Joseph AOUN (since 9 January 2025)
head of government: Prime Minister Nawaf SALAM (since 8 February 2025)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and the National Assembly
election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by a qualified majority of two-thirds of Parliament members in the first round and, if needed, a two-thirds quorum of members by simple-majority popular vote for a 6-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly
most recent election date: 9 January 2025
election results:
2025: Joseph AOUN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote – 99 of 128
2016: Michel AWN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote – Michel AWN (FPM) 83; the president elected in its 46th attempt on 31 October 2016
expected date of next election: 2031
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Assembly (Majlis Al-Nuwwab)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 128 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 5/15/2022
parties elected and seats per party: Strong Republic (19); Strong Lebanon (18); Development and Liberation (15); Loyalty to the Resistance (15); Independent Deputies (9); Democratic Gathering (8); Independents (20); Other (24)
percentage of women in chamber: 6.3%
expected date of next election: May 2026
note 1: Lebanon’s constitution states that the Parliament cannot conduct regular business until it elects a president when the position is vacant
note 2: seats are apportioned evenly between Christians and Muslims
Judicial branch
highest court(s): 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
Political parties
Al-Ahbash (Association of Islamic Charitable Projects) or AICP
Amal Movement (“Hope Movement”)
Azm Movement
Ba’th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon
Free Patriotic Movement or FPM
Future Movement Bloc or FM
Hizballah
Islamic Action Front or IAF
Kata’ib Party
Lebanese Democratic Party
Lebanese Forces or LF
Marada Movement
Progressive Socialist Party or PSP
Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party
Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP
Tashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Waël HACHEM, Counselor (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:
[email protected]
http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/
consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa A. JOHNSON (since 6 February 2025)
embassy: Awkar facing the Municipality
P.O. Box 70-840 Antelias, Beirut
mailing address: 6070 Beirut Place, Washington DC 20521-6070
telephone: [961] (04) 543-600
FAX: [961] (4) 544-019
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://lb.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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)
Independence
22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
National holiday
Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
Flag description
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 stand for blood shed for liberation, and the white for peace, the snow of the mountains, and purity; the green cedar tree is the national symbol and represents eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity
National symbol(s)
cedar tree
National color(s)
red, white, green
National anthem(s)
title: “Kulluna lil-watan” (All of Us, For Our Country!)
lyrics/music: Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA
history: adopted 1927
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 6 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Anjar; Baalbek; Byblos; Tyre; Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab); Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income Middle Eastern economy; hyperinflation and sharp poverty increases; banks have ceased lending; economic contraction, destroyed infrastructure, and reduced consumer demand resulting from Israel-Hezbollah conflict
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$65.415 billion (2023 est.)
$65.917 billion (2022 est.)
$66.329 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 113
Real GDP growth rate
-0.8% (2023 est.)
-0.6% (2022 est.)
-7% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 199
Real GDP per capita
$11,300 (2023 est.)
$11,500 (2022 est.)
$11,600 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 139
GDP (official exchange rate)
$20.079 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
45.2% (2024 est.)
221.3% (2023 est.)
171.2% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 203
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 1% (2023 est.)
industry: 2.1% (2023 est.)
services: 42.4% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 184; industry 207; agriculture 175
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 136% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 5.2% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 1.9% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 30.6% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -73.7% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
potatoes, milk, tomatoes, apples, oranges, olives, cucumbers/gherkins, chicken, lemons/limes, wheat (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
banking, tourism, real estate and construction, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating
Industrial production growth rate
0.1% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 135
Labor force
1.939 million (2023 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 127
Unemployment rate
11.6% (2023 est.)
11.6% (2022 est.)
12.7% (2021 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 160
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 23.6% (2023 est.)
male: 24.4% (2023 est.)
female: 21.9% (2023 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 40
Average household expenditures
on food: 37.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 0.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
33.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
30.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
27.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $12.73 billion (2021 est.)
expenditures: $11.356 billion (2021 est.)
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
146.8% of GDP (2017 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
comparison ranking: 4
Taxes and other revenues
5.7% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 148
Current account balance
-$5.643 billion (2023 est.)
-$7.265 billion (2022 est.)
-$4.556 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 174
Exports
$11.77 billion (2023 est.)
$12.445 billion (2022 est.)
$9.684 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 110
Exports – partners
UAE 26%, Egypt 7%, Turkey 5%, Iraq 5%, USA 4% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
jewelry, cars, diamonds, scrap iron, gold (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$23.313 billion (2023 est.)
$24.536 billion (2022 est.)
$17.667 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 88
Imports – partners
Switzerland 12%, China 11%, Greece 9%, Turkey 8%, Italy 6% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, gold, cars, packaged medicine, garments (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$33.301 billion (2024 est.)
$27.49 billion (2023 est.)
$32.513 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 55
Debt – external
$41.936 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 20
Exchange rates
Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
89,500 (2024 est.)
13,875.625 (2023 est.)
1,507.5 (2022 est.)
1,507.5 (2021 est.)
1,507.5 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 5.161 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 4.077 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 797 million kWh (2021 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 436.839 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 78; consumption 135; installed generating capacity 90; imports 85
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 52.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 31% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 15.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 166,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 47 metric tons (2022 est.)
imports: 164,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 115,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
43.105 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 99
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 875,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 71
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 4.29 million (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 77 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 132
Broadcast media
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
.lb
Internet users
percent of population: 84% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 419,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 106
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
OD
Airports
8 (2025)
comparison ranking: 168
Heliports
27 (2025)
comparison ranking: 49
Railways
total: 401 km (2017)
standard gauge: 319 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 82 km (2017) 1.050-m gauge
note: rail system is still unusable due to damage sustained from fighting in the 1980s and in 2006
Merchant marine
total: 51 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 2, container ship 1, general cargo 30, oil tanker 1, other 17
comparison ranking: total 120
Ports
total ports: 5 (2024)
large: 1
medium: 1
small: 0
very small: 3
ports with oil terminals: 3
key ports: Bayrut, Sayda, Selaata, Sidon/zahrani Terminal, Tarabulus
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army Command (includes Presidential Guard Brigade, Land Border Regiments), Naval Forces, Air Forces
Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of Internal Security Forces (law enforcement; includes Mobile Gendarmerie), General Directorate for Public Security (border control, some domestic security duties) (2025)
note: the commander of the LAF is also the head of the Army; the LAF patrols external borders, while official border checkpoints are under the authority of Directorate for General Security
Military expenditures
2.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
3.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
3% of GDP (2020 est.)
4.7% of GDP (2019 est.)
5.1% of GDP (2018 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 70,000 active Lebanese Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the LAF inventory includes a wide mix of mostly older equipment from a diverse array of countries, including the US; the country’s economic crisis has limited military procurement efforts (2024)
Military service age and obligation
17-25 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2024)
note: women were allowed to volunteer for military service in the 1980s; as of 2023, they comprised about 5% of the active duty military
Military – note
the primary responsibilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are defense against external attack, border security, protecting the country’s territorial waters, and assisting with internal security and development projects
the LAF’s domestic security responsibilities include countering narcotics trafficking and smuggling, managing protests, conducting search and rescue, and intervening to prevent violence between rival political factions; in recent years, the military has faced a financial crisis as government debt and national economic difficulties have undercut its ability to train and fully pay and supply personnel; the UN, as well as individual countries such as France, Qatar, and the US have provided financial assistance
the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has operated in the southern part of the country since 1978; it has approximately 10,500 personnel assigned and includes a maritime task force; the terrorist group Hizballah maintains thousands of fighters and militia in Lebanon, primarily in the south (see Terrorist Organizations in References) (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Abdallah Azzam Brigades; al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; Asbat al-Ansar; HAMAS; Hizballah; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Palestine Liberation Front (PLF); Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP); PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC)
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 the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 765,390 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 984,514 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 40,000 (2024 est.)
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared to the previous reporting period, therefore Lebanon remained on Tier 2 Watch List for a second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/lebanon/
