Factbook dossier
Background
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 incre…
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Area
total : 10,400 sq km land: 10,230 sq km water: 170 sq km
Natural resources
limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land
Natural hazards
earthquakes; dust storms, sandstorms
Population
total: 5,364,482 (2024 est.) male: 2,678,543 female: 2,685,939
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Real GDP per capita
$11,300 (2023 est.) $11,500 (2022 est.) $11,600 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
45.2% (2024 est.) 221.3% (2023 est.) 171.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
UAE 26%, Egypt 7%, Turkey 5%, Iraq 5%, USA 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Switzerland 12%, China 11%, Greece 9%, Turkey 8%, Italy 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
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.)