Lebanon

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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.

Land

10,230 sq km

Total

10,400 sq km

Water

170 sq km

about one-third the size of Maryland

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

225 km

Asia

Highest point

Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m

Lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Mean elevation

1,250 m

33 50 N, 35 50 E

smallest country in continental Asia; Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary

1,040 sq km (2012)

Border countries

Israel 81 km; Syria 403 km

number of neighbors

2

Total

484 km

Agricultural land

65.9% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 13.1% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 13.7% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 39.1% (2023 est.)

arable land

13.12%

Forest

13.8% (2023 est.)

Other

20.3% (2023 est.)

permanent crops

13.69%

No

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria

Google Maps

https://goo.gl/maps/Sz5VCU8UFBqMyTdc9

OpenStreetMap

https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/184843

Middle East

Territorial sea

12 nm

earthquakes; dust storms, sandstorms

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

the majority of people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, particularly in and around the capital of Beirut

Western Asia

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

UTC+02:00

number of time zones

1

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)

Beer

0.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols

0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits

0.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total

1.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine

0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

16.73 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Women married by age 15

1.4% (2016)

Women married by age 18

6% (2016)

13.9%

5.1% (2023 est.)

52.4% (2019 est.)

6.23 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

adult female

58 per 1,000

adult male

85 per 1,000

Elderly dependency ratio

11.3 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio

8.8 (2024 est.)

Total dependency ratio

50.3 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio

39 (2024 est.)

improved total

47.7%

Improved: total

total: 92.6% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 7.4% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure (% GDP)

1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

8.6% national budget (2025 est.)

1 % of GDP

Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%

note

<strong>note:</strong> many Christian Lebanese do not identify as Arab but rather as descendants of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians

1.07 (2025 est.)

6 % of GDP

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

10.1% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

15.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Female

6.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

7.3 deaths/1,000 live births

neonatal

11 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Major-language sample(s)

<br>كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)<br><br>The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)<br><br>The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

number of languages

2

Female

80.7 years

Male

77.8 years

Total population

79.2 years (2024 est.)

Female

89.5% (2019 est.)

Male

94.8% (2019 est.)

Total population

92% (2019 est.)

2.421 million BEIRUT (capital) (2023)

15 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Female

36.9 years

Male

35.6 years

Total

29.4 years (2025 est.)

21 births/1,000 women 15-19

Adjective

Lebanese

Noun

Lebanese (singular and plural)

-18.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

32% (2016)

2.68 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Female

2,685,939

Male

2,678,543

Total

5,364,482 (2024 est.)

-0.77% (2025 est.)

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

<strong>note:</strong> 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

improved total

25.67%

Improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Female

11 years (2014)

Male

12 years

Total

11 years (2023 est.)

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

At birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Total population

1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Female

25.4% (2025 est.)

Male

43.8% (2025 est.)

Total

34.1% (2025 est.)

2.2 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Rate of urbanization

-1.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Urban population

89.4% of total population (2023)

measles

67%

8 governorates (<em>mohafazat</em>, singular - <em>mohafazah</em>); Aakkar, Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa (Bekaa), Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord (North Lebanon), Liban-Sud (South Lebanon), Mont-Liban (Mount Lebanon), Nabatiye

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Etymology

derived from the Phoenician or Hebrew word <em>be'erot</em>, meaning "the wells," which were the only source of water in the region

Geographic coordinates

33 52 N, 35 30 E

Name

Beirut

Time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

svg

https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/lb.svg

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

History

drafted 15 May 1926, adopted 23 May 1926

alternative spellings

LB, Lebanese Republic, Al-Jumhūrīyah Al-Libnānīyah

Conventional long form

Lebanese Republic

Conventional short form

Lebanon

Etymology

derives from the Semitic root <em>lbn, </em>meaning "white," and probably refers to the country's snow-capped mountains

FIFA code

LBN

Former

Greater Lebanon

Local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah

local long form (ara)

الجمهورية اللبنانية

Local short form

Lubnan

Chief of mission

Ambassador Michel ISSA (since 17 November 2025)

Email address and website

<br>BeirutACS@state.gov<br><br>https://lb.usembassy.gov/

Embassy

Awkar facing the Municipality<br>P.O. Box 70-840 Antelias, Beirut

FAX

[961] (4) 544-019

Mailing address

6070 Beirut Place, Washington DC&nbsp; 20521-6070

Telephone

[961] (04) 543-600

Chancery

2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Chief of mission

Ambassador Nada HAMADEH (since 5 September 2025)

Consulate(s) general

Detroit, New York, Los Angeles

Email address and website

<br>info@lebanonembassyus.org<br><br>http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/

FAX

[1] (202) 939-6324

Telephone

[1] (202) 939-6300

Cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and the National Assembly

Chief of state

President Joseph AOUN (since 9 January 2025)

Election results

<em><br>2025: </em>Joseph AOUN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - 99 of 128<br><em><br>2016:</em> 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

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

Expected date of next election

2031

Head of government

Prime Minister Nawaf SALAM (since 8 February 2025)

Most recent election date

9 January 2025

<strong>description:</strong> three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double-width), and red (bottom), with a green cedar tree centered on the white band<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> red stands for blood shed for liberation, and 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

The flag of Lebanon is composed of three horizontal bands of red, white and red. The white band is twice the height of the red bands and bears a green Lebanese Cedar tree at its center.

svg

https://flagcdn.com/lb.svg

parliamentary democratic republic

22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

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

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

Electoral system

proportional representation

Expected date of next election

May 2026

Legislative structure

unicameral

Legislature name

National Assembly (Majlis Al-Nuwwab)

Most recent election date

5/15/2022

Note

<strong>note 1:</strong> Lebanon’s constitution states that the Parliament cannot conduct regular business until it elects a president when the position is vacant <br><strong><br>note 2:</strong> seats are apportioned evenly between Christians and Muslims

Number of seats

128 (all directly elected)

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%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

4 years

<p> Lebanon has had many coats of arms since declaring independence in 1943, but none were officially adopted. The current version is a variation of the national flag. Red stands for the blood shed for liberation, and white for peace, purity, and mountain snow. The cedar tree is the national symbol, embodying eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity.</p>

red, white, green

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

Total World Heritage Sites

6 (all cultural)

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

cedar tree

Al-Ahbash (Association of Islamic Charitable Projects) or AICP<br>Amal Movement ("Hope Movement")<br>Azm Movement<br>Ba’th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon<br>Free Patriotic Movement or FPM<br>Future Movement Bloc or FM<br>Hizballah<br>Islamic Action Front or IAF<br>Kata'ib Party<br>Lebanese Democratic Party<br>Lebanese Forces or LF<br>Marada Movement<br>Progressive Socialist Party or PSP<br>Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party<br>Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP<br>Tashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation

Monday

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

Yes

potatoes, milk, tomatoes, apples, oranges, olives, cucumbers/gherkins, chicken, lemons/limes, wheat (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

On alcohol and tobacco

0.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

On food

37.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Expenditures

$11.853 billion (2021 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Revenues

$12.73 billion (2021 est.)

code

LBP

name

Lebanese pound (LBP) [ل.ل]

$-5,642,829,133

Current account balance 2021

-$4.556 billion (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$7.265 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$5.643 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$67.39 billion

Debt - external 2023

$41.936 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> present value of external debt in current US dollars

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

Currency

Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

1,507.5 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

1,507.5 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

1,507.5 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

13,875.625 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

89,500 (2024 est.)

$6.13 billion

Exports 2021

$9.684 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$12.445 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$11.77 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

jewelry, cars, diamonds, scrap iron, gold (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

UAE 26%, Egypt 7%, Turkey 5%, Iraq 5%, USA 4% (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

net inflows

$1.84 billion

Exports of goods and services

30.6% (2023 est.)

Government consumption

5.2% (2023 est.)

Household consumption

136% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services

-73.7% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital

1.9% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories

0% (2023 est.)

Note

<strong>note:</strong> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agriculture

1% (2023 est.)

Industry

2.1% (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Services

42.4% (2023 est.)

$20.079 billion (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

$3,478

31.8 (2011)

$19.82 billion

$3,700

2 % of GDP

$14.79 billion

Imports 2021

$17.667 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$24.536 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$23.313 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

refined petroleum, gold, cars, packaged medicine, garments (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Switzerland 12%, China 11%, Greece 9%, Turkey 8%, Italy 6% (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

0.1% (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

banking, tourism, real estate and construction, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating

45.24%

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

171.2% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

221.3% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

45.2% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

1.939 million (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total

1.84 million persons

agriculture

3.51%

industry

20.12%

services

76.36%

Note

<strong>note:</strong> 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

Public debt 2017

146.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

$72.6 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$66.329 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$65.917 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$65.415 billion (2023 est.)

-0.76%

Note

<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2021

-7% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

-0.6% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

-0.8% (2023 est.)

$12,575

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$11,600 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$11,500 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$11,300 (2023 est.)

$5.8 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2021

27.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

30.7% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

33.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

$33.3 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$32.513 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$27.49 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$33.301 billion (2024 est.)

7 % of GDP

6 % of GDP

5.7% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

10.99%

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

12.7% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

11.6% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

11.6% (2023 est.)

Female

21.9% (2023 est.)

Male

24.4% (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Total

23.6% (2023 est.)

Consumption

166,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports

47 metric tons (2022 est.)

Imports

164,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption

4.077 billion kWh (2023 est.)

consumption per capita

681 kWh

Imports

797 million kWh (2021 est.)

Installed generating capacity

5.161 million kW (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses

436.839 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Biomass and waste

0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels

52.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectric

16.02%

Hydroelectricity

15.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear

0%

renewable

5.07%

Solar

31% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Wind

0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

617 kg of oil equivalent

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

43.105 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption

115,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

6.8%

per 100 inhabitants

7 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

7 (2022 est.)

Total

419,000 (2022 est.)

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)

.lb

Percent of population

84% (2023 est.)

#### ####|####

+961

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions

875,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100

74 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

77 (2021 est.)

Total subscriptions

4.29 million (2021 est.)

passengers carried

2.69 million passengers

registered carrier departures

23,751 departures

8 (2025)

OD

Right

27 (2025)

By type

bulk carrier 2, container ship 1, general cargo 30, oil tanker 1, other 17

Total

51 (2023)

Key ports

Bayrut, Sayda, Selaata, Sidon/zahrani Terminal, Tarabulus

Large

1

Medium

1

Ports with oil terminals

3

Small

0

Total ports

5 (2024)

Very small

3

Narrow gauge

82 km (2017) 1.050-m gauge

Note

<strong>note:</strong> rail system is still unusable due to damage sustained from fighting in the 1980s and in 2006

Standard gauge

319 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge

Total

401 km (2017)

RL

armored vehicles

tanks

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<br><br>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 <br><br>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)

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army Command (includes Presidential Guard Brigade, Land Border Regiments), Naval Forces, Air Forces<br><br>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)

active duty personnel

80,000

note

<strong>note:</strong> 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

percent of total labor force

4.10 %

approximately 70,000 active Lebanese Armed Forces (2025)

the LAF's inventory is comprised of mostly older or secondhand equipment from an array of countries, such as France, Germany, Russia, and especially the US (2025)

3 % of GDP

current USD

$635,471,572

Military Expenditures 2018

5.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Military Expenditures 2019

4.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

3.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

2.9% of GDP (2022 est.)

percent of central government expenditure

8.91 %

percent of GDP

2.59 % of GDP

18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2026)

PowerIndex score

2.6521

IDPs

984,514 (2024 est.)

Refugees

765,390 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons

40,000 (2024 est.)

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

<strong>note:</strong> 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

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.)

Total emissions

17.484 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

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

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

Agriculture

11.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Energy

7.9 kt (2022-2024 est.)

Other

0.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste

105.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)

23.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

3 % of total land area

-1 % of total

4.503 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

38 % of internal resources

Agricultural

700 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial

900 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal

240 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually

2.04 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled

15% (2022 est.)