Country Summary
Introduction
Background
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 granted this area independence in 1943. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.
Geography
Area
total: 10,400 sq km
land: 10,230 sq km
water: 170 sq km
Climate
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows
Natural resources
limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land
People and Society
Population
5,296,814 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups
Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
Languages
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
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.)
Population growth rate
0.66% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Beirut
Executive branch
chief of state: President Michel AWN (since 31 October 2016)
head of government: Prime Minister Najib MIQATI (since 20 September 2021)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Lebanese Parliament or Majlis al-Nuwab in Arabic, Chambre des députés in French (128 seats; members directly elected in multi-member constituencies by open list proportional representation vote, apportioned evenly between Christian and Muslims; members serve 4-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Middle Eastern economy; economic activity hurt by economic depression, COVID-19, and port explosion; hyperinflation and sharp poverty increases; banks have ceased lending; new financing facility helping with recovery
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$79.51 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$11,600 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
potatoes, milk, tomatoes, apples, oranges, olives, wheat, cucumbers, poultry, lemons
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
Exports
$18.17 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
Switzerland 27%, United Arab Emirates 15%, South Korea 11%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Kuwait 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities
gold, jewelry, shotguns, diamonds, scrap copper (2019)
Imports
$31.34 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
United Arab Emirates 11%, China 10%, Italy 8%, Greece 8%, Turkey 7%, United States 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, jewelry, gold (2019)
Exchange rates
Lebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Thursday, October 13, 2022
