Jan 22, 2020

The fourth consecutive month of Lebanon's unprecedented political and economic crisis kicked off this week with three dramatic developments that will interplay in the coming months to define the country's direction for years to come: Escalating protests on the streets, heightened security measures by an increasingly militarising state, and now, a new cabinet of controversial so-called "independent technocrats" led by Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab.

Seeking to increase pressure on the political elite to act responsibly amid inaction vis-a-vis the slow collapse of the economy, the protesters had launched the fourth month of their protest movement, which had begun on 17 October last year, with a 'Week of Anger', stepping up their tactics and targeting banks and government institutions.

Jan 22, 2020

The fourth consecutive month of Lebanon's unprecedented political and economic crisis kicked off this week with three dramatic developments that will interplay in the coming months to define the country's direction for years to come: Escalating protests on the streets, heightened security measures by an increasingly militarising state, and now, a new cabinet of controversial so-called "independent technocrats" led by Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab.

Seeking to increase pressure on the political elite to act responsibly amid inaction vis-a-vis the slow collapse of the economy, the protesters had launched the fourth month of their protest movement, which had begun on 17 October last year, with a 'Week of Anger', stepping up their tactics and targeting banks and government institutions.

Jan 22, 2020

The fourth consecutive month of Lebanon's unprecedented political and economic crisis kicked off this week with three dramatic developments that will interplay in the coming months to define the country's direction for years to come: Escalating protests on the streets, heightened security measures by an increasingly militarising state, and now, a new cabinet of controversial so-called "independent technocrats" led by Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab.

Seeking to increase pressure on the political elite to act responsibly amid inaction vis-a-vis the slow collapse of the economy, the protesters had launched the fourth month of their protest movement, which had begun on 17 October last year, with a 'Week of Anger', stepping up their tactics and targeting banks and government institutions.

The emergency rescue program revealed by Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab on April 30 purports to address comprehensively Lebanon’s economic collapse. While tabled in more desperate times made even worse by the impact of the coronavirus, the program dusts off the essential deal of earlier Lebanese attempts to attract external support: Lebanon would enact extensive…

Once considered rising political players in Lebanese politics, the Salafists who were active in aiding the Syrian rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime are now in retreat. Geneive Abdo writes that after three years of monitoring their activities, a recent visit to their mosques and homes showed clearly that the weight and power of Hezbollah and its cooperation with the Lebanese intelligence and Armed Forces, and the changing dynamics in the Syrian war that have kept Assad in power, have all led to the Salafists’ decline.

In light of the political gridlock in Beirut, this event hosted by the Brookings Doha Center focused on the prospects for peace and security in Lebanon amid the internal conflicts. Will the "You Stink" protest campaign pave the way for revamping Lebanon’s political system? Can Lebanon continue to avoid getting engulfed by the Syrian conflict?

The Saudi government has attempted to punish Lebanon by cancelling arms purchases and cutting off aid programs to Beirut for its failure to condemn the Saudi embassy attack in Iran, Bruce Riedel writes. Saudi Arabia’s goals of pushing Iran out of Lebanon and defeating Hezbollah are unrealistic and will only contribute to another broken state in the Middle East, Riedel argues.

We continue here Brookings’s ongoing video interview series with Islamist leaders and activists, as part of our Rethinking Political Islam initiative. We asked each participant to discuss the state of his or her movement and reflect on lessons learned from the crises of the Arab Spring era, including the rise of ISIS, the Syrian civil […]

The emergency rescue program revealed by Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab on April 30 purports to address comprehensively Lebanon’s economic collapse. While tabled in more desperate times made even worse by the impact of the coronavirus, the program dusts off the essential deal of earlier Lebanese attempts to attract external support: Lebanon would enact extensive…

Protests against growing economic hardship erupted in Tripoli and spread to other Lebanese cities on Tuesday, with banks set ablaze and violence boiling over into a second night.

The Lebanese government on Thursday approved a long-awaited plan to rescue the economy from its worst crisis in decades following a fresh wave of angry street protests this week. Nationwide protests broke out in October accusing the country's political class of corruption and mismanagement.

Lebanon’s coronavirus lockdown has sent an economy already in deep trouble into freefall, and many are struggling to survive. Gino Raidy is an activist who was prominent during the October 2019 anti-government corruption protests. Now, with many fearing hunger and believing there is nothing left to lose, he is helping to keep demonstrators safe as they demand real and lasting change

• You think we care about masks?': anger and poverty grip Lebanese city

The main aim of the MENAdrought project is to empower decision-makers across Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco to anticipate, prepare for and mitigate drought impacts in a context of increasing climate change, in order to reduce risks of food and water insecurity.

For the phone app to be effective and sustainable, it must only be regarded as being a part of a more integrated approach to development and codesigned with the end users.

The OECD and the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes announced today that Bahrain, Lebanon, Nauru, Panama and Vanuatu have now committed to share financial account information automatically with other countries.

Lebanon represented by Mr Ghady El Khoury, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Lebanon in France, signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (“The Convention”), therewith becoming the 111th jurisdiction to join the Convention. Lebanon deposited its instrument of ratification for the Convention at the same time.

Exports to Lebanon in Turkey decreased to 55368.37 USD THO in March from 67819.43 USD THO in February of 2020. Exports to Lebanon in Turkey averaged 70007.87 USD THO from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 124949.04 USD THO in December of 2019 and a record low of 41573.47 USD THO in November of 2019. This page includes a chart with historical data for Turkey Exports to Lebanon.

Imports from Lebanon in Turkey decreased to 928.59 USD THO in March from 935.40 USD THO in February of 2020. Imports from Lebanon in Turkey averaged 8470.95 USD THO from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 20779.27 USD THO in February of 2018 and a record low of 928.59 USD THO in March of 2020. This page includes a chart with historical data for Turkey Imports from Lebanon.

The Blom decreased 161 points or 20.63% since the beginning of 2020, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Lebanon. Historically, the Lebanon Stock Market BLOM reached an all time high of 1238.28 in February of 2017. The BLOM Lebanon Index is a major stock market index which tracks the performance largest companies listed on the Beirut Stock Exchange. It is a free-float weighted equity index.

IP Addresses in Lebanon increased to 179674 IP in the first quarter of 2017 from 176348 IP in the fourth quarter of 2016. IP Addresses in Lebanon averaged 153363.51 IP from 2007 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 225761 IP in the second quarter of 2014 and a record low of 21154 IP in the third quarter of 2007. This page includes a chart with historical data for LebanonIP Addresses.

Temperature in Lebanon decreased to 8.19 celsius in December from 13.44 celsius in November of 2015. Temperature in Lebanon averaged 17.62 celsius from 1808 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 29.44 celsius in August of 2010 and a record low of 4.55 celsius in January of 1813. This page includes a chart with historical data for Lebanon Average Temperature.

Precipitation in Lebanon increased to 56.02 mm in December from 46.14 mm in November of 2015. Precipitation in Lebanon averaged 48.96 mm from 1901 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 335.86 mm in January of 1969 and a record low of 0 mm in September of 1971. This page includes a chart with historical data for Lebanon Average Precipitation.

Lebanon recorded a Current Account deficit of 27 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Current Account to GDP in Lebanon averaged -19.09 percent from 1980 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 37.80 percent in 1982 and a record low of -57.50 percent in 1991. The Current account balance as a percent of GDP provides an indication on the level of international competitiveness of a country. Usually, countries recording a strong current account surplus have an economy heavily dependent on exports revenues, with high savings ratings but weak domestic demand. On the other hand, countries recording a current account deficit have strong imports, a low saving rates and high personal consumption rates as a percentage of disposable incomes. This page provides - Lebanon Current Account to GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Military Expenditure in Lebanon increased to 2606 USD Million in 2018 from 2441 USD Million in 2017. Military Expenditure in Lebanon averaged 1601.68 USD Million from 1980 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 2686 USD Million in 2016 and a record low of 265 USD Million in 1988.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Lebanon expanded 1 percent in 2018 from the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Lebanon averaged 4.29 percent from 1971 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 83.28 percent in 1977 and a record low of -56.99 percent in 1976. Lebanon has a services oriented economy, with banking and tourism being the most important sectors. Due to the Israeli occupation and civil wars, the government had to pledge most of its resources towards constant reconstruction efforts, causing a high level of public debt. As a result, Lebanon depends on foreign aid in order to undergo reforms and strengthen the economy. Despite being a relatively free economy, foreign direct investments are hampered by bureaucracy, corruption and high taxes. The civil war in Syria, which started in 2011, has been slowly destabilizing Lebanon, resulting in decreasing foreign direct investments and a significant reduction in tourism. This page provides - Lebanon GDP Annual Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Social Security Rate For Companies in Lebanon stands at 22.50 percent. Social Security Rate For Companies in Lebanon averaged 21.56 percent from 2004 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 22.50 percent in 2019 and a record low of 21.50 percent in 2005. In Lebanon, the Social Security Rate is a tax related with labor income charged to both companies and employees. Revenues from the Social Security Rate are an important source of income for the government of Lebanon because they help to pay for many social programs including welfare, health care and many other benefits. This page provides - Lebanon Social Security Rate For Companies- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Social Security Rate For Employees in Lebanon stands at 3 percent. Social Security Rate For Employees in Lebanon averaged 2.06 percent from 2004 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 3 percent in 2019 and a record low of 2 percent in 2005. In Lebanon, the Social Security Rate is a tax related with labor income charged to both companies and employees. Revenues from the Social Security Rate are an important source of income for the government of Lebanon because they help to pay for many social programs including welfare, health care and many other benefits. This page provides - Lebanon Social Security Rate For Employees- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Lebanon was last recorded at 6249.80 US dollars in 2018. The GDP per Capita in Lebanon is equivalent to 49 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita in Lebanon averaged 5764.74 USD from 1988 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 7756.70 USD in 2010 and a record low of 2442.70 USD in 1989. The GDP per capita is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by inflation, by the total population. This page provides - Lebanon GDP per capita - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Lebanon was last recorded at 11607.20 US dollars in 2018, when adjusted by purchasing power parity (PPP). The GDP per Capita, in Lebanon, when adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity is equivalent to 65 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita PPP in Lebanon averaged 11012.26 USD from 1990 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 14406 USD in 2010 and a record low of 5583.50 USD in 1990. The GDP per capita PPP is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by purchasing power parity, by the total population. This page provides - Lebanon GDP per capita PPP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Deposit Interest Rate in Lebanon increased to 7.72 percent in 2018 from 6.26 percent in 2017. Deposit Interest Rate in Lebanon averaged 11.38 percent from 1982 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 21.96 percent in 1988 and a record low of 5.77 percent in 2012. The Deposit Interest Rate is the average rate paid by commercial banks to individuals or corporations on deposits. This page includes a chart with historical data for Deposit Interest Rate in Lebanon.

Lebanon recorded a government debt equivalent to 151 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Government Debt to GDP in Lebanon averaged 152.96 percent from 2000 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 183 percent in 2006 and a record low of 131 percent in 2012. Generally, Government debt as a percent of GDP is used by investors to measure a country ability to make future payments on its debt, thus affecting the country borrowing costs and government bond yields. This page provides - Lebanon Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Lebanon scored 56.29 points out of 100 on the 2018 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. Competitiveness Index in Lebanon averaged 21.64 Points from 2011 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 57.80 Points in 2017 and a record low of 3.67 Points in 2015. The most recent 2018 edition of Global Competitiveness Report assesses 140 economies. The report is made up of 98 variables, from a combination of data from international organizations as well as from the World Economic Forum’s Executive Opinion Survey. The variables are organized into twelve pillars with the most important including: institutions; infrastructure; ICT adoption; macroeconomic stability; health; skills; product market; labour market; financial system; market size; business dynamism; and innovation capability. The GCI varies between 1 and 100, higher average score means higher degree of competitiveness. With the 2018 edition, the World Economic Forum introduced a new methodology, aiming to integrate the notion of the 4th Industrial Revolution into the definition of competitiveness. It emphasizes the role of human capital, innovation, resilience and agility, as not only drivers but also defining features of economic success in the 4th Industrial Revolution. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lebanon Competitiveness Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Gold Reserves in Lebanon remained unchanged at 286.83 Tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 286.83 Tonnes in the third quarter of 2019. Gold Reserves in Lebanon averaged 286.83 Tonnes from 2000 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 286.83 Tonnes in the second quarter of 2000 and a record low of 286.80 Tonnes in the first quarter of 2018. Gold Reserves are country’s gold assets held or controlled by the central bank. This page provides - Lebanon Gold Reserves - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Lebanon is ranked 143 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings. The rank of Lebanon deteriorated to 143 in 2019 from 142 in 2018. Ease of Doing Business in Lebanon averaged 118.25 from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 143 in 2019 and a record low of 101 in 2008. The Ease of doing business index ranks countries against each other based on how the regulatory environment is conducive to business operationstronger protections of property rights. Economies with a high rank (1 to 20) have simpler and more friendly regulations for businesses. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ease of Doing Business in Lebanon.

Terrorism Index in Lebanon decreased to 4.39 in 2018 from 5.15 in 2017. Terrorism Index in Lebanon averaged 4.87 from 2002 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 6.38 in 2014 and a record low of 3.06 in 2004. The Global Terrorism Index measures the direct and indirect impact of terrorism, including its effects on lives lost, injuries, property damage and the psychological aftereffects. It is a composite score that ranks countries according to the impact of terrorism from 0 (no impact) to 10 (highest impact).

Government Spending in Lebanon increased to 13792.71 LBP Billion in 2018 from 8960.03 LBP Billion in 2017. Government Spending in Lebanon averaged 5906.93 LBP Billion from 1970 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 13792.71 LBP Billion in 2018 and a record low of 1671.52 LBP Billion in 1976. Government Spending refers to public expenditure on goods and services and is a major component of the GDP. Government spending policies like setting up budget targets, adjusting taxation, increasing public expenditure and public works are very effective tools in influencing economic growth. This page provides - Lebanon Government Spending - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Consumer Spending in Lebanon decreased to 59149.07 LBP Billion in 2018 from 64969.54 LBP Billion in 2017. Consumer Spending in Lebanon averaged 31028.72 LBP Billion from 1970 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 64969.54 LBP Billion in 2017 and a record low of 7307.40 LBP Billion in 1976. This page provides - Lebanon Consumer Spending - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

GDP Constant Prices in Lebanon decreased to 64161.72 LBP Billion in 2018 from 64398.52 LBP Billion in 2017. GDP Constant Prices in Lebanon averaged 35430.52 LBP Billion from 1970 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 64398.52 LBP Billion in 2017 and a record low of 10861.73 LBP Billion in 1976. This page provides - Lebanon GDP Constant Prices - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gross Fixed Capital Formation in Lebanon increased to 16173.87 LBP Billion in 2018 from 15073.70 LBP Billion in 2017. Gross Fixed Capital Formation in Lebanon averaged 12802.43 LBP Billion from 2004 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 16173.87 LBP Billion in 2018 and a record low of 7742.69 LBP Billion in 2004. This page provides - Lebanon Gross Fixed Capital Formation- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Lebanon scored 28 points out of 100 on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Index in Lebanon averaged 28.47 Points from 2003 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 36 Points in 2006 and a record low of 25 Points in 2009. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). This page provides the latest reported value for - Lebanon Corruption Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Lebanon is the 137 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries, according to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Rank in Lebanon averaged 116.53 from 2003 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 143 in 2017 and a record low of 63 in 2006. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory's rank indicates its position relative to the other countries and territories in the index. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lebanon Corruption Rank - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Foreign Direct Investment in Lebanon increased by 125.40 USD Million in June of 2019. Foreign Direct Investment in Lebanon averaged 244.61 USD Million from 2002 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 872.50 USD Million in December of 2009 and a record low of -34.70 USD Million in March of 2011. This page provides - Lebanon Foreign Direct Investment- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Coincident Index in Lebanon decreased to 274 points in November from 280.90 points in October of 2019. Coincident Index in Lebanon averaged 197.56 points from 1993 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 325.70 points in April of 2018 and a record low of 91.50 points in March of 1993. Coincident Index is a monthly weighted average that measures economic activity and correlates with the business cycle. Its evolution is a barometric indication of the behavior of the domestic economy at large. It includes eight economic indicators that seek to reflect the current state of the economy in Lebanon: construction permits, cement deliveries, property sales, electricity production, merchandise trade, cleared checks,passengers at the airport, car sales. In general, increasing coincident index shows that the economy is in an expansion phase, and decreasing coincident index reflects that the economy is in a contraction phase. . This page provides - Lebanon Coincident Index- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Tourist Arrivals in Lebanon decreased to 208011 in November from 311407 in October of 2019. Tourist Arrivals in Lebanon averaged 174271.06 from 1993 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 574974 in July of 2019 and a record low of 20568 in August of 2006. This page provides - Lebanon Tourist Arrivals- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Unemployment Rate in Lebanon remained unchanged at 6.20 percent in 2019 from 6.20 percent in 2018. Unemployment Rate in Lebanon averaged 7.54 percent from 1991 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 9 percent in 2007 and a record low of 6.10 percent in 2017. In Lebanon, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. This page provides - Lebanon Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Corporate Tax Rate in Lebanon stands at 17 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Lebanon averaged 15.35 percent from 2004 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 17 percent in 2018 and a record low of 15 percent in 2005. In Lebanon, the Corporate Income tax rate is a tax collected from companies. Its amount is based on the net income companies obtain while exercising their business activity, normally during one business year. The benchmark we use refers to the highest rate for Corporate Income. Revenues from the Corporate Tax Rate are an important source of income for the government of Lebanon. This page provides - Lebanon Corporate Tax Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Lebanon stands at 24 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Lebanon averaged 20.25 percent from 2004 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 24 percent in 2019 and a record low of 20 percent in 2005. In Lebanon, the Personal Income Tax Rate is a tax collected from individuals and is imposed on different sources of income like labour, pensions, interest and dividends. The benchmark we use refers to the Top Marginal Tax Rate for individuals. Revenues from the Personal Income Tax Rate are an important source of income for the government of Lebanon. This page provides - Lebanon Personal Income Tax Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

CPI Housing Utilities in Lebanon increased to 108.67 points in December from 108.38 points in November of 2019. CPI Housing Utilities in Lebanon averaged 88.22 points from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 108.72 points in October of 2018 and a record low of 62.44 points in February of 2008. This page provides - Lebanon Cpi Housing- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The transportation sub-index of the CPI basket in Lebanon increased to 106.33 points in December of 2019 from 98.73 points in November of 2019. CPI Transportation in Lebanon averaged 95.89 points from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 110.89 points in April of 2012 and a record low of 81.70 points in March of 2016. This page provides - Lebanon Cpi Transportation- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.