People & economy

Lebanon: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Lebanon: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Population & Geography

Population
6,848,925
#107 of 197 countries
Area
10,400 km²
#170 of 248 countries
Density
658.6 / km²
#18 of 245 countries

Lebanon has a population of 6,848,925 spread across 10,400 km², giving it an average density of 658.6 people per km². This is a densely populated country where urban areas dominate the landscape.

Demographics

Median Age
29.4
Life Expectancy
79.2 yrs
Literacy Rate
92.0%
Government
parliamentary democratic republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Lebanon is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 28% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here: accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$3,478
Cost of Living
28% of US
Inflation
221.3%
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$11,300
Unemployment
11.6%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 27.0% of Lebanon's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy, so expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Tourism Revenue
$2,369,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
27.0%
Air Passengers
2,693,218
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Lebanon there are 2.68 doctors per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
2.68/1k
Hospital Beds
2.73/1k
Health Spend
$261/person
Infant Mortality
16.0/1k
Immunization
67%
Safe Drinking Water
92.6%
Basic Sanitation
99.2%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Lebanon, 83% of the population uses the internet, so expect WiFi in most hotels, cafes and public spaces. There are 74 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
83.5%
Mobile Subs
74/100
Broadband
7.3/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data