Lebanese emigrants

815,000 in three decades

With the persistence of the economic crisis, the relapse in the purchasing power as a result of depreciation of the currency, and the increase in unemployment rate to approximately 38%, Lebanon continues to witness a

 high number of people emigrating in search of better living conditions or job opportunities.

42,199 Lebanese travelers and emigrants have left the country between January and mid-October 2022, compared to 65,172 during the same period in 2021. The following table shows that between 1992 and 2022, the number of travelers and emigrants has reached 815,410, i.e. an annual average of 27,180. 257,852 have left the country between 2017 and 2022, with the largest annual number recorded in 2021 (79,134) and 2011 (67,884). It is noticeable that about 100,000 left the country during the three years (1992-1994) that followed the war, a number that later increased to 205,237 during 2011-2015.

Between 2005 and 2006, the two years witnessing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and the July 2006 war, the number of Lebanese travelers and emigrants was lower than one would anticipate (about 45,000). However, it is higher when socio-economic conditions are on the decline. Therefore, one can conclude that the main reason for emigration of the Lebanese people is the economic situation.

A table showing the number of Lebanese travelers and emigrants (1992-2022).

Source: Information International based on the DGGS figures.