Numbers & FiguresOngoing Crisis in Lebanon: Economic Downturn Continues in 2024

This is Beirut 30/04 08:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

International Monetary Fund Lebanon Growth GDP-Lebanon

Sharp GDP Contraction Lebanon is now in its sixth consecutive year of economic crisis, with key indicators remaining at their lowest levels, according to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) report published in April 2025 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). GDP contraction continues, and despite a slight easing of inflation and the current ...

Syria’s Path to Recovery: Can It Outpace Lebanon?

Christiane Tager 29/04 21:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Syria Saudi Arabia Qatar Beirut

As the Lebanese endure rolling blackouts, relentless crises and a daily reality that often borders on the absurd, a piece of unexpected news has prompted a collective raised eyebrow – or two: Syria might well be rebuilt before Lebanon. Yes, you read that correctly. On Sunday, April 27, in a move as symbolic as it was strategic, Saudi Arabia ...

Lebanon's Labor Day: The Unaddressed Crisis of Salaries and Benefits

Liliane Mokbel 29/04 17:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

economy Labor Day salaries Inflation CNSS

Labor Day, celebrated on May 1, offers little cause for celebration this year in Lebanon. How can workers rejoice when they’re trapped in a cycle of triple-digit inflation—despite some studies, curiously detached from reality, suggesting otherwise? The purchasing power of their end-of-service benefits, steadily eroded since 2019, is now ...

Stock Markets Edge up as Trump Softens Tariff Pain for Auto Firms

This is Beirut 29/04 16:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Banks US Treasury Stocks markets Economy

Stock markets advanced on Tuesday following news that Donald Trump plans to spare automakers from some of his wide-ranging tariffs, boosting hopes of a less combative approach to his trade war. Signs of easing trade tensions are also spurring sentiment, as governments line up to negotiate deals with Washington to avert the full force of sweeping ...

Farewell to Wads of Cash: Lebanon Unveils Banknotes of LBP 500,000 and 1 Million

Christiane Tager 28/04 22:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon

After nearly six years of economic and financial turmoil, Lebanon has taken a long-anticipated step by issuing higher-denomination banknotes. Last Thursday, the Lebanese Parliament approved a draft law presented by MP Ziad Hawat, after nearly two years of legislative wrangling, granting the Banque du Liban (BDL) permission to issue notes of LBP ...

Food Importers Reassure Consumers About Price Stability

This is Beirut 28/04 15:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

dollar Hani Bohsali Food Importers' Union Lebanon Imports prices

As global trade tensions between the United States and China continue to disrupt international markets, the president of the Lebanese Food Importers’ Union, Hani Bohsali, sought on Monday to reassure Lebanese consumers about the stability of food prices. In a statement, Bohsali confirmed that food import prices to Lebanon remain stable despite ...

Banks Association Calls for Balanced Restructuring Plan

This is Beirut 28/04 12:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

ABL Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Fadi Khalaf

Fadi Khalaf, Secretary General of the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL), is calling for a realistic restructuring plan that balances financial reform with the protection of depositors' rights amid an unprecedented systemic crisis. In the editorial of the ABL's monthly report, titled “A Realistic Vision for Restructuring: Between Reform and ...

Lebanon Launches National Drive to Revive Agriculture

This is Beirut 28/04 12:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

agriculture FAO Nizar Hani

In a bid to revitalize Lebanon’s agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture held a large-scale volunteer day in Qana, south Lebanon, in collaboration with local associations, universities and scout groups. Under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, hundreds of volunteers gathered to plant dozens of olive trees around the ...

Stock Markets Mostly Rise as Investors Eye Trade Talks

This is Beirut 28/04 11:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump New York United States US Treasury USA

Stocks mostly rose on Monday as investors assess how the land lies on the trade war front with countries seeking to temper Donald Trump's eye-watering tariffs. Investors were also keeping tabs on China after President Xi Jinping and other top leaders last week discussed plans to boost consumption in the world's number two economy. Markets ...

Conflicts spur 'unprecedented' rise in military spending

This is Beirut 28/04 08:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Europe Israel Middle East Palestine Ukraine

Worldwide military expenditure saw its steepest rise in 2024 since the end of the Cold War, reaching $2.7 trillion as wars and rising tensions drove up spending, researchers said Monday. Military spending rose worldwide with particularly large increases in Europe and the Middle East, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace ...

Lebanese Agriculture Between Challenges and Hope: The Central Role of Olive Oil and Partnerships for the Future

This is Beirut 27/04 12:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

agriculture Israel Lebanon

Amidst the many crises facing Lebanon, Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani confirmed that Lebanese olive oil remains widely available on the market at affordable prices. He encouraged citizens to consume more of it to support local farmers and boost the national economy. Regarding soil quality in the south, the minister stated that ongoing tests ...

Figure of the week Pharmacists Secure Top Retirement Pension Among Liberal Professions

Liliane Mokbel 26/04 14:00 - Reading : less than a minute

Retired pharmacists in Lebanon now receive a monthly pension of $670 – the highest among all liberal professions in the country, according to Joe Salloum, the President of the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists. This milestone was achieved through a series of internal reforms, revised contribution structures, and the creation of a reserve fund in ...