Figure of the weekIn Lebanon, Power Flows… at a High Price

Liliane Mokbel 15/11 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banks United Arab Emirates United Nations

According to World Population Review, the cost of electricity in Lebanon stands at $0.137 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This makes the country the most expensive in the region and ranks it 74th worldwide out of 146 countries analyzed. In the region, Morocco follows with $0.121/kWh (86th), Jordan with $0.090/kWh (99th), the United Arab Emirates with ...

Figure of the weekPension Reform Stalled: 13 Decrees Blocking Lebanon’s Social Protection Law

Liliane Mokbel 08/11 14:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Thirteen. That is the number of implementing decrees still pending to activate the pension and social protection law passed in 2023. Without them, the long-awaited reform remains on hold. The new system was meant to gradually replace the decades-old end-of-service indemnity scheme. So far, only one decree has been partially addressed, the one ...

Figure of the week135 Million Dollars a Year: The High Cost of Lebanon’s State Rentals

Liliane Mokbel 01/11 14:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Every year, the Lebanese state spends 135 million dollars to house its ministries, administrations, and public institutions in rented buildings across the country. This astronomical sum could have been largely saved. With better management of public finances, successive governments could have grouped several ministries under one roof, as is the ...

Figure of the weekGems over Gloom: Lebanon Still Shines ...

Liliane Mokbel 25/10 15:00 - Reading : less than a minute

United Arab Emirates United States

Despite its deep economic and political turmoil, Lebanon continues to perform strongly in foreign trade. As of August 2025, the country’s exports remain focused on a few key sectors and select international markets, yet their value tells a story of resilience and expertise. Leading the way are pearls, precious stones and precious metals, which ...

Figure of the week3,500 Gas Stations for 10,452 km²

Liliane Mokbel 18/10 14:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Europe

Lebanon is overwhelmed with gas stations. The country has 3,500 gas stations spread over 10,452 km². This amounts to one station for every 1,428 people, a ratio unique in the region and in Europe. For comparison: In France, one station serves 6,235 people. In Germany, one station serves 5,975 people. When considering land area, ...

Figure of the weekQaraoun Lake: Lebanon’s Silent Ecological Disaster

Liliane Mokbel 11/10 14:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banks

Every year, an estimated 50 million cubic meters of domestic wastewater are discharged into Lake Qaraoun. Added to this are 2 million cubic meters of industrial wastewater, as well as waste from Syrian migrant camps established by the state along the riverbanks. This toxic mix is putting one of Lebanon’s largest freshwater reservoirs at serious ...

Figure of the weekLebanon Rushes for Aluminium as Imports Surge

Liliane Mokbel 04/10 14:00 - Reading : less than a minute

Ukraine

In the first half of 2025, aluminium imports rose by 70% compared with the average for the same period over the past four years. This increase reflects strong demand driven by reconstruction efforts. The price per tonne currently stands at around $4,234, slightly below the recent average of $4,700. However, it remains high compared to the peaks ...

Figure of the weekLebanese Hospitality Reaches New Heights

Liliane Mokbel 27/09 15:00 - Reading : less than a minute

A fresh wind is blowing through Lebanon’s tourism scene, and it’s coming from the mountains: guesthouses are on the rise. Once limited to around 40 discreet spots, there are now more than 300 open to visitors – true hidden gems nestled in the heart of villages. More than just places to stay, each guesthouse reflects the soul of its region: ...

Figure of the weekPublic Sector Shake-Up: 10,000 Jobs Under Review

Liliane Mokbel 20/09 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

European Union

A total of 2,600 job titles are set to be eliminated from the public administration, as proposed by Nisrine Machmouchi, President of the Civil Service Council. These roles, considered obsolete, are the result of years of what she describes as “anarchic recruitment” and “unusual” job titles, often lacking clear job descriptions. To ...

Figure of the weekBack to School in Lebanon Is No Celebration, It’s a Struggle !

Liliane Mokbel 13/09 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Europe Saudi Arabia

In Lebanon, the back-to-school season is no longer about fresh notebooks and new backpacks. Instead, it unfolds in the shadow of economic hardship and painful trade-offs. Families, overwhelmed by the ongoing financial crisis, are slashing their spending on school supplies, even as private schools continue to require new textbooks every year, often ...

Figure of the weekAirbnb in Lebanon: The Platform Disrupting Traditional Hospitality

Liliane Mokbel 06/09 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Airbnb, the California-born success story, has dramatically reshaped the landscape of tourist accommodation worldwide, and Lebanon is no exception. The platform has seen remarkable growth across the country. The steadily increasing number of nightly listings reflects the scale of the phenomenon and is fueling growing concern within the hotel ...

Figure of the weekLebanon Says ‘I Don’t’: Weddings Plunge to Historic Low in 2025

Liliane Mokbel 30/08 16:00 - Reading : less than a minute

The 2025 wedding season in Lebanon has seen an unprecedented decline, confirming the continued downturn of a sector already weakened in recent years. According to industry professionals, the number of weddings has dropped to just 35% of pre-2019 levels, compared to 50% in 2023 and 40% in 2024. A total decrease of 65% since the beginning of the ...