Lebanon Situation Report
by Anera
Posted in: Life in the Middle East, News
According to the World Bank, Lebanon currently faces one of the worst economic and financial crises anywhere on the planet. Beginning in 2019, the Lebanese pound’s (LBP) value decreased by 90%. Lebanon’s GDP contracted 6.7% in 2019 and 20.3% in 2020, and in 2021, the GDP is expected to contract 9.5%.
The crisis decimated the purchasing power of Lebanese citizens, evaporated their savings, and led to half of the population living below the poverty line. At the end of 2020, over 40% of households reported having challenges accessing food and basic necessities. From February to December 2020, the unemployment rate rose from 28% to 40%. As of February 2021, the unemployment rate stood at over 30%.
Since the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab in August 2020, Lebanon lacks a fully-functioning government. Officials continue to disagree over the number of cabinet ministers that should be in the government and what constitutes a fair representation of various sects and political parties. Nations and international finance organizations who promised aid and loans to rebuild Lebanon refuse to provide the necessary funding until the country establishes a government and enacts reforms. Read the full situation report.
