Lebanon: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Lebanon?

Lebanon's unemployment rate was 29.6% in January 2022, according to the follow-up Labour Force Survey by the Central Administration of Statistics and the ILO. It was 28.4% for men and 32.7% for women.

This is the most recent labour force survey published on the CAS labour market page, checked on 15 October 2026. The survey counts as unemployed anyone without work who looked for a job and was available to start. It covered 5,444 households. Labour force participation was 43.4%, and only 30.6% of the working-age population was in employment.

Official sources: CAS and ILO: Labour Force Survey follow-up 2022 fact sheet · CAS: labour market

What is youth unemployment in Lebanon?

Unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24 in Lebanon was 47.8% in January 2022, according to the follow-up Labour Force Survey by the Central Administration of Statistics and the ILO. Among adults aged 25 and over it was 25.6%.

The youth rate is the share of young people in the labour force who have no job but are looking for one. Students who are not looking for work are not in the labour force, so they are not counted. No newer labour force survey was found on the CAS labour market page, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: CAS and ILO: Labour Force Survey follow-up 2022 fact sheet · CAS: labour market

How many people work informally in Lebanon?

Informal employment made up 62.4% of all employment in Lebanon in January 2022, up from 54.9% in 2018-19, according to the follow-up Labour Force Survey by the Central Administration of Statistics and the ILO. Some 48.3% of workers were employed in the informal sector.

Informal employment covers jobs without social security cover or other legal protections, whether in informal businesses or formal ones. The informal sector refers to unregistered businesses. The two measures overlap but are not the same, which is why the shares differ.

Official sources: CAS and ILO: Labour Force Survey follow-up 2022 fact sheet

What is the average salary in Lebanon?

Employees in Lebanon earned about LBP 2,284,100 a month on average in January 2022, according to the follow-up Labour Force Survey by the Central Administration of Statistics and the ILO. Women earned LBP 2,492,000 on average and men LBP 2,205,600.

These are survey figures for employees only, not the self-employed. Because prices in Lebanon have risen many times over since January 2022, these pound amounts say little about earnings today. No newer official earnings survey was found on the CAS labour market page, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: CAS and ILO: Labour Force Survey follow-up 2022 fact sheet · CAS: labour market

How much is the minimum wage in Lebanon?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Lebanon was 18,000,000 LBP a month (about $201) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in Lebanon?

In 2019, average monthly earnings of employees in Lebanon was $780 a month, according to the ILO. It is 5th highest of 9 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is $780 a month. Worldwide: 52nd of 114.

What is the unemployment rate in Lebanon?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2023, is 11.0%. The peak was 13.3% in 2020 and the low 6.4% in 2009. It is 10th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 8.5%. World rank, highest first: 32nd of 176.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Lebanon?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Lebanon at 22.7% in 2023. The peak was 26.6% in 2020 and the low 15.3% in 2009. It is 9th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 19.4%. World rank, highest first: 36th of 176.

What is the labour force participation rate in Lebanon?

In 2023, the labour force participation rate in Lebanon was 43.4%, according to the ILO. The peak was 48.9% in 2019 and the low 43.4% in 2007. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 45.2%, and Lebanon placed 14th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 162nd of 176.

How many women in Lebanon are working or looking for work?

22.2%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Lebanon for 2023, according to the ILO. The peak was 29.3% in 2019 and the low 20.5% in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 23.1%; Lebanon is 12th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 164th of 176.

What is the employment rate in Lebanon?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2023, is 38.7%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 38.6% (2022) to 43.4% (2019). It is 14th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 39.9%. Worldwide: 161st of 176.

How many workers in Lebanon are self-employed or family workers?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2023, is 19.4%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 24.4%; its low point was 2021, at 19.3%. It is 12th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 20.8%. World rank, highest first: 118th of 176.

How many people in Lebanon are employees?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2023, is 71.6%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 69.6% (2007) to 71.7% (2021). It is 13th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 73.1%. Worldwide: 73rd of 176.