Economy, jobs and prices in Beirut, Lebanon: official figures
11.6% of the labour force aged 15 and over in Beirut was unemployed in 2018-19, 3rd lowest of 6 areas (Lebanon: 11.3%); about 17,000 people were out of work and looking for a job.
Is unemployment higher for women or men in Beirut?
Unemployment among women in Beirut was 12.9% and among men 10.8% in 2018-19 (Lebanon: 14.3% for women and 10.0% for men).
Source: Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon · saved copyHow many people in Beirut are in the labour force?
52.5% of residents aged 15 and over in Beirut were in the labour force (working or looking for work) in 2018-19, 2nd highest of 6 areas (Lebanon: 48.8%).
Source: Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon · saved copyHow many people in Beirut are employed?
46.4% of residents aged 15 and over in Beirut had a job in 2018-19, 2nd highest of 6 areas (Lebanon: 43.3%); about 128,000 people were employed.
Source: Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon · saved copyHow many people in Beirut work for the government?
6.0% of employed people in Beirut worked for a government institution or state-owned enterprise in 2018-19, the lowest of 6 areas (Lebanon: 13.7%).
Source: Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon · saved copyWhere does household income come from in Beirut?
59.9% of households in Beirut received wages or salaries from a job in 2018-19, and 14.9% received money from relatives living outside Lebanon (Lebanon: 58.7% and 9.9%).
Source: Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon · saved copyHow many households in Beirut have a high income?
21.8% of households in Beirut had a monthly income of 3.2 million Lebanese pounds or more in 2018-19, the highest of 6 areas (Lebanon: 16.0%). These are survey figures in Lebanese pounds of that period, before later changes in the currency.
Source: Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon · saved copyHow many homes in Beirut have piped water?
90.7% of main homes in Beirut had water from a public or private network in 2018-19 and 27.3% used water tanks, 2nd highest of 6 areas for network water (Lebanon: 82.3% and 23.5%).
Source: Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon · saved copyHow many homes in Beirut rely on private generators?
99.9% of main homes in Beirut had public electricity in 2018-19 and 54.1% also paid for a neighbourhood generator subscription, the lowest of 6 areas for generator use (Lebanon: 99.7% and 84.0%).
Source: Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon · saved copyHow Beirut compares with other governorates
Unemployment rate, aged 15+ (2018-19)
Beirut ranks 4 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, aged 15+ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Lebanon and Akkar | 12.7% |
| 2 | Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel | 12.5% |
| 3 | South Lebanon | 12.3% |
| 4 | Beirut | 11.6% |
| 5 | Nabatieh | 10.8% |
| 6 | Mount Lebanon | 10.4% |
Labour force participation, aged 15+ (2018-19)
Beirut ranks 2 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labour force participation, aged 15+ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Lebanon | 52.8% |
| 2 | Beirut | 52.5% |
| 3 | South Lebanon | 45.6% |
| 4 | Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel | 44.8% |
| 5 | North Lebanon and Akkar | 44.6% |
| 6 | Nabatieh | 43.2% |
Households with monthly income of LBP 3.2 million or more (2018-19)
Beirut ranks 1 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households with monthly income of LBP 3.2 million or more |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beirut | 21.8% |
| 2 | Mount Lebanon | 20.6% |
| 3 | North Lebanon and Akkar | 13.1% |
| 4 | South Lebanon | 11.0% |
| 5 | Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel | 9.0% |
| 6 | Nabatieh | 7.8% |
Homes with a generator subscription (2018-19)
Beirut ranks 6 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Homes with a generator subscription |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Lebanon | 93.2% |
| 2 | Nabatieh | 91.5% |
| 3 | Mount Lebanon | 90.5% |
| 4 | North Lebanon and Akkar | 88.1% |
| 5 | Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel | 56.4% |
| 6 | Beirut | 54.1% |
More on Beirut: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Lebanon
Sources
- Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon: Labour Force and Household Living Conditions Survey 2018-2019, primary residences tables (HH6 rooms, HH17 services), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 62939f3a09ee…)
- Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon: Labour Force and Household Living Conditions Survey 2018-2019, income tables (RF1 sources of household income, RF2 monthly household income, RF3 financial self-classification), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a0a24d904a53…)
- Central Administration of Statistics, Lebanon: Labour Force and Household Living Conditions Survey 2018-2019, labour force tables (EA3 and EA7 status in economic activity, EA14 type of employer, EA31 unemployed), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f46a21486fca…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.