The Unemployment and Livelihood Crisis in Lebanon: Official Statistics Do Not Reflect Reality

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According to Alhurra, Lebanon's economic crisis has left many citizens, including the youth, unable to find employment despite long searches, or facing severe income declines. While the unemployment rate was reported at 11 percent in 2025, experts and members of parliament argue that this figure does not reflect reality due to the lack of accurate national data and the fact that many have exited the labor market. Farid al-Bustani, head of the Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, pointed to the prevalence of informal work and disguised unemployment. Furthermore, the recent war has led to the closure of many businesses and a sharp decline in private sector income. Economic researcher Khaled Abu Shaqra estimates the actual unemployment rate at over 40 percent, while Castro Abdullah, head of the National Federation of Workers and Employees Unions, estimates youth unemployment at over 50 percent. Under these conditions, many employed individuals are forced to take on multiple jobs to cover living expenses or face significant wage cuts.