Quick facts
Lebanon population overview
Lebanon is the 37th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 5,873,521 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.8% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 135 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 92,214 births (15.7 per 1,000 people) and 36,416 deaths (6.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 6,461 people. The infant mortality rate is 14.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,794,406 in 1960 to 5,849,421 in 2025 — a change of +226%, or +1.8% per year on average. It peaked at 6,472,469 in 2015 and has declined 8.6% since.
Demographically, the median age is 29 years; life expectancy at birth is 78.2 years; women have on average 2.2 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 25.6% of residents are under 15 and 10.4% are 65 or older (2025); 91% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Beirut. Lebanon covers 10,450 km², giving a population density of about 566 people per km². GDP was $25.97B in 2024 — about $4,473 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Lebanon population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 5,912,866 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 5,873,521 |
| World rank | #116 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #37 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.072% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.8% |
| Births per year est. | 92,214 |
| Deaths per year est. | 36,416 |
| Net migration per year est. | -6,461 |
| Birth rate | 15.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 14.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 94.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 29 years |
| Life expectancy | 78.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 91% |
| Surface area 2023 | 10,450 km² |
| Population density | 566 per km² |
| Capital | Beirut |
| GDP (current US$) 2024 | $25.97B |
| GDP per capita 2024 | $4,473 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Lebanon population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 5,912,866 | – | – |
| 2025 | 5,849,421 | +43,459 | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 5,805,962 | +32,469 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 5,773,493 | +29,004 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 5,744,489 | +26,367 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 5,718,122 | +15,724 | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 5,702,398 | -770,071 | -2.5% |
| 2015 | 6,472,469 | +1,431,181 | +5.1% |
| 2010 | 5,041,288 | +370,186 | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 4,671,102 | +341,762 | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 4,329,340 | +368,605 | +1.8% |
| 1995 | 3,960,735 | +365,560 | +2% |
| 1990 | 3,595,175 | +377,799 | +2.2% |
| 1985 | 3,217,376 | +272,613 | +1.8% |
| 1980 | 2,944,763 | +251,572 | +1.8% |
| 1975 | 2,693,191 | +307,077 | +2.5% |
| 1970 | 2,386,114 | +297,283 | +2.7% |
| 1965 | 2,088,831 | +294,425 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 1,794,406 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Lebanon
Population over time
- From 1,794,406 in 1960 to 5,912,866 today — up 229.5%.
- Population peaked at 6,472,469 in 2015 and is down 8.6% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 77.9 years (2024), up 14 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.2 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 16 births vs 6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 9.9 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 25.6% of the population is under 15 and 10.4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 5.8% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 11 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 29.3 Mt in 2017 — down 62.4% since.
- Per person: 1.9 t in 2024, vs 2.28 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 780.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 43.6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 6.8% of final energy in 2021 (-4.5 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 14.2% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 13.7% to 14.2% since 1990 — roughly 55 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 91% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 41.7% in 1960 (+49.3 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1965.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 37.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 836 m³ in 2022, down 67.8% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $25.97B in 2024.
- Nominal GDP is down 46% since 2014.
- That works out to $4,473 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 11% of the labor force (2023, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 14.6% in 2025 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 80.6% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 74 per 100 people (2022).
Lebanon in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Lebanon in 2026?
As of October 2026, Lebanon has an estimated population of 5,912,866. The United Nations estimated 5,873,521 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.8% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Lebanon growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.8% per year — roughly 135 more people every day. Each year there are about 92,214 births and 36,416 deaths, with net migration of -6,461.
What is the population density of Lebanon?
About 566 people per square kilometre: 5,912,866 people living on 10,450 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Lebanon?
The median age is 29 years, and life expectancy at birth is 78.2 years. 25.6% of the population is under 15 and 10.4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Lebanon rank by population?
Lebanon is the 116th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 37th in Asia, with 0.072% of the global population.
How has the population of Lebanon changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,794,406; by 2025 it had grown to 5,849,421 (+226%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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NorwaySources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.8%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.