Lebanon’s economy is expanding again, reaching $43 billion in 2024, up from $31.6 billion in 2023, according to figures published by the Central Administration of Statistics. The increase signals a slow but noticeable recovery and a gradual return toward pre-crisis levels.

In simple terms, GDP represents the total value of all goods and services produced and sold within a country over the course of one year.

Dr. Marwan Barakat, Head of Research at Bank Audi, explained that:

“In 2019, before the financial collapse, Lebanon’s GDP stood at nearly $53 billion. Even today, the economy remains roughly 20% below pre-crisis levels. But crossing the $40 billion threshold again is both a psychological and economic milestone for a country that had been shrinking for years. The real challenge now is sustaining this momentum. Lebanon must maintain the 5% growth rate recorded last year and build on it in the years ahead.”

What makes up Lebanon’s GDP?

GDP is composed of three main components:

1.    Consumer Spending, everything households and the government spend inside the country.

2.    Capital Formation, investments in construction, machinery, and equipment.

3.    Net Exports, the difference between what Lebanon exports and what it imports.

Together, these components determine the size of the economy and its annual performance.

Growth expected to it 5%, if security holds

“Based on the first ten to eleven months of 2025, Lebanon is on track to achieve 5% growth, one of the highest rates the country has seen in nearly 14 years,” Barakat added.

However, this outlook depends heavily on security stability during the holiday season, a period that typically drives a significant portion of annual economic activity.

Imports alone are projected to reach $20 billion this year, surpassing 2019 levels and indicating a rise in domestic demand.

Stability first: The foundation of any recovery

To sustain and strengthen this growth, Lebanon must prioritize security and stability. No economy can expand in an environment of uncertainty, and investor confidence cannot return without a predictable, safe backdrop.

Stability builds trust, and trust is the gateway to a stronger, more resilient Lebanese economy.