Is life abroad really better for young Lebanese?

Leaving Lebanon has long been seen by many young people as the clearest route towards a better future. Higher salaries, greater stability and better opportunities have encouraged many to consider building their lives elsewhere. Yet, for some who have experienced life abroad, the decision is no longer so straightforward.

The distance from family, rising living costs and challenges of starting over have led some to reconsider whether leaving necessarily means finding a better life. Others, despite recognising the opportunities abroad, remain convinced that their future belongs in Lebanon.

What life abroad failed to offer

For Alex, who previously lived in Brussels, returning to Lebanon came after reconsidering what Europe could offer him. The advantages he had associated with living abroad no longer seemed as significant when weighed against living expenses, access to services and his overall quality of life. "At the end of the day, I would get what I'm getting there in Lebanon," he said during an interview with The Beiruter.

Alex questioned whether Europe still provided the security and financial benefits that had initially attracted him. "What do we get there? Supposed to be what? Safety? Security? It's no longer available. Money? You're not making money there."

Healthcare was another factor. Alex pointed to long waiting periods for certain medical procedures in Europe, explaining that what might once have taken weeks could now take considerably longer. He also acknowledged that other destinations, including the Gulf and parts of Asia, may offer stronger opportunities to earn and save. For him, however, returning to Lebanon was also an opportunity to reconsider his professional future and the environment in which he wanted to build it.

Melanie, who returned after living in France, the reasons were different. Rather than focusing on financial opportunities, she missed the everyday warmth and social connections she associated with Lebanon. "I came back to Lebanon because there is no place like home, genuinely," she explained to The Beiruter.

For her,  Lebanon offers a sense of community she struggled to find abroad. People talk to one another, and friendships can develop in unexpected places. She recalled even becoming friends with people she met at LibanPost.

In France, she found life lonelier, particularly during winter. "You feel alone and have no one to talk to," she said. Back in Lebanon, being surrounded by family and friends makes everyday life different. For her, returning was about recovering a sense of connection she had missed.

The price of leaving and starting over

While some Lebanese discover these challenges after moving abroad, others consider them before deciding to leave.

The Beiruter also spoke with Cyrine, who considers moving overseas would mean giving up more than familiar surroundings. It would involve leaving family and friends, adjusting to a different lifestyle and taking on responsibilities often shared at home.

She pointed to the realities of student life. In Lebanon, a student might return home after university or work and find a meal prepared by their mother. Abroad, cooking, cleaning, studying and managing expenses become responsibilities they must handle alone. Although these experiences can encourage independence, Cyrine sees them as additional pressures worth considering.

Financial concerns also influence her thinking. With many Lebanese families already struggling to cover everyday expenses, financing a child's education and living costs overseas can become a considerable burden. "I don't want to be a burden on my family," is how she expressed that concern.

Cyrine also questioned whether earning a higher salary abroad would necessarily translate into greater financial comfort after accounting for taxes, rent and other expenses. For her, the decision is not simply about how much someone can earn, but how much they can save and what they may sacrifice along the way.

Staying is a choice too 

For others, it is more about where they want to settle and raise a family at the end of the day.

When interviewed by The Beiruter Joe said that he does not see permanently leaving Lebanon as a personal objective. He recognises that living abroad can provide advantages, including stronger social security systems and public services. But, when thinking about his future, particularly having children, he believes these benefits do not automatically outweigh his reasons for staying.

Education is one consideration. Although he acknowledges the quality of education abroad, he has reservations about certain aspects of foreign curricula and how some subjects are taught. He is also concerned about social isolation, particularly for people who move abroad later in life and must establish friendships and support networks from scratch. "I don't have this desire to leave Lebanon for good," he explained.

However, Joe does not rule out travelling or temporarily living elsewhere. For him, gaining experience abroad and permanently relocating are two different decisions. "Eventually, I'd prefer to come back, honestly," he said.

During Lebanon’s successive crises, leaving became a serious consideration for many young people who wanted a more stable life and better opportunities. But living abroad does not always turn out the way people imagine. A better salary can disappear into rent and everyday expenses, and starting over in a new country can mean spending holidays alone, missing family gatherings and having no one to turn to when things get difficult.

Of course, this does not mean that life in Lebanon has suddenly become easier, or that everyone has the privilege of staying. Financial pressure, uncertainty and limited opportunities continue to push young people to look elsewhere. But what looks like an opportunity from a distance can feel very different once you are actually living it. There is no single answer that works for everyone. In the end, the question is not only where young Lebanese can find better opportunities, but where they can imagine building a life that feels worth living.