Over the past 5 years, Lebanon has faced one of the most damaging and deeply entrenched crises in its modern history. This multifaceted crisis has had a determining impact across the economic, social, and political landscapes of the country. The situation was further intensified by the outbreak of the Covid- 19 pandemic and the aftermath of the Beirut blast. As a result, Lebanon has witnessed the devaluation of the Lebanese Pound, a significant increase in the unemployment rate, and a widespread prevalence of poverty throughout the entire country. Furthermore, political instability within both governmental and private agencies has hindered any attempts at mitigating the economic and financial crisis, leading to a drastic deterioration in the living conditions of Lebanese citizens. At present, much of the population is unable to meet its basic needs and faces significant barriers in accessing essential services.
By employing a nationwide representative approach that leverages quantitative methods to gather precise and accurate data, the survey’s findings give comprehensive and reliable insights into the situation of the Lebanese people today. Findings unveil a complex socio-economic and political terrain, characterized by glaring gender disparities in education and employment, a restricted access to stable US dollars, pervasive economic hardship, diminished incomes, a dearth of remittances, a daily struggle to meet basic needs, heightened job insecurity, an absence of financial assets, and a prevailing sense of financial insecurity. Simultaneously, the political arena is tainted by apathy and a low voter turnout, widespread dissatisfaction with elected representatives, the perception of enduring political instability, and a prevailing discontent among the populace. Regional dynamics are perceived to be significantly impacting the nation's situation, with a cautious optimism surrounding Syria's reintegration into the Arab League and improved diplomatic relations among regional players.
The national public survey, completed in November 2023, furthermore draws comparison to the survey conducted by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation (KAS) in December 2021, highlighting how socioeconomic and political aspects have developed over time.