Editing Demographics of Lebanon (section)

==Religious groups==
{{Main|Religion in Lebanon}}
{{See also|Freedom of religion in Lebanon}}
[[File:Zahlefashion.jpg|thumb|right|140px|Three Lebanese women in 1873.]]

===The sectarian system===
{{Unreferenced section |date=June 2024}}
Lebanon's [[religion|religious]] divisions are extremely complicated, and the country is made up by a multitude of religious groupings. The ecclesiastical and demographic patterns of the sects and denominations are complex. Divisions and rivalries between groups date back as far as 15 centuries, and still are a factor today. The pattern of settlement has changed little since the 7th century, but instances of civil strife and [[ethnic cleansing]], most recently during the [[Lebanese Civil War]], has brought some important changes to the religious map of the country. (See also [[History of Lebanon]].)

Lebanon has by far the largest proportion of [[Christianity in Lebanon|Christians]] of any [[Arab world|Middle Eastern country]], but both Christians and [[Islam in Lebanon|Muslims]] are sub-divided into many splinter sects and denominations. Population statistics are highly controversial. The various denominations and sects each have vested interests in inflating their own numbers. [[Shia Islam in Lebanon|Shias]], [[Sunni Islam in Lebanon|Sunnis]], [[Maronite Christianity in Lebanon|Maronite]]s and [[Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon|Eastern Orthodox]] (the four largest denominations) all often claim that their particular religious affiliation holds a majority in the country, adding up to over 150% of the total population, even before counting the other denominations. One of the rare things that most Lebanese religious leaders will agree on is to avoid a new general [[census]], for fear that it could trigger a new round of denominational conflict.{{Citation needed |date=June 2024}} The last official census was performed in 1932.

Religion has traditionally been of overriding importance in defining the Lebanese population. Dividing state power between the religious denominations and sects, and granting religious authorities judicial power, dates back to [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] times (the [[millet (Ottoman Empire)|millet]] system). The practice was reinforced during [[France|French]] mandate, when Christian groups were granted privileges. This system of government, while partly intended as a compromise between sectarian demands, has caused tensions that still dominate Lebanese politics to this day.

The Christian population majority is believed to have ended in the early 1970s, but government leaders would agree to no change in the political power balance. This led to Muslim demands for increased representation, and the constant sectarian tension slid into violent conflict in 1958 (prompting [[Lebanon crisis of 1958|U.S. intervention]]) and again in the grueling [[Lebanese Civil War]], in 1975–90.
[[File:Natural Growth Rate in Lebanon throughout years.png|thumb|right|140px|Natural Growth Rate in Lebanon throughout years]]
The balance of power has been slightly adjusted in the 1943 [[National Pact]], an informal agreement struck at [[independence]], in which positions of power were divided according to the 1932 census. The [[Sunni Islam in Lebanon|Sunni]] elite was then accorded more power, but Maronites continued to dominate the system. The sectarian balance was again adjusted towards the Muslim side but simultaneously further reinforced and legitimized. Shia Muslims (by now the second largest sect) then gained additional representation in the state apparatus, and the obligatory Christian-Muslim representation in [[Lebanese Parliament|Parliament]] was downgraded from a 6:5 to a 1:1 ratio. Christians of various denominations were then generally thought to constitute about 40% of the population, although often Muslim leaders would cite lower numbers, and some Christians would claim that they still held a majority of the population.

====18 recognized religious groups====
[[File:Lebanon religious groups.jpg|thumb|140px|upright|An estimate of the area distribution of Lebanon's main religious groups]]
[[File:Lebanon religious groups distribution.jpg|thumb|140px|upright|Distribution of Lebanon's religious groups according to 2009 municipal election data]]
The present [[Constitution of Lebanon|Lebanese Constitution]] officially acknowledges 18 religious groups (see below). These have the right to handle [[family law]] according to their courts and traditions, and they are the basic players in Lebanon's complex sectarian politics.

* [[Alawites in Lebanon|Alawite]]
* [[Armenian Catholic]]
* [[Armenian Orthodox]]
* [[Assyrian Church of the East]]
* [[Chaldean Catholic Church|Chaldean Catholic]]
* [[Copt]]s
* [[Druze in Lebanon|Druze]]
* [[Greek Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon|Greek Orthodox]]
* [[Ismailis in Lebanon|Isma'ili]]
* [[Lebanese Jews|Jewish]]
* [[Roman Catholicism in Lebanon|Latin Catholic]]
* [[Maronite Christianity in Lebanon|Maronite Catholic]]
* [[Melkite Christianity in Lebanon|Melkite Greek Catholic]]
* [[Protestantism in Lebanon|Protestant]]
* [[Sunni Islam in Lebanon|Sunni]]
* [[Shia Islam in Lebanon|Shia]]
* [[Syriac Catholic Church]]
* [[Syriac Orthodox Church]]

===Religious population statistics===
{{hatnote|Note: [[Stateless person|stateless]] [[Palestinians in Lebanon|Palestinian]]s and [[Syrians in Lebanon|Syrians]] are not included in the statistics below since they do not hold [[Lebanese nationality law|Lebanese citizenship]]. The numbers only include the present population of Lebanon, and not the [[Lebanese diaspora]].}}

The 1932 census stated that [[Christianity in Lebanon|Christians]] made up 50% of the resident population. [[Maronite Christianity in Lebanon|Maronites]], the largest among the Christian denomination and then largely in control of the state apparatus, accounted for 29% of the total resident population.

The total population of Lebanon was reported to be 1,411,000 in 1956.<ref name=jml121>{{cite journal|author=Jacob M. Landau|title=Elections in Lebanon |journal=The Western Political Quarterly|date=March 1961 |volume=14|issue=1|page=121|doi=10.2307/443935 |jstor=443935 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/443935.pdf}}</ref> The largest communities were Maronites (424,000), Sunni Muslims (286,000), Shiite Muslims (250,000), [[Greek Orthodox]] (149,000), [[Greek Catholics]] (91,000), [[Druze in Lebanon|Druzes]] (88,000), [[Armenian Orthodox]] (64,000), [[Armenian Catholics]] (15,000), Protestants (14,000), Jews (7,000), [[Syriac Catholics]] (6,000), [[Syriac Orthodox]] (5,000), Latins (4,000) and Assyrians of the [[Church of the East]] (1,000).<ref name=jml121/>

A 2010 study conducted by Statistics Lebanon, a Beirut-based research firm, cited by the [[United States Department of State]] found that Lebanon's population of approximately 4.3 million was estimated to be:<ref name="2012Report">{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2012/nea/208400.htm |title=2012 Report on International Religious Freedom - Lebanon |work=[[United States Department of State]] |date=20 May 2013 |access-date=9 January 2013}}</ref>

* 40.5% [[Christianity in Lebanon|Christian]] (21% [[Maronite Christianity in Lebanon|Maronite]], 8% [[Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon|Greek Orthodox]], 5% [[Melkite Christianity in Lebanon|Melkite Catholic]], 6.5% belonging to smaller Christian groups ([[Protestantism in Lebanon|Protestant]], [[Armenian Orthodox]], [[Armenian Catholic]], [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Syriac Orthodox]], [[Syriac Catholic Church|Syriac Catholic]], [[Roman Catholicism in Lebanon|Roman Catholic]], [[Chaldean Catholic Church|Chaldean Catholic]], [[Assyrian Church of the East]], and [[Copt]])
* At least 54% [[Islam in Lebanon|Islam]] (27% [[Shia Islam in Lebanon|Shia]], 27% [[Sunni Islam in Lebanon|Sunni]], [[Alawites]], Ismaili)
* 5.6% [[Druze in Lebanon|Druze]] (included with the Muslim group in the Lebanese constitution)

There is also a very small number of other religious minorities such as, [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼís]], [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], [[Hinduism|Hindus]], [[Jews]], and [[Mormons]].<ref name="2012Report"/>

In 2022, the ''[[The World Factbook|CIA World Factbook]]'' specified that of the citizen population (data do not include Lebanon's sizable Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations), 67.8% are [[Islam in Lebanon|Muslim]]s (31.9% [[Lebanese Sunni Muslims|Sunni]], 31.2% [[Lebanese Shia Muslims|Shia]], with smaller percentages of [[Alawites in Lebanon|Alawites]] and [[Isma'ilism|Ismailis]]), 32.4% are [[Christianity in Lebanon|Christians]] (mostly [[Lebanese Maronite Christians|Maronites]], and [[Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians|Greek Orthodox]], [[Lebanese Melkite Christians|Melkite Catholics]], [[Lebanese Protestant Christians|Protestant]], [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Apostolic]], [[Assyrian Church of the East]], [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Syriac Orthodox]], [[Chaldean Catholic Church|Chaldean Catholic]], [[Syriac Catholic Church|Syriac Catholic]]), and 4.5% are [[Lebanese Druze|Druze]].<ref name="CIAWorldFactbook2021">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lebanon/#people-and-society|title=CIA World Factbook (2021) - Lebanon|website=www.cia.gov|publisher=Centra Intelligence Agency|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+ Census of 1932<ref>Rania Maktabi, The Lebanese Census of 1932 Revisited. Who Are the Lebanese?, ''British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies'', Vol. 26, No. 2 (Nov., 1999), pp. 219-241, also at [https://www.jstor.org/stable/195924], at [https://ucdenver.instructure.com/courses/3034/files/378728/download] at [http://web.macam.ac.il/~arnon/Int-ME/extra/LEBANESE%20CENSUS%201932.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602073901/http://web.macam.ac.il/~arnon/Int-ME/extra/LEBANESE%20CENSUS%201932.htm|date=2013-06-02}} and at [https://www.academia.edu/25838460/The_Lebanese_census_of_1932_revisited_Who_are_the_Lebanese]</ref>
!rowspan="2" |
!rowspan="2" |Residents
!colspan="2" |Emigrants before 30/08/1924
!colspan="2" |Emigrants after 30/08/1924
|-
!paying taxes
!does not pay
!paying taxes
!does not pay
|-
|align="left" |Sunni
|178,100
|2,653
|9,840
|1,089
|3,623
|-
|align="left" |Shi'i
|155,035
|2,977
|4,543
|1,770
|2,220
|-
|align="left" |Druze
|53,334
|2,067
|3,205
|1,183
|2,295
|-
|align="left" |Maronite
|227,800
|31,697
|58,457
|11,434
|21,809
|-
|align="left" |Greek Catholic
|46,709
|7,190
|16,544
|1,855
|4,038
|-
|align="left" |Greek Orthodox
|77,312
|12,547
|31,521
|3,922
|9,041
|-
|align="left" |Protestant
|6,869
|607
|1,575
|174
|575
|-
|align="left" |Armenian Orthodox
|26,102
|1
|60
|191
|1,718
|-
|align="left" |Armenian Catholic
|5,890
|9
|50
|20
|375
|-
|align="left" |Syriac Orthodox
|2,723
|6
|34
|3
|54
|-
|align="left" |Syriac Catholic
|2,803
|9
|196
|6
|101
|-
|align="left" |Jews
|3,588
|6
|214
|7
|188
|-
|align="left" |Chaldean Orthodox
|190
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|align="left" |Chaldean Catholic
|548
|0
|6
|0
|19
|-
|align="left" |Miscellaneous
|6,393
|212
|758
|59
|234
|-
|align="left" |Total
|793,396
|59,981
|127,003
|21,713
|46,290
|-
|align="left" |Foreigners
|61.297
|
|
|
|
|-
|}

====Muslims====
[[File:Population map Syria & Liban (1935).jpg|thumb|200px|right|A map of religious and ethnic communities of Syria and Lebanon (1935)]]
According to the [[CIA World Factbook]],<ref name="CIAWorldFactbook2021"/> in 2021 the Muslim population was estimated at 60% within Lebanese territory and 20% of the over 4 million<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Lebanese diaspora population.  In 2012 a more detailed breakdown of the size of each Muslim sect in Lebanon was made:

* [[Shia Islam in Lebanon|Shia Muslims]] are around 31.2% of the total population; the vast majority belong to the [[Twelver Shi'ism|Twelver]] branch of Shi'ism.<ref name="Lebanon: people and society">[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lebanon/#people-and-society "Lebanon: people and society"]</ref><ref name=Online>{{cite web|title=Countries with more than 100,000 Shia Muslims|publisher=[[Pew Research Center]]|date=October 2009|access-date=21 September 2010|url=http://pewforum.org/uploadedfiles/Orphan_Migrated_Content/Muslimpopulation.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509021215/http://pewforum.org/uploadedfiles/Orphan_Migrated_Content/Muslimpopulation.pdf|archive-date=9 May 2010}}</ref> The [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon|Speaker of Parliament]] is always a Shia Muslim, as it is the only high post that Shias are eligible for.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/lebanon/religious-sects.htm|title=Lebanon-Religious Sects |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=11 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Hanin Ghaddar|url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/commentary/march_for_secularism_religious_laws_are_archaic|title=March for secularism; religious laws are archaic|publisher=[[NOW Lebanon]]|date=25 April 2010|access-date=11 August 2010|archive-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718105206/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/commentary/march_for_secularism_religious_laws_are_archaic|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/story/891730DF9036DA65C22571F6005DFDF0?OpenDocument|title=Fadlallah Charges Every Sect in Lebanon Except his Own Wants to Dominate the Country|publisher=[[Naharnet]]|access-date=11 August 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Hartford">{{cite web|url=http://hartsem.edu/aspects-christian-muslim-relations-contemporary-lebanon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827094237/http://hartsem.edu/aspects-christian-muslim-relations-contemporary-lebanon|archive-date=2012-08-27|title=Aspects of Christian-Muslim Relations in Contemporary Lebanon|publisher=[[Hartford Seminary]]|location=Hartford, CT, USA|author=George J. Hajjar|work=hartsem.edu|access-date=4 August 2012}}</ref> Shiites are largely concentrated in the [[Beqaa Valley]], [[Southern Lebanon]] and in [[Dahieh]] ([[Greater Beirut]]).<ref name="minorityrights.org">{{cite web|url=http://minorityrights.org/?lid=5058&tmpl=printpage|title=Minority Rights Group International : Lebanon : Lebanon Overview|publisher=Minorityrights.org}}</ref><ref name="state.gov">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010/148830.htm|title=Statistics Lebanon Beirut-based research firm}}</ref><ref name="irfrLeb2008">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2008/108487.htm|title=International Religious Freedom Report 2008 – Lebanon|date=September 19, 2008|work=2008 Report on International Religious Freedom|publisher=US Department of State|access-date=2009-01-08}}</ref>
* [[Sunni Islam in Lebanon|Sunni]] Muslims constitute about 31.9%<ref name="Lebanon: people and society"/> of the total population. Sunnis are the only sect eligible for the post of [[Prime Minister of Lebanon|Prime Minister]]<ref name="DOS">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2008/108487.htm|title=Lebanon|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|location=Washington, DC, USA|work=state.gov|access-date=4 August 2012}}</ref> Sunnis are mainly concentrated in West [[Beirut]], [[North Lebanon]], [[Sidon]], Central and Western [[Beqaa Valley|Beqaa]], and [[Akkar]] in the north.<ref name="minorityrights.org" />
* Other Muslim sects have a small presence, with the [[Ismailis in Lebanon|Isma'ilis]] and [[Alawites in Lebanon|Alawites]] combined comprising less than 1% of the population and are included among Lebanese Shia Muslims. Alawites are eligible for two seats in the [[Lebanese parliament]], representing Alawites of [[Akkar District|Akkar]] and [[Tripoli, Lebanon|Tripoli]].

====Christians====
[[File:Lebanon religion map by municipality.png|thumb|Religion map of Lebanon by municipality according to municipal elections data.]]
According to the [[CIA World Factbook]],<ref name="CIAWorldFactbook2021" /> in 2021, the Christian population in Lebanon was estimated at 44%. In 2012 a more detailed breakdown of the size of each Christian sect in Lebanon was made:

* [[Maronite Christianity in Lebanon|Maronite Christians]] are the largest of the Christian groups who in total account for about 32.4% of the total population of Lebanon.<ref name="Lebanon: people and society"/> They have had a long and continuous association with the [[Roman Catholic Church]], but have their own [[List of Maronite Patriarchs|patriarch]], [[liturgy]], and customs. Traditionally they had good relations with the [[Western world]], especially [[France]]<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/place/Lebanon/Government-and-society#toc23374|title=French Mandate|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> and the [[Holy See|Vatican]].<ref>[http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Fr.-Samir:-Benedict-XVI’s-courage-carries-the-Churches-of-the-Middle-East-and-the-Arab-Spring-25780.html Fr. Samir: Benedict XVI’s courage carries the Churches of the Middle East and the Arab Spring]</ref> After 1920 they traditionally dominated the Lebanese government and civil positions, although their influence significantly diminished following the [[Lebanese Civil War]] and [[Taif Agreement]]. Today the Maronites are believed to compose about 26% of the population, concentrated mainly in the province of [[Mount Lebanon Governorate|Mount Lebanon]] and Eastern Beirut ([[Greater Beirut]]).
* The second largest Christian group is the [[Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon|Eastern Orthodox]] that constitute at least 9%<ref name="state.gov"/> of the population. The Orthodox church is existent in other parts of the [[Arab world]], especially in [[Syria]] and among [[Palestinian Christians]]. Orthodox Christians were often noted for their [[Pan-Arabism|Pan-Arab]] and [[Syria (region)|Pan-Syrian]] leanings, and have close relations with Eastern Orthodox European countries like [[Greece]], [[Cyprus]], [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Serbia]] and [[Romania]]. The positions of Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Prime Minister are reserved for Eastern Orthodox Christians.
* The [[Melkite Christianity in Lebanon|Melkite Catholics]] are thought to constitute about 6%<ref name="state.gov"/> of the population.
* The [[Protestantism in Lebanon|Protestants]] are thought to constitute about 1%<ref name="state.gov"/> of the population.
* The remaining Christian churches are thought to constitute another 5%<ref name="state.gov"/> of the population ([[Roman Catholicism in Lebanon|Roman Catholics]], Armenian Apostolic, Armenian Catholic, [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Syriac Orthodox]], [[Syriac Catholic Church|Syriac Catholic]], and Assyrians.)

====Druze====
The [[Druze in Lebanon|Druze]] constitute 5%<ref name="CIAWorldFactbook2021" /> of the population and are almost entirely concentrated in [[Aley District|Aley]] and [[Chouf District|Chouf]] in southern [[Mount Lebanon]], and in the [[Hasbaya District|Hasbaya]] and [[Rashaya District|Rashaya]] districts.<ref name="Lebanon: people and society"/> Even though the faith originally developed out of [[Isma'ilism|Isma'ili]] [[Shia Islam]], most [[Druze]] do not identify as [[Muslims]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Abu Izzeddin |first1=Najla M. |title=The Druzes A New Study of Their History, Faith, and Society |date=1993 |publisher=Brill |isbn=9789004097056 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BprjrZzee5EC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Oxford Handbook of American Islam| first=Yvonne |last=Yazbeck Haddad|year=2014| isbn=9780199862634| page = 142|publisher=Oxford University Press|quote=While they appear parallel to those of normative Islam, in the Druze religion they are different in meaning and interpretation. The religion is considered distinct from the Ismaili as well as from other Muslims belief and practice... Most Druze consider themselves fully assimilated in American society and do not necessarily identify as Muslims..}}</ref> and do not accept the [[Five Pillars of Islam|five pillars of Islam]].<ref>{{cite book|title= The Political Role of Minority Groups in the Middle East|first=Ronald|last= De McLaurin|year= 1979| isbn= 9780030525964| page =114 |publisher=Michigan University Press|quote= Theologically, one would have to conclude that the Druze are not Muslims. They do not accept the five pillars of Islam. In place of these principles the Druze have instituted the seven precepts noted above..}}</ref>

====Other religions====
Other religions account for only an estimated 0.3% of the population mainly foreign temporary workers, according to the [[The World Factbook|CIA World Factbook]]. There was a large and vibrant [[History of the Jews in Lebanon|Jewish]] population, traditionally centered in [[Beirut]] who fled to Israel in the 1940s and 1950s.