Editing Lebanon (section)

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Lebanon}}
{{See also|Lebanese people}}

Lebanon had an estimated population of {{UN_Population|Lebanon}} in {{UN_Population|Year}}, with the number of [[Lebanese people|Lebanese nationals]] estimated at 4,680,212 in July;{{UN_Population|ref}} however, no official census has been conducted since 1932 due to the sensitive [[Confessionalism (politics)|confessional political balance]] between Lebanon's various religious groups.<ref>{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,COUNTRYPROF,LBN,4562d8cf2,4954ce52c,0.html |title=Lebanon : Overview Minority Rights Group International |publisher=World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples |access-date=17 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117034013/https://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country%2C%2C%2CCOUNTRYPROF%2CLBN%2C4562d8cf2%2C4954ce52c%2C0.html |archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> Identifying all Lebanese as ethnically [[Arab]] is a widely employed example of [[panethnicity]], as the Lebanese "are descended from many different peoples who are either indigenous, or have occupied, invaded, or settled this corner of the world", making Lebanon, "a mosaic of closely interrelated cultures".{{efn|Some [[Phoenicianism|Phoenicianist]] activists are known to oppose being characterized as Arab,<ref name="Khashan 723–744">{{Cite journal|last=Khashan|first=Hilal|date=December 1990|title=The Political Values of Lebanese Maronite College Students|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/174186|journal=The Journal of Conflict Resolution|volume=34|issue=4|pages=723–744|doi=10.1177/0022002790034004007|jstor=174186|s2cid=145632505|quote=The heritage of the Maronites is perceived as anything Phoenician, Greco-Roman, Mediterranean, or internationalist, but not Arab.|access-date=15 July 2023|archive-date=15 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715091042/https://www.jstor.org/stable/174186|url-status=live| issn=0022-0027 }}</ref><ref name="auto">
*{{Cite web|url=https://www.hartsem.edu/wp-content/uploads/hajjar.pdf|title=Aspects of Christian-Muslim Relations in Contemporary Lebanon|access-date=27 March 2021|last=Hajjar|first=George|date=2002|website=hartsem.edu|publisher=Hartford International University for Religion and Peace|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728123124/https://www.hartsem.edu/wp-content/uploads/hajjar.pdf|url-status=live|quote=In recent years, the Melkites, like the Maronites, have denied affiliation with Arab ethnicity, race and culture.}}
</ref> but from a statistical perspective are often counted as such.}}<ref name="Stokes, Jamie page 406">{{cite book|author=Jamie Stokes|title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East: L to Z|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA406|access-date=11 December 2011|date=June 2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-7158-6|page=406|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019011108/http://books.google.com/books?id=stl97FdyRswC&pg=PA406|archive-date=19 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[fertility rate]] fell from 5.00 in 1971 to 1.75 in 2004. Fertility rates vary considerably among the different religious groups: in 2004, it was 2.10 for [[Shia Islam in Lebanon|Shiites]], 1.76 for [[Lebanese Sunni Muslims|Sunnis]] and 1.61 for [[Lebanese Maronite Christians|Maronites]].<ref name="demo-reality">{{cite web|date=14 January 2013|title=The Lebanese Demographic Reality|url=http://www.lstatic.org/PDF/demographenglish.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531002737/http://www.lstatic.org/PDF/demographenglish.pdf|archive-date=31 May 2013|access-date=16 February 2013|publisher=Lebanese Information Center Lebanon}}</ref>

[[File:Beirutpic.jpg|thumb|[[Beirut]], located on the [[Mediterranean Sea]], is the most populous city in Lebanon.]]

[[Lebanese people]] have a long history of emigration stretching back to the 19th century; including partial ancestry, more Lebanese live outside the country than in Lebanon itself. The country has experienced a series of migration waves since independence: over 1.8 million people emigrated from the country between 1975 and 2011.<ref name=demo-reality /> Consequently, millions of [[Lebanese diaspora|people of Lebanese descent]] are spread throughout the world, especially in [[Latin America]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/648273/ |title=The world's successful diasporas |publisher=Management Today |access-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115173048/http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/648273/ |archive-date=15 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lebanese Brazilians|Brazil]] and [[Lebanese Argentines|Argentina]] have the largest Lebanese communities,<ref>{{cite news |title=The Arabs of Latin America |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/arabs-latin-america/ |work=The Nation |date=12 July 2017 |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=31 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231233228/https://www.thenation.com/article/arabs-latin-america/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with the former having the largest population in the world, at 5-7 million. North America likewise hosts a large diaspora, particularly in [[Lebanese Canadians|Canada]] (approximately 250,000–700,000) and the United States (around 2 million).<ref>{{cite web |date=6 January 2016 |title=10 biggest Lebanese diaspora communities |url=https://stepfeed.com/10-biggest-lebanese-diaspora-communities-4373 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727015201/https://stepfeed.com/10-biggest-lebanese-diaspora-communities-4373 |archive-date=27 July 2021 |access-date=6 January 2016 |publisher=StepFEED}}</ref> Australia is home to over 270,000 [[Lebanese Australian|Lebanese]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Price, Charles |title=Australian Population: Ethnic Origins |url=http://elecpress.monash.edu.au/pnp/free/pnpv7n4/v7n4_3price.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719124226/http://elecpress.monash.edu.au/pnp/free/pnpv7n4/v7n4_3price.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2011 |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> 

Large numbers of Lebanese migrated to [[West Africa]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Tenacity and risk – the Lebanese in West Africa|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8479134.stm|work=BBC News|date=10 January 2010|access-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202212959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8479134.stm|archive-date=2 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> particularly to the [[Ivory Coast]] (100,000)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/ivory-coast/72.htm |title=Ivory Coast – The Levantine Community |publisher=Countrystudies.us |access-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629081653/http://countrystudies.us/ivory-coast/72.htm |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Senegal]] ([[Lebanese people in Senegal|30,000]]).<ref>{{cite web|last=Schwarz |first=Naomi |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-07/2007-07-10-voa46.cfm?CFID=213232878&CFTOKEN=70264387 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20081118213343/http://voanews.com/english/archive/2007-07/2007-07-10-voa46.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 November 2008 |title=Lebanese Immigrants Boost West African Commerce |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> The Persian Gulf hosts many Lebanese expatriates,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bqdoha.com/2013/12/population-qatar |title=Qatar's population by nationality |access-date=21 December 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221142214/http://bqdoha.com/2013/12/population-qatar |archive-date=21 December 2014}}</ref> led by Saudi Arabia with 269,000 Lebanese citizens.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Project|first=Joshua|title=Arab, Lebanese in Saudi Arabia|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/13017/SA|access-date=30 October 2021|website=joshuaproject.net|language=en|archive-date=7 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407021814/https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/13017/SA|url-status=live}}</ref> Around a third of the Lebanese workforce, about 350,000, reportedly live in Gulf countries according to some sources.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lebanon starts to feel the pinch of financial crisis|url=https://gulfnews.com/business/lebanon-starts-to-feel-the-pinch-of-financial-crisis-1.148112|access-date=30 October 2021|website=gulfnews.com|date=6 December 2008|language=en|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030150334/https://gulfnews.com/business/lebanon-starts-to-feel-the-pinch-of-financial-crisis-1.148112|url-status=live}}</ref> Over 50% of the Lebanese diaspora are Christian, partly due to the large period of Christian emigration before 1943.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hamline.edu/cla/academics/international_studies/diaspora2002/Lebanese/Paper.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115011357/http://www.hamline.edu/cla/academics/international_studies/diaspora2002/Lebanese/Paper.htm |archive-date=15 January 2009 |title=Senior Seminar: Transnational Migration and Diasporic Communities |publisher=Hamline University |access-date=17 January 2013}} Chapter II, Section B. Emigration Pre-1943</ref> 

Lebanon has the largest number of refugees per capita in the world.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |date=2024-05-27 |title=Lebanon's shift from safe haven to hostile country for Syrian refugees |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-69059929 |access-date=2025-01-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref> As of 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lebanon |url=https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/operations/lebanon#:~:text=The%20Government%20of%20Lebanon%20estimates,by%20the%20end%20of%202022. |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Global Focus |language=en}}</ref> Lebanon hosted over 1.6 million [[refugee]]s and [[Right of asylum|asylum]] seekers: 449,957 from [[Palestinians in Lebanon|Palestine]],<ref name="cia" /> 100,000 from [[Iraqis in Lebanon|Iraq]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Iraqi refugees in Lebanon 'left behind, forgotten': charity |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-foundation-refugees-lebanon-iraq/iraqi-refugees-in-lebanon-left-behind-forgotten-charity-idUSKCN0IA1CV20141021 |work=Reuters |date=21 October 2014 |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414031316/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-foundation-refugees-lebanon-iraq/iraqi-refugees-in-lebanon-left-behind-forgotten-charity-idUSKCN0IA1CV20141021 |url-status=live }}</ref> over 1.1 million from [[Syrians in Lebanon|Syria]],<ref name="cia" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Registered Syrian refugees in surrounding states triple in three months|url=http://www.unhcr.org/506ac00c9.html|access-date=10 October 2012|newspaper=UNHCR – United Nations Refugee Agency|date=2 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010173904/http://www.unhcr.org/506ac00c9.html|archive-date=10 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and at least 4,000 from [[Sudan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sudanese jobless in Lebanon risk life on Israel border|url=https://en.qantara.de/content/sudanese-jobless-in-lebanon-risk-life-on-israel-border|access-date=30 October 2021|website=Qantara.de – Dialogue with the Islamic World|date=23 June 2020|language=en|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030191205/https://en.qantara.de/content/sudanese-jobless-in-lebanon-risk-life-on-israel-border|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia of the United Nations, among the Syrian refugees, 71% live in poverty and 80% lack legal residency.<ref name="chronicle.fanack.com">{{cite web |last1=Fanack |title=Lebanon: Syrian Refugees Cost the Economy $4.5 Billion Every Year |url=https://chronicle.fanack.com/lebanon/economy/lebanon-syrian-refugees-cost-the-economy-4-5-billion-every-year/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714171926/https://chronicle.fanack.com/lebanon/economy/lebanon-syrian-refugees-cost-the-economy-4-5-billion-every-year/ |archive-date=14 July 2015 |access-date=14 July 2015 |website=Fanack.com}}</ref> Other estimates put the Syrian refugee population at 1.5 million in 2024,<ref name=":11" /> compared to over 1.25 million according to a 2013 estimate by the United Nations.<ref name="refugees" />

In the last three decades, lengthy and destructive [[armed conflict]]s have ravaged the country. The majority of Lebanese have been affected by armed conflict; those with direct personal experience include 75% of the population, and most others report suffering a range of hardships. In total, almost the entire population (96%) has been affected in
some way – either personally or because of the wider consequences of armed conflict.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icrc.org/Web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/views-from-field-report-240609/$File/Our-World-Views-from-Lebanon-I-ICRC.pdf |title=Lebanon, Opinion survey 2009 |publisher=ICRC and Ipsos |access-date=17 January 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
{{Largest cities
| country      = Lebanon
| list_by_pop  =
| div_name     = Governorate
| div_link     =

|city_1 = Beirut
|div_1 = Beirut Governorate{{!}}Beirut
|pop_1 = 1,916,100
|img_1 = Beirutcity.jpg

|city_2 = Tripoli, Lebanon{{!}}Tripoli
|div_2 = North Governorate{{!}}North
|pop_2 = 1,150,000
|img_2 = OldTripoli.jpg

|city_3 = Jounieh
|div_3 = Mount Lebanon Governorate{{!}}Mount Lebanon
|pop_3 = 450,000
|img_3 = Jounieh Lebanon.jpg

|city_4 = Zahlé
|div_4 = Beqaa Governorate{{!}}Beqaa
|pop_4 = 130,000
|img_4 = Zahle,Lebanon.JPG

|city_5 = Sidon
|div_5 = South Governorate{{!}}South
|pop_5 = 110,000

|city_6 = Aley
|div_6 = Mount Lebanon Governorate{{!}}Mount Lebanon
|pop_6 = 100,000

|city_7 = Tyre, Lebanon{{!}}Tyre
|div_7 = South Governorate{{!}}South
|pop_7 = 85,000

|city_8 = Byblos
|div_8 = Mount Lebanon Governorate{{!}}Mount Lebanon
|pop_8 = 80,000

|city_9 = Baalbek
|div_9 = Baalbek-Hermel Governorate{{!}}Baalbek-Hermel
|pop_9 = 70,000

|city_10 = Batroun
|div_10 = North Governorate{{!}}North Governorate
|pop_10 = 55,000

|city_11 = Nabatieh
|div_11 = Nabatieh Governorate{{!}}Nabatieh
|pop_11 = 50,000

|city_12 = Zgharta
|div_12 = North Governorate{{!}}North
|pop_12 = 45,000

|city_13 = Bint Jbeil
|div_13 = Nabatieh Governorate{{!}}Nabatieh
|pop_13 = 30,000

|city_14 = Bsharri
|div_14 = North Governorate{{!}}North
|pop_14 = 25,000

|city_15 = Baakleen
|div_15 = Mount Lebanon Governorate{{!}}Mount Lebanon
|pop_15 = 20,000

}}

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Lebanon}}
{{See also|Islam in Lebanon|Christianity in Lebanon|Irreligion in Lebanon|Secularism in Lebanon}}
[[File:Lebanon religious groups distribution.jpg|thumb|Distribution of main religious groups of Lebanon according to 2009 municipal election data<ref>{{cite web|title=Based on data published by Lebanon Demographic|url=http://www.katagogi.com/LV2009/LebMap.aspx?l=EN|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122100219/http://www.katagogi.com/LV2009/LebMap.aspx?l=EN|archive-date=22 January 2013}}</ref>|left|245x245px]]Lebanon is the most religiously diverse country in West Asia and the Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite book |title=Economics and Geopolitics of the Middle East |last=Dralonge |first=Richard N. |year=2008 |publisher=Nova Science Publishers |location=New York |isbn= 978-1-60456-076-3 |page=150 |quote=Lebanon, with a population of 3.8 million, has the most religiously diverse society in the Middle East, comprising 17 recognized religious sects.}}</ref> Because the relative sizes of different religions and religious sects remains a sensitive issue, a national census has not been conducted since 1932.<ref name="freedom">{{cite web|title=Lebanon|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010/148830.htm|access-date=24 June 2017|work=International Religious Freedom Report 2010|publisher=Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor|archive-date=13 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213121147/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010/148830.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> There are 18 state-recognized religious sects: four [[Islam in Lebanon|Muslim]], 12 [[Christianity in Lebanon|Christian]], one [[Druze in Lebanon|Druze]], and one [[Lebanese Jews|Jewish]].<ref name="freedom" /> The Lebanese government counts its [[Druze]] citizens as part of its [[Muslim]] population,<ref name="DruzeAreCountedAsMuslimsInLebanon">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wXO8AAAAQBAJ&q=Parliament+of+Lebanon+Seat&pg=PA97|title=Lebanon Country Study Guide Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments|date=3 March 2012|publisher=Ibp USA |isbn=9781438774824}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> although most [[Druze]] today do not identify as [[Muslims]].<ref>{{cite web|date=8 August 2018|title=Are the Druze People Arabs or Muslims? Deciphering Who They Are|url=https://www.arabamerica.com/are-the-druze-people-arabs-or-muslims-deciphering-who-they-are/|access-date=13 April 2020|website=Arab America|language=en|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020060455/https://www.arabamerica.com/are-the-druze-people-arabs-or-muslims-deciphering-who-they-are/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=J. Stewart|first=Dona|title=The Middle East Today: Political, Geographical and Cultural Perspectives|publisher=Routledge|year=2008|isbn=9781135980795|page=33|quote=Most Druze do not consider themselves Muslim. Historically they faced much persecution and keep their religious beliefs secrets.}}</ref>

It is believed that there has been a decline in the ratio of Christians to Muslims over the past 60 years, due to higher emigration rates of Christians, and a higher birth rate in the Muslim population.<ref name="freedom" /> When the last census was held in 1932, Christians made up 53% of Lebanon's population.<ref name="demo-reality" /> In 1956, it was estimated that the population was 54% Christian and 44% Muslim.<ref name="demo-reality" />

A demographic study conducted{{When|date=September 2024}} by the research firm Statistics Lebanon found that approximately 27% of the population was [[Lebanese Sunni Muslims|Sunni]], 27% [[Lebanese Shia Muslims|Shia]], 21% [[Lebanese Maronite Christians|Maronite]], 8% [[Greek Orthodox Christianity in Lebanon|Greek Orthodox]], 5% [[Druze in Lebanon|Druze]], 5% [[Melkite Christianity in Lebanon|Melkite]], and 1% [[Protestantism in Lebanon|Protestant]], with the remaining 6% mostly belonging to smaller non-native to Lebanon Christian denominations.<ref name="freedom" /> The [[The World Factbook|CIA World Factbook]] estimates (2020) the following (data does not include Lebanon's sizable Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations): [[Islam in Lebanon|Muslim]] 67.8% (31.9% [[Lebanese Sunni Muslims|Sunni]], 31.2% [[Lebanese Shia Muslims|Shia]], smaller percentages of [[Alawites]] and [[Isma'ilism|Ismailis]]), [[Christianity in Lebanon|Christian]] 32.4% ([[Maronite Church|Maronite Catholics]] are the largest Christian group), [[Druze in Lebanon|Druze]] 4.5%, and very small numbers of [[Jews in Lebanon|Jews]], [[Baha'i Faith in Lebanon|Baha'is]], [[Buddhism in Lebanon|Buddhists]], and [[Hinduism in Lebanon|Hindus]].<ref name="ciab">{{cite web|title=Lebanon — The World Factbook|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lebanon/#people-and-society|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency, United States|access-date=10 January 2021|archive-date=13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213001530/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lebanon/#people-and-society|url-status=live}}</ref> Other sources like [[Euronews]]<ref>[http://es.euronews.com/2012/09/15/el-santo-padre-sigue-de-visita-en-el-libano/ «El santo padre sigue de visita en el Líbano»] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427192823/http://es.euronews.com/2012/09/15/el-santo-padre-sigue-de-visita-en-el-libano/|date=27 April 2014}} ''[[Euronews]] ''.</ref> or the [[Madrid|Madrid-based]] diary ''[[La Razón (Madrid)|La Razón]]''<ref>[http://www.larazon.es/noticia/6261-el-papa-viaja-manana-al-libano-en-medio-de-la-tension-que-vive-la-zona «El Papa viaja mañana al Líbano en medio de la tensión que vive la zona»] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105092349/http://www.larazon.es/noticia/6261-el-papa-viaja-manana-al-libano-en-medio-de-la-tension-que-vive-la-zona|date=5 November 2012}} ''[[La Razón (Spain)|La Razón]]''. Consultado el 15 de septiembre de 2012.</ref> estimate the percentage of Christians to be around 53%. A study based on voter registration numbers shows that by 2011, the Christian population was stable compared to that of previous years, making up 34.35% of the population; Muslims, the Druze included, were 65.47% of the population.<ref>{{cite web|title=Study shows stable Christian population in Lebanon|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2013/Feb-07/205420-study-shows-stable-christian-population-in-lebanon.ashx|date=7 February 2013|work=[[The Daily Star (Lebanon)|The Daily Star]]|access-date=13 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415230548/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2013/Feb-07/205420-study-shows-stable-christian-population-in-lebanon.ashx|archive-date=15 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[World Values Survey]] of 2014 put the percentage of [[atheism|atheists]] in Lebanon at 3.3%.<ref name="WVS">{{cite web|title=WVS Database|url=http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSOnline.jsp|website=World Values Survey|publisher=Institute for Comparative Survey Research|date=March 2015|access-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105141038/http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSOnline.jsp|archive-date=5 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Survey data indicates a decrease in religious faith within Lebanon, especially noticeable among young people.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Miracles are on the rise in Lebanon |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2018/12/15/miracles-are-on-the-rise-in-lebanon |access-date=25 December 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029015611/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2018/12/15/miracles-are-on-the-rise-in-lebanon |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Lebanese Sunni Muslims|Sunni residents]] primarily live in Western Beirut, the Southern coast of Lebanon, and [[North Lebanon|Northern Lebanon]].<ref name="LOC_glossary" /> The [[Lebanese Shia Muslims|Shi'a residents]] primarily live in Southern Beirut, the [[Beqaa Valley]], and [[Southern Lebanon]].<ref name="LOC_glossary">{{cite book |last=McGowen |first=Afaf Sabeh|editor-last=Collelo|editor-first=Thomas|title=Lebanon: A Country Study|chapter=Glossary|series=Area Handbook Series|edition=3rd|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=The Division|date=1989|oclc=18907889|chapter-url=http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gdc/cntrystd.lb|access-date=30 September 2010}}</ref> The [[Lebanese Maronite Christians|Maronite Catholic residents]] primarily live in Eastern Beirut and around [[Mount Lebanon]].<ref name="LOC_glossary" /> The [[Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians|Greek Orthodox residents]] primarily live in the [[Koura District|Koura region]], Akkar, Metn, and Beirut ([[Achrafieh]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chandler |first=Paul-Gordon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mNK8EAAAQBAJ&dq=Achrafieh+greek+orthodox&pg=PA30 |title=In Search of a Prophet: A Spiritual Journey with Kahlil Gibran |date=15 April 2023 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-5381-8123-2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Khalaf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W1ebEAAAQBAJ&dq=Achrafieh+greek+orthodox&pg=PA20 |title=Hamra of Beirut: A Case of Rapid Urbanization |last2=Kongstad |date=7 November 2022 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-49139-7 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Lebanese Melkite Christians|Melkite Catholic residents]] live mainly in Beirut, on the eastern slopes of the Lebanon mountains, and in [[Zahlé]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Harris|first=William|date=1985|title=The View from Zahle: Security and Economic Conditions in the Central Bekaa 1980–1985|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4327124|journal=Middle East Journal|volume=39|issue=3|pages=270–286|jstor=4327124|issn=0026-3141|access-date=7 May 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507192511/https://www.jstor.org/stable/4327124|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Lebanese Druze|Druze residents]] are concentrated in the rural, mountainous areas east and south of Beirut.

=== Language ===
{{Main|Languages of Lebanon}}
Article 11 of Lebanon's Constitution states that "Arabic is the official national language. A law determines the cases in which the [[French language]] is to be used".<ref name="article_11">{{cite web |author=Axel Tschentscher, LL.M. |url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/le00000_.html#A011_ |title=Article 11 of the Lebanese Constitution |publisher=Servat.unibe.ch |access-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116235845/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/le00000_.html#A011_ |archive-date=16 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The majority of Lebanese people speak [[Lebanese Arabic]], which is grouped in a larger category called [[Levantine Arabic]], while [[Modern Standard Arabic]] is mostly used in magazines, newspapers, and formal broadcast media. [[Lebanese Sign Language]] is the language of the Deaf community.

There is also significant presence [[French language in Lebanon|of French]], and [[English language in Lebanon|of English]]. Almost 40% of Lebanese are considered francophone, and another 15% "partial francophone", and 70% of Lebanon's secondary schools use French as a second language of instruction.<ref name="NadeauBarlow2008">{{cite book |title=The Story of French |author=Jean-Benoît Nadeau, Julie Barlow |year=2008 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=978-0-312-34184-8 |page=311 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NN5oc0HFC7QC&pg=PA311 |access-date=14 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511134912/http://books.google.com/books?id=NN5oc0HFC7QC&pg=PA311 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> By comparison, English is used as a secondary language in 30% of Lebanon's secondary schools.<ref name="NadeauBarlow2008" /> The use of French is a legacy of France's historic ties to the region, including its [[League of Nations mandate]] over Lebanon following World War I; {{As of|2005|lc=y}}, some 20% of the population used French on a daily basis.<ref name="Britannica2">{{cite encyclopedia| year=2011| title=Lebanon| encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica| url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/334152/Lebanon| access-date=19 October 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229143132/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/334152/Lebanon| archive-date=29 December 2008| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref> The use of Arabic by Lebanon's educated youth is declining, as they usually prefer to speak in French and, to a lesser extent, English, which are seen as more fashionable.<ref>{{cite news|title=Campaign to save the Arabic language in Lebanon|work=BBC News |date=24 June 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10316914|access-date=24 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729000725/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10316914|archive-date=29 July 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Arabic – a dying language?|work=The Observers |url=http://observers.france24.com/content/20100625-arabic-dying-language-lebanon-beirut|publisher=France 24|access-date=25 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607123258/http://observers.france24.com/content/20100625-arabic-dying-language-lebanon-beirut|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

English is increasingly used in science and business interactions.<ref>{{cite book|title=Plus ça change |author=Jean-Benoît Nadeau, Julie Barlow |year=2006 |publisher=Robson |isbn=978-1-86105-917-8 |page=483 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F_luCRxg6Q4C&pg=PA317 |access-date=26 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/Jan/19/English-assumes-greater-importance-in-Lebanese-linguistic-universe.ashx##axzz2LJ9F7y9b |title=English assumes greater importance in Lebanese linguistic universe |author=Hodeib, Mirella |newspaper=Daily Star (Lebanon) |date=19 January 2007 |access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref> [[Lebanese nationality law|Lebanese citizens]] of [[Armenians in Lebanon|Armenian]], [[Greeks in Lebanon|Greek]], or [[Assyrians in Lebanon|Assyrian]] descent often speak their ancestral languages with varying degrees of fluency. {{As of|2009}}, there were around 150,000 Armenians in Lebanon, or around 5% of the population.<ref>{{cite news |last=Antelava |first=Natalia |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8000507.stm |title=Armenians jump Lebanon's divide |work=BBC News |date=16 April 2009 |access-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202180657/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8000507.stm |archive-date=2 December 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Lebanon}}
[[File:CISUSJ.jpg|thumb|Innovation and Sports Campus of [[Saint Joseph University]]]]According to surveys from the World Economic Forum's 2013 Global Information Technology Report, Lebanon has been ranked globally as the fourth best country for math and science education, and as the tenth best overall for quality of education. In quality of management schools, the country was ranked 13th worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GITR_Report_2013.pdf |title=The Global Information Technology Report 2013 |publisher=World Economic Forum |access-date=1 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811035513/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GITR_Report_2013.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The United Nations assigned Lebanon an education index of 0.871 in 2008. The index, which is determined by the adult literacy rate and the combined primary, secondary, and tertiary gross enrollment ratio, ranked the country 88th out of the 177 countries participating.<ref name="undp">{{cite web|url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_LBN.html |title=Human development indicators Lebanon |access-date=17 November 2008 |work=United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Reports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022021134/http://hdrstats.undp.org/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_LBN.html |archive-date=22 October 2008}}</ref> All Lebanese schools are required to follow a prescribed curriculum designed by the [[Ministry of Education and Higher Education (Lebanon)|Ministry of Education]]. Some of the 1400 private schools offer [[IB program]]s,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samidoun.org/?q=node/812 |title=Aid groups scramble to fix buildings; fill backpacks before school bell rings |publisher=Samidoun |access-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117000049/http://www.samidoun.org/?q=node%2F812 |archive-date=17 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> and may also add more courses to their curriculum with approval from the Ministry of Education. The first eight years of education are, by law, compulsory.<ref name="dos-2010-03-22" />

Lebanon has forty-one nationally accredited universities, several of which are internationally recognized.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opportunities.com.lb/Lebanon/bhb/initdoc.asp?catId=21 |title=Business Information |publisher=Lebanon Opportunities |access-date=17 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914163851/http://www.opportunities.com.lb/Lebanon/bhb/initdoc.asp?catId=21 |archive-date=14 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.higher-edu.gov.lb/Marasim.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211044854/http://www.higher-edu.gov.lb/Marasim.html |archive-date=11 December 2007 |title=Decrees |publisher=Lebanese Directory of Higher Education |date=11 December 2007 |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> The [[American University of Beirut]] (AUB) and the [[Saint Joseph University|Saint Joseph University of Beirut]] (USJ) were the first Anglophone and the first Francophone universities to open in Lebanon, respectively.<ref>[http://www.eifl.net/docs/collaborative_management_of_electronic_resources.ppt "Country Report: Lebanon". Retrieved 14 December 2006. eIFL.net Regional Workshop (2005)] {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usj.edu.lb/english/history.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060706105323/http://www.usj.edu.lb/english/history.php |archive-date=6 July 2006 |title=125 years of history – A timeline |publisher=Université Saint-Joseph |date=6 July 2006 |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref>

Universities in Lebanon, both public and private, largely operate in French or English.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yalla10.yalla.com.lb/students/abroad/english/lebanon.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618225916/http://yalla10.yalla.com.lb/students/abroad/english/lebanon.html |archive-date=18 June 2008 |title=Yalla! Students |date=18 June 2008 |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> The top-ranking universities in the country are the [[American University of Beirut]] (#2 in the Middle East as of 2022 and #226 worldwide),<ref>{{cite web |title=American University of Beirut (AUB) Rankings |url=https://www.the961.com/8-lebanese-universities-qs-world-university-rankings-2022/ |website=Top Universities |date=11 April 2022 |access-date=25 April 2022 |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428154217/https://www.the961.com/8-lebanese-universities-qs-world-university-rankings-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[University of Balamand]] (#17 in the region and #802–850 worldwide),<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Balamand |url=https://www.the961.com/8-lebanese-universities-qs-world-university-rankings-2022/ |website=Top Universities |date=11 April 2022 |access-date=25 April 2022 |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428154217/https://www.the961.com/8-lebanese-universities-qs-world-university-rankings-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Lebanese American University]] (#17 in the region and #501 worldwide),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lebanese American University |url=https://www.the961.com/8-lebanese-universities-qs-world-university-rankings-2022/ |website=Top Universities |date=11 April 2022 |access-date=25 April 2022 |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428154217/https://www.the961.com/8-lebanese-universities-qs-world-university-rankings-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Université Saint Joseph de Beyrouth]] (#2 in Lebanon and #631–640 worldwide),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/saint-joseph-university-beirut-usj|title=Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ)|website=Top Universities|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515105747/https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/saint-joseph-university-beirut-usj|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Université Libanaise]] (#577 worldwide) and [[Holy Spirit University of Kaslik]] (#600s worldwide as of 2020).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/holy-spirit-university-kaslik|title=Holy Spirit University of Kaslik|date=16 July 2015|website=Top Universities|access-date=20 August 2019|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414054526/https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/holy-spirit-university-kaslik|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Notre Dame University–Louaize|Notre Dame University-Louaize]] (NDU) (#701 as of 2021).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/notre-dame-university-louaize-ndu|title=Notre Dame University-Louaize NDU|website=Top Universities|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618074927/https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/notre-dame-university-louaize-ndu|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Health ===
{{Main|Health in Lebanon}} {{See also|Covid-19 in Lebanon}}
[[File:CF008854.jpg|left|thumb|Belluve Medical Center]]
In 2010, spending on healthcare accounted for 7.03% of the country's GDP. In 2009, there were 31.29 physicians and 19.71 nurses per 10,000 inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Health|url=http://www.sesrtcic.org/oic-member-countries-infigures.php?c_code=32&cat_code=8|publisher=SESRIC|access-date=2 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005001915/http://www.sesrtcic.org/oic-member-countries-infigures.php?c_code=32&cat_code=8|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The life expectancy at birth was 72.59 years in 2011, or 70.48 years for males and 74.80 years for females.<ref>{{cite web|title=Demography|url=http://www.sesrtcic.org/oic-member-countries-infigures.php?c_code=32&cat_code=7|publisher=SESRIC|access-date=2 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307071618/http://www.sesrtcic.org/oic-member-countries-infigures.php?c_code=32|archive-date=7 March 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref> By the end of the civil war, only one-third of the country's public hospitals were operational, each with an average of 20 beds. By 2009, the country had 28 public hospitals, with a total of 2,550 beds.<ref name="healthref">{{cite web|title=Health Reform In Lebanon: Key Achievements at a glance|url=http://www.moph.gov.lb/Media/Documents/dg08014.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Public Health|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104210829/http://www.moph.gov.lb/Media/Documents/dg08014.pdf|archive-date=4 November 2013}}</ref> At public hospitals, hospitalized uninsured patients pay 5% of the bill, in comparison with 15% in private hospitals, with the Ministry of Public Health reimbursing the remainder.<ref name="healthref" /> The Ministry of Public Health contracts with 138 private hospitals and 25 public hospitals.<ref name="statbul11" />

In 2011, there were 236,643 subsidized admissions to hospitals; 164,244 in private hospitals, and 72,399 in public hospitals. More patients visit private hospitals than public hospitals, because the private beds supply is higher.<ref name="statbul11">{{cite web|title=Statistical Bulletin 2011|url=http://www.moph.gov.lb/Publications/Documents/Statistical%20Bulletin%202011.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Public Health|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612071104/http://www.moph.gov.lb/Publications/Documents/Statistical%20Bulletin%202011.pdf|archive-date=12 June 2013}}</ref> According to the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon, the top 10 leading causes of reported hospital deaths in 2017 were: malignant neoplasm of bronchus or lung (4.6%), Acute [[myocardial infarction]] (3%), [[pneumonia]] (2.2%), exposure to unspecified factor, unspecified place (2.1%), [[acute kidney injury]] (1.4%), intra-cerebral hemorrhage (1.2%), malignant neoplasm of colon (1.2%), malignant neoplasm of pancreas (1.1%), malignant neoplasm of prostate (1.1%), malignant neoplasm of bladder (0.8%).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.moph.gov.lb/en/DynamicPages/download_file/4165 |title=Table B.8: Top 10 leading causes of reported hospital deaths* by ICD10 4-character code and gender, 2017 |publisher=Ministry of Public Health |access-date=22 August 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309021633/https://www.moph.gov.lb/en/DynamicPages/download_file/4165 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Recently,{{When|date=October 2024}} there has been an increase in foodborne illnesses in Lebanon.  This has raised public awareness on the importance of food safety, including in the realms of food storage, preservation, and preparation.  More restaurants are seeking information and compliance with [[International Organization for Standardization]].<ref name=kebabs>{{cite web|title=From kebabs to fattoush – keeping Lebanon's food safe|url=https://www.who.int/features/2015/lebanon-food-safety/en/|website=WHO|access-date=19 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320211712/http://www.who.int/features/2015/lebanon-food-safety/en/|archive-date=20 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Mental health ====
The [[Asfouriyeh Hospital]], founded in 1896 in Lebanon, is considered the first modern mental health hospital in the Middle East. The devastating impact of the [[Lebanese Civil War]] led to the hospital's closure in 1982.<ref name=":03">{{cite web |last=Reader |first=The MIT Press |date=19 January 2023 |title=The Tragic Downfall of ʿAṣfūriyyeh (The Lebanon Hospital for the Insane) |url=https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-tragic-downfall-of-%CA%BFa%E1%B9%A3furiyyeh-the-lebanon-hospital-for-the-insane/ |accessdate=28 August 2024 |work=The MIT Press Reader |language=English}}</ref>