Investing in Lebanon in 2026
Middle East & North Africa
15
Score
High Risk Investment Destination
Unstable conditions - speculative only, high potential loss
Lebanon earns an investment score of 15/100, placing it in the high risk category for global investors. Unstable conditions - speculative only, high potential loss. The country's standout dimensions are growth potential (22/100) and business climate (18/100), with overall GDP of $18.2B and per-capita output of $3,280. Growth is running at -0.5% with 2.5% of GDP arriving as foreign direct investment. Inflation is elevated at 22.5%, a key risk to watch. The sovereign holds a NR credit rating, generally considered speculative-grade with elevated default risk. Investment opportunities cluster around Agriculture (sector score 22/100, currently stable), which represents 4% of GDP. Trade openness sits at 73% of GDP, a useful proxy for how integrated Lebanon is with the global economy.
How Lebanon's investment score has evolved over time
Agriculture
4% of GDP, stable
Tourism
8% of GDP, declining
Real Estate
5% of GDP, declining
Banking (Collapsed)
15% of GDP, declining
World Bank Governance Indicators (-2.5 to +2.5, higher is better)
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Is Lebanon a safe country to invest in?
Lebanon carries a high risk risk rating with an overall investment score of 15/100. Unstable conditions - speculative only, high potential loss. Sub-scores: economic health 12/100, political stability 8/100, business climate 18/100, financial strength 10/100, growth potential 22/100.
What is Lebanon's sovereign credit rating?
Lebanon holds a credit rating of NR, reflecting its ability to meet sovereign debt obligations. Credit ratings are a key signal of macro-financial health and a prerequisite many institutional investors require before allocating capital.
What are the strongest sectors for investment in Lebanon?
The top investment sectors in Lebanon are Agriculture, Tourism, Real Estate. Agriculture leads with a sector score of 22/100 and represents 4% of GDP. Its current trend is stable.
What is Lebanon's GDP growth rate?
Lebanon's most recent GDP growth was -0.5%, with total GDP of $18.2B and GDP per capita of $3,280. Inflation is running at 22.5% and the current account balance is -18.5% of GDP.
How does Lebanon score on governance and rule of law?
On the World Bank Governance Indicators (scale -2.5 to +2.5, higher is better), Lebanon scores: political stability -1.7, rule of law -0.9, corruption control -1.1, and regulatory quality -0.7.
Can foreigners invest in Lebanon?
Most industries in Lebanon are open to foreign direct investment, though specific sectors may require a local partner, government approval, or special licensing. Consult a qualified local advisor for restrictions that apply to your sector.
What is foreign direct investment (FDI) like in Lebanon?
Foreign Direct Investment in Lebanon runs at 2.5% of GDP, while the trade openness ratio (exports + imports as a share of GDP) stands at 73%. These figures show how integrated Lebanon is with the global economy and how welcoming it has been to international capital.
What is the public debt level in Lebanon?
Lebanon's government debt stands at 181% of GDP. This is elevated by international standards and warrants attention from creditors and rating agencies.