Thousands left Lebanon this year over economic crisis, data shows

BEIRUT, Lebanon

Almost 78,000 Lebanese citizens emigrated from Lebanon this year amid a crippling economic crisis, a local consultancy firm said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Beirut-based Information International said 77,777 people left Beirut since the beginning of 2021, up from only 17,721 in 2020.

The consultancy firm said the data was based on official figures released by the Directorate of General Security in Lebanon.

It cited the deteriorating economic and living conditions in Lebanon as a main reason for the significant increase in the number of immigrants.

The firm estimated that 195,433 people have left Lebanon since 2018.

Since late 2019, Lebanon has been grappling with severe domestic challenges including a currency devaluation against the US dollar, along with fuel and medicine shortage.

*Writing by Bassel Barakat in Ankara