Lebanon has a long history as an immigrant-sending country, with large Lebanese diaspora communities established worldwide. At the same time, it is a receiving country with a substantial labor migrant population. Lebanon is also a refugee-hosting state. Given its large Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations as well as its location, the country is also a point of origin and transit for these communities who have limited options for onwards movement (for example through resettlement with the UNHCR). Migratory movements in and out of Lebanon are affected by Lebanon’s compounded crises, and at multiple levels by the spillover of regional (geopolitical) developments and their impact on the social and economic situation in the country–including the Syrian war from 2011 onwards and the more recent war on Gaza and escalation of Israeli aggressions in Lebanon (from October 2023 to date).
Jointly published by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy ELIAMEP, the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs and the PRIO Cyprus Centre.
