According to the latest World Bank data, Lebanon ranks 11th among MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries in terms of unemployment, with an estimated rate of 11.5% in 2024. This figure reflects the ongoing impact of Lebanon’s compounded economic, political, and social crises since 2019.
Topping the regional chart is Palestine, with a staggering unemployment rate of 24.4%, driven in large part by the dire situation in Gaza, where joblessness exceeds 45%. Libya and Tunisia follow closely, although figures vary slightly depending on the source.
At the other end of the spectrum, Qatar records the lowest unemployment rate in the region and the world – just 0.1%, followed by Kuwait at approximately 0.9%. These figures are largely attributed to hydrocarbon wealth, limited local labor forces, and a heavy reliance on foreign workers.
The ranking underscores stark economic and social disparities within the MENA region. While some countries benefit from economic stability and active employment policies, others continue to grapple with the consequences of conflict, political instability, or deep-rooted structural crises.
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