Lebanon ranks among the Arab countries most affected by skyrocketing food prices, according to a new cost-of-living index published by global data platform Numbeo. In a nation still gripped by a severe and prolonged economic crisis, securing basic nutrition has become a daily struggle for much of the population.
To meet the minimum nutritional requirement of 2,400 calories per day, the average monthly cost of food per person in Lebanon ranges between $240 and $300, a staggering figure in a country where wages have plummeted and purchasing power has sharply declined.
The financial burden is forcing many households to rely on lower-quality, less nutritious food products.
A 2024 World Bank report underscored the gravity of the situation, estimating that more than 40% of Lebanese citizens are now living below the poverty line. Since 2020, the sharp devaluation of the Lebanese pound, paired with persistent inflation and the country’s heavy dependence on food imports, has made essential food items unaffordable for large segments of society.
Numbeo’s data places Lebanon among the top Arab countries with the most expensive basic food baskets. By comparison, monthly food costs for a similar calorie intake are estimated at:
- Saudi Arabia: $190 to $270,
- United Arab Emirates: $163 to $273,
- Palestine: around $242,
- Egypt: $110 to $150,
- Morocco and Algeria: $130 to $180.
Comments