Why so many Lebanese are looking abroad
As the economic and political situations in Lebanon worsen, more Lebanese seek to emigrate to the West and to Gulf countries for better job opportunities.
A worsening economic situation with increasing poverty and unemployment are pushing many Lebanese toward immigration, looking for better prospects either in the West or in Gulf countries.
“There is no more hope in Lebanon,” said Charbel Lahoud, an agricultural engineer with an MBA who is preparing his papers to emigrate to Europe.
Statistics support Lahoud’s grim outlook. According to Information International, about 34% of Lebanese were looking to leave Lebanon in 2015.
“The statistics are actually much higher,” Mohammad Chamsedine, researcher at Information International, told Al-Monitor. “If we take in account the fact that about 25% of the population is already outside the country, this means that over 50% of the population is either looking to leave the country or is already living abroad,” Chamsedine added.
