Inflation Lebanon 2020
Average inflation: 84.3%
Inflation in 2020
Inflation is very high at 84.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 145.8%. The lowest inflation was in January at 10.0%.
- Highest month
- December: 145.8%
- Lowest month
- January: 10.0%
- Difference
- 135.8 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food with an average of 254.3%. The lowest price increase was in Energy with an average of 7.7%.
- Highest increase
- Food: 254.3%
- Lowest increase
- Energy: 7.7%
Historical Context
Inflation is 64.9 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 19.4%. This approaches the highest level since records began (84.3% in 2020).
- 5-year average
- 19.4%
- 10-year average
- 11.2%
- All-time high (2020)
- 84.3%
- All-time low (2015)
- -3.8%
Trend
Over the period 2018-2020, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2019, inflation has risen by 81.3 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +81.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +138.8 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 82.3 percentage points above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.
What you could buy for LBP 100 this year will cost approximately LBP 184 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2020
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.0% | +6.8 |
| February | 11.4% | +8.3 |
| March | 17.5% | +13.4 |
| April | 46.6% | +42.6 |
| May | 56.5% | +53.0 |
| June | 89.7% | +88.0 |
| July | 112.4% | +111.0 |
| August | 120.0% | +118.8 |
| September | 131.0% | +129.9 |
| October | 136.8% | +134.3 |
| November | 133.5% | +130.2 |
| December | 145.8% | +138.8 |
| Average | 84.3% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.