Lebanon Inflation Rate2008-2020 Data | 2021-2023 Forecast | Calendar | Historical

Lebanon's consumer price inflation rate rose to an all-time high of 145.8 percent year-on-year in December 2020, up from 133.5 percent in the previous month, as the country faces the worst financial crisis in decades. Food prices jumped 402.3 percent and cost for transportation increased 206.1 percent. Additional upward pressure came from restaurants and hotels (609.0 percent), recreation, amusement, and culture (227.1 percent), furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance (655.1 percent), clothing and footwear (559.8 percent), and miscellaneous goods and services (267.5 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices climbed 8.15 percent in December. Considering 2020 full year, the inflation rate averaged 84.9 percent, the highest since at least 2013, when the current readings began.

Lebanon's consumer price inflation rate eased to 133.5 percent year-on-year in November 2020, from an all-time high of 136.8 percent in the previous month. Prices have been stubbornly high on the back of a sharp depreciation of the Lebanese pound amid a deep political, economic and financial crisis. Prices rose at a softer pace for food and non-alcoholic beverages (423.20 percent vs 441.16 percent in October), transport (128.94 percent vs 133.18 percent), clothing and footwear (461.83 percent vs 467.81 percent), communication (85.91 percent vs 88.21 percent), and housing and utilities (13.37 percent vs 13.96 percent). Meanwhile, health inflation accelerated to 17.29 percent from 16.88 percent. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.52 percent in November, compared with 3.89 percent in October.

Lebanon's annual inflation rate climbed for the thirteenth consecutive month to 136.8 percent in October of 2020, due to the deepening political, economic and financial crisis, and the ongoing depreciation in the Lebanese pound. It was the highest inflation since the aftermath of the country’s civil war three decades ago. Prices continued to increase sharply for housing & utilities (14 percent vs 13.3 percent in September); food & non-alcoholic beverages (441 percent vs 422.5 percent); restaurants & hotels (589 percent vs 523 percent); furnishings (695 percent vs 700 percent); clothing & footwear (468 percent vs 425 percent); alcoholic beverages & tobacco (463 percent vs 444 percent) and recreation & culture (220 percent vs 169 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices were up 3.9 percent, after increasing 5.3 percent in the previous month.

Lebanon's annual inflation rate soared to 131.05 percent in September of 2020 from 120.03 percent in the previous month, due to the escalating economic and financial crisis, and the ongoing depreciation in the Lebanese pound amid political crisis. It is the highest inflation since the aftermath of the country’s civil war three decades ago. Prices rose faster for housing & utilities (13.3% vs 12.2% in August); food & non-alcoholic beverages (422.5% vs 367.2%); transport (131.8% vs 105%); clothing & footwear (425.4% vs 413.4%); furnishing & household equipment (699.7% vs 663.9%); recreation & culture (168.7% vs 154.3%); restaurant & hotels (522.6% vs 506.5%); and miscellaneous goods & services (264.3% vs 253.5%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices were up 5.3 percent, after increasing 3.16 percent in the previous month. Lebanon’s central bank plans to launch a new digital currency in 2021 as part of a broader effort to combat a parallel economic and financial crisis.