What effects did the Lebanese Civil War have on Lebanon’s economy and infrastructure?

The Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) had devastating consequences for Lebanon, resulting in over 100,000 deaths, nearly 1,000,000 displaced people, and widespread destruction of property and infrastructure.1

Economic Impact

While the finance sector initially showed resilience during the first decade of the war, the economy eventually suffered as the value of the Lebanese pound plummeted in the mid-1980s. The war severely damaged the service sector, which had previously been a cornerstone of the national economy through international trade, banking, and tourism. Post-war recovery efforts, led by Prime Minister Rafic al-Hariri, focused on ambitious reconstruction to revive Beirut as a financial hub. However, these efforts were largely financed through internal borrowing, leading to significant budget deficits and a massive public debt burden that persisted into the 21st century.2345

Infrastructure Damage

The conflict caused extensive damage to the country's physical infrastructure, including transportation networks. Key facilities such as the port of Beirut and the international airport required major renovations after 1990 to regain their prewar functionality. While many roads and highways were rebuilt, other systems, such as the national railway, remained out of service following the war.316