Lebanon Education and Training Services Industry Snapshot
Last published date:

Capital: Beirut
Population: 5.3 million (July 2021 est.)

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $79.51 billion (2020 est., in 2017 dollars)

Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP)
Language: Lebanese Arabic, French, or English

 

UNESCO Student Mobility Number
Lebanon has 18,630 students studying abroad according to UNESCO.

 

CIA World Factbook
35.73% of the population in Lebanon is under 25 years old.

 

OVERVIEW

Lebanon has ranked globally as the 4th best country for math and science education, and as the 10th best overall for quality of education according to the World Economic Forum.  The literacy rate is 95.07% according to the World Bank (2018).

The provision of education in Lebanon is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE).  The Center for Educational Research and Development (CRDP) which is linked directly to MEHE, is a national institution concerned with educational modernization and development by setting educational plans and policies and directing educational curricula.

The Lebanese educational system is divided in two sectors: private schools and universities, for which there is a charge for admission, and public (government) schools and universities that are practically free of charge.

Lebanon has approximately 40 licensed universities and higher-education institutions, an unusually large number for a country with a population estimated at six million.   The top 10 universities are: American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanese American University (LAU), Université Saint Joseph (USJ), Notre Dame University (NDU), Université Saint Esprit Kaslik (USEK), University of Balamand, Haigazian University, Beirut Arab University (BAU), Lebanese University (UL).  According to CRDP, Lebanon registered in 2019-2020 academic year 222,064 Lebanese and foreign students of which 79,325 attended the public university (UL) and 142,739 attended private universities.

Lebanon has 2,796 schools. According to CRDP, 44% are public schools and 56% are private schools.  In 2020-2021 academic year, Lebanon registered 1,053,856 Lebanese and foreign students in schools, of which 36% are in public schools and 64% are in private schools.  In addition to the Arabic language, 43% of schools use French as the foreign language, 34% use English and 23% use both languages. The top private schools teaching the American curriculum are American Community School (ACS), International College (IC), Adma International School, the International School of Choueifat, Sagesse High School.

SUB-SECTORS

In terms of mobility, Lebanon had 1,700 Lebanese students studying in the United States for the academic year 2020-2021 according to the IIE Open Doors Report.  The report provides the following segmentation:

Undergraduate: 499 students enrolled in undergraduate education in 2020-2021 academic year, an increase of 0.8% from the previous year.

Graduate: 843 students enrolled in graduate education in 2020-2021 academic year, an increase of 5.6% from the previous year.

Non-Degree Studies: 30 students enrolled in non-degree programs in 2020-2021 academic year, a decrease of 50.8% from the previous year.

Optional Practical Training (OPT): 328 students enrolled in OPT programs in 2020-2021 academic year, a decrease of 7.6% from the previous year.

AMIDEAST is a leading American nonprofit organization engaged in international education, training, and development activities in the Middle East and North Africa.  AMIDEAST supports over 33,000 students each year to pursue their higher education and professional growth in the U.S. 

OPPORTUNITIES

Education in the United States is highly valued in Lebanon.  Many students studied in the United States despite the ongoing Lebanese economic crisis.  The crisis started in 2019 and led to the devaluation of more than 90 percent of the local currency on the secondary exchange markets, leading the financial sector to impose ad hoc capital controls, preventing most Lebanese from transferring any money overseas or withdrawing dollars from their bank accounts. As such, studying in the United States became a major challenge to Lebanese students.  However, Lebanon has 18,630 students studying abroad according to UNESCO, as they are looking for better opportunities and career advancement.

DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIES

In Lebanon, students visit schools’ and universities’ admission centers to search for information on the school, university, accreditation, and all related subjects. Nowadays, Lebanese students seek information via Google.  Therefore, it is important to make sure content on educational opportunities is up-to-date and the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy is strong.  Students looking for job opportunities use these online platforms: Monster, Bayt, Jobs for Lebanon, LinkedIn and Facebook.  Additionally, many students attended job fairs in Lebanon to submit their curriculum vitae for the appropriate opportunities in the local and international market, but this trend has stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the Lebanese crisis.

EVENTS

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon places significant emphasis on the promotion of U.S. education and training institutions with the Cultural Affairs Office (CAO), Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), as well as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  Another effective way to promote U.S. education is via the services that U.S. Commercial Service offers such as Gold Key Service, International Partner Search.  And finally, to participate in local education fairs such as EDEX and Promofair.

RESOURCES

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE CONTACT

Naaman Tayyar, Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Beirut, Lebanon
Phone: +9614542600

Email:  Naaman.Tayyar@trade.gov