Lebanon has faced one of the most severe inflationary crises in recent history, deeply impacting both consumers and businesses. Food prices alone skyrocketed by an astounding 5,803%, shaking household stability and business operations alike. The annualized food inflation stands at 41.49%, with a maximum drawdown of -12.13%, reflecting the volatility and hardship Lebanese communities endured.

The period between 2019 and 2021 marks a critical inflection point. In just two years, Lebanon witnessed a dramatic +204% rise in average food inflation — a surge that reshaped the commercial and social landscape.

But inflation alone doesn’t tell the full story. Our analysis further investigates the commercial structure of Lebanese towns to better understand resilience and vulnerability. The findings reveal that 63.68% of towns are dominated by large businesses, while 36.32% are small-business dominated. This distinction is crucial: towns led by small enterprises often face greater risk during economic shocks, given their limited financial buffers.

Moreover, identifying economic hubs such as Choueifat El-Aamrousiyeh, home to 300 service institutions, highlights key centers that could drive recovery efforts if supported strategically.

This visualization aims to synthesize the inflationary trends and business structures into a single coherent narrative. It offers not just an overview of the crisis but highlights opportunities for targeted policy interventions. Strengthening small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and stabilizing commercial ecosystems are critical steps toward Lebanon’s economic recovery.