Reclaiming The Lebanese Roots
In the heart of Beirut, amid all the problems tumbling down one after the other, the steps of departing Lebanese individuals are loudly heard. Each step taken for a new life abroad carries with it the weight of an uncertain future, and a homeland left behind. It serves as a reminder that the numbers in the graphs and the lines on the charts are not just data points. They represent chapters of lives that were left unwritten in the country of their ancestors.
Lebanon, the “Switzerland of the Middle East”, as they used to call it, a country known for being rich in its culture, currently stands at a crossroads. Throughout its history, Lebanon has gone through many terrible events, and as many of us know, it is a country that is always able to stay strong and re-emerge from what it goes through. However, the crisis it is going through now, must be noted as one of the worst. That is, the persistent immigration of Lebanese individuals. Driven by the desire for better opportunities and living conditions, these individuals are not just moving away geographically but are also taking with them the skills, knowledge, and innovation potential that could pave the way for Lebanon’s rebirth. The consequences of this brain drain are a national issue that calls for immediate attention and sustainable solutions.
So why are Lebanese people leaving? Can’t we stay here and support each other hand by hand?
Understanding the Magnitude of the Problem
“A trend, not an anomaly: Lebanon’s Immigration Crisis”
In recent years, Lebanon has not just appeared on the radar, it has topped the charts for a migration of its population. This isn’t a momentary occurrence; it’s a persistent, growing trend that signals a deeper crisis.
The map presented above offers a detailed view of the distribution of Lebanese immigrants across the world. The varying colors (subtle greens to intense reds) represent the concentration of Lebanese populations in different countries. The hues intensify in regions where Lebanese immigrant’s presence is most significant. The visual serves to understand the global footprint of the Lebanese diaspora. It reflects not just numbers, but the spread of a culture and community that has reached beyond the borders of Lebanon. By selecting a country from the dropdown menu, you can delve deeper into specific data, gaining insights into the scale and impact of Lebanese migration in that region. As you explore this map, consider the stories and contributions of these communities, and how they continue to shape and enrich global societies. This is a story of migration, and of maintaining cultural identity while adapting to new environments, and it is a major part of the ongoing narrative of the Lebanese people.
As of 2023, Lebanon’s immigration rate surpasses that of other third-world countries, not by margins but by huge amounts. While migration for better prospects is common worldwide, Lebanon’s situation is unique in its intensity and its impact. The country’s brain drain stands as a stark outlier, an alarming indicator of the challenges its people face and the urgent need for a change.
To illustrate this, we would like to start by showing a bar graph visualized on Tableau that shows the severity of the problem Lebanon is facing. Each country’s bar length represents the severity of their migration rate, with Lebanon’s bar extending furthest to the left, reflecting the most negative rate. The colors range from warm blue hues, to intensifying dark reds with the negativity of the migration rate, which visually amplifies Lebanon’s critical state. This simple visual contrast among the countries not only highlights the magnitude of Lebanon’s crisis but also provides a clear, comparative context that calls for action.
The data speaks for itself: Lebanon’s immigration rate is the most negative among a diverse list of third-world countries. At a migration rate of almost negative 25%, it significantly surpasses countries like Jordan and Tonga. This trend extends upwards to countries with positive migration rates like Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa, showing a contrast and highlighting the severity of Lebanon’s situation. Countries with positive migration rates are attracting or retaining their citizens, while Lebanon is experiencing the opposite.
So why are Lebanese people leaving? Can’t we stay here and support each other hand by hand?
The Human Cost of Migration
“More Than Numbers: The Human Stories Behind Migration Statistics”
When we look at the numbers showing how many people leave Lebanon, we’re not just reading data, we’re looking into real stories of Lebanese individuals. Every time that number goes up by one, it means a family has had to pack up their lives and leave their friends and neighbors behind. It’s young, educated people, fresh out of graduation, who can’t find good work in their own country. It is also those who have worked for years, and have experience in the real world, but the stress of making a simple living has become too much of a burden. It’s the teachers, engineers, and doctors who used to work in Lebanon but now work somewhere else. It’s parents making tough choices, wanting the best for their children, even if it means living far away from where they grew up. These choices are hard on everyone, and they make it tough for Lebanon because it’s losing the very people it needs to build a better future. We might be blind to it now; however, this will surely bring about consequences down the line.
But, what are the reasons behind the steadily increasing numbers of immigration?
Lebanon has seen many of its citizens make the difficult decision to leave their homeland. This is driven by several factors that end up converging into one. Political instability is a major concern. Frequent changes in government and political unrest between Lebanon and neighboring countries have created an environment of uncertainty and insecurity. Personal safety, is also a critical issue, with citizens often facing challenges in maintaining a secure day-to-day life. Furthermore, the healthcare system in Lebanon (which found itself pressured by the economic situation) struggles to provide basic health needs, leading many to look for better medical facilities abroad. Moreover, an important factor in a nation’s growth is the quality of education. Lebanon is known for having the American University of Beirut (AUB) for example, one of the top universities in the Middle East region. However, also pressured by the economic situation, the quality of education has been compromised, pushing families to seek better educational opportunities abroad.
Which factor seems to be the most important contributor to the immigration of Lebanese citizens?
Amidst these various factors, one stands out with particular importance: unemployment. The Lebanese job market faces significant challenges, with many individuals unable to find any employment opportunities. This issue is followed by the fact that even when jobs are available, they usually do not provide sufficient income to cover basic living expenses. The impact of this economic instability is big. It drives a substantial portion of Lebanese citizens to find opportunities in countries where employment is both readily available and financially rewarding. The pursuit of job security and a sustainable living is a key factor in the migration of many Lebanese.
To better convey this, we created the two visuals above through Tableau. Both visuals are line graphs that you can choose between using the navigator bars on top of the graph. The first visual shows the total unemployment rate in Lebanon since 2009. Starting at 6.35% in 2009, the graph uses a color gradient transitioning from white and intensifying to red as the value increases, making the increase in unemployment visually clearer. This graph not only highlights the steady rise but also stresses the severity of the situation as the rate more than doubles, reaching 12.971% by 2020.
Similarly, the second visual shows the youth segment of the total unemployment rate in Lebanon since 2009. Visually, the graphs are very similar, with a clear steady rise in total and youth unemployment rates over the years.
Since 2009, youth unemployment in Lebanon has experienced a steady rise, reaching almost 26% as of 2022. Those who are not able to find adequate jobs, especially the youth who are eager to begin their careers, will try to find better opportunities elsewhere. The youth statistics in our data represent those from the ages of 18 to 24. A lot of those could be students who have graduated from school or from university and are looking for jobs. Those with degrees for example clearly find it difficult to find jobs. Almost 1 in every 4 people of our youth are unemployed. This is a critical factor in the reduction of prospects from the country: the very individuals who are often most eager and able to contribute to the nation’s future.
So let’s ask this question again, can’t we Lebanese people stay here and support each other hand by hand?
Envisioning Solutions
“Crafting a Future: Multi-faceted solutions for Lebanon’s brain drain”:
The Emotional Landscape
“The Emotional Investment in Lebanon’s Revival”
Beyond all the numbers, all the data, and all the visualizations presented, there lies something much deeper: the emotions and personal stories of people leaving their homeland. It’s in the stories where we find the true impact of what is happening. Each person who leaves carries a piece of Lebanon with them, and those who choose to stay hold tight to the smallest of hopes that one day things will change for the better, but when?
Consider the hundreds of teachers, who with tears in their eyes, bid farewell to their students, knowing that their skills can be used elsewhere and that they can potentially make a better living.
Similarly, consider the youth who freshly graduated from university. The young engineers, economists, business analysts, architects, and many more. Many are unable to find job opportunities, and those who do take jobs abroad as they are more lucrative.
The story of Lebanon’s brain drain touches on the country’s future. The loss of human capital: the young, the educated, and the experienced means a loss of potential, advancement, and the possibilities of what Lebanon can do. This is not just in the hands of policymakers and corporate businesses; it needs a nationwide effort. It demands that a country come together to ensure security, promote innovation, and create opportunity. Every Lebanese, whether in Lebanon or abroad, has a stake in the country’s progress toward stability.
We acknowledge that the potential solutions we propose are challenging, and they cannot be realized overnight. Lebanon has been through many problems in its history and continues to face difficult challenges. We are not saying that the decision to stay in or return to Lebanon is simple or purely driven by the love for your country. These problems have persisted throughout Lebanon’s history, yet somehow, we have always found a way to navigate around them to survive. However, the current situation is alarming, not just in statistics but in the visible suffering on the ground. The poverty, hunger, lack of basic needs, and underpaid jobs are overwhelming, and we completely understand why many choose to leave and start a new life elsewhere.
Yet, it is important to remember that the call for change is a collective effort. Often, we hear people say, “If these changes occur, we will stay or return.” But who is responsible for initiating this change? We assure you; it won’t magically happen by itself. Each of us plays a vital role in this transformation. It requires a national effort. It is easy to say that we would stay if conditions improved. Think of the country down the line.
First, we would like you to forget the state of the country now, and think that if this problem continued, think of what would happen ten, twenty, and even thirty years from now.
Then, we would like to ask you this question: if we all leave, who will be left to make this change we all wish for?
