In Lebanon, the gap between what Lebanese families earn and what they need to live has widened sharply over the past year, putting increasing pressure on workers and prompting unions to step up demands for higher wages and better social protection.

According to the latest Numbeo estimates, a family of four in Beirut needs about $3,504 a month, excluding rent. Across Lebanon, the estimated monthly cost for a family of four is about $3,160, also excluding housing.

Those figures stand in stark contrast to salaries, which in many public- and private-sector jobs remain at $500 to $800 a month or less.

Prices surge

A comparison of prices over the past year illustrates the scale of the pressure on households.

Although inflation has been running at around 16%, according to the World Bank, the increases in some essential goods and services have been considerably higher. Fuel prices have nearly doubled, electricity supplied by private generators has risen by about 74%, while education costs have climbed by 35.72%.

Central Administration of Statistics data show that some educational institutions raised tuition fees by 20% to 25% for the 2025-2026 academic year. Other reports put increases at between 20% and 35% at a number of private schools.

With the start of the 2026-2027 school year, some schools began notifying parents of further increases that could exceed 30% in certain cases.

Overall, education prices rose 35.72% between August 2025 and August 2026, meaning that school fees alone have risen at a rate increasingly difficult for families to absorb.

Fuel costs ripple through economy

Since the outbreak of the war, fuel prices have risen steadily, reflecting higher global oil prices and the impact of geopolitical tensions. The increases have been felt across Lebanon because the country relies heavily on imported petroleum products for transportation, electricity generation and other essential services.

In a recent assessment of fuel risks in the Middle East, the Middle East Forum placed Lebanon, alongside Syria and Yemen, among the countries particularly vulnerable to disruptions in energy supplies.

The price of a 20-liter canister of 95-octane gasoline rose from around 1.493 million Lebanese pounds in September 2025 to 2.8 million pounds in September 2026, almost doubling in a year.

Diesel prices increased even more sharply, climbing from about 1.37 million pounds per canister in September 2025 to approximately 2.77 million pounds a year later, an increase of around 102%.

The impact has extended far beyond fuel stations. Higher fuel costs have pushed up expenses throughout the economy, including transportation.

A field survey found that some public-transport drivers had begun charging as much as 400,000 pounds per trip, compared with 250,000 pounds previously.

Electricity costs soar

In May 2025, the rate for electricity supplied by private generators stood at about 27,789 pounds per kilowatt-hour, equivalent to roughly 31 U.S. cents, according to the Energy Ministry.

The rate rose to 40,580 pounds in March 2026 before reaching 48,241 pounds in September 2026, or around 54 cents per kilowatt-hour.

That represents an increase of about 74% in 16 months.

For a household consuming 100 kilowatt-hours, the monthly cost rose from roughly $31 in May 2025 to $54 in September 2026.

The increase has added another substantial burden to households already facing higher food, transportation and education costs.

Food prices add to pressure

Consumer prices have also continued to rise.

According to Central Administration of Statistics data, Lebanon’s consumer price index increased by 16.66% between August 2025 and August 2026. After the country entered the war in February 2026, prices accelerated, with inflation reaching 20% in April.

Bread has been among the most visible examples of the squeeze on consumers.

During 2025, a medium-sized loaf generally cost between 65,000 and 75,000 pounds at bakeries and around 90,000 pounds in stores.

By September 2026, the Economy Ministry had raised the official price of a medium-sized loaf from 75,000 to 80,000 pounds at bakeries, while some stores were selling it for as much as 100,000 pounds.

The Union of Syndicates of Bakeries and Pastries in Lebanon has warned that another increase could be on the way, citing higher wheat, flour, diesel, energy and transportation costs.

The union said the cumulative increases were placing both bakeries and consumers under severe economic and social pressure.

Housing adds another burden

Numbeo estimates that the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in central Beirut is now around $725, compared with between $550 and $650 a year earlier.

A three-bedroom apartment costs an average of about $1,600 a month in central Beirut and around $891 outside the capital, representing an increase of roughly $100 to $150 from the previous year.

For Lebanese households, the cumulative effect is becoming increasingly difficult to absorb.

Fuel and electricity costs have surged, education has become substantially more expensive and rents have continued to rise, while wages remain far below the level needed to cover basic household expenses.