Lebanon's capacity to cope with further instability was already precarious before the recent escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel drew the nation into a broader conflict. A Gallup survey conducted from May to July revealed that many Lebanese were already grappling with severe economic hardships, finding it "very difficult" to sustain their livelihoods while facing daily stress and anxiety.

The survey notably excluded certain neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah maintains strict control, representing about 10% of the population. 

Economic Hardship and Daily Struggles

Lebanon has been entrenched in a crisis for several years, with an economic downturn that began in 2019, although its roots trace back much further. Following years of accumulating national debt through excessive borrowing, the country failed to enact essential structural reforms after the 2018 elections, ultimately defaulting on its foreign debt in 2020. This failure led to rampant inflation as the Lebanese pound plummeted in value.

The impact of the economic collapse is starkly evident in the pressure it has exerted on household incomes and the ability to meet basic needs. According to the poll, a significant 59% of Lebanese reported finding it "very difficult" to manage on their current incomes. Furthermore, around 41% of adults indicated they were struggling to afford food, while 20% reported difficulties in securing shelter. Although the number of people struggling has decreased since the early days of the crisis, many Lebanese remain vulnerable to additional shocks.

Lebanon heavily relies on food imports, a supply chain that would be severely jeopardized by an all-out regional conflict. Additionally, much of the agricultural land in southern Lebanon has been severely damaged due to the nearly daily exchanges of missiles between Hezbollah and Israel since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war last year. 

In regions nearest to the Israeli border, particularly the Southern and Nabatieh governorates, the situation is dire. Here, 80% of residents were already finding it very challenging to make ends meet, and 49% were struggling to afford food, both figures significantly higher than the national averages.

Challenges for the Most Vulnerable

In the aftermath of the financial crash, Lebanon has experienced some of the highest levels of daily negative experiences globally, a trend that continues to impact the poorest households most severely. The lowest-income 20% of the population reported feeling worry (77%), stress (76%), pain (68%), sadness (52%), and anger (49%) at disproportionately higher rates compared to those with more substantial incomes. 

In the recent survey, a staggering 94% of the poorest 20% reported finding it very difficult to get by, indicating that they are particularly vulnerable to the ongoing crisis.

A Nation in Peril

The renewed fighting between Hezbollah and Israel is just the latest chapter in a long series of crises that have plagued Lebanon in recent years. With over one million people believed to be displaced due to the recent surge in Israeli airstrikes, the situation remains dire. Five years after the financial crash, Lebanon's economy is still in turmoil, with immense pressure on household incomes making it increasingly difficult for families to meet basic needs, particularly in border regions. Even before this latest escalation, the burdens of daily life—stress, worry, and pain—were weighing heavily on the most vulnerable segments of the population.