A Lebanese paradox: The return of imports in an impoverished society

Imports in Lebanon have almost returned to their pre-crisis level. Between last January and August, the value of imported goods reached nearly $13 billion. Customs sources anticipate a total for 2025 close to $19 billion, compared with $17 billion in 2024 and, notably, $19.2 billion in 2019 and $20 billion in 2018. In fact, after a steep drop in 2020 — when they fell to $11.3 billion — imports began to gradually climb again the following year.This trajectory is even more surprising given that the World Bank estimated the poverty rate at 44 percent last year. The middle class — made up mainly of public and private sector employees as well as liberal professions such as engineers and doctors — shrank spectacularly in the first years of the crisis, according to sources at the Finance Ministry, particularly in the income tax department. As a...