Policy Brief
Matching skills and jobs in Lebanon: Main features of the labour market – challenges, opportunities and recommendations
This policy brief examines the key factors that influence the evolution of skills supply and demand and provides general guidance on labour market trends and job opportunities in various economic sectors, with a particular focus on North Lebanon.
The Lebanese labour market is encountering significant challenges. In 2012, the national unemployment rate was estimated at 11 per cent, with jobseekers often unemployed for periods of up to one year. Unemployment rates are particularly high for women (18 per cent) and youth (34 per cent).
The labour market is also characterized by:
(a) low levels of job creation, particularly in value-added sectors, resulting in a shortage of available jobs;
(b) significant numbers of workers engaged in the informal sector;
(c) important in-migration and forced displacement from other parts of the Arab region, particularly from Syria;
(d) out-migration of young Lebanese skilled workers; and
(e) strong occupational segregation and skills mismatch.
The labour market is also characterized by:
(a) low levels of job creation, particularly in value-added sectors, resulting in a shortage of available jobs;
(b) significant numbers of workers engaged in the informal sector;
(c) important in-migration and forced displacement from other parts of the Arab region, particularly from Syria;
(d) out-migration of young Lebanese skilled workers; and
(e) strong occupational segregation and skills mismatch.