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Economy
Lebanon’s consumer prices surged dramatically in March 2026, with the monthly index rising 4.91% from February and an alarming 17.26% year-on-year increase. All governorates saw sharp spikes, led by Nabatieh at 7.78%, while North Lebanon and Bekaa both recorded 6.04% rises. Mount Lebanon rose 4.30%, South Lebanon 5.33%, and Beirut 2.88%. The Central Administration of Statistics attributed severe data collection challenges to the ongoing Israeli aggression and difficult security conditions, forcing reliance on imputation, electronic data, and prices from less-affected areas. Despite obstacles, officials managed to compile a robust dataset and release the index on schedule.
Lebanon's consumer price index for March 2026 recorded an increase of 4.91% compared to February 2026, while the annual change in the consumer price index for March 2026 reached 17.26% compared to March 2025.
The monthly change in the consumer price index for March by governorate recorded the following rates: – A rise in the governorate of Beirut of 2.88%. – A rise in the governorate of Mount Lebanon of 4.30%. – A rise in the governorate of North Lebanon of 6.04%.
Due to the difficult security situation in Lebanon as a result of the Israeli aggression, and the impossibility of collecting prices in some areas severely affected by this aggression, the Central Administration of Statistics faced great difficulties and major challenges in the process of collecting goods and services prices.
Therefore, in order to issue the index at its usual time, some alternative methods were used such as imputation and reliance on electronically available data, in addition to adopting prices from common points of sale with less-affected areas.
Despite all these challenges, the Central Administration of Statistics was able to collect a large number of prices, which contributed to issuing the index at its usual time.
For a detailed breakdown by governorate, see the Administration's website at: www.cas.gov.lb
