Demographics edit
The population of Lebanon was estimated to be 4,017,095 in July 2010,[1] however no official census has been taken since 1932, reflecting the political sensitivity in Lebanon over confessional balance between different religious groups.[2]
Religion edit
The main religious groups of Lebanon are Muslims (56%), Christians (39%), and Druze (5%).[4] Over the past 60 years, there has been a steady decline in the number of Christians as compared to Muslims, due to higher emigration rates among Christians, and a higher birth rate among the Muslim population.[4] The most recent study conducted by Statistics Lebanon, a Beirut-based research firm, found that approximately 28% of the population was Sunni, 28% Shi'a, 22% Maronite, 8% Greek Orthodox, 5% Druze, and 4% Greek Catholic.[4] There are 18 state-recognized religious sects.[5]
The Shi'a community is estimated to be 28% of Lebanon's total population,[4] and is often described as being the largest of Lebanon's Muslim communities,[6] or the largest of the 18 recognized religious sects in Lebanon.[7] Shi'a residents primarily live in West Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.[6] They tend to be less educated and poorer than most other segments of Lebanese society.[6]
The Sunni community is estimated to be 28% of Lebanon's total population.[4] Sunni residents primarily live in West Beirut, the southern coast of Lebanon, and northern Lebanon.[6]
The Maronite community is estimated to be approximately 22% of Lebanon's total population.[4] Maronite residents tend to live in East Beirut and the mountains of Lebanon.[6] They are the largest Christian community in Lebanon.[6] Maronites tend to be wealthier and better educated than most other segments of Lebanese society.[6]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ciawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Lebanon : Overview, Minority Rights Group International, June 2008, retrieved 2010-10-04
- ^ Dralonge, Richard N. (2008). Economics and Geopolitics of the Middle East. New York: Nova Science Publishers. p. 150. ISBN 978-1604560763.
Lebanon, with a population of 3.8 million, has the most religiously diverse society in the Middle East, comprising 17 recognized religious sects.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lebanon - International Religious Freedom Report 2009 U.S. Department of State. Retrieved on 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Lebanon". NOW Lebanon. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g McGowen, Afaf Sabeh (1989). "Glossary". In Collelo, Thomas (ed.). Lebanon: A Country Study. Area Handbook Series (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: The Division. OCLC 18907889. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Aspects of Christian-Muslim Relations in Contemporary Lebanon". Macdonald.hartsem.edu. Retrieved 2010-09-30.