Lebanon’s debt to rich world countries and multilateral donors amounts to US$29.47 billion. This figure is equivalent to 127.9% of Lebanon’s Gross Domestic Product, one of the highest proportionate amounts in the world. With a small population relative to this giant debt burden the huge annual debt repayments of US$4.25 billion are equal to US$1027 per person. Only a small fraction of this amount, US$179, is spent per capita each year on healthcare. This burden is in addition to further debt owed to domestic banks. Poverty rates and inequality remain as persistent problems for the country but due to the country’s upper middle income status, Lebanon has not been considered eligible for debt relief.

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