FDI inflows surge by
73 percent despite the war

Investments mainly target the real estate sector

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows increased by $776 million in 2024 to $1.8 billion mainly driven by real estate acquisitions by Lebanese expatriates and regional investors, according to a report by the Central Bank (BDL).

“This 73 percent increase was largely fueled by the rise in equity capital inflows from non-resident investors, mainly reflecting continued acquisitions in the Lebanese real estate sector,” BDL said in its Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Report for 2024.



Source: Central Bank

Direct investment by resident Lebanese investors outside the country also increased compared to 2023. They more than tripled to $391 million. According to the report, the surge in direct investment outflows was particularly noticeable in the second quarter of 2024, and mainly consisted of equity capital totaling $272 million.

BDL said that its survey represents only partial coverage of Lebanon’s total direct investment because it is based on data reported by resident banks, financial institutions, financial intermediaries, and insurance companies and does not include reporting by the non-financial sector, which falls under the responsibility of the Central Administration of Statistics.