What are the religious groups in Lebanon?

The Lebanese state recognizes eighteen sects, the formal representatives of which have a variety of powers by virtue of their relationship with the state. This includes five Islamic sects (Sunni, Shia, Druze, Alawite, and Ismaili); the Maronites and eleven other Christian sects; and the Jewish community.

What are the four different religious groups that make up Lebanon?

Statistics Lebanon, an independent firm, estimates 67.6 percent of the citizen population is Muslim (31.9 percent Sunni, 31 percent Shia, and small percentages of Alawites and Ismailis). Statistics Lebanon estimates 32.4 percent of the population is Christian.

Why is Lebanon’s population decreasing?

The political climate in Lebanon has caused the growth rate in Lebanon to fluctuate significantly, and that is not expected to change any time soon. Current projections are a bit all over the board, expecting the population to begin declining around 2025, before beginning to grow again around 2040.

How many sects are in Lebanon?

18
The country has the most religiously diverse society of all states within the Middle East, comprising 18 recognized religious sects.

How many different religions are in Lebanon?

There are 18 officially recognized religious groups. These include four Muslim groups (Shia, Sunni, Alawites and Ismaili), 12 Christian groups (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, and 10 smaller groups), Druze, and Jews. Groups the government does not recognize include Bahais, Buddhists, Hindus, and several Protestant groups.

How many members does Hezbollah have?

In 2017, Jane’s assessed that Hezbollah had more than 25,000 full-time fighters and perhaps 20,000–30,000 reservists. They are financed in part by Iran and trained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Who is the richest Lebanese?

The following Forbes list of Lebanese billionaires is based on an annual assessment of wealth and assets compiled and published by Forbes magazine in 2021….Billionaires of Lebanese descent.

What is happening in Lebanon’s politics?

Since 2005, and after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, the political scene has become very polarized, with most major political parties and movements becoming part of one of two big rival alliances, the March 8 Alliance and the March 14 Alliance.

Are Lebanon’s political parties secular?

Although most parties maintain that they are secular, the major political parties in Lebanon are loosely representative of a certain faith community. In 2005, the political scene became strongly polarized with most active political parties belonging to either the 8th and 14 March alliances.

Are Lebanese politicians equally bound by the law?

Article 7 of Lebanon’s Constitution also states that all Lebanese are equal before the law, and are “equally bound by public obligations and duties without any distinction”, meaning that all Lebanese citizens – politicians included – are to be held to the same standards of the law, and yet this is not the case.

What role do political institutions play in Lebanese politics?

Lebanese political institutions often play a secondary role to highly confessionalized personality-based politics. Powerful families also still play an independent role in mobilizing votes for both local and parliamentary elections. Nonetheless, a lively panoply of domestic political parties,…