FX.co ★ Lebanon Inflation Rate Hits 15-Month High

Lebanon’s annual inflation rate climbed to 17.3% in March 2026, up from 12.3% in February, reaching its highest level since December 2024. The acceleration was largely driven by stronger price increases in several key categories, including food and non-alcoholic beverages (19.4% vs. 16.0% in February), housing and utilities (20.3% vs. 14.8%), transportation (24.8% vs. 6.0%), health (2.2% vs. 2.0%), furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (5.1% vs. 4.3%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (8.7% vs. 7.4%), recreation, amusement and culture (42.7% vs. 30.3%), restaurants and hotels (11.3% vs. 7.9%), and miscellaneous goods and services (14.6% vs. 13.6%).

By contrast, inflation eased for clothing and footwear (2.4% vs. 3.9%), and remained unchanged in education (-35.7%) and communication (-1.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 4.9% in March, up from 1.9% in February, marking the sharpest monthly rise since October 2023.