
Lebanon has approximately 40 licensed universities and higher-education institutions, an unusually large number for a country with a population of around six million. The Lebanese educational system is divided into two sectors: private schools and universities, which charge fees, and public (government) schools and universities, which are practically free. The country has one public university and 28 private universities licensed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The gross tertiary education enrollment rate in Lebanon was 48% in 2013, according to the World Bank. The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has also caused a massive movement of Syrians to Lebanon, including students and scholars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of universities and higher-education institutions | 40-41 |
| Number of public universities | 1 |
| Number of private universities | 28-40 |
| Number of students enrolled in Lebanese University | 39% of all Lebanese students |
| Number of students enrolled in public university (UL) in 2019-2020 | 79,325 |
| Number of students enrolled in private universities in 2019-2020 | 142,739 |
| Number of students enrolled in schools in 2020-2021 | 1,053,856 |
| Number of students enrolled in public schools in 2020-2021 | 36% |
| Number of students enrolled in private schools in 2020-2021 | 64% |
| Gross enrollment rate of tertiary education in 2013 | 48% |
| Number of students studying abroad | 18,630 |
| Percentage of population under 25 years old | 35.73% |
| Literacy rate | 95.07% |
| Number of schools for general instruction | 1508 |
| Number of schools for technical and professional instruction | 262 |
| Number of schools | 2,796 |
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What You'll Learn
- Lebanon has around 40 universities, with 28 private and 1 public university
- The Lebanese University is the only public institution, with around 39% of students
- The country has a population of 6 million, with 35.73% under 25 years old
- % of students attend public schools, 56% attend private schools
- The country has a diverse education system, with instruction in Arabic, French, and English

Lebanon has around 40 universities, with 28 private and 1 public university
Lebanon has around 40 universities, with 28 private universities and 1 public university. The country's higher education system is divided into two sectors: private universities, for which there is a charge for admission, and public universities that are practically free. The Lebanese University is the only public university in Lebanon and is, therefore, the main recipient of direct government spending. It offers a wide range of programs, including a five-year program in the Faculty of Education that culminates in a Certificat d’Aptitude Pédagogique de l’Enseignement Secondaire.
The Lebanese educational system has traditionally relied heavily on private schooling due to the ever-growing demand for learning in the country. Private schools, which are mostly run by religious communities, have a long and strong tradition in Lebanon. As a result, the majority of Lebanese students attend private schools and universities. The top-ranked private universities in Lebanon include the American University of Beirut (AUB), the Lebanese American University (LAU), the Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), the University of Balamand (UOB), the Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik (USEK), and the Beirut Arab University (BAU).
In contrast, there is only one public university in Lebanon, the Lebanese University. This university is almost entirely free for students and is primarily funded by the government. However, due to the limited government expenditures on higher education, a large percentage of funding for public universities also comes from students and their families. The Lebanese University offers a variety of programs and qualifications, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
While the number of universities in Lebanon is impressive for a country of its size, the quality of education has faced challenges. The Lebanese school system, particularly public schools, has been acknowledged to have various gaps and issues. Additionally, the national curriculum has not been updated since 2000, and history textbooks cover events only before 1945 due to national disagreements over modern history. These factors have likely contributed to Lebanon's ranking as the 10th best country for quality of education, despite its high literacy rate of 95.07%.
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The Lebanese University is the only public institution, with around 39% of students
Lebanon has a two-tiered educational system, with private schools and universities charging tuition fees, and public (government) schools and universities that are practically free. The Lebanese University is the only public higher education institution in the country.
The Lebanese University is a large university, with around 39% of all Lebanese students enrolled there. It offers a wide range of degree programs, including a five-year program in the Faculty of Education that culminates in a Certificat d’Aptitude Pédagogique de l’Enseignement Secondaire. The university is almost totally free for students, and it is the main recipient of direct government spending in the education sector.
The Lebanese University is one of 40 licensed universities and higher-education institutions in Lebanon, an unusually large number for a country with a population of around six million. The majority of these institutions are private, reflecting the country's heavy reliance on private schooling to accommodate the growing demand for education. Private schools have a long and strong tradition in Lebanon, and they have historically outperformed public schools academically.
The Lebanese University is ranked among the top universities in the country, alongside institutions such as the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, and the Saint Joseph University of Beirut. These universities attract international students from around the world due to their high quality and diverse range of programs.
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The country has a population of 6 million, with 35.73% under 25 years old
Lebanon is a small country with a population of around 6 million people. It is known for its welcoming attitude towards international students, its diverse culture, and its advanced educational system. Beirut, the Lebanese capital, has historically served as an educational hub for the region. Lebanon has produced many intellectuals, including writer Khalil Gibran, playwright Georges Schehadé, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory director Charles Elachi.
The country's educational system is divided into two sectors: private schools and universities, which charge tuition fees, and public (government) schools and universities, which are almost free. There is a heavy reliance on private schooling due to the ever-growing demand for learning in the country. Private schools, which are mostly run by religious communities, have a long and strong tradition in Lebanon. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of private universities, which now total 28, compared to just one public university. This shift has likely been influenced by low government expenditures on higher education, which account for less than 0.5% of the GDP.
Lebanon has approximately 40 licensed universities and higher-education institutions, catering to a wide array of nationalities and offering various degree programs. The top universities include the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, the Saint Joseph University of Beirut, the Lebanese University, and the University of Balamand. These institutions attract students from around the world due to their high-quality education and diverse range of programs. According to UNESCO, 18,630 Lebanese students are studying abroad, demonstrating the country's focus on education.
With 35.73% of its population under 25 years old, Lebanon has a relatively young demographic. The country's literacy rate is impressive, at 95.07% according to the World Bank in 2018. The World Economic Forum has ranked Lebanon 4th globally for math and science education and 10th best overall for quality of education. The provision of education in Lebanon falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, which sets educational plans, policies, and curricula.
Lebanon's higher education system includes Technical and Vocational Institutes, University Colleges, University Institutes, and Universities. The gross enrollment rate of tertiary education was 48% in 2013, according to the World Bank. The main requirement for undergraduate admissions for Lebanese students is the Baccalaureate II, while international students may be admitted based on equivalent qualifications or entrance exams.
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44% of students attend public schools, 56% attend private schools
Lebanon's educational system is divided into two sectors: private schools and universities, which charge fees, and public (government) schools and universities, which are free to attend. There are 29 public universities and 28 private universities in Lebanon that are licensed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
The Lebanese educational system has traditionally relied heavily on private schooling to accommodate the growing demand for education in the country. Private schools have a long history in Lebanon and are mostly dependent on various religious communities. Due to this, the country has a wide range of educational institutions. In addition, students in private schools tend to perform better academically, as they have a preschool phase and accept students as young as three years old. In contrast, public schools typically require students to be five years old for kindergarten enrolment.
However, recent trends indicate a shift towards public education. The number of students in public schools has risen to more than two-fifths of total school enrolment, pressuring the government to open more public schools. This shift may be due to the economic downturn, which has made it challenging for families to afford private education.
According to CRDP, there are 2,796 schools in Lebanon, with 44% being public and 56% private. In the 2020-2021 academic year, 36% of Lebanese and foreign students attended public schools, while 64% attended private schools. This distribution of students between public and private schools highlights the continued importance of private education in Lebanon, despite the increasing enrolment in public schools.
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The country has a diverse education system, with instruction in Arabic, French, and English
Lebanon's education system is diverse, with instruction in Arabic, French, and English. The country has a long history of providing education in all three languages, which has contributed to a rich and varied educational landscape.
Arabic is the
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Frequently asked questions
There are 40 licensed universities and higher-education institutions in Lebanon.
In the 2019-2020 academic year, 222,064 Lebanese and foreign students were registered in universities in Lebanon.
There is 1 public university in Lebanon.
In the 2019-2020 academic year, 79,325 students attended the Lebanese University, the country's only public university. This represented 35.7% of all university students in Lebanon that year.
There are 28-39 private universities in Lebanon.











































