The economy of Lebanon has been rather unstable in recent years. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita has been growing steadily, but the inflation rate has been volatile, with a troublesome dip into deflation in 2015. The national debt is also troubling, approaching 150 percent of GDP and fueled by a consistently negative budget balance. However, unemployment remains relatively low, under 7 percent, although youth unemployment is over twice as high. The economic situation has become strained in recent years by Syrian refugees. Displaced migrants comprise over a quarter of residents in the country.
The pluralistic political arrangement leads to an interesting social climate. Unlike many other Arab nations, 50 percent of Lebanese millennials consider their country to be their main source of identity. The share of Facebook users is high, and many Lebanese get their news from Facebook before any other form of social media. The Lebanese are also relaxed about alcohol, although many still do not drink. Wine consumption in Lebanon is low when compared to Europe, but significantly higher than in the Gulf States, many of which still prohibit any alcohol.