Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Inflation spirals out of control as Lebanon drowns in excess pounds

Local currency in circulation soars 137% as it loses 80% of its value amid ongoing economic crisis
The excess volume of Lebanese currency in circulation over the past months has been alarming and is causing inflation to spiral out of control amid rising demand for US dollars and other foreign currencies, financial analysts have told Arabian Business.

Currency in circulation soared 137 percent to LBP23.2 billion by July 15, from LBP9.8 billion at the end of 2019 and 257 percent from LBP6.5 billion in September 2019.

The central bank printed LBP13 trillion in 50,000 and 100,000 bills last autumn. In weight, this amounts to 9 tonnes of paper money.

Analysts said the central bank is not printing money as a result of an increase in gold and foreign currency reserves, but to cover the debts of banks and treasury.
The printing process as a solution to the liquidity crisis in the treasury came at the expense of the Lebanese pound, and everyone who receives their salary in the local currency, be it in the private or public sector, they added.

Printing more Lebanese pounds when the reserves of foreign currencies (especially the US dollar) are depleted also means that the value of the pound will continue to drop in the face of these currencies, analysts told Arabian Business, adding that it will have a direct impact on the local market and prices will soar as a result.

People lined up in front of bakeries and butcher shops hoping to buy goods before prices rise the next day.

The Lebanese pound has lost around 80 percent of its value in a year. Money exchangers on the black market were buying the dollar for around LBP8,300 on Friday. The associated skyrocketing inflation hit a record 120 percent by the end of August.

Dr Marwan Barakat (pictured above), group chief economist and head of research at Bank Audi, told Arabian Business: “One of the main reasons the Lebanese pound came under significant pressure on the parallel market causing corollary inflationary spikes in recent times is the excessive money creation in Lebanese pounds. The reasons for the depreciation of the local currency relative to the US dollar are actually multiple.

"First, they revolve around the increased political uncertainties leading to a gradual loss of confidence. Then there is the significant creation of money in the Lebanese pound with the currency in circulation almost doubling on an annual basis amid large fiscal deficits with direct monetisation on behalf of the Central Bank. This excessive money creation has put pressure on the parallel exchange market and fueled inflation.”

He added: “While the effects of any immediate measure to curtail currency depreciation and inflation would remain temporary, a containment of monetary drift looking forward is conditional upon a positive confidence shock related to political and economic management and a parallel containment of Lebanon’s excessive creation of money."

Dr Samih Azar, professor, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Haigazian University, Beirut, told Arabian Business that the excess supply of currency in circulation has caused an excess demand for the US dollar in the alternative spot market and the depreciation of the Lebanese pound.

"The exchange value of the Lebanese pound doesn’t depend only on the actual currency in circulation, but should be adjusted to dwindling currency demand. In addition, underestimating the exchange value of the Lebanese pound may result from overstating the actual data on currency supply.”

He added: “Some of the reasons for the underestimation may be due to the subsidisation of basic goods and commodities by the central bank, which has signaficantly reduced the demand for US dollars, especially by traders... Moreover, no or little subsidies will inevitably lead to consumer price hikes, which will cause further deterioration."
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×