BEIRUT, June 18 (Xinhua) -- More than one-third of Lebanese are considering leaving the country amid its prolonged economic and security crises, according to a survey released Thursday by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.
The poll found that among 1,500 respondents across Lebanon, about 37 percent expressed a desire to live and work abroad, one of the highest migration aspiration rates globally.
Migration intentions are particularly strong among younger age groups. Around 37 percent of people aged 18 to 24 and 37.2 percent of those aged 25 to 34 said they were considering leaving the country, compared with 17.7 percent among those aged 65 and older.
The report warned that the trend could deprive Lebanon of a significant share of its young, skilled workforce at a time when the country is seeking economic recovery and reconstruction.
The findings come as Lebanon continues to grapple with the impact of years of economic collapse, political instability, and the latest conflict that expanded in March and displaced more than one million people, according to the report.
While only 9.3 percent of respondents have taken concrete steps toward emigration, such as applying for visas, preparing documents, or searching for jobs abroad, researchers warned that the gap between aspiration and action indicates a large pool of potential migrants if opportunities arise.
Europe emerged as the top destination, chosen by 38.1 percent of those wishing to emigrate, followed by the United States and Canada at 20.5 percent and Gulf countries at 18.6 percent, according to the survey.
It also noted that migration intentions were widespread across social and religious groups, reflecting broad concerns over economic prospects and confidence in the country's future.
On Thursday, three people were killed and two others injured in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).
In the Nabatieh district, an Israeli drone struck a vehicle, killing two citizens -- Bilal Kamal Hayek, who had just returned from Gabon after spending years abroad, and Ali Ismail Tfeili, an international cycling champion, NNA reported.
In a separate dawn strike, a young man was killed in a drone strike in the town of Zebdine, which also came under Israeli artillery fire, according to the report.
Earlier in the day, a powerful explosion in the town of Doueir was caused by the detonation of a suspicious object left from previous Israeli attacks, NNA said.
Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said that the cumulative toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 has reached 3,912 killed and 11,873 injured.
The strikes came despite a newly signed peace memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States on ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon. Israel has continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect on Nov. 27, 2024. Lebanese authorities have repeatedly accused Israel of violating the truce, and tensions remain high along the border. ■
