Lebanese diaspora

Lebanese diasporarefers toLebanesemigrantsand their descendants who emigrated fromLebanonand now reside in other countries. There are more people of Lebanese origin living outside Lebanon than within the country (4.6 million citizens). The diaspora population consists ofChristians,Muslims,Druze, andJews. The Christians trace their origin toseveral waves of emigration, starting with the exodus that followed the1860 Lebanon conflictinOttoman Empire.
Under the currentLebanese nationality law, the Lebanese diaspora do not have an automaticright to returnto Lebanon. Varying degrees ofassimilationand a high degree of inter-ethnic marriages in the Lebanese diaspora communities, regardless of religious affiliation, have caused many of the Lebanese diasporanot to have passedfluency inArabicto their children, although most still maintain a Lebanesenational identity. Several factors have caused Lebanese emigration, including civil wars, attacks on Lebanese sovereignty and land by Israel and Syria, and political and economic crises.
The largest diaspora by far resides inBrazil, with between 5 and 7 million, followed byColombiaandArgentina, with about 1 to 3 million each.
Although there are no reliable figures, the diaspora is estimated to be around 4to 14 million people,far more than the internal population of Lebanon of around 4.6 million citizens in 2020.According to other estimates, the number of Lebanese living outside the country is thought to at least double the number of citizens living inside,which means at least 8 million people. Of the diaspora, 1.2 million areLebanese citizens.
The Lebanese diaspora has always been a target to the Lebanese state to create institutional connection. In 1960, the World Lebanese Cultural Union was established under the authority of the President Fouad Chehab.
Francehas always been an important destination for the Lebanese diaspora, because Lebanon used to be administrated by the French after WWI and because theFrenchlanguage ismassively spokenin Lebanon.
The Lebanese diaspora, while historically trade-related, has more recently been linked to theLebanese Civil War, with many Lebanese emigrating toWestern countries. Because of the economic opportunities, many Lebanese have also worked in theArab World, most notablyArab states of the Persian Gulfsuch asSaudi ArabiaandKuwait.
The Americas have long been a destination for Lebanese migration, with the Lebanese arriving in some countries at least as early as the nineteenth century. The largest concentration of Lebanese outside the Middle East is inBrazil, which has, according to some sources, at least 6 millionBrazilians of Lebanese ancestry, making Brazil's population of Lebanese greater than the entire population of Lebanon.According to research conducted byIBGEin 2008, covering only the states of Amazonas, Paraíba, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso and Distrito Federal, 0.9% of white Brazilian respondents said they had family origins in theMiddle East.
There are also other large Lebanese communities elsewhere in Latin America, includingArgentina,Colombia,Dominican Republic,ParaguayandVenezuela. Many Lebanese have also been settled for quite some time in theUnited States,Australia,France,Canada, theUnited Kingdom,South Africaand in theEuropean Union member states. In addition, sizable populations exist in theUnited Arab EmiratesandSingapore, as well asWest Africa, particularlyIvory CoastandGhana.
A law passed in 2008 permitted Lebanese abroad to vote in Lebanese elections, starting in 2013.
Lebanese diaspora is often viewed as one of the most successful and influential diasporas in the world.Many Lebanese entrepreneurs and business people worldwide have proved very successful in all kinds of sectors and contexts. Lebanese abroad are considered "rich, educated and influential."Remittancesfrom Lebanese abroad to family members within the country were estimated at $8.9 billion in 2014 and accounted for 18% of the country's economy.However, there remains a great untapped potential for further collaboration and cooperation between the diaspora and the Lebanese in their home country. Foreign direct investment is below 7% of the GDP, and almost half the Lebanese population is in tertiary education.
Throughout its history, the Lebanese diaspora used the Lebanese identity to create strong networks to help its members out. Over the course of time, immigration has indeed yielded Lebanese "commercial networks" throughout the world.Lebanese migrants play an important role in assisting Lebanon and its people through financial support, touristic visits, starting businesses and trades.
In West Africa, dozens of Lebanese entrepreneurs have established diverse business concerns inIvory Coast,Senegal,Nigeria,Cameroon,Burkina Fasoand other countries, and are viewed as business dynasties contributing to the development of the local economies in the region.
The list below contains approximate figures for people of full or partial Lebanese descent by country of residence, largely taken from the iLoubnan diaspora map.Additional reliable cites have been provided where possible. Additional estimates have been included where they can be cited; where applicable, these are used in place of the iLoubnan figures. The figure below uses the data from the list and calculates the amount of Lebanese residents as a percentage of the total population of the respective country.
Note: An important percentage ofMiddle-EasternersinArgentina,Brazil,Colombia,Mexico,Venezuela,Bulgaria,Romania,Italy,PortugalandSpainare of Lebanese ancestry. They are denoted ** for this purpose.
The Lebanese government increasingly sees the diaspora as a critical resource for investment and new immigrants. A 2016 television ad tried to entice Lebanese in the United States to move to Lebanon to help improve the standard of living.
The Lebanese government launched the DiasporaID program in August 2017 to better connect Lebanese abroad to Lebanon itself. Funding for the project was provided by USAID with an objective of improving foreign investment in Lebanon.
On August 8, 2017, Lebanese PresidentMichel Aounadvocated children of Lebanese in the diaspora take on Lebanese citizenship during a speech to the Maronite Diaspora Institution atBaabda Palace.
Famous scientists of Lebanese descent include:Peter Medawar(Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine),Elias Corey(Nobel Prize in Chemistry),Ardem Patapoutian(Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine),Michael Atiyah(Fields Medalist, Mathematics),Michael DeBakey(medical innovator),Mona Nemer(Canada'sChief Science Advisor) and geneticistsHuda Zoghbi,Anthony AtalaandJoanne Chory. Famous writers includeWilliam Peter Blatty,Nelly Sfeir Gonzalez, film directorAlex Garland,Nassim Nicholas Taleband screenwriters and film producersGeoff Johns,Tony Thomas,Ronald Schwary,Tomas Langmann,Mario KassarandMichael Tadross.
Prominent members of the Lebanese diaspora include Presidents and vice-presidents, e.g.Juan Lechin(Bolivia),Michel Temer(Brazil),Julio Teodoro Salem,Abdalá Bucaram,Alberto Dahik,Jamil Mahuad(all in Ecuador),Jacobo Majluta Azar,Luis Abinader(Dominican Republic),Julio Cesar Turbay(Colombia),Alberto Abdala(Uruguay) andMario Abdo(former president ofParaguay). Other famous politicians includeRalph Nader, 2000, 2004 and 2008 US presidential candidate,Alex Azarformer United States Secretary of Health,Spencer AbrahamformerUnited States Secretary of Energy,Mark Esperformer United States Secretary of Defense,John Sununuformer White House Chief of Staff,Darrell IssaUS politician,George J. MitchellUS Politician and Peace Envoy,Charlie CristGovernor of Florida,Philip HabibUS Politician and Peace Envoy,Victoria Reggie KennedyAmerican lawyer and diplomat, politician and authorJeanine Pirro, US RepresentativeDonna Shalala, US RepresentativeRay Lahood, Governor of São Paulo State in BrazilPaulo Maluf,Edward SeagaPrime Minister of Jamaica andBenjamin Miguel HarbBolivian politician and lawyer.
Notable military and astronauts include US army generalJohn Abizaid,Navy SealandMedal of HonorrecipientMichael Monsooras well as astronaut andCongressional Space Medal of HonorrecipientChrista McAuliffe. Computer scientists includeRichard Rashid,Tony FadellandJean Paoli.
Famous businessmen of Lebanese descent includeCarlos Slim Helú,Carlos Ghosn,Nicolas Hayek,John J. Mack,Jacques Nasser,Debra Cafaro,Joseph J Jacobs,Joe Jamail, Swiss-Lebanese bankerSalim Sfeir, Swiss-Brazilian bankerEdmond Safra,Mauricio Gonzalez Sfeir,Lucie Salhany,Kevin O' Leary,Marcus Lemonis, Canadian industrial psychologistGad Saad, and famous names in entertainment likeDanny Thomas,Marlo Thomas,Salma Hayek,Shakira,Jenna Dewan,Terrence Malick,Tom Shadyac,Tony Shalhoub,Kathy Najimy,Tiffany,Jim Backus,Jane Wiedlin,Kristy McNichol,Zoe Saldana,James Stacy,Catherine Keener,Vince Vaughn,Amy Yasbeck,Khrystyne Haje,Skandar Keynes,Jace Norman,Morena Baccarin,Barbara Mori,Omar Sharif,Ricardo Darin,Xavier Dolan,Damian Bichir,Paul Anka,Emilio Stefan,Drake's long time producers andGrammywinnersNoah "40" Shebiband Oliver El-Khatib,Alfredo Bojalil, Oscar-winning composerGabriel Yared, guitaristsDick Dale,Tommy BolinandG. E. Smith,Armand Van Helden,Tyler Joseph,Jack Barakat,Bazzi,Thomas Rhett,Patrick Gemayel, comedian elGran Sandy, Uruguayan actressDahd Sfeir,Mika, modelsYamila Diaz-Rahi,Daniella SarahybaandZaira Nara; Miss Universe BoliviaLenka Nemer, and sportsmen likeDoug Flutie,Rony Seikaly,Marcos Bagdhatis,Sammy Giammalva, professional tennis player and coach,Patrick Maroon,Johnny Manziel, surfersKelly SlaterandMaya Gabeira, winner of the Indy 500Bobby Rahal,Carlos Albertocaptain of Brazil 1970 world cup champion,FIFA World Cuprecord holderMario Zagallo, Bolivian national goalkeeperJose Issa, chess GrandmasterJennifer Shahadeand Olympic medalistsJordyn Wieber,Florencia Habif,Matt Abood,Thaisa DaherandBeatriz Haddad Maia, top-10 woman tennis professional.
Lebanese cuisine has ingrained itself as a staple in a multitude of cultures, wherever people from the Lebanese diaspora emigrated.Examples include Brazil,Canadaand the United States.The language of food can contribute to feelings of cultural belonging, as shown through literary analysis.It has served as both a source of identity and income for people of the Lebanese diaspora everywhere around the world.