Looking for even more reasons to submit those immigration papers and leave Lebanon for good? A report by U.S News & World Report revealed the best and worst countries in the world to raise a child in, and only Kazakhstan beat Lebanon to the first (worst) spot.
Lebanon, coming in at No. 72, was second to last out of 73 countries in contrast to 76 out of 80 in 2019 — meaning things are only getting worse.
The "Best Countries for Raising Kids" report, executed by the BAV Group and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, evaluated 73 nations across 65 different categories and surveyed more than 20,000 people in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It ranked countries based on eight essential attributes: caring about human rights, being considered family-friendly, its environment for gender equality, being seen as happy, having income equality, being safe, and having well-developed public education and well-developed healthcare systems.
Denmark took the crown for best country to start a family, while Sweden and Norway placed second and third respectively. Denmark's generous maternity and paternity leave policies were the biggest contenders in the country scoring first, as well as its free healthcare and education.
Lebanon came last in the "best country overall" category, which hailed Switzerland as first, followed by Canada and Japan.
Lebanon is last in class in more than one subject, but some Lebanese people aren't buying it
Lebanon scored low marks in all other categories as well: No. 73 in comfortable retirement, No. 71 to start a business, No. 70 for solo travel, and No. 67 for adventure.
Although the full methodology is included in the report, findings felt off and subjective to many Lebanese. Adventure, for example, is rated based on the country being "friendly, fun, and sexy" — whatever that means.
The results, however, were quite expected given the country's high pollution and unemployment level, as well as the increased cost of private schools which are deemed by many locals as the only option due to public schools' lack of funding.
On social media, the Lebanese expressed their disapproval and doubt concerning the report's findings.
The negative feedback from survey participants is due to the Lebanese being "pissed off with their country"
"Based on what?"
"Not credible"
"Doesn't make sense"
Lebanese people have spent the past three months fighting for a chance to change
It's not all bad news for Lebanon, certainly not for the Lebanese who are well aware of the situation they're now knee-deep in thanks to the same political class that has been ruling the country for decades.
The Lebanese lira, pegged to the U.S. dollar at 1,507.5 LBP since 1997, hit 2,400 LBP in the black market in January 2020, with banks refusing to deposit large amounts of dollar banknotes to their customers.
Lebanese people hit the streets in October 2019 in protests that have been described as the biggest the country has witnessed since 2015, when people protested the country's ongoing waste management crisis.
The current demonstrations have been remarkable on many levels, with many longtime protesters describing an almost unprecedented sense of unity and conviction among the crowds.
Ninety-two days later, protestors still haven't left the streets and continue to fight for their basic rights to healthcare, education, and a decent living. Because if there's anything worth fighting for, it's the future of the next generation and their right to grow up with dignity.
