UNHCR - Protection Monitoring: Situation of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon (4th Quarter 2025)

Key Highlights

Most refugees still lack legal status, but regularization offers an avenue for some

As in past years, the prevalence of families with at least one member above 15 years lacking legal status is high (83%), with consistent references to an inability to find a sponsor, financial barriers, and irregular entry as obstacles. Critically, a set of government decisions in November facilitating regularization of residency for foreigners based on sponsorship or work permit created conditions for legal stay. Yet, two requirements—legal entry to Lebanon and engagement in the formal labor sector—bar many refugees from accessing this possibility.

Barriers to meet basic needs, including food and shelter, mounted throughout 2025

The economic vulnerability of refugees markedly deteriorated throughout 2025, with the proportion of those reporting an inability to meet half of basic needs increasing from 44% in Q2 to 72% in Q4. Concurrently, only 2% reported meeting more than half of needs such as rent and food. As a result, 92% of families reported debt, 40% reduced food expenses, and 14% reduced needed healthcare, consistent with Q3. In this context, the inability to pay rent is widespread. 77% of respondents were unable to pay their most recent rent, either partially or in full, as average monthly rent reportedly rose from 171 USD in Q2 to 200 USD in Q4.

Humanitarian assistance was progressively less available to refugees in 2025

In parallel to rising economic strain, humanitarian funding cuts continued to significantly reduce assistance for refugee and Lebanese families throughout 2025, threatening household stability and protection. In Q4, 40% of respondents reported not receiving humanitarian assistance in the past year (up from 23% in Q2), while 24% reported a lack of resources among providers (from 19% in Q2).

Access to enrolment in formal education improved in Q4, but children still face barriers

Despite initial parental concerns that access to education for the 2025-2026 school year would be restricted in the same manner as for 2024-2025, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Q4 facilitated refugee enrollment for those with and without documentation (including post-2024 arrivals). Consequently, afternoon shift enrolment reached roughly 104,000 students—a 30% increase compared to 2024/2025 but below prior years (156,000). As a result, the proportion of households reporting lack of legal residency as a top barrier for enrolment declined from 48% in Q3 to 23% in Q4, with families instead pointing to costs and transport distances.

Administrative measures and raids continue to impact refugee security

Refugees were impacted by 765 reported administrative measures (restricted movement, checkpoint arrests, data collection, taxes/fees, restrictions on livelihood and rent, and tent demolitions) throughout 2025—a 35% increase from 2024 (567)—with greatest peaks in Q3. In parallel, throughout 2025, at least 388 raids were reported—a 34% increase from 2024 (290)—with greatest peaks again in Q3.

Interest in voluntary return to Syria continues but is impacted by factors in Syria

Since the fall of the Assad regime, 501,604 Syrians have been inactivated from UNHCR’s registration records in Lebanon. Return intentions remain highly individualized, based on personal barriers, family considerations, and practical concerns for dynamics in Syria and Lebanon. Of those in Lebanon in Q4, roughly 5% indicated an intention to return imminently—40% within 1-3 months, 18% “immediately” (within 30 days)—with 99% planning to do so permanently. Of those expressing reluctance to return, concerns are consistent with past quarters, with 95% referencing barriers inside Syria—lack of shelter, livelihoods challenges, and security concerns.

Support is inaccessible for a growing rate of refugees with low mobility or disabilities

Access to services for older people and people with disabilities became steadily more limited in 2025, with 49% of relevant families countrywide reporting an inability to obtain needed care for a family member (up from 30% in Q2), primarily due to financial constraints (94%).

Exposure to risks increasingly impacts women and children

The socioeconomic and protection environment continues to impact refugee families and children, with 30% of households reporting child labor as a primary child protection concern, including worst forms of child labor. Of reported cases, boys remain disproportionately affected (82%). In parallel, recognizing that stigma, fear of reprisal, and normalization of certain forms of violence can lead to significant underreporting of GBV, preliminary findings from the Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) for 2025 show an 11% increase in reported GBV incidents compared to 2024, predominantly by intimate partners.

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