Property sales transactions fell 27.3% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, amid a decline in foreign investment of more than half.
The construction and real estate sector declined during the first half of 2026 due to the fallout from the war and economic contraction. Security tensions directly affected market activity, with a fall in the number and value of transactions and a retreat of investors, particularly foreign ones.
Property sales reached 24,096 transactions compared with 33,490 in the first half of 2025. Beirut led with 5,600 transactions, or 24.9% of the total, followed by Mount Lebanon with 5,036 transactions at 20.9%, and Tripoli with 1,566 transactions, or 6.5%.
The total value of transactions fell from 2,854.7 million dollars to 2,619.1 million dollars, a decline of 8.3%.
Sales transactions by foreign investors dropped 57.7%, from 858 deals to 363 deals, reflecting heightened risks linked to real estate investment amid security instability and economic stagnation.
By contrast, licensed building area rose 14.4%, from 1,732,598 square metres to 1,981,934 square metres. Mount Lebanon accounted for 52.8% of licensed areas while North Lebanon recorded the lowest share at 0.7%.
The figures reveal a paradox within the market: falling demand and transactions set against rising licensed areas. This picture may reflect timing differences between investment and construction decisions and actual sales activity.
