LEBANON - Former Environment Minister Nasser Yassin warned that worsening economic conditions continue to top the list of concerns for Lebanese citizens, citing the latest findings of the Arab Opinion Index conducted by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.

In a statement, Minister Yassin said the survey results, announced last Friday, show that 42 percent of respondents identified economic problems, including poverty, unemployment and rising prices, as the most pressing challenge they face.

Describing the findings as alarming, he noted that 50 percent of Lebanese households are classified as “subsistence households,” meaning their income barely covers essential expenses and leaves no capacity to save.

An additional 26 percent of households are living in “need and deprivation,” relying on aid or loans to secure basic necessities. “This means that 76 percent of Lebanese are living on or below the edge of economic vulnerability,” Yassin said.

His remarks came a day after the government announced a gasoline price increase of more than 20 percent.

Minister Yassin warned that the hike would place immediate and direct pressure on households, pointing out that transportation accounts for 13.1 percent of household spending.

He added that the impact would extend beyond fuel costs, as most economic sectors depend heavily on road transport for delivery and services.