Degrees Without Direction: Why Lebanese Graduates Struggle to Find Jobs

Annahar

27-05-2025

Mariam Abed El Karim Chokor
I.Education vs. Employability in LebanonLebanon has long prided itself on its robust education system. With high literacy rates, a culture that values academic achievement, and several universities ranked among the best in the region, Lebanese youth graduate with impressive academic credentials.
Nearly 50% of high school graduates pursue higher education, placing Lebanon at the forefront of university enrollment in the Arab world.Yet beneath this academic success lies a troubling paradox: educated but unemployed youth. According to the International Labour Organization, youth unemployment in Lebanon exceeds 47%—among the highest in the region.
This glaring disconnect raises a critical question: Why are so many educated young people unable to find jobs?The answer lies in the growing employability gap—the mismatch between what students learn in school and what employers need in the real world. While degrees are being earned, essential workforce skills—such as problem-solving, communication, digital fluency, and adaptability—are often lacking.This article examines the roots of this disconnect, the consequences for youth and the economy, and the urgent need to rethink how we educate, train, and prepare young people for today's labor market.
II.A Changing Job Market, An Unchanging SystemLebanon's labor market has transformed rapidly in recent years. Growth sectors like information technology, digital marketing, logistics, healthcare, green energy, and e-commerce demand a new kind of talent: individuals who are digitally savvy, collaborative, adaptable, and capable of lifelong learning.However, a 2023 survey by the Lebanese Development Network found that over 65% of employers struggle to find entry-level candidates with strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and digital literacy. Other soft skills—like emotional intelligence, initiative, and professionalism—are also in high demand but rarely cultivated in traditional classrooms.Many graduates enter the job market with unrealistic expectations, assuming their degree alone is enough. But in reality, employers are looking for candidates who have already gained experience through internships, volunteering, or project-based learning. Tools like Microsoft Excel, Canva, or project management software are often unfamiliar to graduates—putting them at a disadvantage.This misalignment between graduate expectations and labor market demands is not just a gap—it's a gulf. It leaves students frustrated and employers unable to find the talent they need, perpetuating high unemployment and underemployment rates.
III.Where the Education System Falls ShortLebanon's education system, while academically strong, remains largely theoretical. It relies heavily on outdated teaching methods, with more than 70% of assessments based on rote memorization and written exams, according to a 2021 World Bank report. This method trains students to recall information, not to apply it—an approach that falls short in a skill-driven economy.
A 2023 study by the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies revealed that nearly 60% of university graduates felt unprepared for the job market, citing a lack of practical training and digital exposure. Few students have experience in team projects, leadership, entrepreneurship, or innovation before they graduate.Moreover, university curricula are often rigid and outdated. Fewer than 25% of higher education institutions offer courses in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, or green energy. When such courses exist, they're often optional and rarely aligned with industry standards.Compounding the problem is the lack of collaboration between academia and the private sector. A 2022 survey by the Lebanese Employers' Association found that only 18% of companies had partnerships with universities, and just 12% of students had completed internships before graduating.At the root of these issues is a societal mindset that overvalues degrees and undervalues skills. Students and parents continue to prioritize traditional professions like medicine, engineering, and law, while fields like vocational training or entrepreneurship are stigmatized. This contributes to an oversupply of graduates in saturated sectors and a shortage in high-demand industries.
IV.What Needs to ChangeAddressing this crisis requires a systemic overhaul of Lebanon's education-to-employment pipeline. Three major shifts are essential:1.Policy Reform: Education policy must embed career readiness, digital literacy, and soft skills training across all levels. Career counseling, internships, and project-based learning should be standard, not optional.2.University-Industry Collaboration: Employers should co-design curricula with universities to ensure relevance. Career centers must become bridges between students and the world of work, offering networking, mentorship, and recruitment support.3.Mindset Shift: Success must be redefined to include skills, adaptability, and lifelong learning—not just degrees. Public campaigns, career role models, and early career education can help shift cultural attitudes and broaden students' aspirations.
V. Conclusion: Turning Education into OpportunityLebanon's youth are full of potential, but the current system is failing them. High unemployment, outdated teaching methods, and a rigid academic culture are leaving graduates unprepared for today's job market.The cost of inaction is clear: frustration, brain drain, and economic stagnation. But with coordinated reform—linking policy, practice, and perception—Lebanon can transform education into a launchpad for employability.When we align learning with labor market needs, we turn credentials into capabilities—and give our youth the future they deserve.