Jordan vs Lebanon
Jordan
Lebanon
| Metric | Jordan | Lebanon |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Amman | Beirut |
| Population | 11,520,684 | 5,849,421 |
| Area (km²) | 89,342 | 10,452 |
| Population density (/km²) | 129 | 560 |
| GDP per capita (USD) | $5,300 | $4,500 |
| Region | Western Asia | Western Asia |
| Currency | JOD | LBP |
| Languages | Arabic | Arabic |
| Main religions | Islam | Islam, Christianity |
| Time zone | UTC+3 | UTC+2 |
Green highlights the higher value (or higher GDP per capita). Figures are approximate.
At a glance
Jordan and Lebanon are both located in Asia (both in Western Asia). Jordan has the larger population — about 2.0× the population of Lebanon, while Jordan covers more land area.
For full geographic detail, see the Jordan map and the Lebanon map.
Mandate siblings
Both countries were created from the former Ottoman lands after the First World War. Lebanon came under French mandate and became independent in 1943. Transjordan, under British mandate, became the independent Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1946. They are close, but they do not share a border: Syria separates them, and Israel lies along Lebanon's southern border.
Mountains and desert
Lebanon is small and mountainous, with a Mediterranean coastline, snow-capped ranges and the fertile Bekaa Valley. Jordan is mostly desert and steppe, with the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, the lowest land surface on Earth, along its western edge. Aqaba on the Red Sea is its only port. Jordan is one of the world's most water-scarce countries.
How they are governed
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, and its king holds wide powers. Lebanon is a parliamentary republic organised along religious lines: by convention the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the parliamentary speaker a Shia Muslim. The country officially recognises 18 religious communities. Jordan is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim with a small Christian minority. Arabic is official in both, and French and English are widely used in Lebanon.
Refugees, crises and resilience
Both host very large refugee populations. Many Jordanians are of Palestinian origin, and both countries absorbed hundreds of thousands of Syrians after 2011. Lebanon suffered a severe financial collapse from 2019, in which the Lebanese pound lost more than 90% of its value. The Beirut port explosion in August 2020 followed, and then wars between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024 and again in 2026, when Israeli forces occupied parts of southern Lebanon. Jordan's economy is more stable, and its dinar has been pegged to the US dollar since 1995, but it depends heavily on aid and remittances. Jordan shot down Iranian missiles and drones crossing its airspace in 2024, and was struck during the 2026 war.
For travellers
Jordan's main sights are Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash and the Dead Sea. Lebanon's include Baalbek, Byblos, the cedar forests and Beirut's food scene. Check current travel advisories for Lebanon in particular. See also Syria vs Iraq.
Frequently asked questions
- Do Jordan and Lebanon share a border?
- No. Syria lies between them, and Israel borders Lebanon to the south.
- Which is bigger, Jordan or Lebanon?
- Jordan is much larger in area and has a larger population. Lebanon is a small, densely populated coastal country.
- What happened to Lebanon's economy?
- From 2019 Lebanon suffered a severe financial collapse in which the Lebanese pound lost more than 90% of its value, followed by the 2020 Beirut port explosion and later wars.