Another example of hyperinflation: Lebanon

 

Here's an account of how one man experienced the hyperinflation that ravaged Lebanon less than five years ago.  It's from a Bitcoin-promoting magazine, so their "solution" to the problem is, obviously, investment in Bitcoin.  I don't agree with that, and don't recommend it - but the factual account of hyperinflation in Lebanon remains valid and valuable, despite that.  Here are some excerpts.

Before its economic collapse, Lebanon was a vibrant, cosmopolitan country, often called the "Paris of the Middle East." Its economy thrived on banking, tourism, and services, positioning it as a bridge between East and West. For Tony, this prosperity wasn’t an illusion—it was his daily life. "My life in Lebanon was extraordinary," he recalls. "I ran three thriving businesses and lived a luxurious lifestyle. Whether it was the latest cars, the best restaurants, or the hottest clubs, Beirut had it all."

Yet beneath the surface, cracks were forming. Lebanon’s banking sector, once a source of pride, was built on unsustainable practices, and the country was drowning in debt. For years, Lebanon’s central bank had pegged the Lebanese pound to the U.S. dollar at an artificially high rate, creating a false sense of stability.

This currency peg required constant inflows of dollars to maintain. When those inflows dried up, the house of cards collapsed.

In 2019, Lebanon’s banks began restricting access to savings, imposing informal capital controls without any legal framework. "Overnight, people lost access to their funds," Tony says. "You couldn’t withdraw your own money, and even if you could, it was in Lebanese pounds that were rapidly losing value."

For those unfamiliar with a currency crisis, the limitation of bank withdrawals is one of the first signs that the system is failing. The government and banks try to delay the inevitable by locking down money in the system. By then, it’s too late.

In early 2020, Lebanon defaulted on its foreign debt, and the value of the Lebanese pound plummeted. Hyperinflation set in, destroying the purchasing power of ordinary people.

Tony watched helplessly as his savings evaporated and his businesses crumbled. "I went from being a successful entrepreneur to having just $70 to my name in what felt like the blink of an eye," he recalls. "I couldn’t pay rent, school fees, or even afford basic groceries."

Hyperinflation took hold with shocking speed. "A loaf of bread that once cost 1,500 LBP shot up to over 30,000 LBP within months," Tony explains. Fuel prices were even worse. "In early 2023, a gallon of gas went from 25,000 LBP to over 500,000 LBP in just a few weeks. It was impossible to keep up with the prices."

The destruction wasn’t limited to material wealth; the psychological toll was immense. Tony describes the anxiety and panic that came with watching his hard-earned success disappear. "For the first time in my life, I didn’t know what to do. I felt completely helpless.”.

As Lebanon’s currency collapsed, so did its social fabric. People who once lived comfortable, middle-class lives suddenly found themselves struggling for survival. Basic goods became scarce, and the price of everyday items skyrocketed.

Power dynamics within communities shifted as those who controlled essentials like food and fuel gained disproportionate influence. "There were reports of gangs taking over neighborhoods, controlling access to goods and demanding protection fees," Tony recalls.

Even electricity became a luxury. With the national grid in shambles, most people had to rely on private generators, but the cost of running them was astronomical. "Monthly generator fees jumped from 200,000 LBP to over 4,000,000 LBP," Tony explains. Many families were forced to live without power for long stretches of time.

In response to the crisis, people turned to alternative forms of exchange. Bartering became common, with people trading goods and services directly. "If you couldn’t pay in cash, you might offer plumbing work in exchange for groceries," Tony says. The U.S. dollar, already widely used before the collapse, became the default currency for many transactions.

. . .

Lebanon’s crisis offers a stark warning to the rest of the world. While many people in developed countries believe that their economies are too stable to collapse in such a way, Tony’s experience should give us pause. "What happened to me could happen anywhere," he warns. "Don’t think you’re immune just because you live in a so-called stable country. The mechanics of fiat currency are the same everywhere."

Tony points to the U.S. as an example of a country that is walking the same dangerous path as Lebanon. "The U.S. national debt now exceeds $35 trillion. Since 1971, when the dollar was taken off the gold standard, the money supply has increased by over 8,000%. That kind of money printing can’t go on forever."

While the U.S. benefits from being the issuer of the world’s reserve currency, that status isn’t guaranteed indefinitely. "All fiat currencies are headed to zero eventually," Tony cautions. "Some will fail sooner than others, but they will all fail. The U.S. dollar might be the last to go, but its turn is coming."

The lessons from Lebanon’s collapse are clear: Protect your wealth before a crisis hits, and don’t assume that your government or banking system will be there to save you when things go south.

There's more at the link.

Tony doesn't discuss the external factors that precipitated Lebanon's economic decline, particularly the influx of Palestinian refugees, the Israeli invasion, and the rise of Islamic fundamentalist movements such as Hezbollah.  Those factors precipitated the banking crisis and the disintegration of Lebanese society.  Nevertheless, the impact of hyperinflation was as real there as it was in Weimar Germany, or Zimbabwe, or Venezuela, or anywhere else that's experienced it.  Basically, fiat currency becomes valueless.  If you don't have an alternative liquid asset to use in its place, you're S.O.L.  Bitcoin probably won't maintain its value, either, since its use requires a functioning electrical system and Internet connection - things that can't be guaranteed in a social meltdown.

Do note this quotation from the article:

"The U.S. national debt now exceeds $35 trillion. Since 1971, when the dollar was taken off the gold standard, the money supply has increased by over 8,000%. That kind of money printing can’t go on forever."

If you still believe the "official" US inflation rate, and believe we're safe from hyperinflation, those figures should persuade you otherwise.

Peter