Crime in Lebanon is closely tied to political instability, economic collapse, and weak state institutions. Although Lebanon is not the most dangerous country in the Middle East, crime levels have increased in recent years, especially after the 2019 financial crisis.
1. Organized Crime
The largest challenges come from criminal groups operating in areas with limited state control, especially the Bekaa Valley. Their activities include:
- drug production and trafficking
- smuggling of weapons, fuel, and medicine
- human trafficking
- illegal border crossings with Syria
2. Corruption and Economic Crime
Corruption affects:
- public administration
- political leadership
- the banking sector
After the 2019 financial collapse, money laundering, fraud, and private-sector abuses intensified.
3. Rise in Common Crime
Lebanon’s economic crisis — currency collapse, unemployment, inflation — has led to an increase in:
- theft and burglaries
- robberies
- street crime
4. Political and Migration-Related Factors
Tensions between armed factions, occasional political violence, and the presence of over a million Syrian refugees strain Lebanon’s security structure. Refugees are not the main source of crime, but extreme poverty and weakened institutions increase instability nationwide.