Lebanon Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Lebanon
US State Department Travel Advisory
Do Not Travel
Updated May 6, 2026
Lebanon recorded 2.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2020, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Lebanon #109 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Asia average of 2.0 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 31% over the past decade (from 3.2 in 2010). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Lebanon at Level 4 of 4: Do Not Travel.
Homicide Rate
2.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#87 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 4 of 4
Data Year
2020
Homicide Rate Trend (2008-2020)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 31% over the past decade (from 3.2 in 2010). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Lebanon Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Lebanon, the homicide rate for men is 5.7× higher than the rate for women — 5.6 vs 1.0 per 100,000 (2020).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Lebanon has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
4,335(2024)
Military Spending
2.6% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Lebanon:
Do not travel to Lebanon for any reason due to the risk of crime , terrorism , unrest , kidnapping , landmines , and armed conflict . On February 23, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to depart Lebanon due to safety risks. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. Embassy Beirut personnel are restricted from personal travel throughout Lebanon without advance permission. Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Lebanon
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated May 14, 2026).
Terrorism
Across the world, terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad and resort to various methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – frequently on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.) Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists Places of worship Schools Parks Shopping malls and markets Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) In Lebanon, there is potential for death or injury because of terrorist attacks and military operations related to the regional crisis. Violent extremist groups, including U.S. government-designated terrorist organizations, operate in Lebanon.
Avoid the Lebanon-Syria border region
The U.S. Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid the Lebanese-Syrian border region because of past clashes, extremist activity, and the potential for these to recur at any time.
Avoid travel to refugee settlements
Violence within refugee settlements has resulted in shootings and explosions. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to refugee settlements. Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the United States operate autonomously in formal and informal refugee settlements in different areas of the country. For more information, see our Terrorism page.
Crime
Reported crime rates in Lebanon are moderate but rising. Violent crime and sexual assault are rare but do occur. Petty theft -- such as pickpocketing and purse snatching -- occurs in crowded public areas. More recently, the dire economic situation is engendering a significant increase in economically motivated crimes, including home invasions and car thefts. Police are responsive but often unable to affect a positive outcome. Demonstrations occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Protests often occur spontaneously with little to no advance warning. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
International Financial Scams
Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Lebanon. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include: Romance/Online dating Lotteries Work permits/job offers See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault or domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes by visiting the nearest police or by calling the ISF hotline 1745 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(961) 4-542600 or +(961) 4-543600. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: Help you find appropriate medical care Assist you in reporting a crime to the police Contact relatives or friends with your written consent Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion Provide a list of local attorneys Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Lebanon Population & Demographics
Population of 5,805,962, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lebanon safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Lebanon at Level 4 of 4 (Do Not Travel). Cited risks include crime, terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, landmines. The homicide rate of 2.2 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Lebanon?
Lebanon has an intentional homicide rate of 2.2 per 100,000 people (2020, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #109 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Lebanon?
Lebanon is currently at Level 4: Do Not Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Lebanon compare to other countries?
Lebanon's homicide rate of 2.2 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and above the Asia average of 2.0.