Corruption in Lebanon

Although corruption has always existed in Lebanon, its effects were magnified in 1990 after the end of the fifteen-years civil war.

Corruption in Lebanon governs all sectors of society and all branches of government.

Corruption in Lebanon exists in all its forms including bribery, nepotism, favoritism, patronage, embezzlement, kick-backs, and vote-buying. 


The causes behind corruption in Lebanon are various and include among others: 
  • The lack of awareness on corruption, its causes and consequences; 
  • The absence of dysfunctional key anti-corruption institutions;
  • The weak legal framework and the lack of proper legal implementation mechanisms; and 
  • The post-war structure in Lebanon, which has led to a power-sharing formula among political and confessional groups resulting in competition for state resources. 
The impacts of corruption are tremendous and can be classified as political costs rendering fragile the relationship between citizens and the state, financial costs especially in terms of investment and lack of corporate governance, as well as socio-economic costs. 

An extensive overview on corruption in Lebanon is available in the National Integrity System (NIS) study published by LTA. 
National Integrity Systems ~ English / Arabic


Measuring Corruption    

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)

On November 11, 2009 LTA released the results of the 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in Beirut simultaneously with other parts of the world. Lebanon received the score of 2.5/10 and was ranked 130th over 180 countries. 

 LTA's Press Release on the results of the 2009 CPI ~ Arabic

LTA's Press Release on the results of the 2008 CPI ~ English / Arabic

Comparative table of Lebanon on the CPI 2007-2008 ~ English / Arabic


Open Budget Index 

LTA participated in the compilation of the 2008 Open Budget Index (OBI) produced by the International Budget Partnership (IBP). Lebanon received a score of 32%, which puts the country in the category of countries that provides minimal information. 

Lebanon's Country Summary on the 2008 OBI ~ English / Arabic



The scores received by Lebanon on the The World Bank's Governance Indicators 1996-2008 published at the end of June 2009, translate very high levels of corruption and bad governance. 

Over 212 reviewed countries, Lebanon was ranked 146th on the Government's Efficiency indicator, 202nd on the Political Stability indicator, 108th on the Voice and Accountability indicator, and 167th on the Corruption Control indicator.


2007 Global Integrity Index 

On the 2007 Global Integrity Index, Lebanon received the score of 45/100 and is considered as a "very weak country" in terms of integrity. The low score of the index are a result of the lack of anti-corruption legislation in the country and absence of key institutions such as an Ombudsman and Anti-Corruption Commission.
 

Latest News

> On July 28th, 2010, in collaboration with CIPE and LABN, LTA organized a workshop for the launch of the guidebook "You're Being Audited" which also contains the results of the 2010's survey on administrative corruption and bribery in Lebanon. Press Release

> On July 14th, LTA held a regular general assembly meeting at Monroe Hotel, Beirut, where a new board of directors was elected. Press Release / Press Coverage

> On July 12th , 2010, LTA and  Mercy Corps launched the leadership and good governance toolkit in the presence of local Ngo's representative. Media Coverage

> On July 7th, 2010,  and On Behalf of LABN, Lebanese Anti Bribery Network, LTA and CIPE have organized a conference, where they presented the network recommendations to curb bribes in several sectors, in addition of the 2010 survey results on administrative corruption in Lebanon. Press Release / Press Coverage 

> On June 24th, LTA attended  the "Whistle Blowers Protection" draft law launch at the Lebanese Parliament. Press Coverage

> Start of the "Accountability and Good Governance" training for Iraqis.

> On May 21st, LTA participated in the LAU NGO fair in Byblos.

> On May 21st, LTA participated in a conference held by MAHARAT on "Investigative Journalism". LebanonFiles

> On May 11th, LTA launched the Campaign Finance Monitoring report / Parliamentary elections 2009. al-akhbar 

> On May 9th, LTA participated in the launch of "The good governance challenge: Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco & Palestine" held in Cairo.

> On April 26th, LTA  launched the "Monitoring Municipal Elections Project" aiming at monitoring the electoral campaign spending and advertisement. 

> On March 27th, LTA organised a town hall meeting, in Nabatieh (South Lebanon), to discuss the NIS study. Al liwaa / Lebanon files / local webpage

> On March 20th, LTA participated in the Launch of the Egyptian National Integrity System (NIS) study.

> On March 17th, LTA participated in a workshop organized by OMSAR on the "Ombudsman". Assafir / Annahar / Al Liwaa 

> On March 15th, in collaboration with CIPE and LABN, LTA organised an awareness-raising round table event on corporate governance and business ethics in Chtaura.

> On February 25th, LTA organised a round table discussion on the construction sector in Lebanon