What is the population of Libya in 2026?
Libya has a population of 7,458,555 people (2025 estimate), which is 106th in the world and about 0.09% of the global total.
Officially State of Libya
Population 2025
7,458,555
0.09% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
+1.05%
+77,942 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
4/km²
1,759,540 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
27.7 years
Life expectancy 71.1 years
Our World in Data, 2025About Libya
Libya is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north. With an area of almost 1.8 million square kilometers, Libya is the fourth-largest country in Africa, yet approximately 90% of its land is desert. The population of nearly 7 million is concentrated along the Mediterranean coast, particularly around Tripoli and Benghazi. Libya possesses Africa's largest proven oil reserves, which dominate its economy.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Tripoli
- Continent
- Africa
- ISO codes
- LY · LBY
- Demonym
- Libyan
- Currency
- Libyan dinar (LYD ل.د)
- Government
- Republic
- State inception
- 1551
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +218
- Internet TLD
- .ly
- Land neighbours
- 6
Languages
- Arabic
Religions
- Sunni Islam (97%)
- Other (3%)
Demographics
Libya has a young population with a median age of 29 years. About 81% of the population lives in urban areas, primarily along the Mediterranean coast. The population is largely Arab-Berber, with Berber, Tuareg, Toubou, and other minorities. Arabic is the official language. Islam (Sunni) is practiced by 97% of the population. Libya has hosted significant immigrant populations from sub-Saharan Africa.
Economy
Not published for Libya: Poverty Rate, Gini Index.
Libya's economy is almost entirely dependent on oil and gas, which account for over 95% of export earnings. Before 2011, Libya had the highest GDP per capita in Africa. Ongoing conflict has devastated infrastructure and reduced oil production. The country has Africa's largest proven oil reserves (48 billion barrels). Economic recovery requires political stabilization and diversification away from hydrocarbons.
Major exports
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Refined petroleum products
Major imports
- Machinery
- Food
- Manufactured goods
- Vehicles
Health
Education
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
Geography
Libya's terrain is predominantly desert (Sahara), with a narrow Mediterranean coastal strip where most people live. The climate is Mediterranean along the coast, transitioning to extremely arid in the Sahara. Temperatures can exceed 50°C in summer. Libya has no permanent rivers and relies on the Great Man-Made River, the world's largest irrigation project, which draws fossil water from beneath the Sahara.
Natural resources
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Gypsum
- Iron ore
- Potash
- Limestone
- Salt
Climate
- Mediterranean coast, Saharan desert interior
Military
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 27.4%
- Age 15–64
- 67.6%
- Age 65+
- 5.0%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 14 | 34 |
| 95-99 | 234 | 502 |
| 90-94 | 1,869 | 3,183 |
| 85-89 | 7,551 | 10,199 |
| 80-84 | 18,286 | 21,139 |
| 75-79 | 28,826 | 37,431 |
| 70-74 | 44,962 | 54,237 |
| 65-69 | 68,360 | 73,642 |
| 60-64 | 114,004 | 117,906 |
| 55-59 | 163,413 | 166,885 |
| 50-54 | 229,462 | 222,462 |
| 45-49 | 272,460 | 261,063 |
| 40-44 | 285,271 | 269,385 |
| 35-39 | 272,661 | 259,754 |
| 30-34 | 267,408 | 253,648 |
| 25-29 | 280,026 | 268,304 |
| 20-24 | 310,610 | 295,347 |
| 15-19 | 348,876 | 328,295 |
| 10-14 | 362,151 | 343,377 |
| 5-9 | 352,216 | 334,034 |
| 0-4 | 324,310 | 307,228 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 1,131,460 |
| 1960 | 1,492,890 |
| 1970 | 2,082,589 |
| 1980 | 3,424,378 |
| 1990 | 4,445,239 |
| 2000 | 5,305,021 |
| 2010 | 6,497,839 |
| 2020 | 7,045,399 |
| 2030 | 7,885,806 |
| 2040 | 8,651,417 |
| 2050 | 9,260,605 |
| 2060 | 9,626,505 |
| 2070 | 9,807,898 |
| 2080 | 9,928,368 |
| 2090 | 9,938,209 |
| 2100 | 9,783,568 |
History
Libya's history spans from ancient Phoenician and Greek coastal settlements, through Roman rule, Arab conquest in the 7th century, and Ottoman control. Italy colonized Libya from 1911 to 1943. Libya gained independence in 1951 as a kingdom under King Idris. Muammar Gaddafi seized power in 1969, ruling until the 2011 civil war during the Arab Spring. The country has since experienced ongoing political instability and conflict between rival governments.
Culture
Libyan culture blends Arab, Berber, and Mediterranean influences. Traditional music, crafts, and Bedouin heritage remain important. The ancient Roman ruins at Leptis Magna, Sabratha, and Cyrene are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Libyan cuisine features Mediterranean and North African elements. Family and tribal affiliations remain socially significant.
Current Challenges
Libya faces severe challenges including political fragmentation, ongoing conflict between rival governments, militia control of territory, humanitarian crises, human trafficking through its territory, damaged infrastructure, and economic collapse. Oil production remains volatile due to blockades and conflict. Building unified national institutions is the fundamental challenge.
Future Outlook
Libya's future depends on achieving political reconciliation and reunifying divided institutions. With proper governance, its oil wealth could fund significant development. International efforts continue to broker peace and hold elections. Reconstruction and stabilization could take decades. Climate change and desertification pose additional long-term challenges for this Saharan nation.
Highlights
What Libya Is Known For
- Africa's largest proven oil reserves
- World's largest irrigation project (GMMR)
- Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Fourth-largest African country by area
- 90% of land is Sahara Desert
Interesting Facts About Libya
- Libya has Africa's largest proven oil reserves
- The Great Man-Made River is the world's largest irrigation project
- Libya recorded the world's highest temperature (58°C/136°F) in 1922, though disputed
- The ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna is exceptionally well-preserved
- Libya has the lowest population density of Mediterranean countries
- The Libyan Desert is considered one of the driest places on Earth
How Libya Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
| Libya | 7.46M |
Major Cities in Libya
1 metropolitan area in our city dataset.
- Tripoli1.17M · +0.95%
Countries Bordering Libya
6 land borders.
Libya Population FAQ
Is the population of Libya growing or shrinking?
Libya's population is growing at +1.05% per year, a change of roughly 77,942 people annually.
What is the capital of Libya?
The capital of Libya is Tripoli.
What is the largest city in Libya?
Tripoli is the largest metropolitan area in Libya, with about 1.17M people.
How densely populated is Libya?
Libya has 4/km² across 1,759,540 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in Libya?
Life expectancy at birth in Libya is 71.1 years (2024).
What is the median age in Libya?
The median age in Libya is 27.7 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is Libya in?
Libya is in Africa.