Quick facts
Libya population overview
Libya is the 35th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 7,498,415 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 230 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 118,475 births (15.8 per 1,000 people) and 36,742 deaths (4.9 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 2,250 people. The infant mortality rate is 6.8 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,492,890 in 1960 to 7,458,555 in 2025 — a change of +399.6%, or +2.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 28 years; life expectancy at birth is 75.2 years; women have on average 2.3 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 26.8% of residents are under 15 and 5.2% are 65 or older (2025); 87.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Tripoli. Libya covers 1,759,540 km², giving a population density of about 4.3 people per km². GDP was $48.10B in 2025 — about $6,449 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Libya population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 7,565,388 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 7,498,415 |
| World rank | #105 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #35 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.092% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.1% |
| Births per year est. | 118,475 |
| Deaths per year est. | 36,742 |
| Net migration per year est. | +2,250 |
| Birth rate | 15.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 4.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 6.8 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 103.3 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 28 years |
| Life expectancy | 75.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 87.9% |
| Surface area 2023 | 1,759,540 km² |
| Population density | 4.3 per km² |
| Capital | Tripoli |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $48.10B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $6,449 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Libya population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 7,565,388 | – | – |
| 2025 | 7,458,555 | +77,532 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | 7,381,023 | +75,364 | +1% |
| 2023 | 7,305,659 | +81,854 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 7,223,805 | +88,630 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | 7,135,175 | +89,776 | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 7,045,399 | +513,580 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 6,531,819 | +33,980 | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 6,497,839 | +639,041 | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 5,858,798 | +553,777 | +2% |
| 2000 | 5,305,021 | +398,178 | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 4,906,843 | +461,604 | +2% |
| 1990 | 4,445,239 | +546,494 | +2.7% |
| 1985 | 3,898,745 | +474,367 | +2.6% |
| 1980 | 3,424,378 | +852,822 | +5.9% |
| 1975 | 2,571,556 | +488,967 | +4.3% |
| 1970 | 2,082,589 | +278,574 | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 1,804,015 | +311,125 | +3.9% |
| 1960 | 1,492,890 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Libya
Population over time
- From 1,492,890 in 1960 to 7,565,388 today — up 406.8%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 71.1 years (2024), up 30.4 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.3 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 16.5 births vs 6.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 10 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 26.8% of the population is under 15 and 5.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 63.95 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 8.66 t in 2024, vs 19.22 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,662.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 3.1% of final energy in 2021 (+0 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0.1% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 87.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 23.3% in 1960 (+64.6 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1971.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: critical — freshwater withdrawals are 817.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 97 m³ in 2022, down 78.5% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $48.10B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is down 1.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $6,449 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 18.8% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 1.8% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 82% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 193 per 100 people (2022) — more subscriptions than people.
Libya in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Libya in 2026?
As of October 2026, Libya has an estimated population of 7,565,388. The United Nations estimated 7,498,415 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Libya growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.1% per year — roughly 230 more people every day. Each year there are about 118,475 births and 36,742 deaths, with net migration of +2,250.
What is the population density of Libya?
About 4.3 people per square kilometre: 7,565,388 people living on 1,759,540 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Libya?
The median age is 28 years, and life expectancy at birth is 75.2 years. 26.8% of the population is under 15 and 5.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Libya rank by population?
Libya is the 105th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 35th in Africa, with 0.092% of the global population.
How has the population of Libya changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,492,890; by 2025 it had grown to 7,458,555 (+399.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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LaosSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.