Libya
State of Libya
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +1.10%
Libya is a Northern Africa country of around 7.46 million residents, placing it above the global median in population. The country extends across 1.76 million km², translating to a density of 4.0 people per km². Its capital is Tripoli, and Arabic is the official language, while the Libyan dinar serves as the national currency.
Population
7,459,000
Area
1,759,540 km²
Density
4/km²
World Rank
#105
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 17 per thousand against deaths at 6.7 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 27.4% of residents under 15 and 5% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Tripoli
- Region
- Africa
- Subregion
- Northern Africa
- Continent
- Africa
- Languages
- Arabic
- Currencies
- Libyan dinar (ل.د)
- Calling Code
- +218
- Top-Level Domain
- .ly
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC+01:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 7,459,000
- Land Area
- 1,759,540 km²
- Population Density
- 4 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +1.10%
- Annual Growth
- +82,049 people
- Daily Growth
- +225 people
- World Population Share
- 0.09%
- Coordinates
- 25.00°, 17.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
GDP per capita stands at approximately $6.6k, placing the economy in the upper-middle-income category—below the global average of $12.5k. Unemployment is a pressing concern at 18.8%, far exceeding the global benchmark of 5.8%.
Life Expectancy
69.3 years
GDP per Capita
$6,569
Birth Rate
17.0 per 1,000
Death Rate
6.7 per 1,000
Urban Population
87.9%
Fertility Rate
2.36 births/woman
Infant Mortality
15.9 per 1,000
Unemployment
18.8%
Literacy Rate
60.2%
Internet Users
88.5%
Under 15
27.4%
Over 65
5.0%
Health Spending
7.8% GDP
Age Distribution
0-14 years
2.0M
15-64 years
5.0M
65+ years
374K
Urbanization
Libya is overwhelmingly urban: an estimated 87.9% of the population lives in cities, one of the highest rates in the world. The capital, Tripoli, remains the primary hub for government and commerce. Extremely low population density means that settlements are widely dispersed, raising logistical hurdles for infrastructure and public service delivery.
6.6M
87.9%
903,285
12.1%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 69.3 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 15.9 per thousand live births, somewhat higher than the global average. The literacy rate of 60.2% is below the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Libya
Libya has 18 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Libya is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. As a United Nations member state, Libya participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 7,459,000 |
| 2030 | 7,785,921 |
| 2035 | 8,200,361 |
| 2040 | 8,622,223 |
| 2045 | 9,052,587 |
| 2050 | 9,492,544 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Libya.
Largest Cities in Libya
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Libya by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Libya?
The population of Libya is approximately 7.5 million as of 2026, making it #105 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Libya?
The capital of Libya is Tripoli.
What languages are spoken in Libya?
The main languages spoken in Libya are Arabic.
How big is Libya?
Libya covers an area of 1,759,540 km² with a population density of 4 people per km².
Is Libya growing or shrinking?
Libya is growing at a rate of 1.10% per year, adding approximately 82,049 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Libya?
The average life expectancy in Libya is 69.3 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Libya?
The GDP per capita of Libya is $6,569.