Population
7.31M persons, 1 July latest value, 2023
Population on 1 July. UN estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024; past UN revisions for forecast checks.
Libya
All indicators of the Macroscope base for Libya, with sources. Below: what past UN and IMF releases projected and what actually happened.
GDP per capita, PPP
14,118
constant 2021 international $, 2025
What the data shows
Computed with the same code as the observations under the main chart and in the API (get_insights). Moving together in time does not prove a cause.
How the indicators changed
- Fertility (TFR): 7.01 in 1950 → 2.36 in 2023 (−66%). Peak: 8.10 in 1971; the latest value is 71% lower. The trend broke around 1977 and 1997: +0.05 → −0.27 → −0.02 a year.
- Births: 55.6k in 1950 → 124k in 2023 (+124%). Peak: 158k in 2011; the latest value is 21% lower. The trend broke around 1982 and 1992: +3.03k → −2.89k → +1k a year.
- Population: 1.13M in 1950 → 7.31M in 2023 (×6.5). The trend broke around 1973 and 1982: +53.3k → +167k → +88.1k a year.
- Internet: 0% in 1990 → 82% in 2024 (+82 pp). Thresholds: above 10% since 2009, above 50% since 2019. Fastest growth in 2014–2019: 17.8% → 71.4%.
- Urban share: 23.3% in 1960 → 87.9% in 2025 (+65 pp). Thresholds: above 50% since 1971, above 75% since 1984. The trend broke around 1978 and 1998: +2.9 → +0.91 → +0.03 a year.
- GDP per person (PPP): 18,127 PPP dollars in 1990 → 14,118 PPP dollars in 2025 (−22%). Peak: 22,422 PPP dollars in 2007; the latest value is 37% lower. The trend broke around 2009 and 2015: +124 → −1,164 → −35 a year.
- GDP growth: on average −4.2% in the 1980s, −0.2% in the 1990s, 3.7% in the 2000s, 2.7% in the 2010s. Lowest: −50.3% in 2011; highest: 86.8% in 2012.
- Inflation: on average 8.9% in the 1980s, 6.2% in the 1990s, 0.1% in the 2000s, 10.2% in the 2010s, 2.5% in the 2020s. Lowest: −9.9% in 2002; highest: 25.9% in 2016.
What changed at the same time
- The fastest decline of "Fertility (TFR)" was in 1983–1993: 6.91 → 3.88. Over the same years: births 145k → 111k; population 3.72M → 4.73M; urban share 74.3% → 82.9%; GDP per person (PPP) 18,435 PPP dollars (1993); GDP growth −4.7% → −5.5%; inflation 10.5% → 7.5%; no data for the others in those years.
- Over the last 10 years (2013–2023): fertility (TFR) 2.72 → 2.36; births 142k → 124k; population 6.31M → 7.31M; internet 16.5% → 82.1%; urban share 88% → 87.9%; GDP per person (PPP) 16,558 PPP dollars → 12,477 PPP dollars; GDP growth −18% (2013); inflation 2.6% → 2.4%.
How the indicators relate
- Fertility (TFR) and internet (1990–2023, 26 years): levels are noticeably related, in opposite directions (r = −0.44); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = −0.12).
- Fertility (TFR) and urban share (1960–2023, 64 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.82); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.16). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.
- Fertility (TFR) and GDP per person (PPP) (1990–2023, 34 years): levels are barely related (r = 0.33); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = −0.08).
Forecasts vs actual
- Fertility (TFR): past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 0 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 10; median gap +18%.
- The UN 2002 projection expected this level (2.36) already around 2014: reality is 9 years behind it.
- The UN 2012 projection expected this level (2.36) already around 2013: reality is 10 years behind it.
- Fertility (TFR): UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 1.82 (−23% vs 2023), 2100 — 1.72 (−27% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 1.22.
- Births: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 1 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 10; median gap +6.9%.
- The UN 2004 projection expected this level (124k) already around 2021: reality is 2 years behind it.
- The UN 2012 projection expected this level (124k) already around 2015: reality is 8 years behind it.
- Births: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 117k (−6% vs 2023), 2100 — 90.2k (−28% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 36.8k.
- Population: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 7 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 5; median gap −2.3%.
- The UN 1998 projection expected this level (7.31M) already around 2012: reality is 11 years behind it.
- The UN 2022 projection expected today's level (7.31M, 2023) only around 2029: reality is 6 years ahead of it.
- Population: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 9.26M (+27% vs 2023), 2100 — 9.78M (+34% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 6.81M.
- GDP growth: IMF next-year forecasts (22 editions, 2007–2018). On average the outcome was 17.8 pp below the forecast; below it in 82% of cases; typical error ±22 pp. The biggest miss was for 2011: IMF, October 2010 expected 6.2%, the outcome was −50.3%.
- GDP growth: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2020 — −29.5%, 2022 — −8.6%, 2031 — 3.8%.
- Inflation: IMF next-year forecasts (34 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 1.4 pp below the forecast; below it in 65% of cases; typical error ±8.3 pp. The biggest miss was for 2016: IMF, April 2015 expected 4.4%, the outcome was 25.9%.
- Inflation: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 10.5%, 2028 — 10.2%, 2031 — 10.2%.
UN projections vs actual
Solid line: actual data, UN WPP 2024 estimates to 2023, then national statistics where comparable with the UN. Dashed: medium variants of past UN revisions. The table shows what each revision expected for the latest year (or five-year period) with actual data.
Population
persons, 1 July
- Actual
- UN 1998
- UN 2000
- UN 2002
- UN 2004
- UN 2006
- UN 2008
- UN 2010
- UN 2012
- UN 2015
- UN 2017
- UN 2019
- UN 2022
- UN 2024, medium
| Release | Target period | Horizon | Expected | Actual | Actual vs expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN 1998 | 2023 | 25 years | 8.43M | 7.31M | −13.3% |
| UN 2000 | 2023 | 23 years | 7.78M | 7.31M | −6.2% |
| UN 2002 | 2023 | 21 years | 7.63M | 7.31M | −4.3% |
| UN 2004 | 2023 | 19 years | 7.81M | 7.31M | −6.5% |
| UN 2006 | 2023 | 17 years | 7.93M | 7.31M | −7.8% |
| UN 2008 | 2023 | 15 years | 7.98M | 7.31M | −8.4% |
| UN 2010 | 2023 | 13 years | 7.32M | 7.31M | −0.3% |
| UN 2012 | 2023 | 11 years | 7M | 7.31M | +4.3% |
| UN 2015 | 2023 | 8 years | 6.94M | 7.31M | +5.3% |
| UN 2017 | 2023 | 6 years | 6.89M | 7.31M | +6% |
| UN 2019 | 2023 | 4 years | 7.12M | 7.31M | +2.6% |
| UN 2022 | 2023 | 1 year | 6.89M | 7.31M | +6.1% |
Births
births per year
- Actual
- UN 1998
- UN 2000
- UN 2002
- UN 2004
- UN 2006
- UN 2008
- UN 2010
- UN 2012
- UN 2015
- UN 2017
- UN 2019
- UN 2022
- UN 2024, medium
| Release | Target period | Horizon | Expected | Actual | Actual vs expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN 1998 | 2015–2020 | 20 years | 140k | 137k | −2.1% |
| UN 2000 | 2015–2020 | 18 years | 124k | 137k | +10.6% |
| UN 2002 | 2015–2020 | 16 years | 129k | 137k | +6.1% |
| UN 2004 | 2015–2020 | 14 years | 134k | 137k | +2.2% |
| UN 2006 | 2015–2020 | 12 years | 136k | 137k | +1.2% |
| UN 2008 | 2015–2020 | 10 years | 136k | 137k | +0.6% |
| UN 2010 | 2015–2020 | 8 years | 127k | 137k | +8.5% |
| UN 2012 | 2015–2020 | 6 years | 120k | 137k | +14.3% |
| UN 2015 | 2015–2020 | 2 years | 121k | 137k | +13.1% |
| UN 2017 | 2015–2020 | 0 years | 121k | 137k | +13.5% |
| UN 2022 | 2023 | 1 year | 116k | 124k | +6.9% |
Total fertility rate
children per woman
- Actual
- UN 1998
- UN 2000
- UN 2002
- UN 2004
- UN 2006
- UN 2008
- UN 2010
- UN 2012
- UN 2015
- UN 2017
- UN 2019
- UN 2022
- UN 2024, medium
| Release | Target period | Horizon | Expected | Actual | Actual vs expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN 1998 | 2015–2020 | 20 years | 2.10 | 2.61 | +24.1% |
| UN 2000 | 2015–2020 | 18 years | 2.10 | 2.61 | +24.1% |
| UN 2002 | 2015–2020 | 16 years | 2.20 | 2.61 | +18.2% |
| UN 2004 | 2015–2020 | 14 years | 2.26 | 2.61 | +15.1% |
| UN 2006 | 2015–2020 | 12 years | 2.26 | 2.61 | +15.1% |
| UN 2008 | 2015–2020 | 10 years | 2.26 | 2.61 | +15.1% |
| UN 2010 | 2015–2020 | 8 years | 2.17 | 2.61 | +20.1% |
| UN 2012 | 2015–2020 | 6 years | 2.15 | 2.61 | +21.3% |
| UN 2015 | 2015–2020 | 2 years | 2.32 | 2.61 | +12.6% |
| UN 2017 | 2015–2020 | 0 years | 2.21 | 2.61 | +18% |
| UN 2022 | 2023 | 1 year | 2.36 | 2.36 | 0% |
IMF forecasts vs actual
Solid line: actual values from the latest IMF edition (data get revised, so we use the newest). Dashed: April editions, current year and five years ahead. The table covers next-year forecasts from all editions: mean error shows bias, mean absolute error shows accuracy.
Real GDP growth
% per year
- Actual (IMF)
- WEO, April editions
| Indicator | Forecasts | Mean error | Mean absolute error | Actual below forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real GDP growth | 22 | −17.8 pp | 22 pp | 82% |
| Inflation | 34 | −1.4 pp | 8.3 pp | 65% |
| Government gross debt | 2 | +36.4 pp | 36.4 pp | 0% |
All indicators
Demography
Births
124k births per year latest value, 2023
Live births per calendar year. UN WPP 2024 and national statistics (64 countries, 2015-2025).
Total fertility rate
2.36 children per woman latest value, 2023
Average number of children a woman would have at the age-specific fertility rates of the year.
Life expectancy at birth, women
70.4 years latest value, 2023
Years a newborn girl would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).
Life expectancy at birth, men
68.3 years latest value, 2023
Years a newborn boy would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).
Median age
27.2 years latest value, 2023
Age that divides the population in two halves (UN).
Mean age of mothers at childbirth
31.9 years latest value, 2023
Mean age of mothers at the birth of their children of any order (UN).
Sex ratio at birth
105.7 boys per 100 girls latest value, 2023
Boys born per 100 girls born (UN).
Net migration
−2k persons per year latest value, 2023
Immigrants minus emigrants per year (UN estimate and projection).
Old-age dependency
8.1 persons 65+ per 100 aged 20-64 latest value, 2020
Persons aged 65+ per 100 aged 20-64, every five years (UN).
Digitalisation
Internet users
82 % of population latest value, 2024
Share of individuals who used the Internet in the last three months from any device. ITU data.
Mobile cellular subscriptions
193 per 100 people latest value, 2022
Active mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people; can exceed 100 when people have several SIM cards. ITU data.
Fixed broadband subscriptions
4.5 subscriptions per 100 people latest value, 2022
Fixed subscriptions to high-speed Internet (256 kbit/s or more) per 100 people. ITU data.
Economy
GDP per capita, PPP
14,118 constant 2021 international $ latest value, 2025
Gross domestic product per person at purchasing power parity, constant 2021 international dollars (World Bank, ICP).
Real GDP growth
−11.2 % per year latest value, 2019
Annual change of GDP at constant prices. Actual values and forecasts from IMF WEO editions.
Inflation
1.8 % per year, average latest value, 2025
Change of the annual average consumer price index (IMF WEO).
Government gross debt
36.4 % of GDP latest value, 2014
General government gross debt, percent of GDP (IMF WEO).
GDP per capita, US dollars
9,961 current US dollars latest value, 2019
GDP per person in current US dollars at market exchange rates (IMF WEO).
Society
Urban population
87.9 % of population latest value, 2025
Share of people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices (World Bank, from UN World Urbanization Prospects).
Tertiary enrolment, women
62.3 % gross latest value, 2003
Women enrolled in tertiary education as a share of women in the five-year age group after secondary school; can exceed 100 (UNESCO).
Women with upper secondary education
9.5 % of women 25+ latest value, 1984
Share of women aged 25+ who completed at least upper secondary education (UNESCO).
Life expectancy at birth
71.1 years latest value, 2024
Life expectancy at birth, both sexes (World Bank, from UN and national statistics).
Same region: Africa
AlgeriaAngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoBurundiCameroonCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadComorosCôte d'IvoireDR CongoDjiboutiEgyptEquatorial GuineaEritreaEswatiniEthiopiaGabonGambiaGhanaGuineaGuinea-BissauKenyaLesothoLiberiaMadagascarMalawiMaliMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMoroccoMozambiqueNamibiaNigerNigeriaRepublic of the CongoRwandaRéunionSaint HelenaSao Tome and PrincipeSenegalSeychellesSierra LeoneSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSudanTanzaniaTogoTunisiaUgandaWestern SaharaZambiaZimbabwe