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Photo: Maher A. A. Abdussalam · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Libya
Libya places highest on GDP Growth (top 1% worldwide) and lowest on Logistics Performance Index (bottom 1%).
Libya in the Nations Inquiry Country Index
At a glance
Population
7,305,659
people
since 1950
Land area
1,759,540
km²
since 1961
GDP per person
14,118
international $, PPP
since 1990
Life expectancy
69.34
years at birth
since 1950
Human development
0.721
HDI, 0–1
since 1990
Unemployment
18.76
% of the labour force
since 1991
The newest published figure for each, the year it describes and who published it, with a line showing how it has moved.
01The country
About Libya
Key facts about Libya
- Capital
- Tripoli
- Official languages
- Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic
- Currency
- Libyan dinar (LYD)
- ISO code
- LBY · LY
- Domain · dialling
- .ly · +218
As Wikidata records them. Official languages are the least consistent — some countries list only a national language, others every regional one. Sources and licences.
02Country Index 2026
Where it stands, topic by topic
Strongest first. Each position is Libya’s place among the countries with a standing on that topic, built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things.
129thof 201
From 4 of 4 key statistics
124thof 178
From 2 of 3 key statistics
140thof 194
From 3 of 3 key statistics
121stof 147
From 2 of 3 key statistics
joint128thof 150
From 3 of 3 key statistics
joint158thof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
176thof 198
From 3 of 3 key statistics
183rdof 193
From 5 of 5 key statistics
188thof 191
From 3 of 3 key statistics
176thof 177
From 2 of 3 key statistics
No standing — Libya holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — Libya holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
Each standing is built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things. Select a subject for Libya’s readings on it, or see every statistic held for Libya in the table further down this page.
03Highs and lows
Where Libya stands out
The two ends of its own record: every statistic on which Libya sits within ten places of the best or worst in the world, plus its strongest and weakest readings overall. Each is turned into a percentile — its place among every country measured — which is what lets a hunger score and a press-freedom rank be compared at all.
Where Libya does best5
In the top third of all countries measured. 2 are within ten places of the best in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1stDeaths in Organized Violencetop 35%
Position · derived 59th of 59 · 1 = worst · 0 · 2025
world median 0 · ▲ 60 pts since 2015
- 2ndGDP Growthtop 1%
Position · derived 2nd of 186 · 13.37 · 2025
world median 3.396 (better) · ▲ 91 pts since 2015
- Child Marriagetop 17%
Position · derived 121st of 143 · 1 = worst · 4.1 · 2025
world median 17.1 (better)
Position · derived 84th of 109 · 1 = worst · 0.007 · 2025
world median 0.039 (better) · ▼ 10 pts since 2018
- Livestock Production Indextop 24%
Position · derived 48th of 194 · 120.54 · 2022
world median 107.06 (better) · ▼ 23 pts since 2012
Where Libya struggles most12
In the bottom third of all countries measured. 12 are within ten places of the worst in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1stLogistics Performance Indexbottom 1%
Rank 139th of 139 · 1.9 · 2023
world median 2.9 (worse) · ▼ 26 pts since 2014
- 2nd
Position · derived 189th of 190 · 0.029 · 2024
world median 31.14 (worse) · ▼ 14 pts since 2014
- 4thGender Social Norms Indexbottom 3%
Position · derived 4th of 91 · 1 = worst · 99.72 · 2023
world median 91.81 (worse)
- 4thWater Stressbottom 2%
Position · derived 4th of 177 · 1 = worst · 817.14 · 2023
world median 10 (worse)
- 4thYouth Unemployment Ratebottom 2%
Position · derived 4th of 182 · 1 = worst · 50.06 · 2025
world median 12.83 (worse)
- 5th
- 5thStatistical Performance Indicatorsbottom 2%
Position · derived 184th of 188 · 34.75 · 2024
world median 69.3 (worse)
- 6thRegulatory Qualitybottom 2%
Position · derived 204th of 209 · -1.739 · 2024
world median -0.09 (worse)
- 7th
- 8th
- 9th
Position · derived 131st of 139 · 33.12 · 2024
world median 72.83 (worse) · ▼ 49 pts since 2017
- 9thUnemployment Ratebottom 4%
Position · derived 9th of 182 · 1 = worst · 18.76 · 2025
world median 5.084 (worse) · ▼ 2 pts since 2015
A band is a place among the countries each publisher scores, so Libya can move because other countries moved. See the Country Index for the full method.
04Over time
Which way it is moving
The published rank in widely quoted reports, edition by edition — each end with the size of that year’s field — and the statistics, not already named above, on which it has gained or lost the most ground.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
52nd
of 141 · 1990
115th
of 193 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
159th
of 173 · 2012
177th
of 181 · 2025
Ranked in 14 of 14 editions
Gender Inequality Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
54th
of 154 · 2010
65th
of 172 · 2023
Ranked in 14 of 34 editions
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
83rd
of 140 · 1995
134th
of 145 · 2024
Ranked in 30 of 30 editions
Government AI Readiness Index
Oxford Insights
149th
of 181 · 2022
134th
of 195 · 2025
Ranked in 4 of 6 editions
Gaining ground
Where Libya has climbed against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- INFORM Severity Index+26 pts since 2020
Losing ground
Where Libya has slipped against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Labour Income Share-54 pts since 2015
- Food Production Index-45 pts since 2012
05In context
Libya and its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place in the world ranking of 174, not within the region.
Shares a land border with
Placed either side in the Country Index 2026
06The evidence
Every statistic we hold for Libya
Grouped by topic. Each row gives the newest edition’s rank or position, the published value and the year the numbers describe — select a row for the world median, the best in the world and the trend.
Governance & Institutions14
Civic Space Ratings153rd of 198position · derived27Civic space score (0–100)2025
Lower middle · bottom 23% of 198 countries measured
CIVICUS · Civic space score (0–100)
Libya 27 · world median 50.46 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Completeness of Birth Registrationtop 38%99.6Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)2025
Upper middle · top 38% of 185 countries measured
UNICEF · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)
Libya 99.6 · world median 98.4 (better)
Best in the world 100 (53 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Corruption Perceptions Index177th of 181rank13CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 2% of 182 countries measured · 182 share 181 positions
Transparency International · CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Libya 13 · world median 39 (worse)
Best in the world 89 (Denmark)
No real change since 2015
General Government Consumption4th of 132position · derived32.27General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 2% of 132 countries measured
World Bank Group · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)
Libya 32.27 · world median 16.21
Highest 38.94 (Ukraine)
No real change since 2015
Government AI Readiness Index134th of 195rank28.38AI readiness score (0–100)2025
Lower middle · bottom 31% of 195 countries measured
Oxford Insights · AI readiness score (0–100)
Libya 28.38 · world median 40.19 (worse)
Best in the world 88.36 (United States)
▲ +14 percentile points since 2022
Government Effectiveness197th of 209position · derived-1.419Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 6% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Libya -1.419 · world median 0.01 (worse)
Best in the world 2.28 (Singapore)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2014
Open Data Inventory162nd of 168rank28ODIN overall score (0–100)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 3% of 168 countries measured
Open Data Watch · ODIN overall score (0–100)
Libya 28 · world median 59 (worse)
Best in the world 90 (2 countries tied)
No real change since 2016
Regulatory Quality204th of 209position · derived-1.739Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 2% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)
Libya -1.739 · world median -0.09 (worse)
Best in the world 2.132 (Singapore)
No real change since 2014
Rule of Law201st of 211position · derived-1.698Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 5% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Libya -1.698 · world median -0.1 (worse)
Best in the world 2.021 (Finland)
No real change since 2014
Statistical Performance Indicators184th of 188position · derived34.75SPI overall score (0–100)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 2% of 188 countries measured
World Bank Group · SPI overall score (0–100)
Libya 34.75 · world median 69.3 (worse)
Best in the world 94.14 (Norway)
No real change since 2016
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index139th of 176position · derived0.193Electoral democracy index (0–1)2025
Lower middle · bottom 21% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Libya 0.193 · world median 0.497 (worse)
Best in the world 0.913 (Denmark)
No real change since 2015
Voice and Accountability181st of 208position · derived-1.336Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 13% of 208 countries measured
World Bank Group · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Libya -1.336 · world median -0.02 (worse)
Best in the world 1.929 (Norway)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2014
Women, Business and the Law176th of 190position · derived50WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 7% of 190 countries measured
World Bank Group · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)
Libya 50 · world median 81.25 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (14 countries tied)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2014
Economy & Innovation23
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution131st of 139position · derived33.12Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 6% of 139 countries measured
World Bank Group · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Libya 33.12 · world median 72.83 (worse)
Best in the world 99.85 (Iceland)
▼ -49 percentile points since 2017
Agricultural Land182nd of 209position · derived8.724Agricultural land (% of land area)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 13% of 209 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agricultural land (% of land area)
Libya 8.724 · world median 37.96
Highest 86.48 (Côte d’Ivoire)
No real change since 2013
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)137th of 158position · derived1.501Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 13% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)
Libya 1.501 · world median 6.572
Highest 47.59 (Niger)
▼ -26 percentile points since 2015
Cereal Yield172nd of 179position · derived672.2Cereal yield (kg per hectare)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 4% of 179 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
Libya 672.2 · world median 3,072 (worse)
Best in the world 29,147 (Oman)
No real change since 2013
Crop Production Index139th of 195position · derived98.35Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Lower middle · bottom 29% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Libya 98.35 · world median 106.23 (worse)
Best in the world 189.93 (Senegal)
▼ -44 percentile points since 2012
Economic Complexity Index134th of 145rank-1.679ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 8% of 145 countries measured
Growth Lab at Harvard University · ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Libya -1.679 · world median 0.131 (worse)
Best in the world 1.729 (Japan)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2014
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)19th of 138position · derived71.71Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 13% of 138 countries measured
World Bank Group · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Libya 71.71 · world median 36.34
Highest 199.76 (Hong Kong)
▲ +61 percentile points since 2015
Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare143rd of 188position · derived22.04Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)2023
Lower middle · bottom 25% of 191 countries measured · 191 share 188 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)
Libya 22.04 · world median 87.36
Highest 2,926 (Malaysia)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2013
Food Production Index103rd of 195position · derived105.75Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Middle · bottom 47% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Libya 105.75 · world median 106.08 (worse)
Best in the world 177.49 (Senegal)
▼ -45 percentile points since 2012
GDP Growth2nd of 186position · derived13.37GDP growth (annual %)2025
Top fifth · top 1% of 186 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP growth (annual %)
Libya 13.37 · world median 3.396 (better)
Best in the world 19.34 (Guyana)
▲ +91 percentile points since 2015
GDP per Capita (PPP)106th of 185position · derived14,118GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
Middle · bottom 43% of 185 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Libya 14,118 · world median 17,265 (worse)
Best in the world 139,593 (Singapore)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2015
GNI per Capita (PPP)56th of 102position · derived12,668GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
Middle · bottom 46% of 102 countries measured
World Bank Group · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Libya 12,668 · world median 14,273 (worse)
Best in the world 116,633 (Singapore)
No real change since 2015
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)119th of 131position · derived14.27Gross capital formation (% of GDP)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 9% of 131 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gross capital formation (% of GDP)
Libya 14.27 · world median 22.93
Highest 45.27 (Algeria)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2015
Household Consumption128th of 131position · derived30.94Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 2% of 131 countries measured
World Bank Group · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)
Libya 30.94 · world median 62.04
Highest 133.34 (Somalia)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2015
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)29th of 138position · derived65.95Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)2025
Upper middle · top 20% of 138 countries measured
World Bank Group · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Libya 65.95 · world median 41.72
Highest 196.89 (Hong Kong)
▲ +43 percentile points since 2015
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)2nd of 158position · derived73.25Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 1% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)
Libya 73.25 · world median 24.65
Highest 75.09 (Guyana)
▲ +13 percentile points since 2015
Liner Shipping Connectivity Index78th of 175rank64.15LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)2026
Middle · top 46% of 167 countries measured · 167 share 175 positions
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)
Libya 64.15 · world median 56.21 (better)
Best in the world 1,319 (China)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2016
Livestock Density173rd of 188position · derived0.11Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 7% of 188 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land
Libya 0.11 · world median 0.535
Highest 43.97 (Singapore)
No real change since 2013
Livestock Production Index48th of 194position · derived120.54Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Upper middle · top 24% of 194 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Libya 120.54 · world median 107.06 (better)
Best in the world 190.08 (Malawi)
▼ -23 percentile points since 2012
Logistics Performance Index139th of 139rank1.9LPI score (1–5)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 1% of 139 countries measured
World Bank Group · LPI score (1–5)
Libya 1.9 · world median 2.9 (worse)
Best in the world 4.3 (Singapore)
▼ -26 percentile points since 2014
Net Official Development Assistance Received93rd of 130position · derived0.778Net ODA received (% of GNI)2023
Lower middle · bottom 29% of 130 countries measured
OECD Development Assistance Committee · Net ODA received (% of GNI)
Libya 0.778 · world median 2.579
Highest 101.78 (Tuvalu)
▲ +11 percentile points since 2013
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)1st of 180position · derived61.03Natural resources rents (% of GDP)2021
Top fifth · top 1% of 197 countries measured · 197 share 180 positions
World Bank Group · Natural resources rents (% of GDP)
Libya 61.03 · world median 1.708
Highest 61.03 (Libya)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2011
Trade (% of GDP)23rd of 138position · derived137.66Exports plus imports (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 16% of 138 countries measured
World Bank Group · Exports plus imports (% of GDP)
Libya 137.66 · world median 79.68
Highest 396.65 (Hong Kong)
▲ +55 percentile points since 2015
Work & Labour14
Average Weekly Hours Worked46th of 182position · derived42.4Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person2025
Upper middle · top 25% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person
Libya 42.4 · world median 38.89
Highest 54.7 (Bhutan)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Agriculture106th of 182position · derived9.997Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)2025
Middle · bottom 42% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)
Libya 9.997 · world median 14.38
Highest 85.34 (Burundi)
No real change since 2015
Employment in Industry97th of 182position · derived18.63Employment in industry (% of total employment)2025
Middle · bottom 47% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in industry (% of total employment)
Libya 18.63 · world median 18.88
Highest 39.44 (Oman)
No real change since 2015
Employment in Services55th of 182position · derived71.38Employment in services (% of total employment)2025
Upper middle · top 30% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in services (% of total employment)
Libya 71.38 · world median 59.51
Highest 92.17 (Djibouti)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2015
Employment-to-Population Ratio166th of 182position · derived38.97Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 9% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Libya 38.97 · world median 57.72 (worse)
Best in the world 86.9 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Female Labour Force Participation Rate161st of 182position · derived32.99Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 12% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Libya 32.99 · world median 53.36 (worse)
Best in the world 82.91 (Madagascar)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2015
GDP per Person Employed78th of 168position · derived49,529GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)2025
Middle · top 46% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)
Libya 49,529 · world median 47,384 (better)
Best in the world 262,554 (Luxembourg)
No real change since 2015
Labour Force Participation Rate162nd of 182position · derived47.96Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 11% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Libya 47.96 · world median 61.66 (worse)
Best in the world 87.01 (Qatar)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2015
Labour Productivity per Hour Worked86th of 182position · derived22.91Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)2025
Middle · top 47% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)
Libya 22.91 · world median 22.16 (better)
Best in the world 164.65 (Ireland)
No real change since 2015
Self-Employment Rate110th of 182position · derived25.88Self-employed (% of total employment)2025
Lower middle · bottom 40% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Self-employed (% of total employment)
Libya 25.88 · world median 31.84
Highest 91.56 (Chad)
No real change since 2015
Unemployment Rate9th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst18.76Unemployment (% of labour force)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 4% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment (% of labour force)
Libya 18.76 · world median 5.084 (worse)
Best in the world 0.13 (Qatar)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2015
Vulnerable Employment113th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst21.59Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)2025
Upper middle · top 38% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Libya 21.59 · world median 28.67 (better)
Best in the world 0.456 (Qatar)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2015
Youth Unemployment Rate4th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst50.06Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 2% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)
Libya 50.06 · world median 12.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.457 (Niger)
No real change since 2015
Education & Knowledge4
Adult Literacy Rate153rd of 172position · derived60.16Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 11% of 172 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)
Libya 60.16 · world median 93.99 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Expected Years of Schooling116th of 195position · derived12.92Expected years of schooling2023
Middle · bottom 41% of 195 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Expected years of schooling
Libya 12.92 · world median 13.34 (worse)
Best in the world 21.69 (Monaco)
▼ -21 percentile points since 2013
Mean Years of Schooling128th of 193position · derived7.779Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)2023
Lower middle · bottom 34% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)
Libya 7.779 · world median 9.933 (worse)
Best in the world 14.3 (Germany)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2013
Youth Literacy Ratebottom 23%89.3415–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)2024
Lower middle · bottom 23% of 174 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)
Libya 89.34 · world median 98.22 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (6 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Health & Wellbeing14
Dietary Energy Supply103rd of 155position · derived2,800Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)2024
Lower middle · bottom 34% of 155 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)
Libya 2,800 · world median 2,982 (worse)
Best in the world 3,962 (United States)
▼ -26 percentile points since 2014
Gender Inequality Index65th of 172rank0.253GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)2023
Upper middle · top 37% of 172 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)
Libya 0.253 · world median 0.351 (better)
Best in the world 0.003 (Denmark)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2013
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index84th of 109position · derived · 1 = worst0.007MPI (0–1)2025
Upper middle · top 23% of 109 countries measured
Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) · MPI (0–1)
Libya 0.007 · world median 0.039 (better)
Best in the world 0 (Serbia)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2018
Global Violent Deaths96th of 206position · derived · 1 = worst4.63Violent deaths per 100,000 people2021
Middle · bottom 46% of 209 countries measured · 209 share 206 positions
Small Arms Survey · Violent deaths per 100,000 people
Libya 4.63 · world median 4.02 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (4 countries tied)
▼ -15 percentile points since 2011
Human Development Index115th of 193rank0.721HDI score (0–1)2023
Middle · bottom 40% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · HDI score (0–1)
Libya 0.721 · world median 0.762 (worse)
Best in the world 0.972 (Iceland)
▼ -12 percentile points since 2013
INFORM Severity Index29th of 81position · derived · 1 = worst3.5INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis)2025
Lower middle · bottom 36% of 81 countries measured
ACAPS · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis)
Libya 3.5 · world median 3.1 (worse)
Best in the world 1.3 (Trinidad and Tobago)
▲ +26 percentile points since 2020
Life Expectancy at Birth160th of 222position · derived69.34Years a newborn would live at current death rates2023
Lower middle · bottom 28% of 222 countries measured
UN DESA Population Division · Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Libya 69.34 · world median 74.63 (worse)
Best in the world 86.37 (Monaco)
▼ -17 percentile points since 2013
Maternal Mortality Ratio88th of 195position · derived · 1 = worst59.5Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births2023
Middle · bottom 45% of 195 countries measured
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Libya 59.5 · world median 46.65 (worse)
Best in the world 0.11 (Cook Islands)
No real change since 2013
Pesticide Use per Hectare128th of 178position · derived0.83Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)2024
Lower middle · bottom 29% of 181 countries measured · 181 share 178 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)
Libya 0.83 · world median 1.73
Highest 37.72 (Antigua and Barbuda)
No real change since 2014
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity26th of 127position · derived · 1 = worst17.2Population in severe food insecurity (%)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 19% of 133 countries measured · 133 share 127 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Libya 17.2 · world median 4.7 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (7 countries tied)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2015
Prevalence of Undernourishment34th of 104position · derived · 1 = worst16.5Population undernourished (%)2023
Lower middle · bottom 20% of 165 countries measured · 165 share 104 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Population undernourished (%)
Libya 16.5 · world median 5.2 (worse)
Best in the world 2.5 (62 countries tied)
▼ -11 percentile points since 2013
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five113th of 162position · derived · 1 = worst7.948Children under 5 who are stunted (%)2024
Upper middle · top 30% of 162 countries measured
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Libya 7.948 · world median 13.8 (better)
Best in the world 0.518 (Latvia)
No earlier reading to compare
Under-Five Mortality Rate124th of 200position · derived · 1 = worst9.765Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)2024
Upper middle · top 38% of 200 countries measured
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Libya 9.765 · world median 14.54 (better)
Best in the world 1.26 (San Marino)
No real change since 2014
Violent Discipline of Children42nd of 90position · derived · 1 = worst78.2Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%)2025
Middle · bottom 46% of 90 countries measured
UNICEF · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%)
Libya 78.2 · world median 75.8 (worse)
Best in the world 37.6 (Qatar)
No earlier reading to compare
Development & Human Capital8
Access to Electricitybottom 20%77.4Population with electricity access (%)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 20% of 215 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population with electricity access (%)
Libya 77.4 · world median 100 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (122 countries tied)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2014
Arable Land per Person47th of 206position · derived0.235Arable land (hectares per person)2023
Upper middle · top 22% of 206 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Arable land (hectares per person)
Libya 0.235 · world median 0.109
Highest 1.459 (Kazakhstan)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Cereal Import Dependency Ratiotop 5%100Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)2022
Top fifth · top 5% of 161 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)
Libya 100 · world median 42.8
Highest 100 (16 countries tied)
▲ +14 percentile points since 2012
Child Marriage121st of 143position · derived · 1 = worst4.1Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)2025
Top fifth · top 17% of 145 countries measured · 145 share 143 positions
UNICEF · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)
Libya 4.1 · world median 17.1 (better)
Best in the world 0 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Gender Development Index113th of 184position · derived0.955Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)2023
Lower middle · bottom 38% of 184 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)
Libya 0.955 · world median 0.971 (worse)
Best in the world 1 (2 countries tied)
▼ -27 percentile points since 2013
Land Under Cereal Production114th of 179position · derived309,380Land under cereal production (hectares)2023
Lower middle · bottom 37% of 180 countries measured · 180 share 179 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Land under cereal production (hectares)
Libya 309,380 · world median 689,278
Highest 103,715,108 (India)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2013
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI99th of 156position · derived0.629PHDI (0–1)2023
Lower middle · bottom 37% of 156 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · PHDI (0–1)
Libya 0.629 · world median 0.678 (worse)
Best in the world 0.827 (United Kingdom)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2013
Water Withdrawal by Sector43rd of 171position · derived83.19Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)2022
Upper middle · top 24% of 173 countries measured · 173 share 171 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)
Libya 83.19 · world median 62.14
Highest 99.48 (Somalia)
No real change since 2012
Environment & Sustainability7
Agricultural Emissions125th of 193position · derived4,413Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)2023
Lower middle · bottom 37% of 198 countries measured · 198 share 193 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)
Libya 4,413 · world median 8,635
Highest 1,044,508 (India)
No real change since 2013
Forest Area205th of 210position · derived0.123Forest area (% of land area)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 4% of 213 countries measured · 213 share 210 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Forest area (% of land area)
Libya 0.123 · world median 31.08
Highest 94.45 (Suriname)
No real change since 2013
Internal Displacements by Disaster65th of 160position · derived · 1 = worst13,000New displacements by disaster (people)2024
Middle · bottom 41% of 160 countries measured
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) · New displacements by disaster (people)
Libya 13,000 · world median 4,750 (worse)
Best in the world 1 (Serbia)
▼ -14 percentile points since 2019
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita169th of 181position · derived96.9Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)2022
Bottom fifth · bottom 7% of 181 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)
Libya 96.9 · world median 2,528 (worse)
Best in the world 445,023 (Iceland)
No real change since 2012
Renewable Share of Electricity Generation189th of 190position · derived0.029Renewables (% of electricity generated)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 2% of 193 countries measured · 193 share 190 positions
Ember · Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Libya 0.029 · world median 31.14 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (7 countries tied)
▼ -14 percentile points since 2014
Water Stress4th of 177position · derived · 1 = worst817.14Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 2% of 177 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Libya 817.14 · world median 10 (worse)
Best in the world 0.03 (Republic of the Congo)
No real change since 2013
World Risk Index32nd of 193position · derived · 1 = worst15.69WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 16% of 193 countries measured
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)
Libya 15.69 · world median 4.17 (worse)
Best in the world 0.18 (Monaco)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2015
Gender & Equality1
Peace & Security4
Deaths in Organized Violence59th of 59position · derived · 1 = worst0Deaths in organized violence (people)2025
Upper middle · top 35% of 196 countries measured · 196 share 59 positions
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) · Deaths in organized violence (people)
Libya 0 · world median 0
Best in the world 0 (138 countries tied)
▲ +60 percentile points since 2015
INFORM Risk Index30th of 191position · derived · 1 = worst5.8INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 16% of 191 countries measured
European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)
Libya 5.8 · world median 3.7 (worse)
Best in the world 0.7 (Singapore)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2016
Physical Violence Index163rd of 176position · derived0.155Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 7% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)
Libya 0.155 · world median 0.79 (worse)
Best in the world 0.989 (2 countries tied)
No real change since 2015
Political Stability and Absence of Violence199th of 211position · derived-1.896Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 6% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Libya -1.896 · world median 0.04 (worse)
Best in the world 1.582 (Liechtenstein)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2014
Not currently covered
The newest edition of these reports does not include Libya. Usually the publisher does not cover it; sometimes it has dropped out of a ranking it used to appear in.
- Adjusted Net Savings · last seen 2020
- Agricultural Irrigated Land
- Agriculture Orientation Index
- Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff · last seen 2013
- Business Ready: Operational Efficiency
- Business Ready: Public Services
- Business Ready: Regulatory Framework
- Children with Functional Difficulties
- Coefficient of Human Inequality
- Container Port Traffic · last seen 2023
- Cost of Sending Remittances
- Country Policy and Institutional Assessment
- Debt Service on External Debt
- Ecological Footprint
- Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months
- External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)
- Fatal Occupational Injuries
- Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence
- Female Share of Senior and Middle Management
- Firms with a Female Top Manager
- Gini Index
- Global Innovation Index
- Global Militarisation Index · last seen 2017
- Global Report on Food Crises · last seen 2022
- Government Funding per Primary Student
- Government Spending on Education · last seen 1999
- Gross Savings (% of GDP) · last seen 2023
- Human Capital Index
- ICT Goods Exports · last seen 2019
- Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary
- Income Share Held by Lowest 20%
- Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index
- Informal Employment Rate
- Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2017
- Organic Agricultural Area
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary · last seen 1983
- PISA Mathematics Performance
- PISA Reading Performance
- PISA Science Performance
- Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day
- Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate · last seen 2006
- Primary Completion Rate
- Prosperity Gap
- Public Sector Employment
- Public Sector Wage Bill · last seen 2014
- Research and Development Spending
- School Life Expectancy · last seen 2003
- Secondary School Enrolment · last seen 2006
- Social Institutions and Gender Index
- Tertiary Enrolment Ratio · last seen 2003
- Trade Union Density
- Upper Secondary Attainment
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate
- Working Poverty Rate
- World Energy Trilemma Index
- Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training
07Keep reading
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08Method
Sources and how to read them
How to read this page
- The scores and ranks belong to their publishers. Nothing is adjusted, rescaled or re-ranked; each is reproduced from the edition named beside it. Where a row says position · derived, the publisher ranks nobody on that measure and the position is ours, made by ordering the published score.
- Each statistic shows its newest edition, which is not always the edition the Country Index uses: the index pins every source to one data year so its average compares like with like.
How a standing is built from percentiles, why Libya can move because other countries moved, and why publishers measure between 120 and 215 countries each are set out in full in how a standing is made and what a standing cannot tell you.
Sources
- Statistics: 26 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
- Capital, languages, currency, codes: Wikidata, public domain (CC0).
- Map and land borders: Natural Earth, public domain. Borders are de facto — where administration actually changes — not claimed.
Photographs
The photograph of Libya on this page comes from Wikimedia Commons and is shown in greyscale. The photographer and the licence are named beside each one.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Libya: country statistics, rankings and trends. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/libya