Net migration (UNICEF) in Libya
Libya: Net migration was -172 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
-172
Change on year
down 105.0%
World rank
39th
of 74 countries
All-time high
69,211
in 1981
All-time low
-562,827
in 2011
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in Libya, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net migration in Libya is -172, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 105.0% on the previous year and up 97.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Libya peaked at 69,211 in 1981 and was at its lowest, -562,827, in 2011.
Libya ranks 39th of 74 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Libya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 22,559 | — |
| 1961 | 22,504 | -0.2% |
| 1962 | 21,589 | -4.1% |
| 1963 | 18,740 | -13.2% |
| 1964 | 2,084 | -88.9% |
| 1965 | -15,810 | -858.6% |
| 1966 | -13,619 | -13.9% |
| 1967 | -10,384 | -23.8% |
| 1968 | -6,323 | -39.1% |
| 1969 | -1,418 | -77.6% |
| 1970 | 745 | -152.5% |
| 1971 | -4,265 | -672.5% |
| 1972 | -3,418 | -19.9% |
| 1973 | 20,498 | -699.7% |
| 1974 | 44,946 | +119.3% |
| 1975 | 49,544 | +10.2% |
| 1976 | 53,813 | +8.6% |
| 1977 | 57,867 | +7.5% |
| 1978 | 61,684 | +6.6% |
| 1979 | 64,821 | +5.1% |
| 1980 | 66,739 | +3.0% |
| 1981 | 69,211 | +3.7% |
| 1982 | -126,400 | -282.6% |
| 1983 | -140,904 | +11.5% |
| 1984 | 18,039 | -112.8% |
| 1985 | 11,962 | -33.7% |
| 1986 | 5,844 | -51.1% |
| 1987 | 1,740 | -70.2% |
| 1988 | 1,053 | -39.5% |
| 1989 | 981 | -6.8% |
| 1990 | 946 | -3.6% |
| 1991 | 902 | -4.7% |
| 1992 | 843 | -6.5% |
| 1993 | 426 | -49.5% |
| 1994 | -1,755 | -512.0% |
| 1995 | -5,068 | +188.8% |
| 1996 | -8,446 | +66.7% |
| 1997 | -10,907 | +29.1% |
| 1998 | -11,479 | +5.2% |
| 1999 | -10,206 | -11.1% |
| 2000 | 5,634 | -155.2% |
| 2001 | 8,420 | +49.4% |
| 2002 | 10,152 | +20.6% |
| 2003 | 12,073 | +18.9% |
| 2004 | 13,222 | +9.5% |
| 2005 | 11,024 | -16.6% |
| 2006 | 3,351 | -69.6% |
| 2007 | 12,640 | +277.2% |
| 2008 | 15,260 | +20.7% |
| 2009 | 11,670 | -23.5% |
| 2010 | 9,611 | -17.6% |
| 2011 | -562,827 | -5956.1% |
| 2012 | 5,211 | -100.9% |
| 2013 | 25,755 | +394.2% |
| 2014 | -1,716 | -106.7% |
| 2015 | -7,660 | +346.4% |
| 2016 | -5,081 | -33.7% |
| 2017 | 9,208 | -281.2% |
| 2018 | 5,841 | -36.6% |
| 2019 | -1,352 | -123.1% |
| 2020 | -694 | -48.7% |
| 2021 | -694 | -0.0% |
| 2022 | -2,001 | +188.3% |
| 2023 | -2,001 | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 3,448 | -272.3% |
| 2025 | -172 | -105.0% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's -172 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is -6,994, 2% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Libya's -172 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is -376.5, 46% of the median. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Libya changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | -5956.1% | 9,611 | -562,827 |
| 1965 | -858.6% | 2,084 | -15,810 |
| 1973 | +699.7% | -3,418 | 20,498 |
| 1971 | -672.5% | 745 | -4,265 |
| 1994 | -512.0% | 426 | -1,755 |
| 2013 | +394.2% | 5,211 | 25,755 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 3,992 | -15,810 | 22,559 | 10 |
| 1970s | 34,624 | -4,265 | 64,821 | 10 |
| 1980s | -9,174 | -140,904 | 69,211 | 10 |
| 1990s | -4,474 | -11,479 | 946 | 10 |
| 2000s | 10,345 | 3,351 | 15,260 | 10 |
| 2010s | -52,301 | -562,827 | 25,755 | 10 |
| 2020s | -352.33 | -2,001 | 3,448 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Libya
More population data for Libya
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 8,540 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3412 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1882 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.49 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1882 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 455,012 people (2100)
- Population density 5.56 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2302 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Libya?
- Net migration in Libya was -172 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 69,211 in 1981.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was -562,827 in 2011.
- How does Libya rank for net migration?
- Libya ranks 39th out of 74 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 97.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Libya data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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