Population in Libya
Libya: Population was 7.31 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Population in Libya, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2023, population in Libya stood at 7.31 million people. That is the highest value across all 74 years on record.
The figure is up 1.1% on the previous year and up 15.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in Libya peaked at 7.31 million people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 1.13 million people, in 1950.
Libya ranks 106th of 236 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 1.25 million people | 1.13 million people | 1.43 million people | 10 |
| 1960s | 1.76 million people | 1.49 million people | 2.01 million people | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.57 million people | 2.08 million people | 3.23 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.89 million people | 3.42 million people | 4.34 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.85 million people | 4.45 million people | 5.22 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.81 million people | 5.31 million people | 6.37 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.55 million people | 6.18 million people | 6.95 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.18 million people | 7.05 million people | 7.31 million people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Libya
More population data for Libya
- 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)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.3 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 200,335 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.3 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.3 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.0% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 2.35 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Libya?
- Population in Libya was 7.31 million people in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population recorded in Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 7.31 million people in 2023.
- What is the lowest population recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.13 million people in 1950.
- How does Libya rank for population?
- Libya ranks 106th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is population rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Libya data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 74 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The total population, measured on 1 July of the year shown.