Population in Libya
Libya: Population was 7.31 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
7.31 million people
Change on year
up 1.1%
World rank
107th
of 239 countries
All-time high
7.31 million people
in 2023
All-time low
200,000 people
in 1200
Years of data
241
1000–2023
Population in Libya, 1000–2023
Source: HYDE (2023); Gapminder (2022); UN WPP (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
Libya recorded 7.31 million people for population in 2023. That is the highest value across all 241 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, 200,000 people, in 1200.
That places Libya 107th out of 239 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population in Libya, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 500,000 people | — |
| 1100 | 350,000 people | -30.0% |
| 1200 | 200,000 people | -42.9% |
| 1300 | 300,000 people | +50.0% |
| 1400 | 400,000 people | +33.3% |
| 1500 | 500,000 people | +25.0% |
| 1600 | 500,000 people | +0.0% |
| 1700 | 500,000 people | +0.0% |
| 1710 | 465,166 people | -7.0% |
| 1720 | 468,333 people | +0.7% |
| 1730 | 471,500 people | +0.7% |
| 1740 | 474,666 people | +0.7% |
| 1750 | 477,833 people | +0.7% |
| 1760 | 481,000 people | +0.7% |
| 1770 | 484,166 people | +0.7% |
| 1780 | 487,333 people | +0.7% |
| 1790 | 490,500 people | +0.6% |
| 1800 | 230,044 people | -53.1% |
| 1801 | 230,184 people | +0.1% |
| 1802 | 230,325 people | +0.1% |
| 1803 | 230,465 people | +0.1% |
| 1804 | 230,606 people | +0.1% |
| 1805 | 230,747 people | +0.1% |
| 1806 | 230,888 people | +0.1% |
| 1807 | 231,029 people | +0.1% |
| 1808 | 231,170 people | +0.1% |
| 1809 | 231,311 people | +0.1% |
| 1810 | 231,454 people | +0.1% |
| 1811 | 231,644 people | +0.1% |
| 1812 | 231,883 people | +0.1% |
| 1813 | 232,171 people | +0.1% |
| 1814 | 232,509 people | +0.1% |
| 1815 | 232,897 people | +0.2% |
| 1816 | 233,335 people | +0.2% |
| 1817 | 233,824 people | +0.2% |
| 1818 | 234,363 people | +0.2% |
| 1819 | 234,953 people | +0.3% |
| 1820 | 235,594 people | +0.3% |
| 1821 | 236,287 people | +0.3% |
| 1822 | 237,032 people | +0.3% |
| 1823 | 237,829 people | +0.3% |
| 1824 | 238,678 people | +0.4% |
| 1825 | 239,580 people | +0.4% |
| 1826 | 240,536 people | +0.4% |
| 1827 | 241,544 people | +0.4% |
| 1828 | 242,606 people | +0.4% |
| 1829 | 243,722 people | +0.5% |
| 1830 | 244,892 people | +0.5% |
| 1831 | 246,117 people | +0.5% |
| 1832 | 247,348 people | +0.5% |
| 1833 | 248,585 people | +0.5% |
| 1834 | 249,828 people | +0.5% |
| 1835 | 251,077 people | +0.5% |
| 1836 | 252,333 people | +0.5% |
| 1837 | 253,595 people | +0.5% |
| 1838 | 254,863 people | +0.5% |
| 1839 | 256,137 people | +0.5% |
| 1840 | 257,418 people | +0.5% |
| 1841 | 258,706 people | +0.5% |
| 1842 | 259,999 people | +0.5% |
| 1843 | 261,300 people | +0.5% |
| 1844 | 262,606 people | +0.5% |
| 1845 | 263,920 people | +0.5% |
| 1846 | 265,239 people | +0.5% |
| 1847 | 266,566 people | +0.5% |
| 1848 | 267,899 people | +0.5% |
| 1849 | 269,239 people | +0.5% |
| 1850 | 270,585 people | +0.5% |
| 1851 | 272,352 people | +0.7% |
| 1852 | 274,131 people | +0.7% |
| 1853 | 277,302 people | +1.2% |
| 1854 | 280,508 people | +1.2% |
| 1855 | 283,751 people | +1.2% |
| 1856 | 287,031 people | +1.2% |
| 1857 | 290,349 people | +1.2% |
| 1858 | 293,703 people | +1.2% |
| 1859 | 297,097 people | +1.2% |
| 1860 | 300,528 people | +1.2% |
| 1861 | 303,999 people | +1.2% |
| 1862 | 307,509 people | +1.2% |
| 1863 | 311,059 people | +1.2% |
| 1864 | 314,649 people | +1.2% |
| 1865 | 318,281 people | +1.2% |
| 1866 | 321,953 people | +1.2% |
| 1867 | 325,667 people | +1.2% |
| 1868 | 329,423 people | +1.2% |
| 1869 | 333,222 people | +1.2% |
| 1870 | 337,064 people | +1.2% |
| 1871 | 340,950 people | +1.2% |
| 1872 | 344,880 people | +1.2% |
| 1873 | 348,854 people | +1.2% |
| 1874 | 352,874 people | +1.2% |
| 1875 | 356,939 people | +1.2% |
| 1876 | 361,050 people | +1.2% |
| 1877 | 365,208 people | +1.2% |
| 1878 | 369,413 people | +1.2% |
| 1879 | 373,934 people | +1.2% |
| 1880 | 378,777 people | +1.3% |
| 1881 | 383,952 people | +1.4% |
| 1882 | 389,467 people | +1.4% |
| 1883 | 395,329 people | +1.5% |
| 1884 | 401,280 people | +1.5% |
| 1885 | 407,319 people | +1.5% |
| 1886 | 413,448 people | +1.5% |
| 1887 | 419,668 people | +1.5% |
| 1888 | 425,982 people | +1.5% |
| 1889 | 432,477 people | +1.5% |
| 1890 | 439,158 people | +1.5% |
| 1891 | 446,030 people | +1.6% |
| 1892 | 453,097 people | +1.6% |
| 1893 | 460,362 people | +1.6% |
| 1894 | 467,744 people | +1.6% |
| 1895 | 475,243 people | +1.6% |
| 1896 | 482,861 people | +1.6% |
| 1897 | 490,601 people | +1.6% |
| 1898 | 498,463 people | +1.6% |
| 1899 | 506,389 people | +1.6% |
| 1900 | 514,376 people | +1.6% |
| 1901 | 522,427 people | +1.6% |
| 1902 | 530,539 people | +1.6% |
| 1903 | 538,714 people | +1.5% |
| 1904 | 547,013 people | +1.5% |
| 1905 | 555,440 people | +1.5% |
| 1906 | 563,995 people | +1.5% |
| 1907 | 572,681 people | +1.5% |
| 1908 | 581,500 people | +1.5% |
| 1909 | 590,172 people | +1.5% |
| 1910 | 598,690 people | +1.4% |
| 1911 | 607,048 people | +1.4% |
| 1912 | 615,240 people | +1.3% |
| 1913 | 623,258 people | +1.3% |
| 1914 | 631,380 people | +1.3% |
| 1915 | 639,607 people | +1.3% |
| 1916 | 647,939 people | +1.3% |
| 1917 | 656,379 people | +1.3% |
| 1918 | 664,048 people | +1.2% |
| 1919 | 671,733 people | +1.2% |
| 1920 | 679,435 people | +1.1% |
| 1921 | 687,152 people | +1.1% |
| 1922 | 694,884 people | +1.1% |
| 1923 | 702,630 people | +1.1% |
| 1924 | 710,462 people | +1.1% |
| 1925 | 718,382 people | +1.1% |
| 1926 | 726,390 people | +1.1% |
| 1927 | 734,487 people | +1.1% |
| 1928 | 742,675 people | +1.1% |
| 1929 | 751,334 people | +1.2% |
| 1930 | 760,476 people | +1.2% |
| 1931 | 770,112 people | +1.3% |
| 1932 | 780,251 people | +1.3% |
| 1933 | 790,906 people | +1.4% |
| 1934 | 801,706 people | +1.4% |
| 1935 | 812,653 people | +1.4% |
| 1936 | 823,750 people | +1.4% |
| 1937 | 834,999 people | +1.4% |
| 1938 | 846,401 people | +1.4% |
| 1939 | 860,189 people | +1.6% |
| 1940 | 876,455 people | +1.9% |
| 1941 | 895,293 people | +2.1% |
| 1942 | 916,801 people | +2.4% |
| 1943 | 941,079 people | +2.6% |
| 1944 | 965,999 people | +2.6% |
| 1945 | 991,580 people | +2.6% |
| 1946 | 1.02 million people | +2.6% |
| 1947 | 1.04 million people | +2.6% |
| 1948 | 1.07 million people | +2.6% |
| 1949 | 1.10 million people | +2.7% |
| 1950 | 1.13 million people | +2.8% |
| 1951 | 1.15 million people | +1.2% |
| 1952 | 1.16 million people | +1.5% |
| 1953 | 1.18 million people | +1.8% |
| 1954 | 1.21 million people | +2.1% |
| 1955 | 1.24 million people | +2.7% |
| 1956 | 1.28 million people | +3.3% |
| 1957 | 1.33 million people | +3.6% |
| 1958 | 1.38 million people | +3.8% |
| 1959 | 1.43 million people | +4.0% |
| 1960 | 1.49 million people | +4.1% |
| 1961 | 1.56 million people | +4.2% |
| 1962 | 1.62 million people | +4.3% |
| 1963 | 1.69 million people | +4.2% |
| 1964 | 1.75 million people | +3.7% |
| 1965 | 1.80 million people | +2.9% |
| 1966 | 1.85 million people | +2.5% |
| 1967 | 1.90 million people | +2.7% |
| 1968 | 1.95 million people | +2.9% |
| 1969 | 2.01 million people | +3.1% |
| 1970 | 2.08 million people | +3.4% |
| 1971 | 2.15 million people | +3.4% |
| 1972 | 2.23 million people | +3.4% |
| 1973 | 2.31 million people | +4.0% |
| 1974 | 2.43 million people | +5.1% |
| 1975 | 2.57 million people | +5.7% |
| 1976 | 2.72 million people | +5.8% |
| 1977 | 2.88 million people | +5.9% |
| 1978 | 3.05 million people | +5.9% |
| 1979 | 3.23 million people | +5.9% |
| 1980 | 3.42 million people | +5.9% |
| 1981 | 3.62 million people | +5.8% |
| 1982 | 3.72 million people | +2.9% |
| 1983 | 3.72 million people | -0.2% |
| 1984 | 3.77 million people | +1.5% |
| 1985 | 3.90 million people | +3.3% |
| 1986 | 4.02 million people | +3.0% |
| 1987 | 4.13 million people | +2.8% |
| 1988 | 4.24 million people | +2.6% |
| 1989 | 4.34 million people | +2.5% |
| 1990 | 4.45 million people | +2.4% |
| 1991 | 4.54 million people | +2.2% |
| 1992 | 4.64 million people | +2.1% |
| 1993 | 4.73 million people | +2.0% |
| 1994 | 4.82 million people | +1.9% |
| 1995 | 4.91 million people | +1.8% |
| 1996 | 4.99 million people | +1.6% |
| 1997 | 5.06 million people | +1.5% |
| 1998 | 5.14 million people | +1.5% |
| 1999 | 5.22 million people | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 5.31 million people | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 5.40 million people | +1.9% |
| 2002 | 5.51 million people | +1.9% |
| 2003 | 5.62 million people | +2.0% |
| 2004 | 5.74 million people | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 5.86 million people | +2.1% |
| 2006 | 5.98 million people | +2.1% |
| 2007 | 6.10 million people | +2.1% |
| 2008 | 6.24 million people | +2.1% |
| 2009 | 6.37 million people | +2.1% |
| 2010 | 6.50 million people | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 6.34 million people | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 6.18 million people | -2.6% |
| 2013 | 6.30 million people | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 6.43 million people | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 6.53 million people | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 6.63 million people | +1.5% |
| 2017 | 6.74 million people | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 6.85 million people | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 6.95 million people | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 7.05 million people | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 7.14 million people | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 7.22 million people | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 7.31 million people | +1.1% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's 7.31 million people is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 6.81 million people, 1.1× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Libya's 7.31 million people is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 11.44 million people, 64% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Population 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | -53.1% | 490,500 people | 230,044 people |
| 1300 | +50.0% | 200,000 people | 300,000 people |
| 1200 | -42.9% | 350,000 people | 200,000 people |
| 1400 | +33.3% | 300,000 people | 400,000 people |
| 1100 | -30.0% | 500,000 people | 350,000 people |
| 1500 | +25.0% | 400,000 people | 500,000 people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 500,000 people | 500,000 people | 500,000 people | 1 |
| 1100s | 350,000 people | 350,000 people | 350,000 people | 1 |
| 1200s | 200,000 people | 200,000 people | 200,000 people | 1 |
| 1300s | 300,000 people | 300,000 people | 300,000 people | 1 |
| 1400s | 400,000 people | 400,000 people | 400,000 people | 1 |
| 1500s | 500,000 people | 500,000 people | 500,000 people | 1 |
| 1600s | 500,000 people | 500,000 people | 500,000 people | 1 |
| 1700s | 500,000 people | 500,000 people | 500,000 people | 1 |
| 1710s | 465,166 people | 465,166 people | 465,166 people | 1 |
| 1720s | 468,333 people | 468,333 people | 468,333 people | 1 |
| 1730s | 471,500 people | 471,500 people | 471,500 people | 1 |
| 1740s | 474,666 people | 474,666 people | 474,666 people | 1 |
| 1750s | 477,833 people | 477,833 people | 477,833 people | 1 |
| 1760s | 481,000 people | 481,000 people | 481,000 people | 1 |
| 1770s | 484,166 people | 484,166 people | 484,166 people | 1 |
| 1780s | 487,333 people | 487,333 people | 487,333 people | 1 |
| 1790s | 490,500 people | 490,500 people | 490,500 people | 1 |
| 1800s | 230,677 people | 230,044 people | 231,311 people | 10 |
| 1810s | 232,903 people | 231,454 people | 234,953 people | 10 |
| 1820s | 239,341 people | 235,594 people | 243,722 people | 10 |
| 1830s | 250,478 people | 244,892 people | 256,137 people | 10 |
| 1840s | 263,289 people | 257,418 people | 269,239 people | 10 |
| 1850s | 282,681 people | 270,585 people | 297,097 people | 10 |
| 1860s | 316,629 people | 300,528 people | 333,222 people | 10 |
| 1870s | 355,117 people | 337,064 people | 373,934 people | 10 |
| 1880s | 404,770 people | 378,777 people | 432,477 people | 10 |
| 1890s | 471,995 people | 439,158 people | 506,389 people | 10 |
| 1900s | 551,686 people | 514,376 people | 590,172 people | 10 |
| 1910s | 635,532 people | 598,690 people | 671,733 people | 10 |
| 1920s | 714,783 people | 679,435 people | 751,334 people | 10 |
| 1930s | 808,144 people | 760,476 people | 860,189 people | 10 |
| 1940s | 982,338 people | 876,455 people | 1.10 million people | 10 |
| 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 regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1882 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3412 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 8,540 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.9554 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2302 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Population density 5.56 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 455,012 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Libya?
- Population in Libya was 7.31 million people in 2023, according to HYDE (2023); Gapminder (2022); UN WPP (2024) – with major processing 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 200,000 people in 1200.
- How does Libya rank for population?
- Libya ranks 107th out of 239 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 HYDE (2023); Gapminder (2022); UN WPP (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 241 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Population by country, available from 10,000 BCE to 2023, based on data and estimates from different sources.