Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Libya
Libya: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 17,161 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Libya, 1980–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in Libya is 17,161, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.4% on the previous year and up 182.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Libya peaked at 19,090 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 205, in 1980.
That places Libya 51st out of 205 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Libya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 205 | — |
| 1981 | 226 | +10.2% |
| 1982 | 259 | +14.6% |
| 1983 | 275 | +6.2% |
| 1984 | 291 | +5.8% |
| 1985 | 327 | +12.4% |
| 1986 | 304 | -7.0% |
| 1987 | 250 | -17.8% |
| 1988 | 659 | +163.6% |
| 1989 | 653 | -0.9% |
| 1990 | 579 | -11.3% |
| 1991 | 841 | +45.3% |
| 1992 | 687 | -18.3% |
| 1993 | 595 | -13.4% |
| 1994 | 669 | +12.4% |
| 1995 | 622 | -7.0% |
| 1996 | 271 | -56.4% |
| 1997 | 266 | -1.8% |
| 1998 | 432 | +62.4% |
| 1999 | 563 | +30.3% |
| 2000 | 603 | +7.1% |
| 2001 | 877 | +45.4% |
| 2002 | 1,443 | +64.5% |
| 2003 | 1,553 | +7.6% |
| 2004 | 1,696 | +9.2% |
| 2005 | 1,556 | -8.3% |
| 2006 | 1,557 | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 1,939 | +24.5% |
| 2008 | 2,068 | +6.7% |
| 2009 | 2,189 | +5.9% |
| 2010 | 2,297 | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 4,372 | +90.3% |
| 2012 | 5,233 | +19.7% |
| 2013 | 3,298 | -37.0% |
| 2014 | 4,187 | +27.0% |
| 2015 | 6,077 | +45.1% |
| 2016 | 8,831 | +45.3% |
| 2017 | 11,205 | +26.9% |
| 2018 | 13,868 | +23.8% |
| 2019 | 16,033 | +15.6% |
| 2020 | 17,523 | +9.3% |
| 2021 | 19,090 | +8.9% |
| 2022 | 17,811 | -6.7% |
| 2023 | 17,958 | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 17,235 | -4.0% |
| 2025 | 17,161 | -0.4% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's 17,161 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2,477, 6.9× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Libya's 17,161 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 9,174, 1.9× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | +163.6% | 250 | 659 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 344.9 | 205 | 659 | 10 |
| 1990s | 552.5 | 266 | 841 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,548 | 603 | 2,189 | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,540 | 2,297 | 16,033 | 10 |
| 2020s | 17,796 | 17,161 | 19,090 | 6 |
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)
- Population growth rate -0.196 (2100)
- Population density 5.56 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 455,012 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of origin in Libya?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Libya was 17,161 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 19,090 in 2021.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was 205 in 1980.
- How does Libya rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Libya ranks 51st out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 182.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Libya data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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