Libya Population Growth
Annual population growth rate SP.POP.GROW
Libya's population growth was 0.97% in 2025, ranked 113th globally. This represents a 5.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Libya's population growth stood at 0.97% in 2025, a decline of +0.06pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.97% by 2025. Libya ranked 113th globally.
Libya’s population growth has slowed markedly since the post‑oil boom of the late 1970s, when the annual increase peaked at 5.77 % in 1979, to a modest 0.97 % in 2025, placing the country 113th globally. The sharpest reversal occurred in 2012, when the growth rate turned negative at –2.62 %, reflecting the combined impact of civil conflict, emigration and a decline in fertility. Over the 65‑year series, the average growth rate fell well below the early‑stage expansion of 4.12 % recorded in 1961, indicating a transition from rapid demographic expansion to near‑stagnation. Libya’s 2025 figure is closely aligned with Morocco’s 0.98 % and Colombia’s 0.95 %, suggesting that regional and middle‑income peers are experiencing similar deceleration. If political stability improves and economic diversification reduces out‑migration, the growth trajectory could modestly rebound; otherwise, the near‑zero rate may persist, edging the country toward a demographic plateau.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.81% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.89% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.97% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.97% | −0.06pp | #113 |
| 2024 | 1.03% | −0.10pp | #115 |
| 2023 | 1.13% | −0.11pp | #115 |
| 2022 | 1.23% | −0.03pp | #123 |
| 2021 | 1.27% | −0.08pp | #135 |
| 2020 | 1.35% | −0.13pp | #130 |
| 2019 | 1.48% | −0.15pp | #131 |
| 2018 | 1.62% | +0.03pp | #137 |
| 2017 | 1.60% | +0.07pp | #139 |
| 2016 | 1.52% | −0.09pp | #139 |
| 2015 | 1.61% | −0.31pp | #137 |
| 2014 | 1.93% | −0.08pp | #148 |
| 2013 | 2.01% | +4.62pp | #149 |
| 2012 | -2.62% | −0.21pp | #1 |
| 2011 | -2.41% | −4.45pp | #4 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Libya matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw population growth improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Libya's population growth was 0.97% in 2025. Ranked 113th globally. This represents a 5.9% decrease from the previous year.
Libya's population growth peaked at 5.77% in 1979.
The lowest population growth in Libya was -2.62% in 2012.
Libya ranks 113th globally in population growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.GROW. Data sourced from World Bank.
Libya's population growth is projected to reach 0.97% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population growth of Libya in 2025 was 0.97%. This ranks 113th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_libya_population-growth,
title = {Libya Population Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/libya/population-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}