Libya Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Libya's unemployment rate was 18.76% in 2025, ranked 173rd globally. This represents a 1.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Libya's unemployment rate stood at 18.76% in 2025, a decline of +0.33pp from 2024. Libya ranked 173rd globally.
Libya’s unemployment rate has hovered near the high‑teens for the entire 35‑year series, moving from an all‑time trough of 18.60% in 1991 to a peak of 19.78% in 2021 before slipping slightly to 18.76% in 2025, placing the country 173rd globally. The modest decline since the 2021 peak suggests a marginal improvement, yet the level remains comparable to peers such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines at 18.00% and Somalia (Fed. Rep.) at 18.95%, underscoring persistent labour market weakness across the region. The limited fluctuation over three decades reflects structural constraints, including the lingering effects of political instability and limited diversification beyond the oil sector. Continued reforms aimed at expanding private‑sector employment and enhancing vocational training could help lower the rate further, while any resurgence of conflict or oil‑price volatility would likely reverse the modest downward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18.76% | −0.33pp | #173 |
| 2024 | 19.09% | +0.37pp | #180 |
| 2023 | 18.71% | −0.52pp | #180 |
| 2022 | 19.24% | −0.54pp | #181 |
| 2021 | 19.78% | +0.13pp | #180 |
| 2020 | 19.65% | +0.56pp | #181 |
| 2019 | 19.09% | +0.22pp | #182 |
| 2018 | 18.87% | −0.19pp | #178 |
| 2017 | 19.05% | −0.51pp | #179 |
| 2016 | 19.56% | −0.13pp | #179 |
| 2015 | 19.69% | +0.40pp | #179 |
| 2014 | 19.30% | −0.02pp | #180 |
| 2013 | 19.31% | +0.28pp | #176 |
| 2012 | 19.03% | −0.47pp | #176 |
| 2011 | 19.50% | +0.18pp | #180 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Libya matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Libya's unemployment rate was 18.76% in 2025. Ranked 173rd globally. This represents a 1.7% decrease from the previous year.
Libya's unemployment rate peaked at 19.78% in 2021.
The lowest unemployment rate in Libya was 18.60% in 1991.
Libya ranks 173rd globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The unemployment rate of Libya in 2025 was 18.76%. This ranks 173rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_libya_unemployment-rate,
title = {Libya Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/libya/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}