Country Summary: Libya (State of Libya)
Country Name: Libya (State of Libya)
Capital: Tripoli (Tarabulus)
Government Type: in transition
Background: Berbers have inhabited central north Africa since ancient times, but the region has been settled and ruled by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Persians, Egyptians, Romans, and Vandals. In the 7th century, Islam spread through the region; in the mid-16th century, Ottoman rule began. The Italians supplanted the Ottoman Turks in the area around Tripoli in 1911 and did not relinquish their hold until 1943 when they were defeated in World War II. Libya then passed to UN administration and achieved independence in 1951. Following a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar al-QADHAFI assumed leadership and began to espouse his political system at home, which was a combination of socialism and Islam.
Continent: Africa
Population: 7,252,573 (2023 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Amazigh and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Egyptian, Greek, Indian, Italian, Maltese, Pakistani, Tunisian, and Turkish)
Languages: Arabic (official), Italian, English (all widely understood in the major cities); Tamazight (Nafusi, Ghadamis, Suknah, Awjilah, Tamasheq)
Religions: Muslim (official; virtually all Sunni) 96.6%, Christian 2.7%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, folk religion <1%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)
Economic Overview: upper middle-income, fossil fuel-based North African economy; 31% economic contraction due to COVID-19 and 2020 oil blockade; reduced government spending; central bank had to devalue currency; public wages are over 60% of expenditures
Currency: Libyan Dinar (LYD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $86.683 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $134.861 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars
Real GDP Growth Rate: -1.24% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per Capita: $19,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars
Exports:
$32.38 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Comparison Ranking: 78
Export Commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, scrap iron, gold (2021)
Export Partners: Italy 18%, China 16%, Germany 15%, Spain 15%, United Arab Emirates 6%, France 6%, United States 5% (2019)
Imports:
$25.406 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Comparison Ranking: 86
Import Commodities: refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, cigarettes, jewelry (2019)
Import Partners: China 16%, Turkey 14%, Italy 9%, United Arab Emirates 9%, Egypt 5% (2019)
Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
Agricultural Products: potatoes, watermelons, tomatoes, onions, dates, milk, olives, wheat, poultry, vegetables
Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, aluminum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement
Industrial Production Growth Rate:
-9.9% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Comparison Ranking: 210
Labor Force: 2.327 million (2022 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 19.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Natural Hazards: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms
Geography:
Total: 1,759,540 sq km
Land: 1,759,540 sq km
Water: 0 sq km
(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)
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