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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