Libya: Introduction

Total Population: 6,355,000

Natural Increase: 1.5%

Density: 4 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 77.9%

Population of main cities including suburbs: Tripoli (1,030,000); Benghazi (690,000); Misratah (386,000); Tarhunah (210,000).

Ethnic Origins: The population is made up of 97% Arabs and some Berbers.

The country has a very large majority of Arabs, a few Tuaregs (essentially in the Fezzan, along the border with Algeria and Niger) and a minority of Berbers (in the Djebel Nefusa and at Zwara).

Official Language: Arabic

Other Languages Spoken: English, Italian.

Business Language(s): English

Religion: Sunni Muslims (97% of the population).

Literacy Rate: 84.2%

Area: 1,759,540 km²

Type of State: Socialist Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory but in reality governed by a military dictatorship whose "Leader and Guide of the Revolution", Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, is the de facto Head of State (without any official title). He exclusively holds executive power.

Type of Economy: Upper-middle-income economy dependent on the hydrocarbon sector. The country is in economic transition..
Since 1999, the Libyan authorities have aimed at making the Libyan economy more efficient through a policy of opening up and liberalization which benefits the private sector and investment. Libya is currently facing a major political crisis which affects its economy.

HDI*: 0.755/1

HDI (World Rank): 53/169

Telephone Code:
To Make a Call From Libya, Dial 00
To Make a Call to Libya, Dial +218

Internet Suffix: .ly

Telephone Lines: 14.4 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 4.7 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 97% of the Population