Net migration in Libya
Libya: Net migration was -172 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Libya, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net migration in Libya is -172, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 105.0% on the previous year and up 97.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Libya peaked at 69,211 in 1981 and was at its lowest, -562,827, in 2011.
That places Libya 94th out of 218 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Libya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 22,559 | — |
| 1961 | 22,504 | -0.2% |
| 1962 | 21,589 | -4.1% |
| 1963 | 18,740 | -13.2% |
| 1964 | 2,084 | -88.9% |
| 1965 | -15,810 | -858.6% |
| 1966 | -13,619 | -13.9% |
| 1967 | -10,384 | -23.8% |
| 1968 | -6,323 | -39.1% |
| 1969 | -1,418 | -77.6% |
| 1970 | 745 | -152.5% |
| 1971 | -4,265 | -672.5% |
| 1972 | -3,418 | -19.9% |
| 1973 | 20,498 | -699.7% |
| 1974 | 44,946 | +119.3% |
| 1975 | 49,544 | +10.2% |
| 1976 | 53,813 | +8.6% |
| 1977 | 57,867 | +7.5% |
| 1978 | 61,684 | +6.6% |
| 1979 | 64,821 | +5.1% |
| 1980 | 66,739 | +3.0% |
| 1981 | 69,211 | +3.7% |
| 1982 | -126,400 | -282.6% |
| 1983 | -140,904 | +11.5% |
| 1984 | 18,039 | -112.8% |
| 1985 | 11,962 | -33.7% |
| 1986 | 5,844 | -51.1% |
| 1987 | 1,740 | -70.2% |
| 1988 | 1,053 | -39.5% |
| 1989 | 981 | -6.8% |
| 1990 | 946 | -3.6% |
| 1991 | 902 | -4.7% |
| 1992 | 843 | -6.5% |
| 1993 | 426 | -49.5% |
| 1994 | -1,755 | -512.0% |
| 1995 | -5,068 | +188.8% |
| 1996 | -8,446 | +66.7% |
| 1997 | -10,907 | +29.1% |
| 1998 | -11,479 | +5.2% |
| 1999 | -10,206 | -11.1% |
| 2000 | 5,634 | -155.2% |
| 2001 | 8,420 | +49.4% |
| 2002 | 10,152 | +20.6% |
| 2003 | 12,073 | +18.9% |
| 2004 | 13,222 | +9.5% |
| 2005 | 11,024 | -16.6% |
| 2006 | 3,351 | -69.6% |
| 2007 | 12,640 | +277.2% |
| 2008 | 15,260 | +20.7% |
| 2009 | 11,670 | -23.5% |
| 2010 | 9,611 | -17.6% |
| 2011 | -562,827 | -5956.1% |
| 2012 | 5,211 | -100.9% |
| 2013 | 25,755 | +394.2% |
| 2014 | -1,716 | -106.7% |
| 2015 | -7,660 | +346.4% |
| 2016 | -5,081 | -33.7% |
| 2017 | 9,208 | -281.2% |
| 2018 | 5,841 | -36.6% |
| 2019 | -1,352 | -123.1% |
| 2020 | -694 | -48.7% |
| 2021 | -694 | -0.0% |
| 2022 | -2,001 | +188.3% |
| 2023 | -2,001 | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 3,448 | -272.3% |
| 2025 | -172 | -105.0% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's -172 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is -2,815, 6% of the median. (59 countries reporting)
- Libya's -172 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is -581, 30% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Libya changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | -5956.1% | 9,611 | -562,827 |
| 1965 | -858.6% | 2,084 | -15,810 |
| 1973 | +699.7% | -3,418 | 20,498 |
| 1971 | -672.5% | 745 | -4,265 |
| 1994 | -512.0% | 426 | -1,755 |
| 2013 | +394.2% | 5,211 | 25,755 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 3,992 | -15,810 | 22,559 | 10 |
| 1970s | 34,624 | -4,265 | 64,821 | 10 |
| 1980s | -9,174 | -140,904 | 69,211 | 10 |
| 1990s | -4,474 | -11,479 | 946 | 10 |
| 2000s | 10,345 | 3,351 | 15,260 | 10 |
| 2010s | -52,301 | -562,827 | 25,755 | 10 |
| 2020s | -352.33 | -2,001 | 3,448 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Libya
More financial sector data for Libya
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0116 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 74.95 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0085 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 54.73 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0116 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 74.95 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Libya?
- Net migration in Libya was -172 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 69,211 in 1981.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was -562,827 in 2011.
- How does Libya rank for net migration?
- Libya ranks 94th out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 97.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Libya data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.