Libya: cost of living

How many people in Libya struggle to afford food?

23.5% of people in Libya lived in households with moderate or severe food insecurity, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. 4.2% faced severe food insecurity.

Food insecurity was much higher in households headed by a non-Libyan, at 47.3%, than in Libyan-headed households, at 23.2%. It fell with education, from 28.6% where the household head had primary or lower secondary schooling to 19.0% where the head had higher education. The measure uses the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, which asks about problems getting enough food because of a lack of money or resources.

Official sources: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25

How many households in Libya receive state benefits?

64.5% of people in Libya lived in households that received a social transfer or benefit in the three months before the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. The most common was the wives and children grant, received by households covering 51.6% of people.

16.0% of people lived in households receiving a retirement pension and 4.1% in households receiving a disability grant. 4.0% had school-related support for a member aged 5 to 24. In households headed by women, 37.9% of people received a pension. The Central Bank's accounts list the children's allowance among subsidy spending, at 6,730.8 million dinars in 2023.

Official sources: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25

How many people in Libya have health insurance?

2.8% of women aged 15 to 49 in Libya were covered by health insurance, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. Among those covered, 92.6% were insured through their employer.

Public health facilities recorded 7,898,538 visits in 2024, according to the Ministry of Health data in the Statistical Book 2024. The World Health Organization estimates that out-of-pocket payments made up 19.2% of current health spending in 2023. Coverage was 2.9% in urban areas and 2.1% in rural areas, according to the survey.

Official sources: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 · Statistical Book 2024 · World Health Organization

What is Libya's inflation rate?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Libya at 1.8% in 2025. The peak was 25.9% in 2016 and the low -2.2% in 2019. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.9%; Libya is 10th highest of 18. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 115th highest.

How much do households in Libya spend per person?

In 2025, household consumption per person in Libya was $2,614, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2010 was 2010, at $3,975; its low point was 2018, at $2,289. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was $2,629, and Libya placed 7th highest of 11. Worldwide: 79th of 124.

What is food insecurity in Libya?

According to the FAO, moderate or severe food insecurity in Libya was 31.6% in 2024. Its high point since 2015 was 2021, at 39.8%; its low point was 2015, at 29.1%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 24.2%; Libya is 5th highest of 13. World rank, highest first: 50th of 135.