Libya: environment

How many people in Libya have safe drinking water?

38.0% of household members in Libya used safely managed drinking water, meaning an improved source on the premises, free of E. coli and available when needed, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. 90.6% had enough drinking water when needed in the month before the survey.

The safely managed figure is held down mainly by water quality and location: 71.6% of users of improved sources had water free of E. coli at the source, and 57.6% had water accessible on the premises. The survey tested water quality in a sample of about 3,500 households.

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

How many people in Libya have adequate sanitation?

97.7% of household members in Libya used at least basic sanitation, an improved toilet not shared with other households, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. 2.0% shared an improved facility and no open defecation was recorded.

The World Bank, using WHO and UNICEF estimates, puts the share using safely managed sanitation at 21.7% in 2024. That stricter measure also requires waste to be safely treated or disposed of, so it is much lower than the basic service figure.

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

How does Libya produce its electricity?

Libya's power stations produced 51,496,578 megawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, up from 46,934,764 in 2023, according to General Electric Company figures in the Bureau of Statistics and Census Statistical Book 2024. Main gas stations produced 25,262,610 MWh and combined cycle stations 20,644,449 MWh.

Steam stations generated 5,310,537 MWh. The stations burned 8.9 billion cubic metres of natural gas in 2024, along with oil products. Peak load on the public network was 8,764 megawatts, 6.4% above 2023. Renewables supplied 3.1% of final energy consumption in 2021, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: Statistical Book 2024 · World Bank

How polluted is the air in Libya?

People in Libya were exposed to an average of 20.0 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank. The level was 23.2 in 2022 and 22.0 in 2021.

The figure is a population-weighted annual average, modelled from satellite and ground measurements, so it covers the whole country rather than individual monitoring stations. It has moved between 18.9 and 23.4 since 2018. No national air quality statistics were found on the Bureau of Statistics and Census site, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank

How much of Libya is forest?

Forest covered 0.12% of Libya's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank, using FAO data. The share has edged down from 0.118% in 2019.

Forest area counts land of more than half a hectare with trees above 5 metres and canopy cover above 10%. Rainfall data for 2024 from Libya's meteorological stations are published in the Bureau of Statistics and Census Statistical Book.

Official sources: World Bank

How much CO2 does Libya emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Libya at 8.7 tonnes in 2024. The peak was 10.2 tonnes in 2012 and the low 6.5 tonnes in 2020. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 3.6 tonnes, and Libya placed 8th highest of 22. Worldwide: 21st of 186.

What are Libya's emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 98.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 106 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2011, at 62.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. It is 12th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 103 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 57th of 186.

How much of Libya's energy is renewable?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Libya was 3.1% in 2021. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.3% (2014) to 3.2% (2011). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 3.4%, and Libya placed 12th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 164th of 191.

What share of Libya is covered by forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Libya was 0.1%, according to the FAO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 1.6%, and Libya placed 20th highest of 22. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 188th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Libya?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 20.0 micrograms per cubic metre. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 28.7 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2017, at 18.6 micrograms per cubic metre. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 40.3 micrograms per cubic metre, and Libya placed 18th highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 84th highest.

How much of Libya is in national parks and reserves?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 0.1%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2013. It is 22nd highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 9.8%. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 188th highest.

What is water stress in Libya?

The FAO puts water stress in Libya at 817.1% in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 116.7%; Libya is 4th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 4th of 175.