Libya: health and care

What is the infant mortality rate in Libya?

Libya's infant mortality rate was 12 deaths per 1,000 live births and the under-five mortality rate 13 per 1,000, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025 final report of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. Neonatal mortality, in the first month of life, was 9 per 1,000.

The survey was carried out in 2024-2025 with UNICEF support and asks women about the births and deaths of their children, so the rates describe the years before the survey. MICS also covers nutrition, vaccination, schooling, water and sanitation and child protection.

Official sources: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025 final report

How many children in Libya are vaccinated?

80.6% of children aged 12 to 23 months in Libya had received the third dose of the hexavalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Hib and polio), according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. 89.7% had received the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis.

Coverage was lower among children aged 24 to 35 months, at 73.7% for the third hexavalent dose. The figures combine vaccination cards and mothers' reports. The Ministry of Health figures in the Statistical Book 2024 show the same pattern for 2024. Only 30.6% of children received the hepatitis B birth dose within a day of birth.

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

How many children in Libya are stunted?

11.8% of children under five in Libya were stunted, or too short for their age, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. 4.2% were wasted, or too thin for their height, and 3.4% were underweight. 8.8% were overweight.

Stunting was 11.5% in urban areas and 14.6% in rural areas. It ranged by region from 4.2% in Tripoli to 28.5% in Al Jabal al Gharbi, which also had the highest overweight rate, at 34.6%. The measurements were taken by survey teams between August 2024 and January 2025 and compared with WHO growth standards.

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

How many doctors and nurses does Libya have?

Libya had 27 doctors and specialists per 10,000 people in 2024, according to Ministry of Health figures in the Bureau of Statistics and Census Statistical Book 2024. It had 64.4 nursing staff, 15.4 pharmacists, 10.8 dentists and 1.8 midwives per 10,000 people.

In 2023 public facilities employed 18,716 doctors and 3,343 specialists, 53,186 nursing staff and 33,081 health technicians, out of 132,999 medical and paramedical staff. Hospitals and medical centres recorded 635,431 admissions and 154,096 surgeries in 2024. The figures cover public facilities only.

Official sources: Statistical Book 2024

How do women in Libya give birth?

99.2% of recent births in Libya were attended by a skilled health worker, and 42.1% were delivered by caesarean section, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. Doctors attended 92.6% of births and nurses or midwives 6.6%.

For 35.1% of births the caesarean was decided before labour began, and for 7.0% after the onset of labour pains. The survey also found a total fertility rate of 3.0 children per woman for the three years before the survey, and an adolescent birth rate of 9 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19. The figures cover women with a live birth in the two years before the survey.

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

How common are infectious diseases in Libya?

Libya reported 163 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis among Libyans in 2024, according to Ministry of Health figures in the Bureau of Statistics and Census Statistical Book 2024. It also reported 2,275 cases of hepatitis B, 541 of hepatitis C, 547 of AIDS, 298 of malaria and 257 of measles.

The Ministry's incidence rate for pulmonary tuberculosis among Libyans was 13 per 100,000 in 2023. The World Health Organization estimates tuberculosis incidence for the whole population at 63 per 100,000 in 2024. Its estimate includes cases that are not diagnosed or reported, and all residents, not only Libyans.

Official sources: Statistical Book 2024 · World Health Organization

How long do people live in Libya?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 71.1 years. Since 2005 it has ranged from 69.3 years (2023) to 74.5 years (2022). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 77.3 years; Libya is 18th highest of 22. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 125th highest.

How many babies die in Libya?

7.9 per 1,000: that is the infant mortality rate in Libya for 2024, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 11.2 per 1,000, and Libya placed 15th highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 125th highest.

How many women die in childbirth in Libya?

According to the WHO, the maternal mortality ratio in Libya was 59.0 per 100,000 in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 18.5 per 100,000, and Libya placed 8th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 88th of 192.

How much does Libya spend on health?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 7.8% of GDP. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 5.6% of GDP, and Libya placed 5th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 62nd of 191.

How much do people in Libya pay for health care themselves?

According to the WHO, out-of-pocket health spending in Libya was 19.2% in 2023. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 32.7%; Libya is 17th highest of 22. Worldwide: 129th of 191.

How many doctors does Libya have?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Libya at 2.0 per 1,000 in 2017. It was 1.9 per 1,000 in 2009. It is 8th highest of 18 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 1.7 per 1,000. Of 138 countries with 2017 data, 72nd highest.

What is hospital capacity in Libya?

According to the WHO, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Libya was 3.5 per 1,000 in 2022. The peak was 3.7 per 1,000 in 2006 and the low 3.2 per 1,000 in 2017. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.6 per 1,000; Libya is 2nd highest of 12. World rank, highest first: 44th of 110.

How many children in Libya are vaccinated against measles?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Libya was 89.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. The peak was 98.0% in 2006 and the low 73.0% in 2018. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 96.0%; Libya is 15th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 191.