Libya: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Libya?

Libya's unemployment rate was 15.3% in 2022, according to the labour force survey results in the Bureau of Statistics and Census Statistical Book 2024. The rate was 18.4% for women and 13.3% for men. 354,265 people were looking for work and 1,956,577 were employed.

By region the rate ranged from 6.4% in Al Jabal al Akhdar to 24.0% in Ghat, with 21.5% in Tripoli and 13.0% in Benghazi. The survey dates from 2022 and is the latest official labour force survey published on the Bureau's site, checked on 15 October 2026. Unemployment counts people without work who are seeking it, as a share of the labour force.

Official sources: Statistical Book 2024

How many young people in Libya are unemployed?

23.1% of the labour force aged 15 to 24 in Libya was unemployed in 2022, according to the labour force survey results in the Bureau of Statistics and Census Statistical Book 2024. The rate was 39.2% for young women and 18.9% for young men.

The highest rate was among people aged 25 to 34, at 32.1%: 39.0% for women and 28.4% for men. That age group had 171,231 job seekers, almost half of all the unemployed. Rates fall with age, to 7.8% at 45 to 54. The survey covers 2022. The ILO's modelled estimate for youth unemployment, published by the World Bank, is much higher, at 50.1% in 2025, and uses a different method.

Official sources: Statistical Book 2024

How many people in Libya work for the government?

81.6% of employed people in Libya worked for the government in 2022, according to the labour force survey results in the Bureau of Statistics and Census Statistical Book 2024. That was 1,595,163 of 1,955,387 workers.

The share was 89.7% for women and 76.6% for men. A further 5.0% worked in community-owned establishments. 4.2% worked alone on their own account, 3.4% worked for other employers and 2.0% ran businesses with others. Foreign companies employed 0.1% of workers. The Central Bank's statements show salaries as the largest item of state spending.

Official sources: Statistical Book 2024

Does education reduce unemployment in Libya?

Unemployment among Libyans with a university degree was 14.0% in 2022, according to the labour force survey results in the Bureau of Statistics and Census Statistical Book 2024. 86,871 graduates were looking for work and 532,469 were employed.

The rate was 25.7% for people who could not read or write, 22.5% for those with primary schooling, 17.4% for preparatory school and 14.0% for secondary school. For people with a postgraduate diploma it was 11.3%. The survey covers 2022. The highest rate, 33.1%, was among people who could read and write but had no school qualification.

Official sources: Statistical Book 2024

How many children in Libya are in child labour?

3.1% of children aged 5 to 17 in Libya were in child labour, according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024-25 of the Bureau of Statistics and Census, carried out with UNICEF. The rate was 4.0% for boys and 2.2% for girls, and 4.4% in rural areas.

8.1% of children did some economic work in the week before the survey, most of them below the hours threshold that counts as child labour. The measure combines paid and unpaid economic work and household chores, using age-specific hour limits, and also counts children in hazardous work. The survey fieldwork ran from August 2024 to January 2025.

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

What is Libya's minimum wage?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Libya was 1,000 LYD a month (about $207), according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is Libya's unemployment rate?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 18.8%. The peak was 19.8% in 2021 and the low 18.7% in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 8.3%; Libya is 2nd highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 9th of 174.

How many young people in Libya are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 50.1%. The peak was 53.6% in 2020 and the low 46.4% in 2005. It is 2nd highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 4th highest.

What share of people in Libya are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Libya was 48.0% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 49.4%; its low point was 2020, at 45.0%. It is 10th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 45.2%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 155th highest.

How many women in Libya are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 33.0%. The peak was 34.1% in 2014 and the low 31.0% in 2020. It is 8th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 153rd highest.

How many people in Libya are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Libya was 39.0%, according to the ILO. The peak was 40.0% in 2018 and the low 36.2% in 2020. It is 12th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 40.0%. Worldwide: 158th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Libya?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 21.6%. The peak was 23.6% in 2017 and the low 16.7% in 2007. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 21.6%, and Libya placed 11th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 113th of 174.

What share of jobs in Libya are salaried?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Libya at 74.1% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 72.2% (2017) to 78.3% (2007). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 74.1%, and Libya placed 11th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 65th highest.