Libya's economy, almost entirely dependent on oil and gas exports, has struggled since 2014 given security and political instability, disruptions in oil production, and decline in global oil prices. The Libyan dinar has lost much of its value since 2014 and the resulting gap between official and black market exchange rates has spurred the growth of a shadow economy and contributed to inflation. The country suffers from widespread power outages, caused by shortages of fuel for power generation. Living conditions, including access to clean drinking water, medical services, and safe housing have all declined since 2011. Oil production in 2017 reached a five-year high, driving GDP growth, with daily average production rising to 879,000 barrels per day. However, oil production levels remain below the average pre-Revolution highs of 1.6 million barrels per day.
The Central Bank of Libya continued to pay government salaries to a majority of the Libyan workforce and to fund subsidies for fuel and food, resulting in an estimated budget deficit of about 17% of GDP in 2017. Low consumer confidence in the banking sector and the economy as a whole has driven a severe liquidity shortage.
$70.65 billion (2020 est.)
$102.84 billion (2019 est.)
$100.3 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
64% (2017 est.)
-7.4% (2016 est.)
-13% (2015 est.)
$10,300 (2020 est.)
$15,200 (2019 est.)
$15,000 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
$52.259 billion (2019 est.)
28.5% (2017 est.)
25.9% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 1.3% (2017 est.)
industry: 52.3% (2017 est.)
services: 46.4% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 71.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 19.4% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 2.7% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.3% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 38.8% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -33.8% (2017 est.)
potatoes, watermelons, tomatoes, onions, dates, milk, olives, wheat, poultry, vegetables
petroleum, petrochemicals, aluminum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement
60.3% (2017 est.)
1.114 million (2017 est.)
agriculture: 17%
industry: 23%
services: 59% (2004 est.)
30% (2004 est.)
total: 48.7%
male: 40.8%
female: 67.8% (2012 est.)
note: about one-third of Libyans live at or below the national poverty line
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
revenues: 15.78 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 23.46 billion (2017 est.)
-25.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
4.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
7.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
51.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
calendar year
$2.574 billion (2017 est.)
-$4.575 billion (2016 est.)
$29.96 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$11.99 billion (2016 est.)
Italy 18%, China 16%, Germany 15%, Spain 15%, United Arab Emirates 6%, France 6%, United States 5% (2019)
crude petroleum, natural gas, gold, refined petroleum, scrap iron (2019)
$18.85 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$8.667 billion (2016 est.)
China 16%, Turkey 14%, Italy 9%, United Arab Emirates 9%, Egypt 5% (2019)
refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, cigarettes, jewelry (2019)
$74.71 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$66.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$3.02 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.116 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Libyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar -
1.413 (2017 est.)
1.3904 (2016 est.)
1.3904 (2015 est.)
1.379 (2014 est.)
1.2724 (2013 est.)
NOTE: The information regarding Libya on this page is re-published from the 2022 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Libya 2022 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Libya 2022 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.
This page was last modified 01 Dec 23, Copyright © 23 ITA all rights reserved.