Libya's population has experienced significant growth over the past several decades, despite periods of political instability and conflict. In the mid-20th century, Libya's population was under 1.5 million, but as of 2024, it is estimated to have surpassed 7 million people. This growth has been driven by a combination of natural increase—Libya's birth rate has traditionally been higher than the global average—and improvements in healthcare that have reduced mortality rates. However, recent years have seen a slowing of population growth due to economic challenges and ongoing internal strife, which have also contributed to migration and displacement within the country. Urbanization is a notable trend, with the majority of Libyans now living in cities along the Mediterranean coast, such as Tripoli and Benghazi, rather than in the sparsely populated desert interior.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 961,305 | 0.5 |
| 1955 | 1,122,475 | 0.6 |
| 1960 | 1,337,947 | 0.8 |
| 1965 | 1,623,770 | 0.9 |
| 1970 | 1,999,162 | 1.1 |
| 1975 | 2,568,090 | 1.5 |
| 1980 | 3,060,429 | 1.7 |
| 1985 | 3,660,030 | 2.1 |
| 1990 | 4,098,435 | 2.3 |
| 1995 | 4,583,908 | 2.6 |
| 2000 | 5,064,358 | 2.9 |
| 2005 | 5,658,181 | 3.2 |
| 2010 | 6,367,346 | 3.6 |
| 2015 | 6,227,706 | 3.5 |
| 2020 | 6,890,637 | 3.9 |
| 2022 | 7,137,931 | 4.1 |
| 2023 | 7,252,573 | 4.1 |
| 2024 | 7,361,263 | 4.2 |
| 2025 | 7,464,417 | 4.2 |
| 2030 | 7,922,470 | 4.5 |
| 2035 | 8,369,582 | 4.8 |
| 2040 | 8,839,688 | 5 |
| 2045 | 9,311,267 | 5.3 |
| 2050 | 9,734,776 | 5.5 |
| 2055 | 10,073,160 | 5.7 |
| 2060 | 10,327,324 | 5.9 |
| 2065 | 10,520,742 | 6 |
| 2070 | 10,678,866 | 6.1 |
| 2075 | 10,811,357 | 6.1 |
| 2080 | 10,912,111 | 6.2 |
| 2085 | 10,969,859 | 6.2 |
| 2090 | 10,975,718 | 6.2 |
| 2095 | 10,922,944 | 6.2 |
| 2100 | 10,804,486 | 6.1 |
Data from US Census International Database