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Country profile · compared with COMESA

Libya

COMESA

Libya is home to 7.5m people (2025) and has an economy of $48.1bn (2025), the 3rd largest in COMESA. Output per person of $6,449 is above the regional median of $2,539. The economy grew 13.4% in 2025, and the IMF expects 3.3% in 2026. Inflation was 1.8% in 2025, below the regional median of 3.5%. 77.4% of people have electricity (2024).

Where Libya stands out

  • Real GDP growthGrowth expands the market an investment sells into and eases debt burdens.Highest of 10 in COMESA. Select for the data card.
    Highest of 10 in COMESA
  • Current account balancePersistent large deficits must be financed by capital inflows.Highest of 10 in COMESA. Select for the data card.
    Highest of 10 in COMESA
  • Foreign reservesThe buffer against currency crises.Highest of 10 in COMESA. Select for the data card.
    Highest of 10 in COMESA

What to watch

  • General government gross debtHigh public debt raises the risk of tax rises, spending cuts, arrears to suppliers and, in the worst case, default and capital controls.Highest of 10 in COMESA. Select for the data card.
    Highest of 10 in COMESA
  • Logistics Performance IndexLogistics costs decide whether manufacturing and agribusiness can compete.Lowest of 8 in COMESA. Select for the data card.
    Lowest of 8 in COMESA
  • Labour force participationIndicates how much of the population is economically active.Lowest of 9 in COMESA. Select for the data card.
    Lowest of 9 in COMESA

Libya scores best on stability and weakest on governance

Scores from 0 to 100 by rank within COMESA, against the COMESA median. 100 means best in the region on that pillar.

LibyaCOMESA median
Market sizeGrowthStabilityInfrastructureDigital,financeGovernanceUnmetdemand6747725659735
Source: Investor Lens method·dotzedw Insights Centre

The IMF expects Libya to grow 3.3% in 2026

Real GDP growth, per cent a year. Open bars are IMF forecasts.

ActualIMF forecast
0.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%10%12%14%13%20253.3%20262.9%20272.7%2028

Ten years of history are free with a Reader account.

Source: IMF·dotzedw Insights Centre

Farming employs 10% of workers but produces 2% of output

Share of jobs in each broad sector against its share of GDP, latest year. A sector with far more jobs than output has low productivity and room to grow.

Share of jobsShare of GDP
0%20%40%60%80%Agriculture10%2%8 pts apartIndustry19%73%55 pts apartServices71%27%44 pts apart
Source: World Bank, ILO·dotzedw Insights Centre

Key figures

The bar under each figure places it among the 21 countries of COMESA, lowest on the left. Hover for context; select for the data card.

Infrastructure in Libya

Power stations sized by capacity, power lines by voltage, ports, airports and mines. Zoom in for streets and buildings; click any symbol for details. The Atlas has every layer.

Loading the map…
Large dams
Dam (area shows reservoir size)
Global Dam Watch v1.0
Ports
Port
Natural Earth
Airports
Airport
Natural Earth
Source: OpenStreetMap and the other sources named in the key·dotzedw Insights Centre

How Libya generates electricity

Share of electricity generation by source, latest year.

CoalGasOilWindNuclearBioenergy and otherHydroSolar

No electricity data for Libya.

The history of the power mix is part of the Individual plan

US$19 a month or US$190 a year. Subscribe on dotzedw.com and you come straight back to this page with Individual access. Already a member? Sign in with your dotzedw.com account.

Source: Ember, Energy Institute· Get the data (Professional)·dotzedw Insights Centre

Election calendar

All elections

Hover a vote for its result and what it means.

No elections recorded yet.

Deals and projects

Every deal in Libya

No deals in Libya among the latest headlines.

Individual Every deal record with its parties, value, stage and sources.

Sources and method