Country Comments

Libya is predominantly a desert country with limited renewable resources. It has a population that is six times greater than what the country can sustain at current modest consumption levels. Only recently has Libya’s fertility rate declined to almost replacement level from as high as seven children per woman in the 1980’s. Population growth continues adding roughly 100,000 citizens annually the last four years.

Gripped since 2011 by a civil war, Libya’s population has suffered a major humanitarian crisis. This includes poverty, insecurity, displacement, shortages of food and cash in banks, and frequent power cuts. Even before conflict erupted, 80 percent of the population’s food requirements were imported, as the harsh natural environment severely limits agricultural production. (1)

The oil and gas sector account for 60% of Libya’s total economy. Water scarcity and water pollution are significant problems; the combined impact of sewage, oil byproducts, and industrial waste threatens Libya's coast and the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the World Bank, the labor force participation rate among Libyan women aged 15 and above is 28 per cent, compared to 79 per cent among Libyan men. Sexual and gender-based violence, aggravated by conflict, internal displacement, informal justice mechanisms, and movement restrictions, deprive young women of opportunities to make their voices heard. When they venture into politics, they often face social backlash, threats, abduction and even assassination. Despite these serious risks, young women across Libya are increasingly participating in politics through voting, civil society activism and high-level ministerial positions. (2)

(1) https://www.wfp.org/countries/libya

(2) https://reliefweb.int/report/libya/deepening-stabilization-libya-overcoming-challenges-young-womens-participation-peace