Libya—Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #10 of 187Updated April 2026
Latest Value
18.8%
2025
YoY Change
-1.7%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#10
of 187 countries
Maximum
19.8%
2021
Minimum
18.7%
2005
CAGR
-0.1%
26 years
Last
18.8%
Previous
19.1%
Highest
19.8%
Lowest
18.7%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Libya's unemployment rate was 18.8% in 2025, ranking #10 out of 187 countries. This represents a -1.7% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 19.8% (2021) and the lowest was 18.7% (2005). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18.8% | -1.7% |
| 2024 | 19.1% | +2.0% |
| 2023 | 18.7% | -2.7% |
| 2022 | 19.2% | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 19.8% | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 19.7% | +3.0% |
| 2019 | 19.1% | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 18.9% | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 19.1% | -2.6% |
| 2016 | 19.6% | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 19.7% | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 19.3% | -0.1% |
| 2013 | 19.3% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 19.0% | -2.4% |
| 2011 | 19.5% | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 19.3% | +0.2% |
| 2009 | 19.3% | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 19.0% | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 18.8% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 18.8% | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 18.7% | -1.5% |
| 2004 | 18.9% | -0.7% |
| 2003 | 19.1% | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 19.3% | +0.2% |
| 2001 | 19.2% | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 19.3% |
Top Countries — Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eswatini | 34.2% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 32.4% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 26.0% | 2025 |
| 4 | Botswana | 24.5% | 2025 |
| 5 | West Bank and Gaza | 24.4% | 2022 |
| 6 | Gabon | 20.2% | 2025 |
| 7 | Congo, Rep. | 19.9% | 2025 |
| 8 | Namibia | 19.3% | 2025 |
| 9 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 18.9% | 2025 |
| 10 | Libya | 18.8% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Methodology
Data compiled by ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 17, 2026.