Labor force participation rate by age in Libya
Libya: Labor force participation rate by age was 16.7% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate by age in Libya, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate by age in Libya is 16.7%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 0.7% on the previous year and down 4.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate by age in Libya peaked at 19.0% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 15.4%, in 2020.
Libya ranks 186th of 188 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate by age in Libya, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 19.0% | — |
| 1991 | 19.0% | -0.3% |
| 1992 | 18.9% | -0.3% |
| 1993 | 18.9% | -0.3% |
| 1994 | 18.8% | -0.3% |
| 1995 | 18.7% | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 18.7% | -0.4% |
| 1997 | 18.6% | -0.4% |
| 1998 | 18.5% | -0.4% |
| 1999 | 18.4% | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 18.4% | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 18.3% | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 18.2% | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 18.1% | -0.4% |
| 2004 | 18.1% | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 18.0% | -0.4% |
| 2006 | 17.9% | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 17.9% | -0.4% |
| 2008 | 17.8% | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 17.7% | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 17.7% | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 17.6% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 17.6% | -0.1% |
| 2013 | 17.5% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 17.5% | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 17.4% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 17.4% | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 17.4% | -0.2% |
| 2018 | 17.3% | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 17.3% | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 15.4% | -10.9% |
| 2021 | 15.9% | +2.8% |
| 2022 | 17.0% | +7.1% |
| 2023 | 16.9% | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 16.7% | -0.7% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's 16.7% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 38.9%, 43% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Libya's 16.7% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 27.5%, 61% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 18.7% | 18.4% | 19.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 18.0% | 17.7% | 18.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 17.5% | 17.3% | 17.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.4% | 15.4% | 17.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Libya
More work & labour data for Libya
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.1881 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1642 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.213 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.54 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.4664 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 7,184 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 939.57 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 4,815 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 4,969 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 9,784 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate by age in Libya?
- Labor force participation rate by age in Libya was 16.7% in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 19.0% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.4% in 2020.
- How does Libya rank for labor force participation rate by age?
- Libya ranks 186th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Libya data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed).