Human Development Index in Libya
Libya: Human Development Index was 0.721 in 2023. ▬ Flat
Human Development Index in Libya, 1990–2023
Source: UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2023, human development index in Libya stood at 0.721.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.7% on the previous year and down 3.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, human development index in Libya peaked at 0.758 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0.688, in 2020.
Libya ranks 115th of 192 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Human Development Index in Libya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0.69 | — |
| 1991 | 0.7 | +1.4% |
| 1992 | 0.703 | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 0.705 | +0.3% |
| 1994 | 0.71 | +0.7% |
| 1995 | 0.712 | +0.3% |
| 1996 | 0.716 | +0.6% |
| 1997 | 0.721 | +0.7% |
| 1998 | 0.721 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 0.724 | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 0.727 | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 0.73 | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 0.733 | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 0.739 | +0.8% |
| 2004 | 0.741 | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 0.747 | +0.8% |
| 2006 | 0.751 | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 0.754 | +0.4% |
| 2008 | 0.754 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 0.753 | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 0.755 | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 0.715 | -5.3% |
| 2012 | 0.758 | +6.0% |
| 2013 | 0.748 | -1.3% |
| 2014 | 0.728 | -2.7% |
| 2015 | 0.728 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 0.725 | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 0.74 | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 0.743 | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 0.737 | -0.8% |
| 2020 | 0.688 | -6.6% |
| 2021 | 0.729 | +6.0% |
| 2022 | 0.741 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 0.721 | -2.7% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's 0.721 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.7675, 94% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Libya's 0.721 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 0.754, 96% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.7102 | 0.69 | 0.724 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.7429 | 0.727 | 0.754 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.7377 | 0.715 | 0.758 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.7198 | 0.688 | 0.741 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Libya
More reference data data for Libya
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0637 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.56 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.021 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 2.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.2136 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.0873 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.82 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 7.82 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1144 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is human development index in Libya?
- Human development index in Libya was 0.721 in 2023, according to UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest human development index recorded in Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 0.758 in 2012.
- What is the lowest human development index recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.688 in 2020.
- How does Libya rank for human development index?
- Libya ranks 115th out of 192 countries with data for 2023.
- Is human development index rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Libya data come from?
- The figures come from UNDP, Human Development Report (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Human Development Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a summary measure of key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, a good education, and a decent standard of living. Higher values indicate higher human development.