Urban area over the long-term in Libya
Libya: Urban area over the long-term was 1,243 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1,243 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
85th
of 202 countries
All-time high
1,243 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.4562 km² per grid cell
in 1200
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Libya, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Libya stood at 1,243 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 16.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Libya peaked at 1,243 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.4562 km² per grid cell, in 1200.
Libya ranks 85th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Libya, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.6415 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.5987 km² per grid cell | -6.7% |
| 1200 | 0.4562 km² per grid cell | -23.8% |
| 1300 | 0.9124 km² per grid cell | +100.0% |
| 1400 | 1.62 km² per grid cell | +77.8% |
| 1500 | 2.7 km² per grid cell | +66.7% |
| 1600 | 3.6 km² per grid cell | +33.3% |
| 1700 | 4.81 km² per grid cell | +33.3% |
| 1710 | 5.04 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1720 | 5.55 km² per grid cell | +10.3% |
| 1730 | 6.12 km² per grid cell | +10.3% |
| 1740 | 6.75 km² per grid cell | +10.3% |
| 1750 | 7.45 km² per grid cell | +10.3% |
| 1760 | 8.21 km² per grid cell | +10.2% |
| 1770 | 9.05 km² per grid cell | +10.2% |
| 1780 | 9.98 km² per grid cell | +10.2% |
| 1790 | 11 km² per grid cell | +10.2% |
| 1800 | 12.12 km² per grid cell | +10.2% |
| 1810 | 13.36 km² per grid cell | +10.2% |
| 1820 | 15.85 km² per grid cell | +18.6% |
| 1830 | 17.51 km² per grid cell | +10.5% |
| 1840 | 19.35 km² per grid cell | +10.5% |
| 1850 | 21.37 km² per grid cell | +10.5% |
| 1860 | 23.61 km² per grid cell | +10.5% |
| 1870 | 26.08 km² per grid cell | +10.5% |
| 1880 | 28.81 km² per grid cell | +10.4% |
| 1890 | 33.39 km² per grid cell | +15.9% |
| 1900 | 41.6 km² per grid cell | +24.6% |
| 1910 | 46.67 km² per grid cell | +12.2% |
| 1920 | 48.24 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1930 | 48.24 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 48.68 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1950 | 48.68 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 48.85 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1952 | 50.11 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1953 | 51.59 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1954 | 53.29 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1955 | 55.19 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1956 | 57.26 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1957 | 59.47 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1958 | 61.78 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1959 | 64.15 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1960 | 66.57 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1961 | 70.45 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1962 | 74.4 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1963 | 78.45 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1964 | 82.65 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1965 | 91.98 km² per grid cell | +11.3% |
| 1966 | 102.51 km² per grid cell | +11.5% |
| 1967 | 113.83 km² per grid cell | +11.0% |
| 1968 | 125.93 km² per grid cell | +10.6% |
| 1969 | 138.72 km² per grid cell | +10.2% |
| 1970 | 152.21 km² per grid cell | +9.7% |
| 1971 | 171.52 km² per grid cell | +12.7% |
| 1972 | 192.58 km² per grid cell | +12.3% |
| 1973 | 215.41 km² per grid cell | +11.9% |
| 1974 | 234.41 km² per grid cell | +8.8% |
| 1975 | 254.12 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1976 | 269.33 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1977 | 285.31 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1978 | 302.42 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1979 | 321.1 km² per grid cell | +6.2% |
| 1980 | 341.64 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1981 | 359.88 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1982 | 379.83 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1983 | 400.58 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1984 | 420.89 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1985 | 433.78 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1986 | 451.11 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1987 | 466.89 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1988 | 481.55 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1989 | 495.88 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1990 | 510.45 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1991 | 544.77 km² per grid cell | +6.7% |
| 1992 | 579.63 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1993 | 615.13 km² per grid cell | +6.1% |
| 1994 | 651.33 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1995 | 688.29 km² per grid cell | +5.7% |
| 1996 | 725.68 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1997 | 764.15 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1998 | 803.82 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1999 | 844.71 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 2000 | 886.9 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 892.66 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 898.53 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 904.5 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2004 | 910.55 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 916.68 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2006 | 922.88 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 929.12 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2008 | 934.62 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 940.09 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 945.59 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 969.54 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 2012 | 993.87 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 1,019 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 2014 | 1,044 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 1,069 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 1,092 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 1,110 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 1,128 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 1,147 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 1,165 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2021 | 1,181 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 1,196 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 1,212 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 1,228 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2025 | 1,243 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's 1,243 km² per grid cell is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 995.59 km² per grid cell, 1.2× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- Libya's 1,243 km² per grid cell is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,501 km² per grid cell, 83% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Libya changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1300 | +100.0% | 0.4562 km² per grid cell | 0.9124 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +77.8% | 0.9124 km² per grid cell | 1.62 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +66.7% | 1.62 km² per grid cell | 2.7 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.6415 km² per grid cell | 0.6415 km² per grid cell | 0.6415 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.5987 km² per grid cell | 0.5987 km² per grid cell | 0.5987 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.4562 km² per grid cell | 0.4562 km² per grid cell | 0.4562 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.9124 km² per grid cell | 0.9124 km² per grid cell | 0.9124 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 1.62 km² per grid cell | 1.62 km² per grid cell | 1.62 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 2.7 km² per grid cell | 2.7 km² per grid cell | 2.7 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 3.6 km² per grid cell | 3.6 km² per grid cell | 3.6 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 4.81 km² per grid cell | 4.81 km² per grid cell | 4.81 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 5.04 km² per grid cell | 5.04 km² per grid cell | 5.04 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 5.55 km² per grid cell | 5.55 km² per grid cell | 5.55 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 6.12 km² per grid cell | 6.12 km² per grid cell | 6.12 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 6.75 km² per grid cell | 6.75 km² per grid cell | 6.75 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 7.45 km² per grid cell | 7.45 km² per grid cell | 7.45 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 8.21 km² per grid cell | 8.21 km² per grid cell | 8.21 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 9.05 km² per grid cell | 9.05 km² per grid cell | 9.05 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 9.98 km² per grid cell | 9.98 km² per grid cell | 9.98 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 11 km² per grid cell | 11 km² per grid cell | 11 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 12.12 km² per grid cell | 12.12 km² per grid cell | 12.12 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 13.36 km² per grid cell | 13.36 km² per grid cell | 13.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 15.85 km² per grid cell | 15.85 km² per grid cell | 15.85 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 17.51 km² per grid cell | 17.51 km² per grid cell | 17.51 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 19.35 km² per grid cell | 19.35 km² per grid cell | 19.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 21.37 km² per grid cell | 21.37 km² per grid cell | 21.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 23.61 km² per grid cell | 23.61 km² per grid cell | 23.61 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 26.08 km² per grid cell | 26.08 km² per grid cell | 26.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 28.81 km² per grid cell | 28.81 km² per grid cell | 28.81 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 33.39 km² per grid cell | 33.39 km² per grid cell | 33.39 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 41.6 km² per grid cell | 41.6 km² per grid cell | 41.6 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 46.67 km² per grid cell | 46.67 km² per grid cell | 46.67 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 48.24 km² per grid cell | 48.24 km² per grid cell | 48.24 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 48.24 km² per grid cell | 48.24 km² per grid cell | 48.24 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 48.68 km² per grid cell | 48.68 km² per grid cell | 48.68 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 55.04 km² per grid cell | 48.68 km² per grid cell | 64.15 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 94.55 km² per grid cell | 66.57 km² per grid cell | 138.72 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 239.84 km² per grid cell | 152.21 km² per grid cell | 321.1 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 423.2 km² per grid cell | 341.64 km² per grid cell | 495.88 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 672.8 km² per grid cell | 510.45 km² per grid cell | 844.71 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 913.65 km² per grid cell | 886.9 km² per grid cell | 940.09 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,052 km² per grid cell | 945.59 km² per grid cell | 1,147 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,204 km² per grid cell | 1,165 km² per grid cell | 1,243 km² per grid cell | 6 |
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 urban area over the long-term in Libya?
- Urban area over the long-term in Libya was 1,243 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 1,243 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4562 km² per grid cell in 1200.
- How does Libya rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Libya ranks 85th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Libya data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.