Social Welfare
A government advertisement appearing in an international publication in 1977 asserted that the Libyan social security legislation of 1973 ranked among the most comprehensive in the world and that it protected all citizens from many hazards associated with employment. The social security program instituted in 1957 had already provided protection superior to that available in many or most developing countries, and in the 1980s the welfare available to Libyans included much more than was provided under the social security law: work injury and sickness compensation and disability, retirement, and survivors' pensions. Workers employed by foreign firms were entitled to the same social security benefits as workers employed by Libyan citizens.
Subsidized food, inexpensive housing, free medical care and education, and profit-sharing were among the benefits that eased the lives of all citizens. The government protected the employed in their jobs and subsidized the underemployed and unemployed. In addition, there were nurseries to care for the children of working mothers, orphanages for homeless children, and homes for the aged. The welfare programs had reached even the oasis towns of the desert, where they reportedly were received with considerable satisfaction. The giving of alms to the poor remained one of the pillars of the Islamic faith, but the extent of public welfare was such that there was increasingly less place for private welfare. Nonetheless, the traditional Arab sense of family responsibility remained strong, and provision for needy relatives was still a common practice.
Medical Care
The number of physicians and surgeons in practice increased fivefold between 1965 and 1974, and large increases were registered in the number of dentists, medical, and paramedical personnel. Further expansion and improvement followed over the next decade in response to large budgetary outlays, as the revolutionary regime continued to use its oil income to improve the health and welfare of all Libyans. The number of doctors and dentists increased from 783 in 1970 to 5,450 in 1985, producing in the case of doctors a ratio of 1 per 673 citizens. These doctors were attached to a comprehensive network of health care facilities that dispensed free medical care. The number of hospital beds increased from 7,500 in 1970 to almost 20,000 by 1985, an improvement from 3.5 beds to 5.3 beds per 1,000 citizens. During the same years, substantial increases were also registered in the number of clinics and health care centers.
A large proportion of medical and paramedical personnel were foreigners brought in under contract from other Arab countries and from Eastern Europe. The major efforts to "Libyanize" health care professionals, however, were beginning to show results in the mid1980s . Libyan sources claimed that approximately 33 percent of all doctors were nationals in 1985, as compared with only about 6 percent a decade earlier. In the field of nursing staff and technicians, the situation was considerably better--about 80 percent were Libyan. Schools of nursing had been in existence since the early 1960s, and the faculties of medicine in the universities at Tripoli and Benghazi included specialized institutes for nurses and technicians. The first medical school was not established until 1970, and there was no school of dentistry until 1974. By 1978 a total of nearly 500 students was enrolled in medical studies at schools in Benghazi and Tripoli, and the dental school in Benghazi had graduated its first class of 23 students. In addition, some students were pursuing graduate medical studies abroad, but in the immediate future Libya was expected to continue to rely heavily on expatriate medical personnel.
Among the major health hazards endemic in the country in the 1970s were typhoid and paratyphoid, infectious hepatitis, leishmaniasis, rabies, meningitis, schistosomiasis, and venereal diseases. Also reported as having high incidence were various childhood diseases, such as whooping cough, mumps, measles, and chicken pox. Cholera occurred intermittently and, although malaria was regarded as having been eliminated in the 1960s, malaria suppressants were often recommended for use in desert oasis areas.
By the early 1980s, it was claimed that most or all of these diseases were under control. A high rate of trachoma formerly left 10 percent or more of the population blinded or with critically impaired vision, but by the late 1970s the disease appeared to have been brought under control. The incidence of new cases of tuberculosis was reduced by nearly half between 1969 and 1976, and twenty-two new centers for tuberculosis care were constructed between 1970 and 1985. By the early 1980s, two rehabilitation centers for the handicapped had been built, one each in Benghazi and Tripoli. These offered both medical and job-training services and complemented the range of health care services available in the country.
The streets of Tripoli and Benghazi were kept scrupulously clean, and drinking water in these cities was of good quality. The government had made significant efforts to provide safe water. In summing up accomplishments since 1970, officials listed almost 1,500 wells drilled and more than 900 reservoirs in service in 1985, in addition to 9,000 kilometers of potable water networks and 44 desalination plants. Sewage disposal had also received considerable attention, twenty-eight treatment plants having been built.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Libya : Travel Health
WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!
TopResearching Travel Plans
Please note that this health information about Libya may be out-of-date. Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit prior to departure.
TopInfectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Libya
The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to Libya (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):
Food and waterborne diseases - the number one cause of illness in travelers
travelers’ diarrhea
cholera
Escherichia coli diarrhea
hepatitis A
hepatitis B
hepatitis C
schistosomiasis - found in fresh water including Nile river
typhoid fever
Insect borne diseases
parasitic diseases
Dengue fever
filariasis
leishmaniasis
onchocerciasis
African trypanosomiasis - sleeping sickness
TopMore Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Libya
The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Libya compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:
motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
TopUncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for Libya
These medical diseases or health concerns are uncommon or rare in Libya:
yellow fever - no risk although vaccination certificate may be required if coming from an infected area
malaria - no current risk
TopVaccinations for Travel to Libya
The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Libya to prevent contagious diseases in Libya:
hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
hepatitis B - if risk of exposure to blood/bodily fluid or medical treatment or if your stay will be longer than 6 months, all infants and children 11-12 years who did not complete the series as infants
rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
tetanus - booster dose as needed, diphtheria - booster dose as needed
measles - booster dose as needed
polio - one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults
typhoid
TopPreventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Libya
Any health risk of travel to Libya may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting Libya:
high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
mosquito bite prevention
insect bite protection
avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
to prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
always use latex condoms - to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
don’t eat dairy products - unless you know they have been pasteurized
don’t eat food purchased from street vendors
don’t drink beverages with ice
don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized
don’t share needles with anyone
don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague; risk for travelers is small)
don’t swim in fresh water, including the Nile. Salt water is usually safer
WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!
TopResearching Travel Plans
Please note that this health information about Libya may be out-of-date. Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit prior to departure.
TopInfectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Libya
The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to Libya (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):
Food and waterborne diseases - the number one cause of illness in travelers
travelers’ diarrhea
cholera
Escherichia coli diarrhea
hepatitis A
hepatitis B
hepatitis C
schistosomiasis - found in fresh water including Nile river
typhoid fever
Insect borne diseases
parasitic diseases
Dengue fever
filariasis
leishmaniasis
onchocerciasis
African trypanosomiasis - sleeping sickness
TopMore Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Libya
The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Libya compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:
motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
TopUncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for Libya
These medical diseases or health concerns are uncommon or rare in Libya:
yellow fever - no risk although vaccination certificate may be required if coming from an infected area
malaria - no current risk
TopVaccinations for Travel to Libya
The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Libya to prevent contagious diseases in Libya:
hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
hepatitis B - if risk of exposure to blood/bodily fluid or medical treatment or if your stay will be longer than 6 months, all infants and children 11-12 years who did not complete the series as infants
rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
tetanus - booster dose as needed, diphtheria - booster dose as needed
measles - booster dose as needed
polio - one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults
typhoid
TopPreventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Libya
Any health risk of travel to Libya may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting Libya:
high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
mosquito bite prevention
insect bite protection
avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
to prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
always use latex condoms - to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
don’t eat dairy products - unless you know they have been pasteurized
don’t eat food purchased from street vendors
don’t drink beverages with ice
don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized
don’t share needles with anyone
don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague; risk for travelers is small)
don’t swim in fresh water, including the Nile. Salt water is usually safer
Geography
Libya
Top of Page
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates:
25 00 N, 17 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1,759,540 sq km land: 1,759,540 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 4,348 km border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km
Coastline:
1,770 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north exclusive fishing zone: 62 nm
Climate:
Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
Terrain:
mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
Land use:
arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 98.78% (2005)
Irrigated land:
4,700 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.6 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 4.27 cu km/yr (14%/3%/83%) per capita: 730 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues:
desertification; limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert
People
Libya
Top of Page
Population:
6,310,434 note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 1,064,866/female 1,019,790) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 2,033,478/female 1,920,755) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 133,092/female 138,453) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.9 years male: 24 years female: 23.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.17% (2009 est.)
Birth rate:
25.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Death rate:
3.46 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.26 years male: 74.98 years female: 79.65 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.08 children born/woman (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
10,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan
Ethnic groups:
Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians)
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 97%, other 3%
Languages:
Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.6% male: 92.4% female: 72% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (1999)
Government
Libya
Top of Page
Country name:
conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jamahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uthma local short form: none
Government type:
Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in practice, an authoritarian state
Capital:
name: Tripoli (Tarabulus) geographic coordinates: 32 53 N, 13 10 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions
Independence:
24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
Constitution:
none; note - following the September 1969 military overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969; in March 1977, Libya adopted the Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority
Legal system:
based on Italian and French civil law systems and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and technically compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister) al-Baghdadi Ali al-MAHMUDI (since 5 March 2006) cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held March 2006 (next to be held March 2009) election results: NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral General People's Congress (760 seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: Arab nationalist movements; anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile Movement; Islamic elements
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Suleiman AUJALI chancery: 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 944-9601 FAX: [1] (202) 944-9060
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gene A. CRETZ embassy: off Jaraba Street, behind the Libyan-Swiss clinic, Ben Ashour mailing address: US Embassy, 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850 telephone: [218] 91-220-3239
Flag description:
plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)
Economy
Libya
Top of Page
Economy - overview:
The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contribute about 95% of export earnings, about one-quarter of GDP, and 60% of public sector wages. The expected weakness in world hydrocarbon prices throughout 2009 will reduce Libyan government tax income and constrain Libyan economic growth in 2009. Substantial revenues from the energy sector coupled with a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Libyan officials in the past five years have made progress on economic reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction. UN Sanctions against Libya were lifted in September 2003. The process of lifting US unilateral sanctions began in the spring of 2004; all sanctions were removed by June 2006, helping Libya attract greater foreign direct investment, especially in the energy sector. Libyan oil and gas licensing rounds continue to draw high international interest; the National Oil Company set a goal of nearly doubling oil production to 3 million bbl/day by 2012. Libya faces a long road ahead in liberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps - including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, and announcing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for a transition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for more than 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food. Libya's primary agricultural water source remains the Great Manmade River Project, but significant resources are being invested in desalinization research to meet growing water demands.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$88.86 billion (2008 est.) $83.59 billion (2007) $78.27 billion (2006) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$108.5 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.3% (2008 est.) 6.8% (2007 est.) 5.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,400 (2008 est.) $13,800 (2007 est.) $13,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.5% industry: 61.7% services: 36.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.916 million (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 17% industry: 23% services: 59% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
8.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $56.35 billion expenditures: $29.12 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
3.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.5% (2008 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$18.04 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$3.192 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
NA
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle
Industries:
petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
5.8% (2008 est.)
Electricity - production:
23.98 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
20.71 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
1.845 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
278,700 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
1.455 million bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
575.3 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
41.46 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.)
Natural gas - production:
14.8 billion cu m (2006 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
6.39 billion cu m (2006 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
9.9 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.419 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)
Current account balance:
$43.33 billion (2008 est.)
Exports:
$66.13 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, chemicals
Exports - partners:
Italy 40.5%, Germany 12.2%, US 7.4%, Spain 7.4%, France 6.3% (2007)
Imports:
$20.64 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, consumer products
Imports - partners:
Italy 18.9%, Germany 7.7%, China 7.3%, Tunisia 6.8%, France 5.7%, Turkey 5.4%, US 4.3% (2007)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$99.45 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.521 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$8.736 billion (2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$4.783 billion (2008 est.)
Exchange rates:
Libyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar - 1.2112 (2008 est.), 1.2604 (2007), 1.3108 (2006), 1.3084 (2005), 1.305 (2004)
Communications
Libya
Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
852,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.5 million (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications system is state-owned and service is poor, but investment is being made to upgrade; state retains monopoly in fixed-line services; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996; multiple providers for a mobile telephone system that is growing rapidly; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density approached 90 telephones per 100 persons in 2007 domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
12 (plus 1 repeater) (1999)
Internet country code:
.ly
Internet hosts:
31 (2008)
Internet users:
260,000 (2006)
Transportation
Libya
Top of Page
Airports:
140 (2008)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 58 over 3,047 m: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2008)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 82 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 19 (2008)
Heliports:
2 (2007)
Pipelines:
condensate 776 km; gas 2,860 km; oil 6,987 km (2008)
Railways:
0 km note: Libya plans to build seven lines totaling 2,757 km of 1.435-m gauge track (2006)
Roadways:
total: 100,024 km paved: 57,214 km unpaved: 42,810 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 17 by type: cargo 9, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1, Syria 2) registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
As Sidrah, Az Zuwaytinah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli, Zawiyah
Military
Libya
Top of Page
Military branches:
Armed Peoples on Duty (APOD, Army), Libyan Arab Navy, Libyan Arab Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriya al-Arabia al-Libyya, LAAF), Libyan Coast Guard (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,682,183 females age 16-49: 1,611,001 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,466,578 females age 16-49: 1,409,684 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 60,710 female: 58,219 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues
Libya
Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in the Tommo region of Niger in a currently dormant dispute; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 8,000 (Palestinian Territories) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Libya is a transit and destination country for men and women from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Libya is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking in persons in 2007 when compared to 2006, particularly in the area of investigating and prosecuting trafficking offenses; Libya did not publicly release any data on investigations or punishment of any trafficking offenses (2008)
Libya
Top of Page
Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia
Geographic coordinates:
25 00 N, 17 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1,759,540 sq km land: 1,759,540 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 4,348 km border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km
Coastline:
1,770 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north exclusive fishing zone: 62 nm
Climate:
Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
Terrain:
mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
Land use:
arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 98.78% (2005)
Irrigated land:
4,700 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.6 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 4.27 cu km/yr (14%/3%/83%) per capita: 730 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues:
desertification; limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert
People
Libya
Top of Page
Population:
6,310,434 note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 1,064,866/female 1,019,790) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 2,033,478/female 1,920,755) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 133,092/female 138,453) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.9 years male: 24 years female: 23.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.17% (2009 est.)
Birth rate:
25.15 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Death rate:
3.46 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.26 years male: 74.98 years female: 79.65 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.08 children born/woman (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
10,000 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan
Ethnic groups:
Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians)
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 97%, other 3%
Languages:
Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.6% male: 92.4% female: 72% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (1999)
Government
Libya
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Country name:
conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jamahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uthma local short form: none
Government type:
Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in practice, an authoritarian state
Capital:
name: Tripoli (Tarabulus) geographic coordinates: 32 53 N, 13 10 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions
Independence:
24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
Constitution:
none; note - following the September 1969 military overthrow of the Libyan government, the Revolutionary Command Council replaced the existing constitution with the Constitutional Proclamation in December 1969; in March 1977, Libya adopted the Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority
Legal system:
based on Italian and French civil law systems and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and technically compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister) al-Baghdadi Ali al-MAHMUDI (since 5 March 2006) cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held March 2006 (next to be held March 2009) election results: NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral General People's Congress (760 seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: Arab nationalist movements; anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile Movement; Islamic elements
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Suleiman AUJALI chancery: 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 705, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 944-9601 FAX: [1] (202) 944-9060
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gene A. CRETZ embassy: off Jaraba Street, behind the Libyan-Swiss clinic, Ben Ashour mailing address: US Embassy, 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850 telephone: [218] 91-220-3239
Flag description:
plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)
Economy
Libya
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Economy - overview:
The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contribute about 95% of export earnings, about one-quarter of GDP, and 60% of public sector wages. The expected weakness in world hydrocarbon prices throughout 2009 will reduce Libyan government tax income and constrain Libyan economic growth in 2009. Substantial revenues from the energy sector coupled with a small population give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Libyan officials in the past five years have made progress on economic reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction. UN Sanctions against Libya were lifted in September 2003. The process of lifting US unilateral sanctions began in the spring of 2004; all sanctions were removed by June 2006, helping Libya attract greater foreign direct investment, especially in the energy sector. Libyan oil and gas licensing rounds continue to draw high international interest; the National Oil Company set a goal of nearly doubling oil production to 3 million bbl/day by 2012. Libya faces a long road ahead in liberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps - including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, and announcing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for a transition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for more than 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food. Libya's primary agricultural water source remains the Great Manmade River Project, but significant resources are being invested in desalinization research to meet growing water demands.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$88.86 billion (2008 est.) $83.59 billion (2007) $78.27 billion (2006) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$108.5 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.3% (2008 est.) 6.8% (2007 est.) 5.9% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,400 (2008 est.) $13,800 (2007 est.) $13,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.5% industry: 61.7% services: 36.8% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.916 million (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 17% industry: 23% services: 59% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
8.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $56.35 billion expenditures: $29.12 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
3.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.5% (2008 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$18.04 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$3.192 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
NA
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle
Industries:
petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
5.8% (2008 est.)
Electricity - production:
23.98 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
20.71 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
1.845 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
278,700 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
1.455 million bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
575.3 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
41.46 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.)
Natural gas - production:
14.8 billion cu m (2006 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
6.39 billion cu m (2006 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
9.9 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.419 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)
Current account balance:
$43.33 billion (2008 est.)
Exports:
$66.13 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, chemicals
Exports - partners:
Italy 40.5%, Germany 12.2%, US 7.4%, Spain 7.4%, France 6.3% (2007)
Imports:
$20.64 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, semi-finished goods, food, transport equipment, consumer products
Imports - partners:
Italy 18.9%, Germany 7.7%, China 7.3%, Tunisia 6.8%, France 5.7%, Turkey 5.4%, US 4.3% (2007)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$99.45 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.521 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$8.736 billion (2008 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$4.783 billion (2008 est.)
Exchange rates:
Libyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar - 1.2112 (2008 est.), 1.2604 (2007), 1.3108 (2006), 1.3084 (2005), 1.305 (2004)
Communications
Libya
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Telephones - main lines in use:
852,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.5 million (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications system is state-owned and service is poor, but investment is being made to upgrade; state retains monopoly in fixed-line services; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996; multiple providers for a mobile telephone system that is growing rapidly; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density approached 90 telephones per 100 persons in 2007 domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
12 (plus 1 repeater) (1999)
Internet country code:
.ly
Internet hosts:
31 (2008)
Internet users:
260,000 (2006)
Transportation
Libya
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Airports:
140 (2008)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 58 over 3,047 m: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2008)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 82 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 19 (2008)
Heliports:
2 (2007)
Pipelines:
condensate 776 km; gas 2,860 km; oil 6,987 km (2008)
Railways:
0 km note: Libya plans to build seven lines totaling 2,757 km of 1.435-m gauge track (2006)
Roadways:
total: 100,024 km paved: 57,214 km unpaved: 42,810 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 17 by type: cargo 9, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Kuwait 1, Norway 1, Syria 2) registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
As Sidrah, Az Zuwaytinah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli, Zawiyah
Military
Libya
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Military branches:
Armed Peoples on Duty (APOD, Army), Libyan Arab Navy, Libyan Arab Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jamahiriya al-Arabia al-Libyya, LAAF), Libyan Coast Guard (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,682,183 females age 16-49: 1,611,001 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,466,578 females age 16-49: 1,409,684 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 60,710 female: 58,219 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues
Libya
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Disputes - international:
Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in the Tommo region of Niger in a currently dormant dispute; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 8,000 (Palestinian Territories) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Libya is a transit and destination country for men and women from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Libya is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking in persons in 2007 when compared to 2006, particularly in the area of investigating and prosecuting trafficking offenses; Libya did not publicly release any data on investigations or punishment of any trafficking offenses (2008)
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