Libya is a country in North Africa and has one of the largest oil reserves in Africa which is a primary influence in the country’s economic and political state. It was under dictatorship for 42 years and now faces the consequences of the 2011 civil war and NATO intervention. Libya’s economic state and political warfare continue to create instability for the population. Poverty in Libya is a growing issue driven by constant struggle. The country’s fragile economy and growing inflation have limited access to jobs and essential services like health care and education. The ongoing armed conflict in Libya is disrupting people’s livelihoods and fuels regional disputes, causing poverty amongst displaced populations affected by the current situation in Libya. 

Current State of Poverty in Libya

After the 2011 revolution and the death of Muammar Al-Gaddafi, the country faced a prolonged civil war, which weakened the state politically and economically. Now Libya faces power struggles, ongoing food insecurity and deteriorating infrastructure. Libya is home to an estimated 8.2 million people and more than 300,000 of the population is currently displaced, with more in need of humanitarian assistance.

Before the 2011 Civil War, Libyan families’ costs for food were offset by the welfare state that provided free education, housing, public services and health care. Since then, poverty in Libya increased with around 325,000 people in need of assistance, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). The impact of COVID-19 further toppled Libya’s economic state and led to its decline in 2020 revealing the severity of the pandemic. Countless people lost their jobs and livelihoods due to the economic downfall of Libya during the outbreak leading to many facing prolonged food insecurity and need for assistance.

Libya’s Economic and Political Situation

The conflict in Libya is the focal cause of Libya’s economic decline. The 2016 internal armed conflict, which lasted until 2018 had severe consequences, including civilian casualties and human rights violations. Security-related outbreaks have led to 2,240 fatalities in 12 months between 2019 and 2020; General Haftar’s Libyan National Army could be responsible for 80% of civilian casualties. Libya’s political struggles between East and West increase the risk of harm and reduce the efforts for stability. 

Libya is also struggling with a liquidity problem. Libya relies on oil production and international oil prices to fuel income. However, the instability in Libya has led to “inconsistent government revenues,” according to a 2020 report. This pressure has created liquidity problems for the country, severely impacting people’s ability to withdraw public wages and savings from banks. 

Moreover, Libya operates under a dual exchange rate system which causes distortions in currency value and rapid inflation and devaluation. The constant disruptions in the supply chain force Libyans to rely on black-market currency exchange for access to money, according to a 2020 report. This liquidity problem leads to higher living costs due to the limited access to cash, creating food instability for people in Libya.

Education and Health Care

Amongst the Libyan population, the new generations are the most vulnerable and affected by the ongoing unrest and economic instability. Although Libya has seen economic growth in 2023, health care and nutrition are still slowly progressing. According to UNICEF, Libya has seen a decline in child and infant mortality rates as well as a decrease in the population living below the poverty line to 7.1% in 2022. However, primary healthcare and nutrition services plummeted. Education enrolment rates increased to 92%, but many youths, including migrants and refugee children, lack learning opportunities. 

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Education in Libya revealed the complex situation of the overproduction of health care workers and the shortage of nurses, doctors and specialists. Medical education standards in Libya are rated below average, with low certification standards. This issue limits people from access to quality healthcare, especially for those in poor, rural or disrupted regions.

Solutions and Efforts to Poverty in Libya

The WFP built partnerships with the government of Libya, local NGOs and international organizations to fight poverty and food insecurity in contribution to the U.N. Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. It has developed a 2023-2025 strategic plan that addresses the need for emergency food assistance and support for the most vulnerable communities in Libya.  

WHO and the Red Crescent are working to strengthen and repair the Libyan health care system by providing medical supplies and raining health care workers. This initiative mainly focused on Derna and other regions in Eastern Libya affected by the floods in 2023 that left many displaced and in need of medical and humanitarian assistance. 

In 2023, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health ensured the accessibility of primary health care, nutrition and medical support. After the Floods, efforts focused on nutritional screening for 5,461 children and malnutrition management. UNICEF also succeeded in installing 627 vaccination administration systems across Libya, reducing the risk of rising mortality rates, according to 2023 UNICEF report.

Conclusion

Poverty in Libya is deeply caused and rooted in the country’s ongoing conflict, political instability, inflation and economic decline. Limited access to employment and education combined with fragile political and economic structure continues to impact vulnerable populations significantly. Many NGOs and IGOs are addressing and putting in the effort to combat Poverty in Libya. However, the constant instability has made that difficult. Addressing these challenges requires governmental reforms and a stable economy to create a pathway away from poverty. 

– Gufran Elhrari 

Gufran is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr