Editing Libya (section)

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Libya}}
[[File:GDP per capita development in Libya.svg|thumb|Change in per capita GDP of Libya, 1950–2018. Figures are inflation-adjusted to 2011 International dollars.]]
The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the [[Petroleum industry|oil sector]], which account for over half of GDP and 97% of exports.<ref name=star-oil /> Libya holds the largest proven oil reserves in Africa and is an important contributor to the global supply of light, [[sweet crude]].<ref name=eia-libya>{{cite web|title=Libya – Analysis|url=http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=LY|publisher=U.S. Energy Information Administration|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209221421/http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=LY|archive-date=9 December 2012}}</ref> During 2010, when oil averaged at $80 a barrel, oil production accounted for 54% of GDP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PETR.RT.ZS?locations=LY|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130151035/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PETR.RT.ZS?locations=LY|url-status=dead|title=Oil rents (% of GDP) - Libya &#124; Data|archivedate=30 January 2018|website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref> Apart from petroleum, the other natural resources are natural gas and [[gypsum]].<ref name=opec-libya/> The [[International Monetary Fund]] estimated Libya's real GDP growth at 122% in 2012 and 16.7% in 2013, after a 60% plunge in 2011.<ref name="star-oil">{{cite news |title=Oil production boosts Libya economy, instability hampers reconstruction |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Business/Middle-East/2012/Oct-20/192086-oil-production-boosts-libya-economy-instability-hampers-reconstruction.ashx |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=20 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209165315/http://dailystar.com.lb/Business/Middle-East/2012/Oct-20/192086-oil-production-boosts-libya-economy-instability-hampers-reconstruction.ashx |archive-date=9 February 2013  }}</ref>

In 2023 Libya emitted around 23.77 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, about 0.17% of the world's total emissions. However, the nation ranked as the 21st highest emitter per capita globally and the highest in Africa, at just over 13 tonnes per person.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Jones |first1=Matthew W. |title=National contributions to climate change due to historical emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide |date=2024-11-13 |url=https://zenodo.org/records/14054503 |access-date=2025-03-05 |doi=10.5281/zenodo.14054503 |last2=Peters |first2=Glen P. |last3=Gasser |first3=Thomas |last4=Andrew |first4=Robbie M. |last5=Schwingshackl |first5=Clemens |last6=Gütschow |first6=Johannes |last7=Houghton |first7=Richard A. |last8=Friedlingstein |first8=Pierre |last9=Pongratz |first9=Julia}}</ref> Libya was slow to join climate efforts, signing the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC) in 2016 and the [[Paris Agreement|Paris Climate Agreement]] in 2021.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=UNICEF |date=September 2022 |title=UNICEF Libya Water Scarcity and Climate Change: an analysis on WASH enabling environment in Libya |url=https://www.unicef.org/mena/documents/unicef-libya-water-scarcity-and-climate-change-analysis-wash-enabling-environment-libya |access-date=November 14, 2024 |website=UNICEF Middle East and North Africa}}</ref> However, as of 2024, Libya has not ratified the Paris Agreement and submitted its [[Nationally determined contribution|Nationally Determined Contributions]] (NDCs), and has made little progress toward the development of [[climate change adaptation]] plans.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Climate Vulnerability in Libya: Building Resilience Through Local Empowerment |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/06/libya-climate-vulnerability-adaptation-periphery?lang=en |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Environment and Climate Change |url=https://www.undp.org/libya/environment-and-climate-change |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=UNDP |language=en}}</ref>

The [[World Bank]] defines Libya as an 'Upper Middle Income Economy', along with only seven other African countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,,contentMDK:20421402~pagePK:64133150~piPK:64133175~theSitePK:239419,00.html#Upper_middle_income |title=Upper Middle Income Economies |publisher=World Bank |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524215837/http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0%2C%2CcontentMDK%3A20421402~pagePK%3A64133150~piPK%3A64133175~theSitePK%3A239419%2C00.html |archive-date=24 May 2008 }}</ref> Substantial revenues from the energy sector, coupled with a small population, give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa. Although the government supported Arab causes, including the Moroccan and Algerian independence movements, it took little active part in the [[Arab–Israeli conflict]] or the tumultuous inter-Arab politics of the 1950s and early 1960s. The kingdom was noted for its close association with the West, while it steered a conservative course at home.<ref name=opec-libya/> This allowed the [[Libyan Arab Jamahiriya]] state to provide an extensive level of [[social security]], particularly in the fields of housing and education.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/E.1990.5.Add.26.En?OpenDocument |title=Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Report |publisher=[[United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914071759/http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/E.1990.5.Add.26.En?OpenDocument |archive-date=14 September 2013  }}</ref>

[[File:Bouri NC 41 DP4 platform.jpg|left|thumb|An [[oil platform]] off the Libyan coast]]
Libya faces many structural problems including a lack of institutions, weak governance, and chronic [[structural unemployment]].<ref name=imf-survey>{{cite web |title=Libya on Recovery Path but Faces Long Rebuilding Effort |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2012/car041612a.htm |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund|IMF]] |year=2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205112847/http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2012/CAR041612A.htm |archive-date=5 February 2013  }}</ref> The economy displays a lack of economic diversification and significant reliance on immigrant labour.<ref name=ilo-libya/> Libya has traditionally relied on unsustainably high levels of public sector hiring to create employment.<ref name=african-outlook/> In the mid-2000s, the government employed about 70% of all national employees.<ref name=ilo-libya>{{cite web |title=Libya |url=http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/afpro/cairo/countries/libya.htm |publisher=[[International Labour Organization]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224044414/http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/afpro/cairo/countries/libya.htm |archive-date=24 December 2012  }}</ref>

Unemployment rose from 8% in 2008 to 21% in 2009, according to the census figures.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE52106820090302 |title=Libya's Jobless Rate at 20.7 Percent |agency=Reuters Africa |date=2 March 2009 |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020102458/http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE52106820090302 |archive-date=20 October 2012  }}</ref> According to an [[Arab League]] report, based on data from 2010, unemployment for women stands at 18% while for the figure for men is 21%, making Libya the only Arab country where there are more unemployed men than women.<ref>{{cite web|title=More men unemployed than women in Libya: report|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/18/201511.html|publisher=Al Arabiya|date=18 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502214611/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/18/201511.html|archive-date=2 May 2012|access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref> Libya has high levels of social inequality, high rates of youth unemployment and regional economic disparities.<ref name=african-outlook>{{cite web |title=Libya |url=http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/countries/north-africa/libya/ |publisher=African Economic Outlook |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326041650/http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/countries/north-africa/libya/ |archive-date=26 March 2013  }}</ref> Water supply is also a problem, with some 28% of the population not having access to safe drinking water in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/about/sgreport-pdf/03_SafeDrinkingWater_D7341Insert_English.pdf |title=Safe Drinking Water |publisher=WHO/UNIADF Joint Monitoring Programme |year=2000 |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114040550/http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/about/sgreport-pdf/03_SafeDrinkingWater_D7341Insert_English.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2012  }}</ref>

[[File:Libyan pivot irrigation 460142568 02e969004a o.jpg|thumb|[[Pivot irrigation]] in [[Kufra]], southeast Libya, 2008]]
Two trans-African automobile routes pass through Libya, which includes [[Cairo-Dakar Highway]] and [[Tripoli-Cape Town Highway]]. These routes have further contributed in the economic development of Libya.

Libya imports up to 90% of its cereal consumption requirements, and imports of wheat in 2012/13 was estimated at 1 million tonnes.<ref name="fao giews"/> The 2012 wheat production was estimated at 200,000 tonnes.<ref name="fao giews"/> The government hopes to increase food production to 800,000 tonnes of cereals by 2020.<ref name="fao giews"/> However, natural and environmental conditions limit Libya's agricultural production potential.<ref name="fao giews">{{cite web|title=Country Brief on Libya|url=http://www.fao.org/giews/countrybrief/country.jsp?code=LBY|publisher=FAO Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111081055/http://www.fao.org/giews/countrybrief/country.jsp?code=LBY|archive-date=11 November 2012}}</ref> Before 1958, agriculture was the country's main source of revenue, making up about 30% of GDP. With the discovery of oil in 1958, the size of the agriculture sector declined rapidly, accounting for less than 5% GDP by 2005.<ref name=voa-olive>{{cite web|title=Olive Oil – Libya's Other Oil Economy|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/olive_oil_libyas_other_oil_economy/1120507.html|publisher=VOA News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806102942/http://www.voanews.com/content/olive_oil_libyas_other_oil_economy/1120507.html|archive-date=6 August 2012|access-date=5 February 2013}}</ref>

The country joined [[OPEC]] in 1962.<ref name=opec-libya>{{cite web|title=Libya facts and figures|url=http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/about_us/166.htm|publisher=OPEC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519225427/http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/about_us/166.htm|archive-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> Libya is not a [[WTO]] member, but negotiations for its accession started in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=Libya – Trade|url=http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/bilateral-relations/countries/libya/|publisher=European Commission|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213194016/http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/bilateral-relations/countries/libya/|archive-date=13 February 2013}}</ref> In the early 1980s, Libya was one of the wealthiest countries in the world; its [[GDP per capita]] was higher than some developed countries.<ref>''Philips' Modern School Atlas'', 1987, 1983 GNP per capita figures are quoted in a list.</ref>

[[File:Libya location map-oil & gas 2011-en.svg|thumb|Oil is the major natural resource of Libya, with [[Oil reserves in Libya|estimated reserves of 43.6&nbsp;billion barrels]].<ref>[http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/06/11/libya "In a pure coincidence, Gaddafi impeded U.S. oil interests before the war"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727073822/http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/06/11/libya |date=27 July 2011 }}, Glenn Greenwald. Salon. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011</ref>]]
In the early 2000s officials of the Jamahiriya era carried out economic reforms to reintegrate Libya into the global economy.<ref name="CIA" /> [[International sanctions|UN sanctions]] were lifted in September 2003, and Libya announced in December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of mass destruction.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} Other steps have included applying for membership of the [[World Trade Organization]], reducing [[Subsidy|subsidies]], and announcing plans for [[privatization]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3929727.stm|publisher=BBC|date=27 July 2004|title=WTO go-ahead for Libya talks|access-date=21 May 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617000545/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3929727.stm|archive-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

Authorities privatized more than 100 government owned companies after 2003 in industries including oil refining, tourism and real estate, of which 29 were 100% foreign owned.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cohn |first=Carolyn |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE56N02L20090724 |title=Libya expects nearly $2 bln in new FDI |agency=Reuters Africa |date=24 July 2009 |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020102503/http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE56N02L20090724 |archive-date=20 October 2012  }}</ref> Many international oil companies returned to the country, including oil giants [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]] and [[ExxonMobil]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shell returns to Libya with gas exploration pact|url=http://www.oilandgasnewsworldwide.com/News.asp?Article=16404|publisher=Oil & Gas News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050513162749/http://www.oilandgasnewsworldwide.com/News.asp?Article=16404|archive-date=13 May 2005|date= 9–15 May 2005}}</ref> After sanctions were lifted there was a gradual increase of air traffic, and by 2005 there were 1.5&nbsp;million yearly air travellers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jawad |first=Rana |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5030998.stm |title=Libyan aviation ready for take-off |work=BBC News |date=31 May 2006 |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410012030/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5030998.stm |archive-date=10 April 2013  }}</ref> Libya had long been a notoriously difficult country for Western tourists to visit due to stringent visa requirements.<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Bangs |author2=Ammar Mabrouk Eltaye |title=Libya sees thriving tourism industry ahead |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5210117 |access-date=10 October 2007 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924003329/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5210117 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2007, [[Saif al-Islam Gaddafi]], the second-eldest son of Muammar Gaddafi, was involved in a [[green development]] project called the Green Mountain Sustainable Development Area, which sought to bring tourism to [[Cyrene, Libya|Cyrene]] and to preserve [[Classical Greece|Greek]] ruins in the area.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Green Resort Is Planned to Preserve Ruins and Coastal Waters|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/science/16liby.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 October 2007|first=Elisabeth|last=Rosenthal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227172005/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/science/16liby.html|archive-date=27 December 2016}}</ref> In August 2011, it was estimated that it would take at least 10 years to rebuild Libya's infrastructure. Even before the 2011 war, Libya's infrastructure was in a poor state due to "utter neglect" by Gaddafi's administration, according to the NTC.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14684547 |title=Libyan sovereign wealth fund 'missing $2.9bn' |work=BBC News |date=26 August 2011 |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118232128/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14684547 |archive-date=18 January 2013  }}</ref> By October 2012, the economy had recovered from the 2011 conflict, with oil production returning to near normal levels.<ref name="star-oil" /> Oil production was more than 1.6&nbsp;million barrels per day before the war. By October 2012, the average oil production has surpassed 1.4&nbsp;million bpd.<ref name="star-oil" /> The resumption of production was made possible due to the quick return of major Western companies, like [[TotalEnergies]], [[Eni]], [[Repsol]], [[Wintershall]] and [[Occidental Petroleum|Occidental]].<ref name="star-oil" /> In 2016, an announcement from the company said the company aims 900,000 barrel per day in the next year. Oil production has fallen from 1.6&nbsp;million barrel per day to 900,000 in four years of war.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/libya-militias-battle-for-control-of-oil-ports|title=As The Power Struggle Endures, Libya Eyes 900,000 Bpd Oil Output|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209041257/http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/libya-militias-battle-for-control-of-oil-ports|archive-date=9 December 2016}}</ref>

The [[Great Man-Made River]] is the world's largest [[irrigation]] project.<ref>[http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/2008/default.aspx Guinness World Records 2008 Book] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024138/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/2008/default.aspx |date=24 September 2015 }}. {{ISBN|978-1-904994-18-3}}</ref> The project utilizes a pipeline system that pumps [[fossil water]] from the [[Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System]] from down south in Libya to cities in the populous Libyan northern Mediterranean coast including Tripoli and Benghazi. The water provides 70% of all freshwater used in Libya.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.qantara.de/content/libyas-great-man-made-river-irrigation-project-the-eighth-wonder-of-the-world|title=The Eighth Wonder of the World?|author=Moutaz Ali|year=2017|website=Quantara.de|access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219152751/https://en.qantara.de/content/libyas-great-man-made-river-irrigation-project-the-eighth-wonder-of-the-world|url-status=live}}</ref> During the second Libyan civil war, lasting from 2014 to 2020, the water infrastructure suffered neglect and occasional breakdowns.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-water-insight-idUSKCN1TX0KQ In battle for Libya's oil, water becomes a casualty] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718185516/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-water-insight-idUSKCN1TX0KQ |date=18 July 2021 }}. ''Reuters''. 2 July 2019.</ref> By 2017, 60% of the Libyan population were [[Malnutrition|malnourished]]. Since then, 1.3 million people are waiting for emergency humanitarian aid, out of a total population of 7.1 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lvsl.fr/les-sequelles-de-lintervention-de-lotan-en-libye/ |title=Libye : Les terribles séquelles de l'intervention de l'OTAN |date=11 November 2019 |access-date=13 October 2020 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421200502/https://lvsl.fr/les-sequelles-de-lintervention-de-lotan-en-libye/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2024, Libya is actively promoting business development and encouraging both domestic and foreign investment. This strategic initiative is aimed at securing long-term economic stability and prosperity for Libya by diversifying its economic foundation. Embracing green industries like renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and eco-tourism holds the potential to generate fresh employment prospects across a spectrum of sectors, thereby addressing unemployment challenges, particularly among the youth demographic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Expert in Design a green investment framework for Libya (H/F) |url=https://expertise-france.gestmax.fr/10947/1/expert-in-design-a-green-investment-framework-for-libya-h-f |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=expertise-france.gestmax.fr |language=en |archive-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327063526/https://expertise-france.gestmax.fr/10947/1/expert-in-design-a-green-investment-framework-for-libya-h-f |url-status=live }}</ref>