Libya (Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)

https://www.humantruth.info/libya.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Libya Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	158th best
Capital	Tripoli
Land Area	1 759 540km²₁
Location	Africa, The Mediterranean
Population	6.7m₂
Life Expectancy	71.91yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$15 336 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	LY, LBY, 434₅
Internet Domain	.ly₆
Currency	Dinar (LYD)₇
Telephone	+218₈

1. Overview

#chad #islam #italy #switzerland #turkey

“The Italians supplanted the Ottoman Turks in the area around Tripoli in 1911 and did not relinquish their hold until 1943 when defeated in World War II. Libya then passed to UN administration and achieved independence in 1951. Following a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI began to espouse his political system, the Third Universal Theory. The system was a combination of socialism and Islam derived in part from tribal practices and was supposed to be implemented by the Libyan people themselves in a unique form of "direct democracy." QADHAFI used oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. In addition, beginning in 1973, he engaged in military operations in northern Chad's Aozou Strip - to gain access to minerals and to use as a base of influence in Chadian politics - but was forced to retreat in 1987. UN sanctions in 1992 isolated QADHAFI politically following the downing by Libyan state-sponsored terrorists of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. During the 1990s, QADHAFI began to rebuild his relationships with Europe. UN sanctions were suspended in April 1999 and finally lifted in September 2003 after Libya accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing. In December 2003, Libya announced that it had agreed to reveal and end its programs to develop weapons of mass destruction and to renounce terrorism. QADHAFI subsequently made significant strides in normalizing relations with Western nations. The US rescinded Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in June 2006. In August 2008, the US and Libya signed a bilateral comprehensive claims settlement agreement to compensate claimants in both countries who allege injury or death at the hands of the other country, including the Lockerbie bombing, the LaBelle disco bombing, and the UTA 772 bombing. In October 2008, the US Government received $1.5 billion pursuant to the agreement to distribute to US national claimants, and as a result effectively normalized its bilateral relationship with Libya. The two countries then exchanged ambassadors for the first time since 1973 in January 2009. Libya in May 2010 was elected to its first three-year seat on the UN Human Rights Council, prompting protests from international non-governmental organizations and human rights campaigners. Unrest that began in several Near Eastern and North African countries in late December 2010 spread to several Libyan cities in early 2011. In March 2011, a Transitional National Council (TNC) was formed in Benghazi with the stated aim of overthrowing the QADHAFI regime and guiding the country to democracy. In response to QADHAFI's harsh military crackdown on protesters, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1973, which demanded an immediate ceasefire and authorized the international community to establish a no-fly zone over Libya. After several months of see-saw fighting, anti-QADHAFI forces in August 2011 captured the capital, Tripoli. In mid-September, the UN General Assembly voted to recognize the TNC as the legitimate interim governing body of Libya. The TNC on 23 October officially declared the country liberated following the defeat of the last remaining pro-QADHAFI stronghold and QADHAFI's death. In July 2012, Libya held its first post-QADHAFI nationwide election, which resulted in the formation of a 200-member National Congress (NC). In August 2012, the NC elected a congress president and in October, a new prime minister.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Libya, a realm of stunning coastline, dramatic Greek and Roman ruins and the majesty of the Sahara remains poised to become a travel hotspot. Libya is a classic North African destination and its primary appeal derives from its position as an ancient crossroads of civilisations - these civilisations bequeathed to the Libyan coast some of the finest Roman and Greek ruins in existence, among them Leptis Magna, Cyrene and Sabratha. This is also one of the best places in Africa to experience the Sahara Desert, from seas of sand the size of Switzerland and sheltering palm-fringed lakes (the Ubari Sand Sea) to remote massifs adorned with prehistoric rock art (the Jebel Acacus), labyrinthine caravan towns (Ghadames) and an isolated black-as-black volcano (Wawa al-Namus) in the desert´s heart.
However, the upheaval caused by Libya´s democratic revolution in 2011-12 continues, meaning the future is still uncertain. That said, Libya´s tourism and transport infrastructure are excellent, so once peace returns fully to the country, expect it to be one of the hottest travel destinations on the continent.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Libya National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better Value₁₁
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
101	Uzbekistan	0.727
102=	Dominica	0.720
102=	Jordan	0.720
104	Libya	0.718
105	Paraguay	0.717
106=	Palestine	0.715
106=	St Lucia	0.715
108	Guyana	0.714
	Africa Avg	0.56
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₁
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
75	Botswana	$16 198
76	Macedonia	$15 918
77	Maldives	$15 448
78	Libya	$15 336
79	Bosnia & Herzegovina	$15 242
80	Moldova	$14 875
81	Georgia	$14 664
82	Colombia	$14 384
	Africa Avg	$5 339
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Denmark	27.0
2	Norway	29.9
3	Sweden	31.8
	...
155	Somaliland	112.4
156	Togo	112.4
157	Malawi	112.7
158	Libya	112.9
159	Mali	113.5
160	Ethiopia	114.5
161	Cameroon	114.6
162	Sierra Leone	115.9
	Africa Avg	119.0
	World Avg	88.6
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Libya's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Libya's population is predicted to rise to 7.783 million by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 2.40. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
105	Bulgaria	7.1m
106	Paraguay	7.0m
107	Lebanon	6.9m
108	Libya	6.7m
109	Nicaragua	6.5m
110	El Salvador	6.4m
111	Kyrgyzstan	6.3m
112	Turkmenistan	5.9m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
92	Peru	72.4
93	Syria	72.1
94	Armenia	72.0
95	Libya	71.9
96	Bhutan	71.8
97	Bulgaria	71.8
98	Georgia	71.7
99	St Kitts & Nevis	71.7
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
64	Trinidad & Tobago	1.61
65	Saudi Arabia	2.39
66	Macedonia	1.60
67	Libya	2.40
68	Iceland	1.59
69	Dominica	1.59
70	Antigua & Barbuda	1.58
71	Armenia	1.58
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₅
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₅
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
70	Philippines	10.3
71	Cambodia	10.4
72=	Egypt	10.5
72=	Libya	10.5
72=	S. Africa	10.5
75	Bangladesh	10.6
76=	Nepal	10.8
76=	Bhutan	10.8
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants₁₆
Pos.		2017 %₁₆
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
43	Latvia	13.2%
44	Spain	12.8%
45	Iceland	12.5%
46	Libya	12.4%
47	France	12.2%
48	Barbados	12.1%
49	Djibouti	12.1%
50	Netherlands	12.1%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₇
Pos.		2010 %₁₇
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
157	Venezuela	1.8%
158	S. Africa	1.7%
159	Iran	1.7%
160	Libya	1.7%
161	Gabon	1.7%
162	Vanuatu	1.6%
163	Djibouti	1.5%
164	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	1.4%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#christianity #equality #freedom #gender #gender_equality #human_rights #ISIS #libya #libya_gender #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance #women

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₈
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
170	Zimbabwe	129.1
171	Congo, (Brazzaville)	129.5
172	Cameroon	129.7
173	Libya	130.3
174	Ethiopia	131.2
175	Brunei	132.7
	Africa Avg	110.04
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

Libya is amongst the worst places in the world at ensuring human rights and freedom, and it has severe cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Libya does worse than average in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₁₉, supporting press freedom₂₀, eliminating modern slavery₂₁, freethought₂₂ and in its average Freedom in the World rating. It sits amongst the bottom 20 for the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₃ (the worst in Africa), its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₄ (one of the worst in Africa), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₅ (one of the lowest in Africa) and in LGBT equality₂₆ (one of the lowest in Africa). And finally, it is the worst in supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₇. Freedom of speech is undermined by needlessly aggressive and restrictive laws₂₈. In 2016, slave markets in Libya had migrant men, women and children auctioned off to the highest bidders, many destined for lives of abuse₂₉. In 2017, the country is still steeped in conflict between multiple militias (including ISIS) and competing proto-governments, the fighting has "decimated the economy and public services, including the public health system, law enforcement, and the judiciary" with executions and widespread human rights abuses₂₈. Freedom of religion and freedom of belief are not protected in Libya and minorities such as Sufis and Christians are openly attacked₂₈.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

Human Rights and Freedom in Libya

5. Libya's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #libya #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines #yemen

Compared to Africa (2025)₃₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₀
1	Tunisia	69.2
2	Mauritius	69.2
3	Seychelles	84.8
4	Morocco	91.9
5	Libya	98.0
6	Algeria	100.7
7	Cape Verde	110.5
8	S. Africa	115.9
9	Egypt	117.0
10	Djibouti	122.6
11	Botswana	129.6
12	Eritrea	130.2
13	Lesotho	131.8
	Africa Avg	111.13
q=54.

Health (2025)₃₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₀
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
117	Fiji	96.7
118	Oman	97.7
119	Mexico	98.0
120	Libya	98.0
121	Bhutan	98.6
122	Guam	99.3
123	Kyrgyzstan	100.5
124	Algeria	100.7
	World Avg	96.74
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₁.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₁, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₁.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Libya does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Libya does the best in its alcohol consumption rate₃₂. It does better than average for its adolescent birth rate₃₃ (one of the best in Africa), its immunizations take-up₃₄, its fertility rate₁₄ and in its average life expectancy₁₁. Libya does not succeed in everything, however. Libya does worse than average in its smoking rate₃₅ (one of the highest in Africa). And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₆. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Libya improved by +3yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Libya had the 3rd-highest average fertility rate in the world in the 1970s (after Yemen and ). Overall, it is amongst only 7 countries who have seen their fertility rate drop by more than 5 since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 8.13 in 1971.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
92	Peru	72.4
93	Syria	72.1
94	Armenia	72.0
95	Libya	71.9
96	Bhutan	71.8
97	Bulgaria	71.8
98	Georgia	71.7
99	St Kitts & Nevis	71.7
	Africa Avg	62.79
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₂
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₂
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
4	Mauritania	0.0
5	Somalia	0.0
6	Yemen	0.1
7=	Afghanistan	0.2
7=	Saudi Arabia	0.2
9	Syria	0.3
10=	Pakistan	0.3
11	Kiribati	0.4
12=	Iraq	0.4
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
64	Trinidad & Tobago	1.61
65	Saudi Arabia	2.39
66	Macedonia	1.60
67	Libya	2.40
68	Iceland	1.59
69	Dominica	1.59
70	Antigua & Barbuda	1.58
71	Armenia	1.58
	Africa Avg	3.97
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2014₃₅
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
137	Malta	1 266
138	Philippines	1 291
139	Indonesia	1 322
140	Libya	1 333₃₇
141	Israel	1 346
142	Argentina	1 359
143	Denmark	1 378
144	Georgia	1 378
	Africa Avg	340
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₆
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
153	Mozambique	153
154	Cape Verde	154
155	Bahamas	155
156	Libya	156
157	Papua New Guinea	157
158	Belize	158
159	Algeria	159
160	Senegal	160
	Africa Avg	117.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₃₈
Pos.		2016 %₃₈
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
171	Bahrain	65.8
172	Malta	66.4
173=	Turkey	66.8
173=	Libya	66.8
175	UAE	67.8
176=	Lebanon	67.9
176=	USA	67.9
178	Jordan	69.6
	Africa Avg	33.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₃
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
28	Cyprus	6.8
29	Qatar	6.9
30	Monaco	6.9
31	Libya	7.0
32	Portugal	7.1
33	Germany	7.2
34	Israel	7.4
35	Australia	7.7
	Africa Avg	84.6
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better₃₄
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₄
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
40=	Brunei	96.6
41	Spain	96.5
42	Poland	96.5
43	Libya	96.4
44	St Kitts & Nevis	96.3
45	Bahamas	96.2
46	Maldives	96.2
47	Tajikistan	96.1
	Africa Avg	81.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Libya's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #environmentalism #food #internationalism #iran #libya #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism #yemen

Compared to Africa (2025)₃₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₉
1	Morocco	46.5
2	Burundi	47.8
3	Mali	51.0
	...
45	Sudan	97.8
46	Comoros	99.1
47	Mauritania	101.2
48	Seychelles	103.4
49	Angola	109.5
50	Libya	121.4
51	Zimbabwe	121.5
52	Somalia	131.0
53	Eritrea	146.2
	Africa Avg	80.07
q=53.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₃₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₉
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
178	Belarus	116.0
179	Uzbekistan	116.1
180	Cook Islands	119.6
181	Libya	121.4
182	Zimbabwe	121.5
183	Solomon Islands	121.6
184	Marshall Islands	123.1
185	Palau	124.5
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

" Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Libya comes 19th-worst in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment (amongst the worst in Africa). This rank is calculated from 6 data sets. Libya does better than average for reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₀ (but high for Africa) and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₁. But that's it. Libya has problems. It does worse than average in terms of its environmental performance₄₂ (still good for Africa) and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₃ (the worst in Africa) and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₄ (amongst the worst in Africa).

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better₄₁
Pos.		Total₄₁
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
130=	Tokelau	0.0%
130=	St Martin	0.0%
130=	Liechtenstein	0.0%
130=	Libya	0.0%
130=	Montserrat	0.0%
130=	Kiribati	0.0%
130=	Saudi Arabia	0.0%
137	Nepal	-0.1%
	Africa Avg	-8.7%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better₄₂
Pos.		2018₄₂
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
120	China	50.7
121	Thailand	49.9
122	Micronesia	49.8
123	Libya	49.8
124	Ghana	49.7
125	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	49.5
126	Senegal	49.5
127	Malawi	49.2
	Africa Avg	46.4
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better₄₄
Pos.		2022 Avg₄₄
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
144	S. Africa	1.97
145	Kuwait	2.02
146	Barbados	2.04
147	Libya	2.05
148	Singapore	2.06
149	Lebanon	2.06
150	Ukraine	2.11
151	Syria	2.12
	Africa Avg	0.83
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

From the 1990s to the 2000s, Libya was amongst the 10 countries who improved their energy-to-GDP efficiency the most.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
160	Turkey	47%
161	Cambodia	47%
162	Kyrgyzstan	46%
163	Libya	46%
164	Micronesia	46%
165	Cape Verde	46%
166	Guinea-Bissau	46%
167	Bosnia & Herzegovina	45%
	Africa Avg	56.4%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Yemen, Iran and Libya are the only three countries not to have enacted the 2016 Paris Agreement on curbing climate change.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better₄₃
Pos.		2011 %₄₃
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
136	Estonia	15.9%
137	China	15.1%
138	Denmark	14.9%
139	Libya	14.6%
140	Iceland	13.1%
141	Uzbekistan	11.3%
142	Tajikistan	11.1%
143	Haiti	10.0%
	Africa Avg	38.3%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₄₀
Pos.		2021 kg₄₀
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
86	Oman	48.0
87	Ukraine	48.5
88	Cuba	49.6
89	Libya	50.0
90	Ecuador	50.9
91	Albania	52.0
92	Kiribati	52.4
93	Vietnam	52.6
	Africa Avg	24.9
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

7. Libya's Modernity and Learning

#capitalism #corruption #economics #education #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #it_security #libya #life_expectancy #modernity #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #social_development #technology #terrorism #the_internet

Compared to Africa (2020)₄₅
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₅
1	S. Africa	56.9
2	Tunisia	70.8
3=	Mauritius	79.6
4	Seychelles	80.1
5	Egypt	80.5
6	Libya	82.0
7	Kenya	96.4
8	Botswana	96.5
9	Morocco	97.9
10	Algeria	100.2
11	Gabon	108.2
12	Uganda	109.8
13	Ghana	110.3
	Africa Avg	120.19
q=53.

Modernity & Learning (2020)₄₅
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₅
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
92	St Vincent & Grenadines	80.0
93	Seychelles	80.1
94	Egypt	80.5
95	Libya	82.0
96	Lebanon	82.1
97	Bahamas	83.5
98	Dominica	84.0
99	Philippines	85.1
	World Avg	86.31
q=190.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark₄₆. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₄₆. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₇.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”
Bill Emmott (2017)₄₈

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₄₆, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₆.

For more, see:

" Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Modernity and Education:

In the 2000s, the expected duration of education in Libya fell by over a year, one of only 12 countries to see a reduction in that decade. It reduced it by another year in the 2010s. ₄₉

Secondary Education Higher is better₅₀
Pos.		2018₅₀
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
96	Bolivia	58.8%
97	Zimbabwe	58.7%
98	Gabon	57.6%
99	Libya	57.4%
100	Dominican Rep.	56.6%
101	Uruguay	56.0%
102	Lebanon	54.9%
103	Portugal	54.2%
	Africa Avg	34.4%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₅₁
Pos.		2021 Years₅₁
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
115	Bahamas	12.9
116	Nepal	12.9
117	St Lucia	12.9
118	Libya	12.9
119	Venezuela	12.8
120	Malawi	12.7
121	El Salvador	12.7
122	Nicaragua	12.6
	Africa Avg	11.0
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₆
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
147	Mozambique	147
148	Lesotho	148
149	Venezuela	149
150	Libya	150
151	Gabon	151
152	Sierra Leone	152
153	Cambodia	153
154	Zambia	154
	Africa Avg	106.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

IQ Higher is better₅₂
Pos.		2006₅₂
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
85=	Morocco	84
85=	Saudi Arabia	84
87	Algeria	83
88=	Libya	83
88=	Tunisia	83
88=	Oman	83
88=	Syria	83
92	India	82
	Africa Avg	70.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better₅₃
Pos.		2016₅₃
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
144	Ivory Coast	22%
145	Honduras	22%
146	Botswana	21%
147	Libya	21%
148	Zimbabwe	21%
149	Equatorial Guinea	21%
150	Lesotho	21%
151	Indonesia	20%
	Africa Avg	18.4%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better₅₄
Pos.		2012₅₄
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
	...
19	Mexico	37
20	India	39
21	Indonesia	42
22=	Libya	43
22=	Malaysia	43
24	Jordan	45
25=	Turkey	46
25=	Tunisia	46
	Africa Avg	45.0
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IT Security Lower is better₅₅
Pos.		2013₅₅
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
22	Switzerland	0.55
23	S. Korea	0.56
24	Australia	0.63
25	Libya	0.63
26	Qatar	0.65
27	Chile	0.66
28	Guinea-Bissau	0.67
29	Uzbekistan	0.69
	Africa Avg	1.07
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₅₆
Pos.		2017 Ratio₅₆
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
169=	Cuba	0.0
169=	St Vincent & Grenadines	0.0
169=	Montenegro	0.0
169=	Libya	0.0
169=	Jamaica	0.0
169=	Fiji	0.0
169=	Jordan	0.0
169=	Barbados	0.0
	Africa Avg	0.04
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

National Culture:

Corruption Higher is better₅₇
Pos.		2022 Points₅₇
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
170	Chad	19.0
171	Equatorial Guinea	17.0
172=	N. Korea	17.0
172=	Libya	17.0
172=	Haiti	17.0
172=	Burundi	17.0
176	Yemen	16.0
177	Venezuela	14.0
	Africa Avg	32.31
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Libya has a consistently poor long-term record on corruption. On average through the 2010s, it scored the 7th-worst on the Corruption Perception Index.

Happiness Higher is better₅₈
Pos.		2024 Score₅₈
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
76	Dominican Rep.	5.8
77	Mongolia	5.8
78	Mauritius	5.8
79	Libya	5.8
80	Moldova	5.8
81	Greece	5.8
82	Venezuela	5.7
83	Indonesia	5.6
	Africa Avg	4.42
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₆
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
156	Iraq	156
157	Iran	157
158	Gabon	158
159	Central African Rep.	159
160	Burundi	160
161	Rwanda	161
162	Congo, DR	162
163	Libya	163
	Africa Avg	117.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₆
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
94	Guinea	94
95	Ivory Coast	95
96	Peru	96
97	Libya	97
98	Czechia	98
99	Israel	99
100	Argentina	100
101	Seychelles	101
	Africa Avg	96.7
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better₅₉
Pos.		2023 Score₅₉
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
134	Palestine	2.54
135	Lebanon	2.58
136	Mexico	2.60
137	Libya	2.61
138	Niger	2.63
139	Cameroon	2.66
140=	Colombia	2.69
140=	Venezuela	2.69
	Africa Avg	2.29
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₆
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
142	St Vincent & Grenadines	142
143	Belize	143
144	Haiti	144
145	Libya	145
146	Croatia	146
147	UAE	147
148	Central African Rep.	148
149	Bosnia & Herzegovina	149
	Africa Avg	83.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₆
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
109	China	109
110	Kazakhstan	110
111	Jordan	111
112	Libya	112
113	Belize	113
114	Morocco	114
115	Iraq	115
116	Dominica	116
	Africa Avg	104.5
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₆₀
Pos.		2019 Score₆₀
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
136	Cameroon	6.62
137	Central African Rep.	6.62
138	Mali	6.65
139	Libya	6.77
140	Egypt	6.79
141	Congo, DR	7.04
142	Philippines	7.14
143	Yemen	7.26
	Africa Avg	3.41
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₆₁
Pos.		2019₆₁
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
71	Armenia	8.70
72	Tunisia	9.00
73=	Turkey	9.00
74	Libya	9.10
75	Iran	9.20
76	Mauritius	9.40
77=	Seychelles	9.60
77=	Moldova	9.60
	Africa Avg	26.10
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better₆₂
Pos.		2018 Severity₆₂
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
13	Palestine	.004
14	Tunisia	.005
15	St Lucia	.007
16	Libya	.007
17	Algeria	.008
18	Kyrgyzstan	.008
19	Bosnia & Herzegovina	.008
20	Barbados	.009
	Africa Avg	.264
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

8. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #ISIS #islam #judaism #libya #religion #religion_in_libya

Disbelief In God (2007)₆₃
Pos.		Higher is better %₆₃
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
116=	Afghanistan	0
116=	Egypt	0
116=	Liberia	0
116=	Libya	0
116=	Ivory Coast	0
116=	Pakistan	0
116=	Niger	0
116=	Saudi Arabia	0
116=	Rwanda	0
116=	Cameroon	0
116=	Philippines	0
116=	Kuwait	0
116=	Madagascar	0
116=	Nigeria	0
116=	Malawi	0
116=	Chad	0
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₆₄:

Christian	2.7%
Muslim	96.6%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.3%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	0.2%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states simply: Sunni Muslim (official) 97%, other 3%₆₅.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: Freedom of religion and freedom of belief are not protected in Libya; in addition the current conflict from 2011 has allowed "militias and forces affiliated with several interim authorities, as well as ISIS fighters [to attack] religious minorities, including Sufis and Christians, and [destroy] religious sites in Libya with impunity"₂₈.

Links: