Libya today: Major problems and challenges
The People's Republic of Libya or Libya for short is a North African country located at the Maghreb region (Northwest Africa) of North Africa west of the People's Republic of Egypt. Libya is the third largest country (by total land area) in all of Africa and the 17th largest country in the world with a total land area of about 1,759,549sq.km and a coastline of about 1,770km.
Libya borders the Mediterranean Sea between the Republics of Tunisia (and Algeria) in the west and Egypt in the east. Libya also shares borders with the Republic of Sudan to the southeast, the Republics of Niger and Chad to the south. Just about 1.03% of the total land area of Libya is arable (land good for farming). More than 90% of the total land area of Libya is desert or semi-desert.
The People's Republic of Libya has a population of about 6.8 million people with the population growth rate around 2%. The majority (about 78%) of the total population of Libya live in urban areas in major cities and towns such as Tripoli the capital of Libya (Tripoli contains about 1.5 million people), Benghazi (contains about 800,000 people), Misrata (contains about 300,000 people), Bayda (contains about 250,000 people), etc.
The Berber-Arabs (the most populous ethnic group) make up about 97% of the total population of Libya. Turks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Indians, and other minority groups make up the remaining 3% of the population.
The People's Republic of Libya is blessed with abundance of natural resources such as petroleum (Libya has the 10th largest proven oil reserves of any country in the world and the 17th highest petroleum production in the world today), natural gas, gypsum, etc. Libya has a literacy rate of 82.6% for the entire population and a female literacy rate of 72%. In other words, about 82.6% of the total population of Libya above age 15 can at least read and write which is far better than in most African countries today. The female Literacy rate of 72% is one of the highest especially in the Islamic world.
In 2009 Libya had the highest HDI (Human Development Index) in Africa and the fourth highest GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita in Africa, behind just 3 countries (Seychelles, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon).
Despite all these great achievements, Libya just like most other African countries today faces so many challenges including violence (especially against women and children), political instability (especially after the overthrow of the famous leader Moammar Gaddafi after 42 years in power as the head of state and head of government of Libya), poverty and discrimination (especially towards minority groups), environmental degradation (gradual deterioration of the environment caused by improper disposals of sewage, industrial wastes, etc.), desertification (the spreading of the Sahara desert), etc.
Despite Moammar Gaddafi's numerous efforts ( including the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world which brings water from large aquifers under the Sahara desert to coastal cities) to help ease the country's water shortage problems, inadequate portable water remains a major issue in Libya today especially in the small villages and towns across the country.
The hot, dry and dusty climatic conditions in most parts of Libya do not favor agriculture at all. Dust storms (including the famous "sirocco" or dust-laden ghibli, a southern wind lasting one to four days especially in Spring and Fall), sandstorms, etc. continue to threaten agricultural productions in several places.
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Libya today: Major problems and challenges
- Libya's reconstruction of Derna: 'A windfall for the Haftar clan' - Le Monde - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Court convicts former ambassadors, health officials, and cultural attachs at Libyan mission in Ukraine - Libya Herald - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Libyan European Transport Forum takes place in Tunis from 19 to 20 September - Libya Herald - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Sudan Situation: Sudanese Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Libya - As of 15 Sep 2024 - ReliefWeb - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Egypt follows deadly overturning incident of vehicle carrying Egyptians in Libya - Egypt Today - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- From Russia to Libya: Israel Has Adopted the Appalling Practice of Drafting Asylum Seekers - Haaretz - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- With reconstruction in mind, can Turkey-Egypt thaw offer lifeline for Libya? - Al-Monitor - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- FIFA Futsal World Cup: Libya emerge victorious, Angola stumble in opening ties. - CAFOnline.com - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- Libya's central bank chaos must serve as a wake-up call for the West - Euronews - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- One year since flooding devastated Libya - WBUR News - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Civil society should work together to be the drivers of change and overcome the divide in Libya, says USG DiCarlo [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Frontex Denies Involvement in Pushbacks and Defends 400 Million Expansion Tender Thousands Pushed Back to Niger from Algeria... - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- One-Year Commemoration of the Eastern Libya Floods - UNICEF - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Internal Shadows: The Unseen Plights of Libya's IDPs - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Focus - Libya: One year after deadly floods, reconstruction in full swing in Derna - FRANCE 24 English - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libya's Derna floods: Mourning a year later the loss of mums, dads and kids - BBC.com - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Turkey interested in Libya's offer of offshore exploration, says energy minister - Reuters - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- A year on, Libya flood survivors grieve for their dead - Reuters - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libya, EIA forecasts oil production of 600.000 barrels in the remaining months of 2024 - Agenzia Nova - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- UNICEF Fact sheet: One - Year commemoration of the Eastern Libya floods [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Goals and summary of the Benin 2-1 Libya in the Qualifiers CAF - VAVEL.com - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libya is a step further towards adapting to climate change: GIZ - Libya Herald - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- In Libya's Derna, Haftar using reconstruction to boost popularity one year after floods - Middle East Eye - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Top U.S. General Meets With Alleged War Criminal in Libya - The Intercept - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya: Internal Security Agency must be held accountable for deaths in custody, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention - Amnesty... - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- UNICE Fact sheet: One - Year commemoration of the Eastern Libya floods [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Eastern Libya signs MoU to construct its section of the Egypt Libya - Chad Transit Road Project - Libya Herald - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya factions agree to appoint central bank governor in bid to ease crisis - Reuters.com - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Never mind the BRICS, focus on Libya - Duvar English - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya Construction Expo 2024 will be held from 28 to 31 October at Tripoli International Fairgrounds - Libya Herald - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- AmCham Libya supporting high-level Libyan delegation to WEFTEC 2024 5 to 9 October, New Orleans, Louisiana - Libya Herald - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya at the brink of an imminent power crisis due to shortage of fuel - The North Africa Post - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Benin vs Libya Prediction and Betting Tips | 10th September 2024 - Sportskeeda - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Egyptian food exports to Libya amounted to US$ 183 million up to July an increase of 18 percent - Libya Herald - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Turkey Blocks Libya Arms Inspection For 12th Time, Raising Concerns About Commitment To Embargo - GreekCityTimes.com - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Africa News Tonight: China-Africa summit winds down, UN tries to end dispute over Libya central bank, Malawi aims to boost road safety - VOA Africa - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Notorious human trafficker sanctioned by the UN killed in Western Libya - The Jerusalem Post - September 10th, 2024 [September 10th, 2024]
- Libya central bank governor, other bankers flee to avoid militias, FT says - Reuters - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Expert predicts revolution in Libya, fears crisis far worse than 2011 - The Jerusalem Post - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya: UN report urges accountability for years of human rights violations in Tarhuna - OHCHR - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Africa File, August 29, 2024: North African Competition in the Sahel; Libya on the Edge; Burkina Faso is Spiraling - Institute for the Study of War - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- 'Crumbling': Libya's warring factions dig in for fight over oil profits - Middle East Eye - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Oil Drops in Technical Correction From Rally on Libya Disruption - Yahoo Finance - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya upheaval: Why Turkey is mum over heightened tensions in Tripoli - Al-Monitor - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya: The President of the Senate asks to shed light on the death of Bija - Agenzia Nova - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya : Ousted central bank governor flees with the keys - Africa Intelligence - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- U.S. calls for steps to maintain the credibility of the CBL - Libya Herald - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- U.S. crude oil rebounds nearly 2% on major supply disruption in Libya and Iraq output cut - CNBC - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Libya: Italian cuisine protagonist of the Mena Agro Food Expo 2024 in Benghazi - Agenzia Nova - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Is there an end in sight for the Libya oil crisis? - The National - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- All of Libya Held Hostage by Gunmen Targeting the Central Bank - The Washington Institute - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Sophie Kemkhadze joins as the new Resident Representative in Libya - United Nations Development Programme - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- EU official targets Trkiye over growing influence in Africa, Libya - Trkiye Today - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Libya's instability will worsen further without a unified government and elections, UN envoy says - The Associated Press - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Will turmoil in Libya spill over into the region? - Al Jazeera English - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Libya: Behind abduction and failed central bank coup in Tripoli - Al-Monitor - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- UN officials warn of further instability in Libya without elections soon - The Jerusalem Post - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Production at Libya's Sharara oilfield rises to 85,000 bpd to supply refinery, sources say - Reuters - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Small volumes of gas flowing to Italy from Libya - MEED - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Libya: the Brega oil company distributes fuel to citizens affected by floods in the south - Agenzia Nova - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Libyan Industry Union organises workshop on Libyan Industrial Exports - Reality and Prospects - Libya Herald - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Conflict Is Brewing in Libya Once Again - OilPrice.com - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Libya's Almadar Aljadid, Vox Solutions ink SMS and voice gateway deal - Connecting Africa - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- UN warns of rapidly deteriorating situation in Libya - Morning Star Online - August 22nd, 2024 [August 22nd, 2024]
- Arbitrary detentions and impunity widespread in Libya, warns UNs Trk - Welcome to the United Nations - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Mass Graves of Migrants in Libya: An End to a Dream for a Better Life in Europe - Asharq Al-awsat - English - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Marshal Haftar Meets with Greek Ambassador to Strengthen Bilateral Relations - Libya Update - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Morocco And The UN: Paving The Path To Peace In Libya OpEd - Eurasia Review - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Libya and Russia discuss reactivating the construction of the railway project - Libya Herald - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- UN probing reported mass grave on Libya-Tunisia border - Yahoo! Voices - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- NDA Partners with Turkish Firm TGG to Construct Modern Tower Complex in Benghazi - Libya Update - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- Efforts to increase trade between Indonesia and Libya - Libya Herald - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- EU says ready to support Libya's efforts to achieve peace and transitional justice - The Libya Observer - July 10th, 2024 [July 10th, 2024]
- AmCham Libya hosts meetings during recent visit of U.S. Embassy Commercial and Economic Officer David Morrison - Libya Herald - July 8th, 2024 [July 8th, 2024]
- Spanish doctors visit Libya in their 12th campaign 500 surgeries would have been performed since 2022 - Libya Herald - July 8th, 2024 [July 8th, 2024]
- Libyan olive oil wins gold and silver in U.S. olive oil competition - Libya Herald - July 8th, 2024 [July 8th, 2024]
- As fighting rages in Sudan, refugee aid efforts expand to two new countries - ReliefWeb - July 8th, 2024 [July 8th, 2024]
- Libya's special envoy resigned. What's next for the country? - Atlantic Council - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Comment: The IVECO-TbCo impasse was resolved by hard work and determination to continue a business relationship ... - Libya Herald - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]
- Two Libyan olive oil brands win gold at Athens International Olive Oil Competition 2024 - Libya Herald - May 27th, 2024 [May 27th, 2024]