Libya · Africa
How many people die in Libya every day?
In Libya, about 88 people die every day, roughly one death every 16 minutes. That is about 32,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 125th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 72.9 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
88
Deaths per year
32,000
Life expectancy
72.9 years
Population
6,888,388
Death rate
4.6 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Libya
72.9
World avg
72.8
+0.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Libya
4.6
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Libya by time period
| Per hour | 3.7 |
| Per day | 88 |
| Per week | 614 |
| Per month | 2,667 |
| Per year | 32,000 |
What people die of in Libya
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Libya in 2023 was natural disasters, which accounted for 25.3% of all deaths, about 34 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and stroke.
Deaths from kidney diseases have increased about 3-fold since 2000, from about 617 to 2,047 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natural disasters | 12,515 | 34 | 25.3% | n/a |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 10,046 | 28 | 20.3% | +112% |
| 3 | Stroke | 4,363 | 12 | 8.8% | +91% |
| 4 | Road injuries | 2,436 | 6.7 | 4.9% | +25% |
| 5 | Kidney diseases | 2,047 | 5.6 | 4.1% | +232% |
| 6 | Hypertensive heart disease | 1,569 | 4.3 | 3.2% | +133% |
| 7 | Diabetes | 1,051 | 2.9 | 2.1% | +166% |
| 8 | Lung cancer | 853 | 2.3 | 1.7% | +143% |
| 9 | Tuberculosis | 841 | 2.3 | 1.7% | +4% |
| 10 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 784 | 2.1 | 1.6% | +12% |
Deaths in Libya since 2000
WHO estimates that about 49,382 people died in Libya in 2023, 139% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 20,672 deaths |
| 2010 | 25,888 deaths |
| 2019 | 34,304 deaths |
| 2023 | 49,382 deaths |
Life expectancy in Libya since 1950
A baby born in Libya in 1950 could expect to live about 33.1 years. By 2023 that had risen to 69.3, a gain of 36.2 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 33.1 years |
| 1980 | 64.8 years |
| 2000 | 70.5 years |
| 2010 | 72.2 years |
| 2019 | 72.9 years |
| 2023 | 69.3 years |
Libya compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Libya ranks 5th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Libya | 88 | 72.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Congo | 104 | 64.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Central African Republic | 181 | 53.1 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Sierra Leone | 205 | 54.7 | Malaria |
| Liberia | 104 | 60.7 | Malaria |
| Togo | 159 | 61.6 | Malaria |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Libya every day?
In Libya, about 88 people die every day, or roughly one death every 16 minutes. That adds up to about 32,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Libya?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Libya. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put natural disasters first in 2023, with 25.3% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Libya?
Life expectancy at birth in Libya is 72.9 years, 0.1 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 104th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Libya high?
Libya records about 4.6 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.