Over 760,000 migrants are currently in Libya, according to the UN migration agency, IOM. The agency reported an increase in the number of Sudanese migrants in the North African country.
The IOM's "Displacement Tracking Matrix" (DTM) program has identified "a total of 761,322 migrants from 44 nations" who are currently in Libya. The announcement follows the publication of a major survey carried out in 100 Libyan municipalities in June and July.
Number of migrants on the rise, many arrivals from war-torn Sudan
The results of the IOM study show a slight increase (+5%) in the number of migrants in Libya compared to the previous round of data collection.
The increase is in line with a trend that started in December 2023 and is partly due to Sudanese fleeing the war, according to the agency.
"The rise in the number of migrants in Libya can be at least partially linked to the continuous arrival of Sudanese migrants, particularly in Alkufra, because of the ongoing conflict in their country of origin" between the army and paramilitary troops, the IOM states.
The number of migrants identified by DTM Libya in July 2024 is "the highest since DTM started collecting data in 2016. However, the UN agency stressed that "it remains lower than prior to the onset of conflict in 2011 when it was estimated to be around 2.5 million."
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Geographical patterns and trends
Eight in ten migrants in Libya (79%) were nationals from four neighbouring countries: Niger (24%), Sudan (24%), Egypt (21%) and Chad (10%), with a minority coming from Tunisia (1%) or Algeria (1%), the report said.
This trend highlights the influence of geographical proximity and diasporic ties that continue to shape migration patterns.
Libya has been hosting large migrant populations from neighbouring Niger, Egypt, Sudan and Chad since the discovery of oil in Libya in the 1960s, when it became an appealing destination for migrants, particularly from neighbouring countries, seeking livelihood opportunities on a temporary, regular or long-term basis, IOM noted.
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The majority of migrants identified by DTM Libya during round 53 (June-July 2024) were from sub-Saharan Africa (46%) or North Africa (46%) while a minority were from the Middle East (4%) or Asia (4%).
In line with previous reports, the largest migrant populations identified by DTM during round 53 of data collection were located in the coastal regions of Tripoli (15%), Misrata (11%), Benghazi (10%), Almargeb (6%), Ejdabia (6%) and Azzawya (6%).
The Libyan coastal area is home to the majority of urban settlements and crop land, while the rest of the country (more than 95% of the total area) is mainly desert or arid.
Around one in five migrants unemployed
DTM Libya has also continued observing an increase in the number of migrants, particularly in eastern coastal areas and western Libya, driven by livelihood opportunities in the sectors of construction, oil, trade, and agriculture in some municipalities.
In addition, seasonal migrant workers arrived in municipalities of southern Libya in preparation for the date harvest in July, August and September.
According to a joint FAO and UNDP study, full-time workers on farms in southern Libya (e.g. Algatroun and Sebha) are almost exclusively migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, mainly from Chad, Niger and Sudan.
In line with the previous round of data collection, around one in five migrants were unemployed and actively seeking employment (22%) during the reporting period.
A greater proportion of female migrants (43%) continue to be unemployed compared to males (21%).
The migrant unemployment rate had previously been decreasing in 2023 and up until February 2024, having peaked at 27 percent in October 2022.
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Migration intentions
Overall, around a third of migrants mentioned that they intend to stay in Libya, while 43 percent stated that they have no definite intentions, according to the report.
A minority reported their intention to return to their country of origin (12%) or continue onwards to another country (8%).
A total of 38 percent of migrants who were employed in Libya mentioned their intention to stay in the country compared to 27 percent of those who were unemployed.
One in seven migrants (14%) who were employed stated their intention to return to their country of origin compared to five percent who were unemployed (5%), highlighting the circular migration patterns between Libya and countries of origin.
Migration can help individuals and households diversify their livelihood options by providing access to new employment opportunities and by the same token enable them to send remittances, often on a seasonal or temporary basis, IOM said.