Xifres de comerç exterior de Líbia

Foreign Trade in Figures

Trade has been an important element of the Libyan economy since the early 2000s, peaking at 108% of GDP in 2009, before the country became embroiled in another civil war. Nevertheless, its share recovered in the last few years and, according to the latest available data, it reached 156% in 2023 (World Bank). Main exports included crude oil, refined petroleum products, and natural gas (94% of total exports, UNCTAD), as well as gold, iron, and copper. Significant items of import include refined petroleum (mainly for re-export), broadcasting equipment, rolled tobacco, cars, and jewellery.

 As a member of organizations such as the Arab League, the African Union (AU), and the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), Libya engages in multilateral discussions and initiatives aimed at fostering cooperation and economic development. Additionally, Libya has historically participated in regional trade agreements, including agreements within the Arab world and Africa, to promote trade relations with neighbouring countries. However, due to political instability and conflict in recent years, Libya's active participation in international trade organizations and agreements has been limited and the country is not a member of the WTO. In 2023, the main export partners were Italy (22.5%), Germany (14.6%), Spain (8.7%), France (7.5%), and China (6.2%), with imports coming chiefly from China (17.4%), Turkey (14.6%), Italy (8.2%), the United Arab Emirates (8.2%), and Egypt (8% - data OEC).

According to the last available data from the WTO, goods exports stood at USD 35.2 billion in 2023, against USD 20.5 billion in imports (-6.4% and -30.7% year-on-year, respectively). That same year, the World Bank estimated Libya’s external trade balance surplus at 14.6% of GDP (from 27.6% one year earlier). Preliminary figures from Argus tracking data show that, in 2024, the country exported 973,000 barrels per day across its 12 crude grades, only slightly below the 989,000 b/d exported in 2023—the second-highest annual export volume since the 2011 civil war.