Libya is currently hosting 894,890 migrants from 45 nationalities, according to the latest update from the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix.
The figure marks an 18 percent increase compared to the same period last year, confirming Libya’s continuing role as one of North Africa’s main destinations and transit points for migrants.
The report shows that the largest groups of migrants in Libya come from Sudan, Niger, Egypt, Chad, and Nigeria. Many arrive seeking work opportunities within Libya’s urban centers or use the country as a departure point toward Europe across the central Mediterranean.
The IOM attributes this rise to a combination of regional instability, economic hardship, and ongoing conflicts across the Sahel and Sudan, which have displaced thousands. Libya’s location and its extensive desert borders make it a natural crossroads for human mobility between sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean.
Most migrants are concentrated in western and southern Libya, particularly in Tripoli, Benghazi, Sebha, and Misrata. The report also notes that migration to and within Libya is largely informal, with many migrants lacking legal status or protection, which exposes them to exploitation, trafficking, and detention.
The IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix continuously monitors migrant flows and population movements to better understand migration dynamics in Libya. The organization also provides humanitarian support, including emergency shelter, health care, and voluntary return programs for those wishing to go back to their countries of origin.
Libya remains both a destination and a transit country for migrants, positioned at the center of one of the world’s most active migration routes. The continued rise in migrant numbers highlights the need for stronger regional cooperation, protection frameworks, and sustainable migration management systems to ensure safety and dignity for those on the move.
