Plastic waste exports in Libya
Libya: Plastic waste exports was 3,373 tonnes in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Libya, 2007–2019
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Libya recorded 3,373 tonnes for plastic waste exports in 2019.
The figure is up 1.7% on the previous year and up 3,059.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Libya peaked at 4,252 tonnes in 2016 and was at its lowest, 13.8 tonnes, in 2010.
That places Libya 70th out of 167 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.
Plastic waste exports in Libya, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 360.74 tonnes | — |
| 2008 | 106.73 tonnes | -70.4% |
| 2010 | 13.8 tonnes | -87.1% |
| 2016 | 4,252 tonnes | +30715.1% |
| 2017 | 4,252 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 3,317 tonnes | -22.0% |
| 2019 | 3,373 tonnes | +1.7% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's 3,373 tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,066 tonnes, 3.2× the median. (49 countries reporting)
- Libya's 3,373 tonnes is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 2,459 tonnes, 1.4× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 233.74 tonnes | 106.73 tonnes | 360.74 tonnes | 2 |
| 2010s | 3,042 tonnes | 13.8 tonnes | 4,252 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Libya
More environment data for Libya
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -35.17 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -10.37 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.386 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.4 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.2239 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0.1672 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Libya?
- Plastic waste exports in Libya was 3,373 tonnes in 2019, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 4,252 tonnes in 2016.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.8 tonnes in 2010.
- How does Libya rank for plastic waste exports?
- Libya ranks 70th out of 167 countries with data for 2019.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3,059.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Libya data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.