Libya Leads Africa in Education Index Amid Census Challenges

According to the World Population Review Education Index, Libya ranks as Africa’s most educated country in 2026, based on indicators such as expected and mean years of schooling. The ranking places Libya ahead of Kenya, Zimbabwe and other nations despite ongoing political and economic difficulties.

Libya has not conducted a nationwide population census since 2006, when the population was estimated at 5.5 million. Repeated political crises, institutional fragmentation and security concerns have stalled new census efforts, according to officials including Nabil Al‑Qanqa, director of Statistics and Census at the Ministry of Planning, and Mahmoud Al‑Futaisi, chairman of the Economic and Social Development Council. The absence of up‑to‑date demographic data hampers public‑service planning, budget allocation, infrastructure development and the organization of future elections and referendums.