Refugee Numbers in Libya Surpass 100,000 Amid Regional Conflicts

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that the number of refugees in Libya exceeded 100,000 as of October 2025, with Sudanese nationals accounting for the largest share at approximately 84,400.
Other refugee groups include 8,900 Eritreans, 2,300 Ethiopians, 1,900 South Sudanese, and around 5,300 Syrians, according to CNN’s coverage of the UN data.
Observers note that the actual numbers may be higher, as UN operations are limited to areas under the Government of National Unity in western Libya, leaving populations in other regions unrecorded.
The surge in refugees is largely driven by the ongoing war in Sudan, which has triggered widespread killings and displacement, while many Eritreans flee forced conscription and human rights abuses, often falling prey to trafficking networks. Libya continues to act as a critical transit hub for migrants seeking passage across the Mediterranean to Europe, with the northeastern Sahara region serving as the final departure point for those escaping conflict and persecution in search of safety and better opportunities.