Libya is considered a primary destination for migrants seeking to reach Europe, where they are distributed in its various cities, some find opportunities for stability after arduous journeys searching for livelihoods. The city of Misrata stands out as one of the most prominent points of attraction for migrants, due to the availability of suitable job opportunities.
Geographical and demographic distribution
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed that the municipality of Misrata hosts 62,767 migrants, equivalent to 8% of the total migrants in Libya and 15% of the residents in the country’s west. Al-Kharouba area tops the list of host regions with the largest number of migrants, accommodating 13% of their total in the municipality. The organization’s data shows a clear distribution of migrants in Misrata’s towns, such as Al-Kharouba (8,000), Tamina (5,300), Al-Kosh (5,000), Abu Shaeira (2,700), Qasr Ahmed (2,500), Al-Mahjoub (2,650), Abu Rawiya (2,190), Al-Dafniya (2,500), Ras Ammar (2,200), and Armoisat (916). They belong to diverse nationalities: 56% (34,865) from sub-Saharan African countries, 37% (23,035) from North Africa, 5% (3,106) from the Middle East, 3% (1,699) from Asia, and 0.1% (62) from other regions. The nationalities of Niger (43%), Egypt (21%), Sudan (12%), Chad (5%), and Syria (4%) constitute the most prominent percentages. The age and gender composition includes 14% minors, 11% adult women, and 75% adult men. 63% of them live in urban areas, compared to 37% in rural areas, while 72% live in rented accommodations they pay for, 15% in their workplaces, and the rest in accommodations provided by employers or other entities, with limited cases in abandoned buildings or informal camps.
Job Opportunities and Income
The unemployment rate in Misrata is 3%, much lower than the national rate (21%), reflecting the abundance of job opportunities, especially in the construction sector. Most migrants work in construction, manufacturing, and domestic cleaning. Their average monthly income is 1,273 Libyan dinars, slightly higher than the national average (1,198 dinars), although this increase remains limited compared to high employment rates.
Main Challenges
Migrants face multiple challenges, most notably:
* Job insecurity (66% in Misrata compared to 53% nationally).
* Exposure to verbal abuse (46%).
* Reduction of agreed-upon wages (31%).
* Delay in salary disbursement (29% compared to 24% nationally).
Basic Services
The majority of migrants in Misrata enjoy access to safe drinking water (99%), compared to 84% nationally. Only 4% face difficulties in accessing healthcare (compared to 27% nationally), mainly due to financial incapacity (96% of cases).
Educational Reality
71% of migrant children in Misrata can enroll in schools, compared to 43% in the rest of Libya. The remaining 29% suffer from obstacles such as a lack of official documents.
Report Methodology
The IOM relied on its data on 24,444 direct interviews with migrants, including 642 interviews in Misrata, during the period from January to October 2024. It is noted that the sample does not fully represent all age groups.
