Data released by Numbeo for mid-2025 indicates significant variations in environmental pollution across the Mediterranean basin states. The index highlights clear discrepancies among North African nations, where Libya registered a relatively better standing compared to its immediate neighbours, although environmental cleanliness indicators remain markedly stronger in Southern European countries.
Internal Factors and External Influences on Libyan Pollution
Environmental experts attribute Libya’s relatively lower pollution levels to domestic factors, including low population density and still-limited industrial activity. Conversely, higher pollution indices in other Arab nations (like Egypt and Lebanon) are linked to challenges such as urban congestion, unregulated industrial expansion, and deficient waste management systems. Experts insist that air quality is a shared, cross-border issue due to seasonal winds and maritime traffic between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
Numerical Comparison: Libya Versus Neighbours and Europe
Under the Pollution Index by Country 2025 Mid-Year ranking, Libya scored 52.0 points, placing it ahead of Algeria (63.8), Tunisia (69.7), and Egypt (82.7), making it the least polluted nation in the North African region. In a comparison with Southern Europe, Spain (35.3 points) and France (43.7 points) recorded significantly cleaner environmental scores, while Italy (53.4 points) was very close to the Libyan figure. Overall, the report suggests the Middle East and North Africa region generally registers levels above the European average, except that the UAE and Qatar are among the least polluted nations in the region, 48.2 and 60.0 points, respectively, due to the significant and focused capital poured into their environmental infrastructure development.
