Libya
Complementing the work of the European Commission and the EU’s External Action Service, including assistance to the Delegation of the European Union to Libya, the European Training Foundation (ETF) supports policy dialogue with input to bilateral subcommittee meetings, monitoring of European Neighbourhood Policy action plans and annual country updates.
The Delegation has relaunched the EU-Libya TVET (technical and vocational education and training) delivery and development project, designed by the ETF, which was suspended in October 2014 due to civil unrest and security concerns. The ETF provides content and methodological advice during project implementation as well as focusing on supporting the recommendations of the Torino Process and its review of the TVET system.
The ETF assists the Delegation with a labour force survey by providing content-related support during the preparation of the terms of reference and monitoring the deliverables and results. Libya is also participating in the ETF Forum for Quality Assurance in VET.
Read our 2025 update on Key policy developments in education, training and employment (ETF, 2025). For a quick overview, see below.
2025 highlights at a glance
🏛️ Political and economic landscape: Libya continues to face political fragmentation, with parallel institutions operating across different parts of the country. While economic growth reached 10% in 2023, driven largely by oil production, the economy remains heavily dependent on hydrocarbons and highly vulnerable to instability. Reconstruction needs remain substantial following years of conflict and the impact of the 2023 Derna floods, while almost 800,000 people continue to require humanitarian assistance.
🎓 Education: Libya’s education system continues to face significant challenges linked to fragmented governance, damaged infrastructure, teacher shortages and limited institutional capacity. Recent reforms include the launch of the Higher Education and Research Strategy 2025–2035, efforts to modernise curricula, expansion of digital learning initiatives, the rollout of the Education Management Information System (EMIS), and greater emphasis on inclusive education. However, the absence of a comprehensive national education strategy and weak data systems continue to constrain progress.
🏫 Technical vocational education and training (TVET): Libya continues to reform its TVET system under Law No. 21 of 2023, which aims to establish a more coherent framework for qualifications, governance and training pathways. The Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education has launched initiatives to improve coordination, modernise qualifications and strengthen links with labour market needs. Nevertheless, outdated curricula, weak institutional capacity and uneven quality continue to limit the attractiveness and effectiveness of TVET provision.
✅ TVET governance: Efforts continue to improve coordination through the establishment of a National TVET Coordination Committee and a TVET Skills Council, while work is progressing on a National Qualifications Framework and occupational standards. Governance improvements remain constrained by institutional fragmentation and limited operational capacity across the education and labour sectors.
🛠️ Work-based learning (WBL): Work-based learning is receiving growing attention as a tool to improve employability and address skills mismatches. Pilot dual-training approaches, supported by international partners and industry cooperation, are being introduced in selected sectors. However, apprenticeship frameworks and employer engagement remain underdeveloped, and workplace learning opportunities continue to be limited in scale.
💼 Labour market challenges: Libya’s labour market remains characterised by low employment rates, high youth unemployment and widespread informality. Economic opportunities outside the public sector remain limited, while skills mismatches continue to affect labour market outcomes. Recent labour market initiatives include entrepreneurship support, employment campaigns, vocational training programmes and measures to address duplication in public employment. Despite these efforts, the labour market remains heavily affected by governance challenges and limited economic diversification.
👦 👧 Youth in focus: Young people continue to face major barriers in accessing education, training and employment. Internationally supported programmes such as the Youth Employment One Stop Shop (YESS), Maharah and entrepreneurship initiatives are helping improve employability, digital skills and business creation opportunities, particularly for vulnerable youth in underserved regions.
💻 Digital skills development: Digitalisation remains a growing priority for Libya’s education and training system. Initiatives such as the Mahara Skills School, UNICEF’s Learning Passport and new digital learning programmes are expanding opportunities in coding, web development, digital marketing and ICT. However, infrastructure shortages, skills gaps among teachers and uneven connectivity continue to limit broader system transformation.
🌿 Green skills development: Green skills are becoming increasingly visible within Libya’s recovery and development agenda. The EU4Skills programme, the new Green Economy Department at the Libyan-Korean Centre and various training initiatives are supporting skills for renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, environmental management and green entrepreneurship. These efforts aim to align training provision with emerging labour market needs and support economic diversification.
Priorities for 2026
👉 Stabilise and strengthen education and training governance, including improved coordination between institutions and the continued development of a coherent qualifications framework.
👉 Improve the quality and relevance of TVET, through curriculum modernisation, stronger quality assurance arrangements and closer links with labour market demand.
👉 Expand work-based learning and employer engagement, helping strengthen practical skills development and school-to-work transitions.
👉 Support lifelong learning and adult education, including recognition of prior learning, upskilling and reskilling opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups.
👉 Promote digital and green skills development, supporting economic diversification, youth employability and Libya’s longer-term recovery objectives.