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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Libya
Index
Population: Approximately 3.63 million inhabitants according to
1984 census, including at least 260,000 aliens. Indigenous
population was increasing at one of world's highest annual growth
rates, estimated variously at between 3.4 percent and 4.5 percent.
Languages and Ethnic Groups: Official language Arabic.
Government policy discourages use of other languages, but English
used extensively--even by government for some purposes--and ranks
as a second language. Italian and French also spoken, and small
minorities speak Berber dialects. Arabic-speaking Sunni Muslims of
mixed Arab and Berber ancestry make up well over 90 percent of
indigenous population. Most of remainder Berbers, Tuaregs, and
black Africans, and small but long-settled Greek and Maltese
communities. Expatriates, imported under government contract to
meet labor shortages, largely citizens of other Muslim countries;
many technical and professional positions filled by East and West
Europeans. Altogether, representatives of more than 100
nationalities live in Libya.
Health: Number of medical doctors and dentists reportedly
increased sevenfold between 1970 and 1985, producing in case of
doctors ratio of 1 per 673 citizens. In 1985, about one-third of
doctors Libyan natives, remainder expatriate foreigners. Number of
hospital beds tripled in same time period. Among major health
hazards endemic in country in 1970s were typhoid and paratyphoid,
infectious hepatitis, leishmaniasis, rabies, meningitis,
schistosomiasis, venereal diseases, and principal childhood
ailments. Progress included eradication of malaria and significant
gains against trachoma, tuberculosis, and leprosy. In 1985 infant
mortality rate was 84 per 1000. Life expectancy for men 56 years,
for women 59 years.
Literacy: In early 1980s, estimates of total literacy between 50
and 60 percent, about 70 percent for men and 35 percent for women,
but gap narrowing because of increased female school attendance.
Religion: Islam official religion; nearly entire population
adheres to Sunni branch of Islam.
Data as of 1987
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