Ramadan economic strain in Libya is shaping daily life for millions this year as families struggle with soaring food prices, fuel shortages and a weakened dinar. Despite festive gatherings, fireworks and public celebrations, the economic reality has cast a heavy shadow over the holy month.
Fifteen years after the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, Libya remains politically divided and economically fragile. The ongoing split between rival administrations continues to hinder recovery and increase the pressure on ordinary citizens.
Rising prices overshadow Ramadan traditions
Supermarkets in Tripoli and other cities have been rationing goods as inflation deepens. Many petrol stations are short on fuel, and ATMs in the capital ran out of cash this week.
Firas Zreeg, a 37-year-old resident of Tripoli, told AFP that the economic situation was worsening, noting that speculation in the currency market contributed to the recent fall in the dinar.
Cooking oil prices have doubled in recent weeks and the cost of meat and poultry has risen by about fifty percent. Gas cylinder refills, which officially cost 1.5 dinars, are often unavailable through state channels and now sell on the black market for seventy-five dinars or more.
Daily hardships for families
Libyan households are facing:
- Sharp increases in basic food costs
- Difficulty accessing fuel and cash
- Limited availability of subsidized commodities
- Expanding black-market trade driven by shortages
Many citizens report that while Ramadan celebrations continue, the financial burden has grown heavier than in previous years.
Political division and economic instability
Libya remains split between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah and the eastern administration backed by Khalifa Haftar. The absence of a unified budget and parallel state institutions have created inconsistent fiscal policies and uncoordinated public spending.
Dinar devaluation and public pressure
Last month, the Central Bank in western Libya devalued the dinar for the second time in less than a year by nearly fifteen percent. Authorities said the move aimed to preserve monetary stability and safeguard public resources.
Prime Minister Dbeibah acknowledged in a recent address that the devaluation had added new burdens on citizens already struggling with rising prices.
Hanna Tetteh, head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, warned the UN Security Council that poverty and social pressure are increasing across the country. She cautioned that such conditions could trigger unforeseen political or security challenges.
Dbeibah undergoes medical treatment amid economic turbulence
Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah revealed this week that he had received medical treatment at a heart hospital in Misrata. His office described the procedure as successful.
Dbeibah stated that he later travelled abroad for additional medical tests for reassurance. Italian media reported that he had visited a cardiac facility in Milan on Thursday, though the prime minister said this was secondary to a prior engagement.
He confirmed that the results supported the success of his treatment in Libya. The prime minister continues to lead the Tripoli-based government while the eastern region remains under separate administration.
Fifteen years after the uprising
Libya on Tuesday marked fifteen years since the start of the 2011 uprising. Fireworks lit up the sky in Tripoli yet for many citizens the commemoration highlighted ongoing economic and political struggles rather than national progress.
Zreeg noted that despite minor improvements in security over the past three years, Libyans still face severe financial challenges that overshadow daily life.
Conclusion:
Ramadan in Libya shows a mix of celebration and hardship as families contend with inflation, political division and a weakened currency. While security conditions have mostly stabilized, economic uncertainty continues to shape the daily experiences of Libyans across the country.
