IMF Staff Country Reports

This 2005 Article IV Consultation underlies that in 2004, Libya’s macroeconomic performance was satisfactory, owing mainly to higher oil prices and increased oil output. Real GDP grew 4½ percent while consumer prices declined. The favorable developments in the oil market contributed to a significant improvement in the external current account surplus, which reached some 24 percent of GDP. In 2005, macroeconomic performance remained relatively strong. Real GDP growth was about 3½ percent, and inflation low. In contrast to previous years, economic growth is estimated to have been generated mainly in the non-oil economy.