Religion:

Islam official religion; nearly entire population adheres to Sunni branch of Islam. Population: Approximately million inhabitants according to 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:

Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major citiesLanguages: 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 dialects.

Arabic-speaking Sunni Muslims of mixed Arab and Berber ancestry make up well over 90 percent of indigenous population. 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.
Families:Islam shapes Arab family life. In the past, people lived in extendedfamilies. A typical family might include a husband and wife, their unmarried children, married sons and their families, elderly parents, and unmarried sisters and aunts.Today, many young couples set up their own homes, rather than living with thehusband's parents.

Some Libyan marriages are arranged by parents through a professional matchmaker or through relatives and friends. Although today many young people, especially those living in cities, choose their own partners, arranged marriages still occur in rural areas. Wedding celebrations may last for a week.

Islamic law allows men to have up to four wives, but it is no longer common for a man to have more than one wife. If a man takes a second wife,it is usually because his first wife cannot bear children.

In Libya, men are usually regarded as the head of the family.They make the important decisions and are the primary wage earners. Women are responsible for maintaining the home. In the past, few women went to school or worked outside the home.

They wore veils in public to cover their faces and did not leave home without a male escort from their families. Today, women have more freedom and opportunities. Many women, especially younger women living in cities. It is much more common for women to leave home unescorted to attend school and work. However, women are largely restricted to careers in nursing, teaching and secretarial work.