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Iraq · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

172nd of 185 · 17th in MENA+
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UnemploymentIraq's unemployment rose from 8.5 % in 1996 to 15.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%15%20%15.5 %

Iraq's unemployment rose from 8.5 % in 1996 to 15.5 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

166th of 183 · 15th in MENA+
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Youth unemploymentIraq's youth unemployment rose from 15.8 % in 1996 to 32.0 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%10%20%30%40%32.0 %

Iraq's youth unemployment rose from 15.8 % in 1996 to 32.0 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

170th of 182 · 14th in MENA+
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ParticipationIraq's participation fell from 42.3 % in 1996 to 41.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202539%40%41%42%43%44%41.5 %

Iraq's participation fell from 42.3 % in 1996 to 41.5 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

180th of 182 · 19th in MENA+
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Iraq's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 8.8 % in 1996 to 10.9 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020258%10%12%14%16%10.9 %

Iraq's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 8.8 % in 1996 to 10.9 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

174th of 182 · 16th in MENA+
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Iraq's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 38.7 % in 1996 to 35.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202532%34%36%38%40%35.1 %

Iraq's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 38.7 % in 1996 to 35.1 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

48th of 182 · 7th in MENA+
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Labour force, totalIraq's labour force, total rose from 5.07M in 1996 to 12.5M in 2025.2000200520102015202020254M6M8M10M12M14M12.5M

Iraq's labour force, total rose from 5.07M in 1996 to 12.5M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

92nd of 182 · 8th in MENA+
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Iraq's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 38.3 % in 1996 to 31.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202530%35%40%31.7 %

Iraq's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 38.3 % in 1996 to 31.7 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

88th of 182 · 14th in MENA+
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Iraq's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 35.5 % in 1996 to 27.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202526%28%30%32%34%36%38%27.1 %

Iraq's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 35.5 % in 1996 to 27.1 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

114th of 182 · 11th in MENA+
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Iraq's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 16.4 % in 1996 to 8.2 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%15%20%8.2 %

Iraq's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 16.4 % in 1996 to 8.2 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

30th of 182 · 9th in MENA+
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Iraq's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 23.4 % in 1996 to 26.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202523%24%25%26%27%28%26.5 %

Iraq's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 23.4 % in 1996 to 26.5 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

77th of 182 · 9th in MENA+
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Iraq's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 60.2 % in 1996 to 65.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%62%64%66%65.3 %

Iraq's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 60.2 % in 1996 to 65.3 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

72nd of 168 · 11th in MENA+
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Iraq's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $29.8k in 1996 to intl $54.3k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $20kintl $40kintl $60kintl $80kintl $54.3k

Iraq's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $29.8k in 1996 to intl $54.3k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Iraq.

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