Iraq: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Iraq?

Iraq's unemployment rate was 15.5% in 2025, according to the modelled International Labour Organization estimate on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

The modelled estimate counts people without work who are available for and looking for it, as a share of the labour force. It is built from national surveys and models, so it can differ from a survey figure. The Statistics Authority says it is preparing a comprehensive labour force survey, to be carried out electronically with the International Labour Organization; no new national rate had been published on its site by 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Iraq · Statistics Authority

What is the minimum wage in Iraq?

No current official minimum wage figure was found on the sites of the Statistics Authority and the Ministry of Finance; the site of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (molsa.gov.iq) could not be loaded on 15 October 2026 because it redirected in a loop.

The Statistics Authority publishes labour and income survey results on its site. Any future national wage figures are expected to appear there or on the ministry's site.

Official sources: Statistics Authority · Ministry of Finance

What is the minimum wage in Iraq?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 350,000 IQD a month (about $269). No year since 2012 has been higher.

What is the unemployment rate in Iraq?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Iraq was 15.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 16.2% in 2021 and the low 8.0% in 2012. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 8.3%, and Iraq placed 5th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 14th highest.

What is youth unemployment in Iraq?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Iraq at 32.0% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 35.7%; its low point was 2012, at 16.1%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 18.3%; Iraq is 7th highest of 21. Worldwide: 16th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Iraq?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Iraq at 41.5% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 39.7% (2021) to 43.1% (2016). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 45.2%; Iraq is 14th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 162nd of 174.

What share of women in Iraq are in the labour force?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Iraq was 10.9%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 10.9% (2020) to 14.7% (2016). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 24.0%, and Iraq placed 19th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 172nd of 174.

What share of adults in Iraq have a job?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Iraq was 35.1%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 33.2% (2021) to 38.5% (2016). It is 16th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 40.0%. World rank, highest first: 166th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Iraq?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Iraq was 27.1%, according to the ILO. The peak was 33.8% in 2006 and the low 26.6% in 2018. It is 8th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 21.6%. Worldwide: 95th of 174.

How many people in Iraq are employees?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Iraq was 68.3% in 2025. The peak was 71.5% in 2013 and the low 65.0% in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 74.1%; Iraq is 14th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 83rd highest.