Iraq: public finances

What is Iraq's budget deficit?

Iraq's federal budget recorded a deficit of 8.9 trillion dinars in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Statistics Authority's early warning indicators for Q4 2025.

For whole years, the IMF's World Economic Outlook figures put general government net borrowing at 6.2% of GDP in 2025, up from 3.5% in 2024, and project 15.1% for 2026. Most government revenue in Iraq comes from oil exports, so the balance moves with oil prices and volumes. The Ministry of Finance publishes budget laws and execution reports.

Official sources: Statistics Authority: economic indicators, Q4 2025 · IMF DataMapper: net lending/borrowing, Iraq

How much debt does Iraq have?

Iraq's general government gross debt was 52.8% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook figures on its DataMapper, read on 15 October 2026. The IMF projects 71.1% for 2026, up from 42.1% in 2023.

The ratio depends on the size of GDP as well as on borrowing, so a fall in output raises it even if debt stays the same. The IMF projects GDP to fall in 2026. The Ministry of Finance publishes public debt reports through its Public Debt Department.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: general government gross debt, Iraq · Ministry of Finance

How much do Iraqi banks lend?

Total bank credit in Iraq was 75.6 trillion dinars in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Statistics Authority's early warning indicators for Q4 2025. The Authority also reports a fall in banks' cash assets and in both narrow and broad money supply in the quarter.

Bank credit covers loans to government, public companies and the private sector. Trading on the regulated Iraq Stock Exchange was 0.1 trillion dinars in the quarter. The Central Bank of Iraq publishes monthly monetary statistics.

Official sources: Statistics Authority: economic indicators, Q4 2025 · Central Bank of Iraq

What is Iraq's debt to GDP ratio?

52.8% of GDP: that is general government gross debt in Iraq for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 227.3% of GDP; its low point was 2014, at 27.6% of GDP. It is 10th highest of 20 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 52.5% of GDP. Worldwide: 95th of 185.

What is Iraq's budget deficit?

The IMF puts general government net lending or borrowing in Iraq at -6.2% of GDP in 2025, a deficit. The peak was 10.7% of GDP in 2006 and the low -14.9% of GDP in 2009. It is 16th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -5.2% of GDP. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 161st highest.

How much revenue does Iraq's government raise?

The IMF puts general government revenue in Iraq at 36.3% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 67.3% of GDP; its low point was 2016, at 27.9% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 26.3% of GDP; Iraq is 4th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 55th of 187.

What is Iraq's government spending?

The IMF puts general government spending in Iraq at 42.6% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 63.2% of GDP in 2005 and the low 31.1% of GDP in 2018. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 28.7% of GDP, and Iraq placed 4th highest of 21. Worldwide: 45th of 186.

How much tax does Iraq collect?

The IMF puts central government tax revenue in Iraq at 1.3% of GDP in 2019. Its high point since 2014 was 2017, at 2.7% of GDP; its low point was 2014, at 0.9% of GDP. It is 8th highest of 9 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 13.6% of GDP. Of 137 countries with 2019 data, 136th highest.

What is Iraq's military budget as a share of GDP?

SIPRI puts military spending in Iraq at 2.4% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 5.4% of GDP; its low point was 2022, at 1.6% of GDP. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 3.1% of GDP, and Iraq placed 12th highest of 15. Of 149 countries with 2025 data, 39th highest.