Economy, jobs and prices in Baghdad, Iraq: official figures
In 2024 the unemployment rate for people aged 15 and over in Baghdad was 12.3%, 6th lowest of 18 governorates and against 13.5% for Iraq.
What is youth unemployment in Baghdad?
Among young people aged 15 to 24 in Baghdad, 18.3% of the labour force was unemployed in 2024 (7th highest of 18 governorates) and 33.6% were in the labour force; Iraq-wide the youth unemployment rate was 16.8%.
Source: Commission of Statistics and Geographic Information Systems (Ministry of Planning) · saved copyHas unemployment in Baghdad gone up since 2014?
Unemployment among people aged 15+ in Baghdad was 13.3% in the 2014 household survey and 12.3% in 2024, down 1.0 percentage points (Iraq: 10.6% to 13.5%).
Source: Commission of Statistics and Geographic Information Systems (Ministry of Planning) · saved copyWhat was the unemployment rate in Baghdad in 2016?
The 2016 household survey put unemployment among people aged 15+ in Baghdad at 9.8%, with 44.6% of people in the labour force; in 2024 the figures were 12.3% and 36.9%.
Source: Commission of Statistics and Geographic Information Systems (Ministry of Planning) · saved copyHow Baghdad compares with other governorates
Unemployment rate, people aged 15+ (2024) (2024)
Baghdad ranks 13 of 18, highest first. Share of the labour force without work, Iraq household socio-economic survey 2024
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, people aged 15+ (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Sulaymaniyah | 13.6% |
| 11 | Wasit | 12.9% |
| 12 | Kirkuk | 12.8% |
| 13 | Baghdad | 12.3% |
| 14 | Al-Qadisiyah | 9.9% |
| 15 | Salah al-Din | 9.4% |
| 16 | Karbala | 7.8% |
Economic activity rate, people aged 15+ (2024) (2024)
Baghdad ranks 11 of 18, highest first. Share of people aged 15+ who are working or looking for work
| Rank | Region | Economic activity rate, people aged 15+ (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Kirkuk | 37.9% |
| 9 | Salah al-Din | 37.7% |
| 10 | Nineveh | 37.2% |
| 11 | Baghdad | 36.9% |
| 12 | Karbala | 35.9% |
| 13 | Dhi Qar | 31.6% |
| 14 | Wasit | 31.0% |
Youth unemployment rate, ages 15-24 (2024) (2024)
Baghdad ranks 7 of 18, highest first. Share of the youth labour force without work
| Rank | Region | Youth unemployment rate, ages 15-24 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Najaf | 24.0% |
| 5 | Basra | 20.4% |
| 6 | Duhok | 19.9% |
| 7 | Baghdad | 18.3% |
| 8 | Kirkuk | 17.5% |
| 9 | Sulaymaniyah | 16.6% |
| 10 | Erbil | 16.3% |
More on Baghdad: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Iraq
Sources
- Commission of Statistics and Geographic Information Systems (Ministry of Planning): Employment and unemployment indicators: rates by governorate 2014, 2016 and 2024 (household socio-economic surveys), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7895d40228d9…)
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