Economy, jobs and prices in Karbala, Iraq: official figures
In 2024 the unemployment rate for people aged 15 and over in Karbala was 7.8%, 3rd lowest of 18 governorates and against 13.5% for Iraq.
What is youth unemployment in Karbala?
Among young people aged 15 to 24 in Karbala, 9.6% of the labour force was unemployed in 2024 (joint 3rd lowest of 18 governorates) and 32.1% 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 Karbala gone up since 2014?
Unemployment among people aged 15+ in Karbala was 6.7% in the 2014 household survey and 7.8% in 2024, up 1.1 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 Karbala in 2016?
The 2016 household survey put unemployment among people aged 15+ in Karbala at 7.1%, with 40.8% of people in the labour force; in 2024 the figures were 7.8% and 35.9%.
Source: Commission of Statistics and Geographic Information Systems (Ministry of Planning) · saved copyHow Karbala compares with other governorates
Unemployment rate, people aged 15+ (2024) (2024)
Karbala ranks 16 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Kirkuk | 12.8% |
| 13 | Baghdad | 12.3% |
| 14 | Al-Qadisiyah | 9.9% |
| 15 | Salah al-Din | 9.4% |
| 16 | Karbala | 7.8% |
| 17 | Diyala | 6.3% |
| 18 | Babil | 4.2% |
Economic activity rate, people aged 15+ (2024) (2024)
Karbala ranks 12 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 15 | Al-Muthanna | 30.4% |
Youth unemployment rate, ages 15-24 (2024) (2024)
Karbala ranks 15 of 18, highest first. Share of the youth labour force without work
| Rank | Region | Youth unemployment rate, ages 15-24 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Dhi Qar | 15.9% |
| 13 | Nineveh | 15.5% |
| 14 | Salah al-Din | 11.2% |
| 15 | Karbala | 9.6% |
| 16 | Al-Qadisiyah | 9.6% |
| 17 | Diyala | 8.5% |
| 18 | Babil | 3.6% |
More on Karbala: 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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