Economy, jobs and prices in Najaf, Iraq: official figures
In 2024 the unemployment rate for people aged 15 and over in Najaf was 16.6%, 6th highest of 18 governorates and against 13.5% for Iraq.
What is youth unemployment in Najaf?
Among young people aged 15 to 24 in Najaf, 24.0% of the labour force was unemployed in 2024 (4th highest of 18 governorates) and 20.2% 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 Najaf gone up since 2014?
Unemployment among people aged 15+ in Najaf was 8.3% in the 2014 household survey and 16.6% in 2024, up 8.3 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 Najaf in 2016?
The 2016 household survey put unemployment among people aged 15+ in Najaf at 9.5%, with 42.1% of people in the labour force; in 2024 the figures were 16.6% and 23.6%.
Source: Commission of Statistics and Geographic Information Systems (Ministry of Planning) · saved copyHow Najaf compares with other governorates
Unemployment rate, people aged 15+ (2024) (2024)
Najaf ranks 6 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Maysan | 20.0% |
| 4 | Basra | 18.0% |
| 5 | Duhok | 17.5% |
| 6 | Najaf | 16.6% |
| 7 | Erbil | 14.7% |
| 8 | Dhi Qar | 14.2% |
| 9 | Nineveh | 14.1% |
Economic activity rate, people aged 15+ (2024) (2024)
Najaf ranks 17 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Karbala | 35.9% |
| 13 | Dhi Qar | 31.6% |
| 14 | Wasit | 31.0% |
| 15 | Al-Muthanna | 30.4% |
| 16 | Babil | 28.3% |
| 17 | Najaf | 23.6% |
| 18 | Al-Qadisiyah | 23.6% |
Youth unemployment rate, ages 15-24 (2024) (2024)
Najaf ranks 4 of 18, highest first. Share of the youth labour force without work
| Rank | Region | Youth unemployment rate, ages 15-24 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anbar | 29.5% |
| 2 | Al-Muthanna | 29.2% |
| 3 | Maysan | 25.3% |
| 4 | Najaf | 24.0% |
| 5 | Basra | 20.4% |
| 6 | Duhok | 19.9% |
| 7 | Baghdad | 18.3% |
More on Najaf: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.