Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Iraq
Iraq: Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 was 7.7% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Iraq, 2007–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2021, female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Iraq stood at 7.7%. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 25.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Iraq peaked at 11.3% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 7.7%, in 2021.
Iraq ranks 171st of 172 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Iraq, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 11.3% | — |
| 2012 | 10.4% | -7.8% |
| 2014 | 10.6% | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 11.3% | +6.4% |
| 2017 | 7.7% | -31.8% |
| 2021 | 7.7% | -0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.3% | 11.3% | 11.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 10.0% | 7.7% | 11.3% | 4 |
| 2020s | 7.7% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 168 Palestine, State of 12.8% compare
- 169 Iran, Islamic Republic of 12.1% compare
- 170 Syria 10.1%
- 172 Yemen 4.5% compare
More work & labour data for Iraq
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1891 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1939 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.1833 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.2038 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.31 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 65,560 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 15,931 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 50,009 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 50,640 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 100,649 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Iraq?
- Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Iraq was 7.7% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 11.3% in 2016.
- What is the lowest female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.7% in 2021.
- How does Iraq rank for female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024?
- Iraq ranks 171st out of 172 countries with data for 2021.
- Is female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of the female working-age population who are employed. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.