Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Iraq

Iraq: Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) was 10.8% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
10.8%
World rank
195th
of 196 countries
All-time high
15.8%
in 1977
All-time low
8.7%
in 1997
Years of data
9
1977–2021

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Iraq, 1977–2021

0510151977199920211977: 15.81987: 10.51997: 8.72007: 12.22012: 11.92014: 13.62016: 14.52017: 11.22021: 10.8

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

The most recent figure for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Iraq is 10.8%, measured in 2021.

The figure is down 9.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Iraq peaked at 15.8% in 1977 and was at its lowest, 8.7%, in 1997.

That places Iraq 195th out of 196 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Iraq, year by year

Annual values for Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate) in Iraq, 1977 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1977 15.8%
1987 10.5% -33.6%
1997 8.7% -16.5%
2007 12.2% +39.7%
2012 11.9% -2.6%
2014 13.6% +14.4%
2016 14.5% +6.8%
2017 11.2% -23.1%
2021 10.8% -3.7%

Iraq compared with similar countries

  • Iraq's 10.8% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 52.0%, 21% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
  • Iraq's 10.8% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 26.7%, 40% of the median. (21 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 15.8% 15.8% 15.8% 1
1980s 10.5% 10.5% 10.5% 1
1990s 8.7% 8.7% 8.7% 1
2000s 12.2% 12.2% 12.2% 1
2010s 12.8% 11.2% 14.5% 4
2020s 10.8% 10.8% 10.8% 1

Countries ranked near Iraq

  1. 192 Syrian Arab Republic 14.8% compare
  2. 193 Sudan 14.4% compare
  3. 194 Iran, Islamic Republic of 14.1% compare
  4. 196 Yemen 6.0% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Iraq

All data for Iraq →

Frequently asked questions

What is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Iraq?
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Iraq was 10.8% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Iraq?
The highest recorded value was 15.8% in 1977.
What is the lowest labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) recorded in Iraq?
The lowest recorded value was 8.7% in 1997.
How does Iraq rank for labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages)?
Iraq ranks 195th out of 196 countries with data for 2021.
Is labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) rising or falling in Iraq?
Over the last ten years it is down 9.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Iraq data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) in Iraq. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labor-force-participation-rate-female-percent-of-female-population-ages-15-national/iraq/

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About this data

Indicator
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
220 places, 5,454 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.