Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Iraq
Iraq: Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) was 43.4% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Iraq, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Iraq recorded 43.4% for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Iraq peaked at 44.8% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 41.5%, in 2021.
That places Iraq 176th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Iraq, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 43.7% | — |
| 1991 | 43.6% | -0.1% |
| 1992 | 43.6% | -0.1% |
| 1993 | 43.6% | -0.1% |
| 1994 | 43.6% | -0.0% |
| 1995 | 43.6% | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 43.5% | -0.0% |
| 1997 | 43.5% | -0.1% |
| 1998 | 43.5% | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 43.5% | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 43.5% | -0.0% |
| 2001 | 43.5% | -0.0% |
| 2002 | 43.5% | -0.0% |
| 2003 | 43.5% | -0.0% |
| 2004 | 43.5% | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 43.5% | -0.0% |
| 2006 | 43.4% | -0.0% |
| 2007 | 43.4% | -0.1% |
| 2008 | 43.3% | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 43.1% | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 43.0% | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 42.8% | -0.4% |
| 2012 | 42.6% | -0.4% |
| 2013 | 43.6% | +2.4% |
| 2014 | 44.7% | +2.3% |
| 2015 | 44.7% | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 44.8% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 43.5% | -2.8% |
| 2018 | 42.9% | -1.3% |
| 2019 | 42.3% | -1.5% |
| 2020 | 42.1% | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 41.5% | -1.5% |
| 2022 | 43.3% | +4.3% |
| 2023 | 43.4% | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 43.4% | -0.2% |
| 2025 | 43.4% | -0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 43.6% | 43.5% | 43.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 43.4% | 43.1% | 43.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 43.5% | 42.3% | 44.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 42.9% | 41.5% | 43.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 173 Iran, Islamic Republic of 45.0% compare
- 174 Turkmenistan 44.8% compare
- 175 Algeria 44.8% compare
- 177 Jordan 42.8% compare
- 178 Nepal 41.9% compare
- 179 Mauritania 41.9% 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 labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Iraq?
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) in Iraq was 43.4% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 44.8% in 2016.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 41.5% in 2021.
- How does Iraq rank for labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages)?
- Iraq ranks 176th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-64) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15-64 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.