Labor force participation rate in Iraq
Iraq: Labor force participation rate was 41.5% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
41.5%
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
173rd
of 186 countries
All-time high
43.1%
in 2016
All-time low
39.7%
in 2021
Years of data
36
1990–2025
Labor force participation rate in Iraq, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate in Iraq is 41.5%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.1% on the previous year and down 3.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Iraq peaked at 43.1% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 39.7%, in 2021.
That places Iraq 173rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Labor force participation rate in Iraq, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 42.5% | — |
| 1991 | 42.5% | -0.0% |
| 1992 | 42.4% | -0.2% |
| 1993 | 42.4% | -0.0% |
| 1994 | 42.4% | -0.0% |
| 1995 | 42.3% | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 42.3% | -0.0% |
| 1997 | 42.3% | -0.1% |
| 1998 | 42.2% | -0.1% |
| 1999 | 42.2% | -0.1% |
| 2000 | 42.1% | -0.1% |
| 2001 | 42.0% | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 42.0% | -0.1% |
| 2003 | 41.9% | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 41.9% | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 41.8% | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 41.8% | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 41.7% | -0.1% |
| 2008 | 41.6% | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 41.4% | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 41.3% | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 41.1% | -0.4% |
| 2012 | 41.0% | -0.4% |
| 2013 | 42.0% | +2.4% |
| 2014 | 42.9% | +2.3% |
| 2015 | 43.0% | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 43.1% | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 41.9% | -2.9% |
| 2018 | 41.2% | -1.5% |
| 2019 | 40.5% | -1.8% |
| 2020 | 40.3% | -0.5% |
| 2021 | 39.7% | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 41.5% | +4.6% |
| 2023 | 41.6% | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 41.6% | -0.2% |
| 2025 | 41.5% | -0.1% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 41.5% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 60.5%, 69% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 41.5% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 45.0%, 92% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 42.3% | 42.2% | 42.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 41.8% | 41.4% | 42.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 41.8% | 40.5% | 43.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 41.0% | 39.7% | 41.6% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 170 Puerto Rico 42.8% compare
- 171 Samoa 42.5% compare
- 172 Turkmenistan 42.0% compare
- 174 Iran 41.0% compare
- 175 Algeria 40.8% compare
- 176 Mauritania 40.8% 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 in Iraq?
- Labor force participation rate in Iraq was 41.5% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 43.1% in 2016.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.7% in 2021.
- How does Iraq rank for labor force participation rate?
- Iraq ranks 173rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).