Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Iraq

Iraq: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) was 28.3% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
28.3%
World rank
5th
of 181 countries
All-time high
31.0%
in 2017
All-time low
7.4%
in 2007
Years of data
6
2007–2021

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Iraq, 2007–2021

510152025302007201420212007: 7.42012: 12.42014: 21.92016: 22.22017: 312021: 28.3

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Iraq is 28.3%, measured in 2021.

The figure is up 127.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Iraq peaked at 31.0% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 7.4%, in 2007.

Iraq ranks 5th of 181 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Iraq, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) in Iraq, 2007 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2007 7.4%
2012 12.4% +67.0%
2014 21.9% +76.4%
2016 22.2% +1.4%
2017 31.0% +39.3%
2021 28.3% -8.6%

Iraq compared with similar countries

  • Iraq's 28.3% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 7.7%, 3.7× the median. (52 countries reporting)
  • Iraq's 28.3% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 10.9%, 2.6× the median. (20 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 7.4% 7.4% 7.4% 1
2010s 21.9% 12.4% 31.0% 4
2020s 28.3% 28.3% 28.3% 1

Countries ranked near Iraq

  1. 2 Eswatini 36.6% compare
  2. 3 South Africa 34.4% compare
  3. 4 Palestine, State of 29.7% compare
  4. 6 Botswana 26.4% compare
  5. 7 Yemen 26.1% compare
  6. 8 Jordan 25.0% compare

See the full ranking of 205 places →

More work & labour data for Iraq

All data for Iraq →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Iraq?
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Iraq was 28.3% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Iraq?
The highest recorded value was 31.0% in 2017.
What is the lowest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Iraq?
The lowest recorded value was 7.4% in 2007.
How does Iraq rank for unemployment, female (% of female labor force)?
Iraq ranks 5th out of 181 countries with data for 2021.
Is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) rising or falling in Iraq?
Over the last ten years it is up 127.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Iraq data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
205 places, 5,402 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.