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

Iraq: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 14.3% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
14.3%
World rank
11th
of 181 countries
All-time high
14.3%
in 2021
All-time low
7.2%
in 2012
Years of data
6
2007–2021

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

0510152007201420212007: 8.92012: 7.22014: 8.42016: 8.52017: 10.32021: 14.3

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Iraq is 14.3%, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 98.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Iraq peaked at 14.3% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 7.2%, in 2012.

That places Iraq 11th out of 181 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

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

Annual values for Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate) in Iraq, 2007 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2007 8.9%
2012 7.2% -18.9%
2014 8.4% +17.5%
2016 8.5% +0.6%
2017 10.3% +20.8%
2021 14.3% +39.1%

Iraq compared with similar countries

  • Iraq's 14.3% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.4%, 2.7× the median. (52 countries reporting)
  • Iraq's 14.3% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 5.8%, 2.4× the median. (20 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 8.9% 8.9% 8.9% 1
2010s 8.6% 7.2% 10.3% 4
2020s 14.3% 14.3% 14.3% 1

Countries ranked near Iraq

  1. 8 Lesotho 16.2% compare
  2. 9 Puerto Rico 15.0% compare
  3. 10 Jordan 14.7% compare
  4. 12 Malawi 12.9% compare
  5. 13 Tunisia 12.8% compare
  6. 14 Guyana 12.8% compare

See the full ranking of 205 places →

More work & labour data for Iraq

All data for Iraq →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Iraq?
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Iraq was 14.3% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Iraq?
The highest recorded value was 14.3% in 2021.
What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Iraq?
The lowest recorded value was 7.2% in 2012.
How does Iraq rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
Iraq ranks 11th out of 181 countries with data for 2021.
Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Iraq?
Over the last ten years it is up 98.7%. 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, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Iraq. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-male-percent-of-male-labor-force-national-estimate/iraq/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, male (% of male 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, 5,415 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.