Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq
Iraq: Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) was 66.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq is 66.4%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.
The figure is up 1.2% on the previous year and up 59.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq peaked at 66.4% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 18.1%, in 1992.
That places Iraq 3rd out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 18.3% | — |
| 1992 | 18.1% | -0.8% |
| 1993 | 18.3% | +0.8% |
| 1994 | 18.2% | -0.3% |
| 1995 | 18.6% | +2.3% |
| 1996 | 18.9% | +1.3% |
| 1997 | 18.8% | -0.7% |
| 1998 | 18.5% | -1.2% |
| 1999 | 18.5% | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 18.6% | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 18.9% | +1.7% |
| 2002 | 19.4% | +2.7% |
| 2003 | 19.9% | +2.3% |
| 2004 | 19.6% | -1.5% |
| 2005 | 19.4% | -1.0% |
| 2006 | 19.1% | -1.2% |
| 2007 | 19.4% | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 21.3% | +9.8% |
| 2009 | 23.4% | +9.9% |
| 2010 | 25.4% | +8.6% |
| 2011 | 27.6% | +8.5% |
| 2012 | 29.5% | +6.9% |
| 2013 | 37.5% | +27.3% |
| 2014 | 45.7% | +21.6% |
| 2015 | 41.7% | -8.7% |
| 2016 | 37.5% | -10.1% |
| 2017 | 62.6% | +67.0% |
| 2018 | 61.1% | -2.3% |
| 2019 | 60.4% | -1.2% |
| 2020 | 65.9% | +9.0% |
| 2021 | 62.2% | -5.5% |
| 2022 | 65.3% | +4.9% |
| 2023 | 65.4% | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 65.6% | +0.3% |
| 2025 | 66.4% | +1.2% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 66.4% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 19.7%, 3.4× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 66.4% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 29.5%, 2.3× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +67.0% | 37.5% | 62.6% |
| 2013 | +27.3% | 29.5% | 37.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 18.5% | 18.1% | 18.9% | 9 |
| 2000s | 19.9% | 18.6% | 23.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 42.9% | 25.4% | 62.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 65.1% | 62.2% | 66.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
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 unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq?
- Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq was 66.4% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 66.4% in 2025.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.1% in 1992.
- How does Iraq rank for unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24)?
- Iraq ranks 3rd out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 59.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.