Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq
Iraq: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 35.4% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq, 2007–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Iraq recorded 35.4% for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in 2021. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 120.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq peaked at 35.4% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 16.1%, in 2012.
Iraq ranks 9th of 160 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 17.3% | — |
| 2012 | 16.1% | -7.1% |
| 2014 | 20.0% | +24.5% |
| 2016 | 22.7% | +13.4% |
| 2017 | 25.6% | +12.8% |
| 2021 | 35.4% | +38.3% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 35.4% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 15.5%, 2.3× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 35.4% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 15.3%, 2.3× the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 17.3% | 17.3% | 17.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 21.1% | 16.1% | 25.6% | 4 |
| 2020s | 35.4% | 35.4% | 35.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 6 Tunisia 38.5% compare
- 7 Namibia 38.0% compare
- 8 Syrian Arab Republic 35.8% compare
- 10 New Caledonia 34.5% compare
- 11 Puerto Rico 34.3% compare
- 12 Morocco 32.6% 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 unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Iraq was 35.4% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 35.4% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.1% in 2012.
- How does Iraq rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Iraq ranks 9th out of 160 countries with data for 2021.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 120.3%. 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, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national 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. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.