Iraq Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Iraq's dependency ratio was 65.36 in 2025, ranked 54th globally. This represents a 1.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Iraq's dependency ratio stood at 65.36 in 2025, a decline of +1.30 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 65.36 by 2025. Iraq ranked 54th globally.
Iraq’s total dependency ratio has fallen dramatically over the 66‑year series, sliding from a high of 107.22 in 1977 to a trough of 65.36 in 2025, which places the country at rank 54 globally. The early peak reflected a large youth cohort born during the post‑oil boom, while successive declines have been driven by falling fertility and a modest rise in the working‑age population. By 2025 the ratio is virtually identical to that of the Virgin Islands (US) at 65.35 and only slightly above St. Martin (French part) at 65.86, signalling that Iraq’s demographic burden is now comparable to small, high‑income economies rather than its regional peers. The continued reduction in dependents per worker suggests a gradual easing of pressure on public services and pensions, but sustaining this trajectory will require maintaining low fertility, expanding labour‑force participation, and improving health outcomes for the ageing segment of the population.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 62.68 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 64.02 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 65.36 | - | - |
| 2025 | 65.36 | −1.30 | #54 |
| 2024 | 66.65 | −1.38 | #166 |
| 2023 | 68.03 | −1.41 | #167 |
| 2022 | 69.45 | −1.33 | #169 |
| 2021 | 70.77 | −1.21 | #171 |
| 2020 | 71.98 | −1.11 | #171 |
| 2019 | 73.10 | −1.01 | #173 |
| 2018 | 74.11 | −0.95 | #172 |
| 2017 | 75.06 | −0.88 | #172 |
| 2016 | 75.94 | −0.80 | #174 |
| 2015 | 76.75 | −0.69 | #174 |
| 2014 | 77.43 | −0.53 | #174 |
| 2013 | 77.96 | −0.45 | #175 |
| 2012 | 78.41 | −0.42 | #176 |
| 2011 | 78.83 | −0.52 | #176 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iraq matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iraq's dependency ratio was 65.36 in 2025. Ranked 54th globally. This represents a 1.9% decrease from the previous year.
Iraq's dependency ratio peaked at 107.22 in 1977.
The lowest dependency ratio in Iraq was 65.36 in 2025.
Iraq ranks 54th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iraq's dependency ratio is projected to reach 65.36 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Iraq in 2025 was 65.36. This ranks 54th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iraq_dependency-ratio,
title = {Iraq Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iraq/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}