Iraq Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Iraq's female labor participation was 10.94% in 2025, ranked 179th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Iraq's female labor participation stood at 10.94% in 2025, a decline of +0.07pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 10.95% by 2026. Iraq ranked 179th globally.
Iraq’s female labor force participation has risen modestly over the 36‑year series, moving from an all‑time trough of 8.51% in 1990 to a peak of 14.65% in 2016 before slipping to the latest 2025 figure of 10.94%, placing the country 179th in the global ranking. The post‑2003 reconstruction era saw the most pronounced increase, yet the subsequent decline suggests that gains have not been sustained. Compared with regional peers, Iraq lags behind Iran (14.01%) and trails Syria (12.73%) while remaining well above Afghanistan (5.09%) and Yemen (4.66%). The modest upward trajectory since the early 1990s reflects gradual improvements in education and legal reforms, but persistent cultural constraints and limited private‑sector opportunities curb higher participation. Continued investment in gender‑responsive policies, vocational training, and safe transport could reverse the recent downturn and propel Iraq toward a more inclusive labor market.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 10.93% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 10.94% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 10.95% | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.94% | −0.07pp | #179 |
| 2024 | 11.00% | +0.09pp | #179 |
| 2023 | 10.91% | −0.27pp | #181 |
| 2022 | 11.18% | +0.28pp | #183 |
| 2021 | 10.90% | +0.02pp | #185 |
| 2020 | 10.89% | −0.70pp | #185 |
| 2019 | 11.58% | +0.14pp | #185 |
| 2018 | 11.45% | +0.11pp | #185 |
| 2017 | 11.33% | −3.32pp | #185 |
| 2016 | 14.65% | +0.47pp | #184 |
| 2015 | 14.18% | +0.46pp | #183 |
| 2014 | 13.72% | +0.95pp | #182 |
| 2013 | 12.78% | +0.89pp | #185 |
| 2012 | 11.88% | −0.08pp | #185 |
| 2011 | 11.97% | −0.08pp | #185 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iraq matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iraq's female labor participation was 10.94% in 2025. Ranked 179th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from the previous year.
Iraq's female labor participation peaked at 14.65% in 2016.
The lowest female labor participation in Iraq was 8.51% in 1990.
Iraq ranks 179th globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iraq's female labor participation is projected to reach 10.95% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Iraq in 2025 was 10.94%. This ranks 179th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iraq_female-labor-participation,
title = {Iraq Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iraq/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}