Iraq Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Iraq's labor force participation was 41.53% in 2025, ranked 169th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Iraq's labor force participation stood at 41.53% in 2025, a decline of +0.02pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 42.32% by 2026. Iraq ranked 169th globally.
Iraq’s labor force participation has slipped modestly over the past three decades, declining from 42.46 % in 1990 to 41.53 % in 2025, a level that ranks it 169th globally. The indicator reached its highest point in 2016 at 43.15 % before falling to a trough of 39.66 % in 2021, suggesting that recent economic disruptions have eroded workforce engagement. Compared with peer economies, Iraq’s participation rate remains slightly below Turkmenistan’s 42.03 % and marginally above Iran’s 40.97 %, reflecting a regional pattern of limited labor market absorption. The 36‑year coverage shows a gradual downward trend rather than a sharp reversal, indicating structural constraints such as demographic shifts and persistent insecurity. If reforms that improve job creation, especially for women and youth, are implemented, the trajectory could stabilize or even reverse, raising participation rates in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 43.08% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 42.70% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 42.32% | - | - |
| 2025 | 41.53% | −0.02pp | #169 |
| 2024 | 41.56% | −0.07pp | #169 |
| 2023 | 41.63% | +0.15pp | #171 |
| 2022 | 41.48% | +1.82pp | #173 |
| 2021 | 39.66% | −0.64pp | #176 |
| 2020 | 40.31% | −0.21pp | #175 |
| 2019 | 40.52% | −0.72pp | #176 |
| 2018 | 41.24% | −0.65pp | #176 |
| 2017 | 41.89% | −1.26pp | #176 |
| 2016 | 43.15% | +0.11pp | #175 |
| 2015 | 43.04% | +0.11pp | #174 |
| 2014 | 42.93% | +0.97pp | #173 |
| 2013 | 41.96% | +0.97pp | #175 |
| 2012 | 40.99% | −0.14pp | #178 |
| 2011 | 41.13% | −0.15pp | #178 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iraq matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iraq's labor force participation was 41.53% in 2025. Ranked 169th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from the previous year.
Iraq's labor force participation peaked at 43.15% in 2016.
The lowest labor force participation in Iraq was 39.66% in 2021.
Iraq ranks 169th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iraq's labor force participation is projected to reach 42.32% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Iraq in 2025 was 41.53%. This ranks 169th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iraq_labor-force-participation,
title = {Iraq Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iraq/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}