Iraq Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Iraq's youth unemployment was 32.01% in 2025, ranked 164th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Iraq's youth unemployment stood at 32.01% in 2025, a rise of +0.29pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 30.34% by 2026. Iraq ranked 164th globally.
Iraq’s youth unemployment rate stood at 32.01 % in 2025, placing the country 164th in the world and only slightly below Yemen’s 32.60 % and Syria’s 33.10 % among its closest peers. The indicator has risen sharply since the early 1990s, when it was 15.71 % in 1991 and fell to a trough of 15.21 % in 1994, but a sustained upward trajectory culminated in an all‑time peak of 35.65 % in 2021. Over the 35‑year coverage period, the persistent increase reflects structural challenges in the labour market, including limited private‑sector growth, demographic pressure from a large cohort of young people, and the lingering effects of conflict on economic infrastructure. Although the 2025 figure marks a modest decline from the 2021 peak, the rate remains well above the 1990s trough, suggesting that without substantial reforms to education‑to‑employment pathways and investment in diversified industries, the downward momentum may be limited.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 28.87% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 29.60% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 30.34% | - | - |
| 2025 | 32.01% | +0.29pp | #164 |
| 2024 | 31.73% | +0.21pp | #164 |
| 2023 | 31.51% | −0.28pp | #166 |
| 2022 | 31.79% | −3.86pp | #166 |
| 2021 | 35.65% | +1.20pp | #167 |
| 2020 | 34.45% | +4.70pp | #160 |
| 2019 | 29.75% | +2.41pp | #158 |
| 2018 | 27.34% | +2.06pp | #150 |
| 2017 | 25.28% | +2.83pp | #145 |
| 2016 | 22.45% | +1.06pp | #132 |
| 2015 | 21.39% | +1.48pp | #127 |
| 2014 | 19.91% | +2.00pp | #120 |
| 2013 | 17.91% | +1.82pp | #106 |
| 2012 | 16.09% | −0.36pp | #96 |
| 2011 | 16.45% | −0.13pp | #97 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iraq matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iraq's youth unemployment was 32.01% in 2025. Ranked 164th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from the previous year.
Iraq's youth unemployment peaked at 35.65% in 2021.
The lowest youth unemployment in Iraq was 15.21% in 1994.
Iraq ranks 164th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iraq's youth unemployment is projected to reach 30.34% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Iraq in 2025 was 32.01%. This ranks 164th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iraq_youth-unemployment,
title = {Iraq Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iraq/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}