Iraq’s Youth Hit Hardest By Unemployment And Poverty

The World Food Program recently warned of high rates of poverty and unemployment especially amongst Iraq’s young. This contradicts official government announcements which claimed the number of poor was decreasing. That follows a trend by Baghdad to constantly downplay its social problems.

 

The World Food Program pointed to some alarming trends amongst Iraq’s youth. It found that 35% of them were unemployed and 70% were poor. Overall the poverty level was 30% for the country or 12 million out of an estimated 41 million. Iraq has one of the youngest populations in the region so these figures have a large impact upon the future of the country.

 

In October the Planning Ministry said that poverty was at 25%. According to it during COVID the number of poor people had risen to 31% in 2020, but then declined as the epidemic subsided.

 

On top of that in December Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani claimed that the rate of impoverishment was declining.

 

Economists have agreed with the World Food Program over pronouncements by Baghdad. They have also found poverty increasing. Not only that but they point out that the government can’t address the problem due to all the corruption that limits investment in the economy.

 

There are also policies that are making the situation worse such as the large number of foreign workers in Iraq that adds to unemployment. Baghdad for instance has been allowing more and more Iranians to come to work in Iraq facilitated by the Labor Ministry because the government favors Tehran.

 

The Iraqi government has a long history of playing down its social problems. That includes suppressing figures. The Iraqi elite are also completely removed from the population and its troubles. It has no answer for any issues Iraqis face like finding jobs or getting a constant supply of electricity. It is only concerned with maintaining its power and robbing the state which undermines any attempt to develop the country. The only thing the ruling class offers are government jobs which are doled out to their followers. There aren’t even enough of those due to financial constraints.

 

SOURCES

 

Al Aalem, “The government promises good news. Poverty is a condition that is moving upwards,” 10/17/23

 

Al Mada, “Poverty afflicts more than 11 million Iraqis … and planning is preparing for a new strategy,” 10/18/23

 

Al Maslaah, “Poverty in Iraq rises to 25% of the total population,” 1/7/23

- “The poverty rate in Iraq is declining to 29% … and expectations of a decrease in the percentage at the end of the year,” 11/14/21

 

Al Rafidain, “Economists: More Than 6 Million People Are Unemployed Throughout Iraq,” 12/4/23

- “The Growing Iranian Workforce Raises Unemployment Rates In Iraq And Wastes Foreign Currency,” 10/4/23

- “World Food Program: Youth Unemployment Rate Exceeds 35 Percent,” 1/19/24

 

Salem, Amr, “Iraqi PM declares a decline in poverty,” Iraqi News, 12/3/23