Labor force in Iraq: 12.5 million (Labor force, 2025 · 48th of 184). Labor force (people) in Iraq: 12.5 million in 2025, ranking 48th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 7.5 million.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2025
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks labor force (people) in Iraq for each year from 2010 to 2025, 16 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in people. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2025 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2025, Iraq's labor force rose from 7.5 million to 12.5 million, a change of 65.9% (about 3.4% a year on average).
- The highest value in this period was 12.5 million in 2025; the lowest was 7.5 million in 2010.
- Recently, the figure has risen in each of the last two years (2024: 12.1 million; 2025: 12.5 million).
- That is 100% lower than the world figure of 3.7 billion.
- Iraq has the 48th-highest value of 184 countries with recent data.
- In Western Asia, Iraq has the 3rd-highest value of 18 countries with recent data; the highest is Türkiye (36.8 million), and the typical (median) value is 3.1 million.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 8.3 million in 2010 to 2014, 10.0 million in 2015 to 2019 and 11.5 million in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 14 of the 15 year-to-year steps and down in 1. The biggest one-year rise came in 2022 (+827,791, or 7.8%). The biggest one-year fall came in 2017 (−14,788, or 0.1%). Across the period the values varied by about 15% around their average (10.0 million), a moderate amount of change.
What it means
For businesses and investors, the figure is most useful alongside related measures for the same country, such as growth, inflation, population and incomes, and compared with similar countries. Compared with its neighbours in Western Asia, where the typical value is 3.1 million, Iraq is 4.0 times the regional median.
Related figures
- Labor force (people) by country, 2025: 767.6 million (highest: China). The number of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work.
- Labor force (people) in United Arab Emirates, 2010–2025: 7.4 million (Labor force, 2025 · 67th of 184). Labor force (people) in United Arab Emirates: 7.4 million in 2025, ranking 67th of 184 countries.
- Labor force (people) in Armenia, 2010–2025: 1.4 million (Labor force, 2025 · 133rd of 184). Labor force (people) in Armenia: 1.4 million in 2025, ranking 133rd of 184 countries.
About this statistic
The number of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. The pool of potential workers and, broadly, of earning customers.
Employment and labour force figures show how many people earn an income and how tight the job market is, which shapes both consumer demand and hiring costs. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the labor force (people) in Iraq?
12.5 million (Labor force, 2025 · 48th of 184). Labor force (people) in Iraq: 12.5 million in 2025, ranking 48th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 7.5 million.
How has labor force in Iraq changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2025, Iraq's labor force rose from 7.5 million to 12.5 million, a change of 65.9% (about 3.4% a year on average). The highest value in this period was 12.5 million in 2025; the lowest was 7.5 million in 2010.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2025. The number of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. The pool of potential workers and, broadly, of earning customers.
Data
| Year | Labor force (people) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 7.5 million |
| 2011 | 7.8 million |
| 2012 | 8.1 million |
| 2013 | 8.8 million |
| 2014 | 9.3 million |
| 2015 | 9.6 million |
| 2016 | 9.9 million |
| 2017 | 9.9 million |
| 2018 | 10.1 million |
| 2019 | 10.2 million |
| 2020 | 10.4 million |
| 2021 | 10.6 million |
| 2022 | 11.4 million |
| 2023 | 11.8 million |
| 2024 | 12.1 million |
| 2025 | 12.5 million |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2025. Coverage: Iraq.
The number of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. The pool of potential workers and, broadly, of earning customers.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Labor force (people) by country, 2025
- Labor force (people) in United Arab Emirates, 2010–2025
- Labor force (people) in Armenia, 2010–2025
- Labor force (people) in Azerbaijan, 2010–2025
- Labor force (people) in Bahrain, 2010–2025
- GDP of Iraq, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Iraq, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Iraq, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Iraq, 2010–2024
All Iraq data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
Need more detail? Build a free India market report for any business and state.
Last reviewed November 9, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
