Iraq flag

Iraq

Middle East · Asia
Population
44.4M
GDP (Nominal)
$279.6B
Capital City
Baghdad
Currency
IQD (ع.د)
Avg Salary
$600/mo
Region
Middle East

Livability Index 2026

35/100
Cost of Living
8/100
Avg Salary
55.5/100
Safety
45.7/100
Healthcare
40/100
Education
42/100
Overall Livability

Institutional Summary

Iraq is a historically rich Middle Eastern nation with an economy heavily dominated by its vast petroleum reserves. While it offers high-paying opportunities for expats in the energy sector and a very low cost of living, it continues to face significant challenges with youth unemployment, underdeveloped infrastructure, and regional safety concerns.

Cost of Living

Monthly Rent (1BR)$350
Monthly Groceries$200
Monthly Transport$30
Utilities & Internet$100
Estimated Total Monthly
$680 /person

AI Algorithm Summary

Major Strengths

  • Extremely affordable cost of living

Algorithmic Red Flags

  • Strict and difficult immigration policies
  • High unemployment rate (15.5%)

Economic Performance

📈 Stable Growth
GDP Per Capita
$6,183
Inflation Rate
2.7%
Unemployment
15.5%
5-Year GDP Trend

Migration & Visa

Work Visa/Permit (Employer Sponsored)
Business Visa
Tourist e-Visa
Visa Difficulty
7/10
PR Eligibility
Very rare, highly restricted

Employment Landscape

Avg Monthly Salary
$600
Trending
Top Performing Industries
Petroleum & Natural Gas
Petrochemicals
Construction
Agriculture (Dates, Wheat)

Social Indicators

Life Expectancy
70.4 Yrs
Literacy Rate
85%
Top Universities (QS Rank)
University of Baghdad#1000
Mustansiriyah University#1200

Compare Iraq

Benchmark against other Tier-1 economies provides critical context for relocation or institutional investment decisions.