Labor Force
In 2002 Iraq’s labor force was estimated at 6.8 million people.
In 1996 some 66.4 percent of the labor force worked in services, 17.5 percent in industry, and 16.1 percent in agriculture. 2004 estimates of Iraq’s unemployment ranged from 30 percent to 60 percent.
| Month | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2003-5 May | N/A |
| 2003-6 June | 50-60% |
| 2003-7 July | N/A |
| 2003-8 August | 50-60% |
| 2003-9 September | N/A |
| 2003-10 October | 40-50% |
| 2003-11 November | N/A |
| 2003-12 December | 45-55% |
| 2004-01 to 05 (January - May) | 30-45% |
| 2004-06 to 11 (June - November) | 30-40% |
| 2004-12 December | 28-40% |
| 2005-01 to 10 (January - October) | 27-40% |
| 2005-11 to 12 (November - December) | 25-40% |
| 2006-01 to 12 (January - December) | 25-40% |
| 2007-01 to 12 (January - December) | 25-40% |
| 2008-01 to 12 (January - December) | 25-40% |
| 2009-01 (January) | 23-38% |
The CPA has referred to a 25% unemployment rate, the Iraqi Ministry of Planning mentioned a 30% unemployment rate, whereas the Iraqi Ministry of Social Affairs claims it to be 48%. Other sources are claiming a 20% unemployment rate and a probably 60% under-employment rate. The actual figure is problematic because of high participation in black-market activities and poor security conditions in many populous areas. In central Iraq, security concerns discouraged the hiring of new workers and the resumption of regular work schedules. At the same time, the return of Iraqis from other countries increased the number of job seekers. In late 2004, most legitimate jobs were in the government, the army, the oil industry, and security-related enterprises. Under Saddam Hussein Hussein, many of the highest-paid workers were employed by the greatly overstaffed government, whose overthrow disrupted the input of these people to the economy. In 2004 the U.S. Agency for International Development committed US$1 billion for a worker-training program. In early 2004, the minimum wage was US$72 per month.
Mean wages were $2.10 per man-hour in 2009.
Read more about this topic: Economy Of Iraq
Famous quotes containing the words labor and/or force:
“No man can call himself liberal, or radical, or even a conservative advocate of fair play, if his work depends in any way on the unpaid or underpaid labor of women at home, or in the office.”
—Gloria Steinem (b. 1934)
“Teach us to live our lives with purpose and with power
for visions of a better world and for decision’s hour;
To choose the way of life, reject the way of death,
until the radiant force of God fills mind and strength and breath.”
—Walter J. Mathams (19th–20th centuries)