Unemployment Hits 1.7 Million in Iraq as Government Launches Youth Job Initiatives

AFP

Unemployment in Iraq.

Unemployment in Iraq remains stubbornly high, with official figures revealing that more than 1.7 million people are currently registered as out of work and actively seeking employment. In response to the crisis, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is pivoting its strategy towards boosting small businesses and expanding youth training schemes.

According to a report published by the Al-Sabah newspaper, the jobless rate has escalated into a major challenge for the Iraqi government. The Directorate of Vocational Training alone has recorded 1.7 million registrations from citizens desperate to find work, with official sources highlighting that young people make up the lion’s share of this figure.

Osama Majidi Al-Khafaji, Director of the Labour Directorate, stated that authorities are drafting a comprehensive new strategy designed to support pioneering, start-up projects to help tackle the crisis.

Al-Khafaji explained that the upcoming plan focuses heavily on job creation and the development of management programmes, organised in close coordination with relevant authorities. The initiative will also see the rollout of specialised skills courses for young people, alongside broader state efforts to attract fresh investment into the country.

The Iraqi Ministry of Labour is putting a strong emphasis on promoting freelancing and youth innovation. Al-Khafaji noted that the ministry is actively encouraging young citizens to launch their own investment projects. The government hopes this entrepreneurial push will not only create self-employment but also generate jobs for others, ultimately stimulating the national economy and driving long-term development.


PUKMEDIA